Happy Birthday, Nicole Kidman!

Today, we are celebrating the 45th birthday of Academy Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman. Originally a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, Kidman was born to Australian parents who soon moved back to Australia by the time she was four. As a child, she first loved ballet, but she also enjoyed elements of mime and drama. Acting soon became her refuge, and she spent many an hour in a dark theater practicing and perfecting her craft. While her professional film acting career began in the early 1980s, it really wasn't until her marriage to Tom Cruise in 1990 that Kidman truly burst onto the national scene. The two had two children together, but their marriage only lasted until 2001. Since then, Kidman has channeled her career toward three Oscar nominations - including one win - and she has become one of the most consistent actresses on the Hollywood scene. She re-married in 2006 to country music singer Keith Urban, with whom she also has two children. And now, here are some fun facts and accolades from Kidman's acting career:

Acting

First Film: Bush Christmas (1983)

Last Film: Trespass (2011)

Next Film: The Paperboy (2012)

Academy Awards

 Nominated: Best Actress, Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Won: Best Actress, The Hours (2002)

Nominated: Best Actress, Rabbit Hole (2010)

Over the years, I have managed to see ten of Kidman's films, and on average, her films have received a 'B-' grade. From those ten, I have created the following list of my five favorite of her performances:

5. Lady Sarah Ashley

Australia (2008)

*****

4. Grace Stewart

The Others (2001)

*****

3. Becca

Rabbit Hole (2010)

*****

2. Virginia Woolf

The Hours (2002)

*****

1. Satine

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Once again, I'd like to wish Nicole Kidman a happy 45th birthday!

Happy Birthday, Ewan McGregor!

Today, we're celebrating the 41st birthday of actor Ewan McGregor. His acting career began in the early 1990s with a series of television performances, but it wasn't until 1994 that he made his feature film debut in Shallow Grave. He garnered acclaim for his performance in 1996's Trainspotting, but McGregor burst onto the worldwide movie scene in 1999 when he first portrayed the young Obi-Wan Kenobi in the first of the Star Wars prequels, The Phantom Menace; he would go on to reprise the role in both of the film's subsequent sequels. Ewan has continued to have consistent work throughout the 2000s, appearing in such big-time films as 2001's Moulin Rouge and Black Hawk Down, 2003's Big Fish and 2010's The Ghost Writer. Most recently, McGregor appeared in the 2012 film Haywire, and he will next appear in the 2012 film The Impossible opposite Naomi Watts. And so, to celebrate his birthday, I've listed my five favorite of McGregor's performances and have found videos offering clips from those films. Once again, happy birthday, Ewan!

5. Grimes
Black Hawk Down (2001)


*****

4. Oliver Fields
Beginners (2011)


*****

3. Camerlengo Patrick McKenna
Angels & Demons (2009)


*****

2. Ed Bloom
Big Fish (2003)


*****

1. Christian
Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Top 10 Films of 2001

The year is 2001, and a lot has happened in the movie world. To help take you back in time, here's a look back at some of the film-related events that took place:

Two major film franchises (Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings) release their first installments.

Hollywood power couple Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman get divorced.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone becomes the highest-grossing film of the year, earning over $974 million at the worldwide box office.

A Beautiful Mind nabs four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.

The world loses the likes of Jack Lemmon, Aaliyah and George Harrison.

I've been able to see 50 films released in 2001, and from those, I've compiled my own top ten list. As one can imagine, some great films had to be left off the final list. Here's a look at some of the movies (listed alphabetically) that just missed the cut:

Blow
K-PAX
Monsters, Inc.
The Royal Tenenbaums
Training Day

But enough about the runners-up; here's the list you've been waiting to see! Counting down from number ten to number one, I've listed each film and have given the principal cast list as well as if and how fared at the Academy Awards. Also, I've listed the film's rank on my "Best Films of All-Time" list, if applicable. So without any further delay, here's my top ten movies of 2001!

*****

10. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Rated: PG-13
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett, Andy Serkis, Christopher Lee, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan
Academy Awards: 13 nominations, 4 wins
***
The first installment in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy proved to be the best of the bunch, in my opinion. Because no one really knew exactly what to expect from the franchise, we were all pleasantly surprised to see that Jackson was able to capture the spirit of the novels and create an entirely new world for audiences to enter and enjoy.

*****

9. A Beautiful Mind
Rated: PG-13
Directed by: Ron Howard
Starring: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, Christopher Plummer, Paul Bettany
Academy Awards: 8 nominations, 4 wins
***
Although I don't necessarily share the sentiments of the Academy in naming this film as the best of 2001, I still have to applaud Ron Howard and company for making a solid film that managed to portray a serious type of mental illness in a beautiful way. The acting is top-notch, and although there are a few moments that are going to leave you scratching your head, it's ultimately a very good movie that's worthy of your enjoyment.

*****

8. Gosford Park
Rated: R
Directed by: Robert Altman
Starring: Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Kristin Scott Thomas, Camilla Rutherford, Charles Dance, Geraldine Somerville, Tom Hollander, Ryan Phillippe, Clive Owen, Kelly Macdonald
Academy Awards: 7 nominations, 1 win
***
A Best Picture nominee at the Academy Awards, I actually hadn't heard of the film upon its initial release, and it wasn't until years later that I had the opportunity to give it a view. It's a cleverly-crafted whodunit that's going to keep you guessing until the very end of the film, just as any good mystery should do. The fact that it's chalk full of fantastic actors doesn't hurt, either.

*****

7. Donnie Darko
Rated: R
Directed by: Richard Kelly
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze
***
One of the first films that I ever recall calling "trippy," Donnie Darko still proves to be one of the oddest films I've ever had the chance to see. Mixing drama and romance with a bit of science fiction, we're getting an offbeat story that's complemented exceptionally well by a fantastic performance by Jake Gyllenhaal in our leading role. Aided by a number of big-time actors in supporting roles, this movie has easily earned the title of "cult classic."

*****

6. Amélie (Le fabeleux destin d'Amélie Poulain)
Rated: R
Directed by: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Starring: Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz
Academy Awards: 5 nominations
All-Time Ranking: 141
***
One of the first foreign films I had the opportunity to watch and fully understand, Amélie is a film that's going to hook you from the moment it starts and not release its grip until long after the final credits have rolled. It's a quirky romantic comedy that takes you through the streets of Montmarte in Paris, and Audrey Tautou is so incredibly charming that you'll be hard-pressed not to fall in love with her character as well.

*****

5. Black Hawk Down
Rated: R
Directed by: Ridley Scott Starring: Josh Hartnett, Eric Bana, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, William Fichtner, Ewen Bremner, Sam Shepard, Gabriel Casseus, Kim Coates, Hugh Dancy, Ron Eldard, Orlando Bloom, Ioan Gruffudd
Academy Awards: 4 nominations, 2 wins
All-Time Ranking: 118
***
This is another film that it took me quite a while to see, but I'd heard enough to know that I was going to be in for quite an experience. This is about as gritty and realistic as war movies come, and the all-star cast and pitch-perfect acting only accentuates the film's realism. I'd only say be wary if you're not ready for an all-out, wartime experience. This one's not for the faint of heart.

*****

4. Shrek
Rated: PG
Directed by: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson
Starring: Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, John Lithgow
Academy Awards: 2 nominations, 1 win
All-Time Ranking: 102
***
The first-ever winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, Shrek offers quite the story of fairy tales gone awry. It takes the fairy tale idea and turns it on its ear, offering laugh after laugh. A spectacular voice cast brings the characters to life, and it's no wonder that this film managed to spawn four sequels as well as a number of short films, none of which come close to matching the brilliance of this original.

*****

3. Amores perros
Rated: R
Directed by: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Starring: Emilio Echevarría, Gael García Bernal, Goya Toledo
Academy Awards: 1 nomination
All-Time Ranking: 69
***
I had heard quite a few things about this film around the time of its release, and it's nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards only heightened my interest. Although it's gritty and downright brutal at times, it still offers a rather brilliant tale of three lives that intersect after a fatal car accident. As I said, it's brutal, but it's incredibly moving as well.

*****

2. The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra
Rated: PG
Directed by: Larry Blamire
Starring: Larry Blamire, Fay Masterson, Andrew Parks, Susan McConnell, Brian Howe, Jennifer Blaire, Dan Conroy
All-Time Ranking: 68
***
A low-budget film of which most people will have never heard, The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra is one of the funniest films I've ever had the chance to see. The filmmakers created a perfect spoof of 1950s sci-fi B-movies, and it's so wonderfully crafted that you almost forget that all of their jokes are intentional. This film is, from top to bottom, one of the most complete efforts in filmmaking that I've ever seen.

*****

1. Moulin Rouge!
Rated: PG-13
Directed by: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Nicole Kidman, John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent, Richard Roxburgh
Academy Awards: 8 nominations, 2 wins
All-Time Ranking: 10
***
I've always been a bit of a sucker for romances, so when you create a film that centers around the unlikely romance between a struggling writer and a high-class escort, you can be sure I'll be interested in seeing it. Add a soundtrack that riffs and remixes high-profile songs from popular culture, as well as a screenplay that's going to make you laugh and cry, then you've got the makings of something truly profound.

Favorites: SONGS FROM FILM

I've been meaning to do this post for a while now, and I finally sat down and compiled the list. Basically, I'm running down my twenty-five favorite songs from movies from all of cinematic history - but I'm only using songs that were written specifically for a particular movie (or stage musical adapted to film). If I went with any song ever used in a movie, I'd overwhelm myself - I mean, that list would definitely include The Animals's "House of the Rising Sun" as seen in 1995's Casino. But I digress... This list will not include any songs from animated Disney films as I've already done a separate blog just specifically for my favorite Disney songs. I only picked one song from any particular movie, and that proved to be quite a struggle. Many of these songs come from musical films with amazing soundtracks, so picking just one song was rather difficult. Also, some of the songs do have strong language, so just know that going in. But that being said, here's my list. I hope you like it!

25. "Will You Be There"
Performed by: Michael Jackson
Free Willy (1993)

This song just brings back so many nostalgic memories of one of my favorite childhood films. And you knew I wasn't going to leave MJ off this list.

----------

24. "Mist and Shadow"
Performed by: Billy Boyd
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

You'd be hard-pressed to find this song hidden on the film's soundtrack, but it's one of the strongest scenes in an already great movie.

----------

23. "Kickapoo"
Performed by: Tenacious D feat. Meat Loaf & Ronnie James Dio
Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny (2006)

"Kickapoo" is the opening number from Tenacious D's film, and it opens up with fantastic vocal cameos. It almost has that rock opera feel to it as well.

----------

22. "Men in Tights"
Performed by: Ensemble
Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

Who doesn't burst into laughter whenever this song starts playing? There's some good songs in this movie, but "Men in Tights" takes the cake.

----------

21. "Stu's Song"
Performed by: Ed Helms
The Hangover (2009)

What DO tigers dream of when they take a little tiger snooze?

----------

20. "Pure Imagination"
Performed by: Gene Wilder
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1970)

Willy Wonka's song early in the film sets the stage for the wonder we're about to experience. It really is "pure imagination."

----------

19. "Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)"
Performed by: Cobra Starship
Snakes on a Plane (2006)

Yes, this song is ridiculous, and some may call it downright terrible. But it was incredibly catchy at the time of the film's release, and it has stuck with me since.

----------

18. "Fever Dog"
Performed by: Stillwater
Almost Famous (2000)

How can I keep the fictional rock band Stillwater off this list, especially when they've got a song as good as "Fever Dog"?

----------

17. "La Resistance Medley"
Performed by: Ensemble
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)

Because I couldn't really decide which song I liked most from the South Park movie, I went with the one that brings them all together in medley form.

----------

16. "(I've Had) The Time of My Life"
Performed by: Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
Dirty Dancing (1987)

Yes, this is a very good song - Oscar winning, in fact - and it definitely belongs on anyone's list of favorite movie songs. This one's for you, Dréa!

----------

15. "Hail, Holy Queen"
Performed by: Ensemble
Sister Act (1992)

I probably like this song a lot more than I should, but when my church's choir sings it every once in a while, I've grown to love it more and more.

----------

14. "Chim Chim Cher-ee"
Performed by: Dick Van Dyke & Julie Andrews
Mary Poppins (1964)

There's a ton of fantastic music in this Disney venture, but our chimney sweep song is just too good to pass, terrible accent and all.

----------

13. "Professional Pirate"
Performed by: Tim Curry & Ensemble
Muppet Treasure Island (1996)

Those of you who know me know that I have a tiny obsession with Tim Curry, so when he pops up in a very good Muppet film with a stirring solo, I'm not going to pass it by.

----------

12. "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow"
Performed by: The Soggy Bottom Boys
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

The only way this song could possibly be better is if George Clooney were actually providing the lead vocals. Doesn't take away from its amazing-ness, though.

----------

11. "Blazing Saddles"
Performed by: Frankie Laine
Blazing Saddles (1974)

This is one of the most stirring and memorable theme songs I've ever heard, and I just love it. Kudos, Frankie Laine.

----------

10. "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"
Performed by: Aerosmith
Armageddon (1998)

Yes, Aerosmith wrote this song just for the film Armageddon, as evidenced by its Golden Globe nomination. It was one the biggest hits as I entered adolescence.

----------

9. "Summer Nights"
Performed by: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John & Ensemble
Grease (1978)

I really wanted to go with "Greased Lightning" here, but "Summer Nights" was too strong to ignore. It chronicles Danny and Sandy's love affair and leads them towards each other again. Too good!

----------

8. "Hot Patootie/Bless My Soul"
Performed by: Meat Loaf & Ensemble
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

This was probably the toughest movie from which to pick a single song. I could've easily gone with "The Time Warp" or "Rose Tint My World," but Meat Loaf's lone number has to take the cake as my favorite in the film. Oh, and check out John Stamos's fantastic rendition from "Glee."

----------

7. "Lose Yourself"
Performed by: Eminem
8 Mile (2002)

Eminem scored an Oscar for this song. If the Academy liked it enough to give HIM an award, then there must be something rather great about it.

----------

6. "Leave"
Performed by: Glen Hansard
Once (2007)

I still maintain that this is one of the most emotionally-charged songs I've ever heard, from a movie or not. Seeing it in the movie is almost unbearable (for me).

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5. "The Weary Kind"
Performed by: Ryan Bingham & T-Bone Burnett
Crazy Heart (2009)

It took me a little while to come around to this song, but I heard it one day, and it just struck a chord. The vocals are different, and the song's really simple, but the statement is brutally poignant.

----------

4. "So Close"
Performed by: Jon McLaughlin
Enchanted (2007)

I know that this song made my other music list, but it's definitely good enough to reach across the aisle and make a splash here.

----------

3. "Come What May"
Performed by: Ewan McGregor & Nicole Kidman
Moulin Rouge! (2001)

The best love song I've heard to date from a movie, bar only Aladdin's "A Whole New World."

----------

2. "Singin' in the Rain"
Performed by: Gene Kelly
Singin' in the Rain (1952)

A Clockwork Orange may have tainted this song for me a little bit, but there's no denying that the titular song from Gene Kelly's 1952 vehicle is one of the most iconic in film history.

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1. "Over the Rainbow"
Performed by: Judy Garland
The Wizard of Oz (1939)

If you're a lover of film, then there's no reason why you shouldn't absolutely love "Over the Rainbow." This is far and away my favorite movie song; nothing else even comes close. When those schoolkids performed it at the Academy Awards a month ago, it brought a tear to my eye. It's the quintessential movie song, and it's lasted over eighty years. That kind of staying power simply cannot be beat. So simple, and yet so brilliant.