Top 10: Films I Need to Re-Watch

Have you ever watched a movie based on someone else's recommendation, only to find that it didn't quite live up to the bar they set? I can't begin to tell you just how many times this has happened to me. This becomes most frustrating when I watch an allegedly "great" film that has achieved a certain stature in cinematic history, but I simply can't find a way to like it or enjoy it. Because I want to have that intimate knowledge of the better films released through the course of history, I can say that I've had my share of disappointments. However, I think I may have a bit of a problem with my logic.


I usually only give most of those films a single viewing, and because I'm so put off by them the first time around, I simply don't take the time to give them another shot. There could very well be a chance that I'll enjoy the flick more the second time around, but I'm always just a tad bit wary of undertaking a film I didn't necessarily enjoy for a second time. However, sometimes it yields fantastic results. For example, I strongly disliked Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction when I first gave it a view, but after a second watch, I managed to see its incredible merit. Perhaps there are more such films out there.

So what I've done is create a list of films I've seen in the past that I didn't particularly enjoy for whatever reason of another. These are films that have stood out to me as ones that, for whatever reason, I think I might like after a second go-around. I could be completely wrong, but here goes nothing.

(Note: Of all the films on this list, I did not hate any of them on my first viewing. I simply think I didn't like them quite as much as I expected, and subsequent viewings seem to be in order.)


10. Kill Bill Vol. 1 / Kill Bill Vol. 2 (2003 / 2004)

Fitting that the film should start with another Tarantino venture, isn't it? When I saw the two Kill Bill films, I was in a place where I didn't really like Tarantino's style. Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs were good flicks, but I didn't really think they were all that brilliant. It wasn't until 2009's Inglourious Basterds that I started to come around on his filmmaking process, and I've since come to respect and enjoy Tarantino's vision. The Kill Bill flicks are the only ones I haven't managed to re-watch just yet, but I'm thinking I might like them a bit more than I did last time.

9. Rocky (1976)

My dislike for Rocky stems from two particular sentiments. First, I thought the film was a little bit too slow, and all that build up didn't really make for a terribly strong finish, in my opinion. Second, I'm really not much of a Sylvester Stallone fan, so it was difficult for me to relate to his character. Still, I understand the merit and achievement of the film, but as a pure entertainment factor, I think a re-watch might do me a little bit of good.

8. The Exorcist (1973)

Cited as one of the scariest films of all time, The Exorcist simply managed to spark a rise out of me the first time I watched it. Maybe it's been a bit dated since it was released in 1973, but I wasn't even left sitting on the edge of my seat, let alone be scared out of my wits. The problem I saw was that it felt like two different movies. The scenes with Linda Blair were fantastic, but everything else seemed like a melodrama that was a bit too talky.

7. Vertigo (1958)

Now, I did not dislike Vertigo the first time I watched it, but after a bit of studying, I realize I may not have entirely understood its meaning and message. It was recently voted by Sight & Sound as the greatest film of all time, and that alone makes me want to give it another watch, if only to remember just how great it is.

6. Blade Runner (1982)

Another film that I found to be a bit boring on its first viewing, I think I may have been a little too young for Blade Runner when I first saw it as a teenager. Having grown accustomed to seeing Harrison Ford in over-the-top action flicks, this dialed-down thinker didn't do quite enough to keep my adolescent mind engaged. Now, I think I have a little more patience with films, and this one might be right up my alley.

5. The Birds (1963)

Growing up, I was unable to watch The Birds because the concept utterly terrified me. I finally watched the film in a high school film class, and the ending left a sour taste in my mouth. I was extremely put off, and for a while, I was arguably quite angry with Alfred Hitchcock for ending the movie in such a way. The more I've thought about it though, the more I think it might be the right one, but I want to watch the movie again to give myself a little peace of mind.

4. Apocalypse Now (1979)

My problem with Apocalypse Now is that my only introduction to it was the Redux version, which runs fifty minutes longer than the original piece, which is lengthy itself at 153 minutes. Any film that lasts over three hours has to do a lot to keep the viewer engaged, but the Redux version couldn't quite do that for me. I think seeing the film in its original incarnation might give me a stronger appreciation for it.

3. The Shining (1980)

Can one actor ruin a film? In the case of The Shining, I'd argue yes. Shelley Duvall is so off-putting in the film that I was completely taken out of the storyline. It's even sadder to imagine because Jack Nicholson is so damn good in the film, ya know? Watching the film again knowing about Duvall's character should alleviate some of the strain, allowing me to focus on the story at hand.

2. The Matrix (1999)

I'm a little embarrassed about this one, but the reason I think I didn't like it the first time around is because literally everyone was enjoying it. I was in a stage of my life where I wanted to go against the grain, so disliking The Matrix was my big source of rebellion. Now that we're thirteen years later, I think another viewing is in order, if only to know that I've given it a proper chance.

1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

The first time I saw Monty Python and the Holy Grail, I hated it. I didn't get the humor, and I didn't find even one bit of it to be funny. To be fair, I was much younger than I am today, but I'm not quite sure that makes up for it. In the time since I've seen the film, I have seen - and thoroughly loved - a stage production of Spamalot, which is "lovingly ripped off from" the film itself. I think it was a matter of understanding the humor, and my positive reaction to Spamalot might mean that I'll have an equally positive reaction to the film.


Well, there you have it. The ten films I need to re-watch. Tune in next week for another top ten list!

Top 10: Films My Girlfriend Thinks I Should See

It's another Tuesday, and so I'm bringing you another "Top 10" list. This one, however, proves to be a tad bit different. In past weeks, I've offered up some of my own lists, delving into particular genres and sub-genres. But for this week's list, I thought we could go in a different direction. Now, I've mentioned here on a post here or there before, but my girlfriend Chloé wanted to help me with one of these particular posts, and I figured, "Why not?" It's a good change of pace, and it proves to be a very interesting list, I think.

What we have is a list of the ten films that Chloé thinks I need to see. Although I am quite the avid movie watcher, there are still plenty of flicks I've never had an opportunity to view. Luckily for me, Chloé is also a bit of a movie fan, and although our tastes match up quite a bit, there are plenty of flicks she's seen that I haven't. Ergo, the creation of this list. It's an eclectic selection, but I hope it can both engage you as well as give you ideas for new films you might like to see.

And so, without any further delay, here's the top ten films my girlfriend thinks I should see:


10. Velvet Goldmine (1998)

I've heard about this film from time to time, and I think I've seen it sitting on Netflix Instant Watch now and again, but I've never taken the time to sit down and watch it. With a now high-profile cast that includes Ewan McGregor, Christian Bale and Jonathan Rhys Myers, this venture into the glam rock of the 1970s has always sparked an interest. Says Chloé:

I was initially interested in Velvet Goldmine based off its title. Being a huge fan of David Bowie, I can say that I was extremely happy with the parallels between Bowie and the Brian Slade character on-screen. This film did not disappoint.

9. Kirikou et la sorcière (1998)
(Kirikous and the Sorceress)

I can honestly say that I've never heard of this animated film until Chloé offered me her list. She said that the film follows the story of a young boy named Kirikou, who tries to bring water back to his village after the evil sorceress Karaba kills all the men in the village and dries up the spring. Says Chloé:

I have fond memories of my grandmother playing this animated movie for my sisters and I after dinner, but it wasn't until I re-watched it last year that I realized just how brilliant it actually is.

8. Howl (2010)


I do have to say that I had every intention of seeing Howl when it first hit theaters. I'm a bit of a James Franco apologist, enjoying him in nearly all of his endeavors, and it was that reason alone that I had originally wanted to see this film. I knew a little bit about Allen Ginsberg's poem "Howl" on which the story is based, but I guess I didn't know enough to warrant going to see this one in the theaters. Says Chloé:

I truthfully didn't know what I was going to be getting as I sat down in the theater to watch Howl. A friend had told me about the film, but the only introduction I was offered was that the film featured Franco starring as Allen Ginsberg. What she didn't say was just how strong of a movie Howl proved to be.

7. Les demoiselles de Rochefort (1967)
(The Young Girls of Rochefort)

Another flick I don't really know anything about. I know that Chloé has mentioned this film on a few occasions in the past, but it's never been much of an in-depth conversation. The movie tells the story of two twins as they begin their adult lives and start to look for love. Says Chloé:

Les demoiselles de Rochefort is another film that links me back to my French roots. It's possibly my favorite film musical of all time. I just can't find any words that will do this movie justice, so I think you should just give it a chance. It even stars Gene Kelly, which I personally think is a huge plus.

6. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

I know what you're thinking: how haven't I seen a film as iconic as Breakfast at Tiffany's? To be fair, I'm sure Chloé has also asked that question on a number of occasions, and I don't think I've ever really had an answer for her. Says Chloé:

The fact that my boyfriend has not seen this movie is an insult to me, the resident Audrey Hepburn fanatic. I know that I want him to see all the films on this list, but the fact that he hasn't seen this one is probably the biggest tragedy.

5. Grey Gardens (1975)

In 2009, a made-for-TV movie called Grey Gardens was released and was met with critical acclaim. I knew that the film was a type of remake, but I didn't know that the original 1975 venture was actually a documentary. It took a look at the real lives of two of former First Lady Jackie Kennedy's cousins. Says Chloé:

One of the weirdest documentaries I've ever seen, Grey Gardens still manages to be my favorite. Our two central women have such enormous personalities that the film becomes utterly entertaining, documentary or not.

4. Never Let Me Go (2010)

Another film I had every intention of seeing during its initial theatrical release, Never Let Me Go simply managed to slip through my fingers. Based on Kazuo Ishiguro's novel of the same name, the film features the acting talents of Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield. The cast alone would have led me to the theater, but the overly emotional trailer also caught my eye. Says Chloé:

This movie is definitely a sad one. So sad, in fact, that when I tried with watch it with my mom, she literally refused to watch it through to the end. However, you shouldn't let that keep you from giving it a view. It's a near-perfect dystopian film with a beautiful love story. It's just a beautiful film, but be warned: it may leave you feeling sick to your stomach.

3. Withnail and I (1987)

The final film on the list of which I had never truly heard. Withnail and I is comedy that, according to Chloé, has a huge following in England. It tells the story of two struggling actors who decide to take a vacation together to get away from their mundane lives. Says Chloé:

Withnail and I is one of my favorite black comedies, and I just wish more people had heard of this brilliant film. It manages to keep you laughing all the way from start to finish.

2. Best in Show (2000)

Of all the films on this list, I think Chloé has been driving me to see this one the most in recent months. She even went as far as to buy me a copy of the film so that I could give it a view. I will eventually, I promise. Best in Show is a mockumentary that tells of five dogs and their owners as they train and prepare for the famed "Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show." Says Chloé:

Best in Show is my very favorite comedy and mockumentary. It's the cast that truly makes the film, featuring performers like Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey, Christopher Guest, Jennifer Coolidge, Jane Lynch and their dogs.

1. The Ice Storm (1997)

I wish I could count how many times Chloé has mentioned The Ice Storm to me, but I've simply lost count. This Ang Lee production features an ensemble cast that includes Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Christina Ricci, Tobey Maguire, Elijah Wood and Sigourney Weaver, and it tells the story of two dysfunctional families as they deal with affairs, drugs and sex. Says Chloé:

The Ice Storm is my favorite film of all time. There are really no words for it. I just love this movie.

And so, that concludes the list of the ten films my girlfriend thinks I need to see. I hope it gave you a few ideas of films you'd like to watch as well. Tune in next week for the next top ten list!

Top 10: Foreign-Language Films

While Hollywood may dominate the worldwide box office with its constant stream of films, there has been many a brilliant piece of cinema that has been produced outside the United States. Most of the world's larger countries have strong and flourishing film industries, and although they can't quite compare with the strength of Hollywood, they still manage to produce a number of great flicks. I've only recently - as in the past few years - started to delve into the world of foreign-language film, but in that span, I've managed to see quite a few great flicks, so I figured I'd make this particular list to showcase them.

Below is a list of the top ten foreign-language films I have ever seen. Now, while it could be considered a foreign film, you're not going to see any films from English-speaking countries like Canada or England. Instead of taking films simply produced outside the United States - which would include classics like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and Once Upon a Time in the West - I chose to stick with films that are predominantly not in English. I think that makes for a little bit more of an interesting selection.

With that, here's the list! I hope you enjoy it!


10. Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
Japanese: Letters from Iwo Jima

Released nearly simultaneously with its English-language sister film Flags of Our Fathers, Letters from Iwo Jima manages to expand upon and outperform its predecessor by bringing a more emotional tale to the screen. Director Clint Eastwood does well to show the Japanese side of the lost battle, and it works in brilliant fashion, and the film benefits from a fantastic leading performance from Ken Watanabe.

9. Downfall (2005)
German: Der Untergang

Many people have seen snippets of this film, but they may not quite recognize it. There's an ongoing Internet video featuring a scene from Downfall in which the subtitled language is replaced for comedic purposes, but the scene comes from this particular picture, which documents Adolf Hitler's last days alive. It's an interesting character study about a man who's losing his grip on reality, and in a way, it's almost a tragic tale.

8. The Lives of Others (2007)
German: Das Leben der Anderen

Although I think The Lives of Others was an undeserved winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture - it went up against Pan's Labyrinth, for goodness sake - it still manages to be one of the better foreign films I've ever seen. Equal parts mystery and human drama, it manages to keep you completely invested with each character, regardless of whether you like them or not. Kudos to the cast and crew.

7. Cinema Paradiso (1990)
Italian: Nuovo Cinema Paradiso

This is a more recent watch for me, and I instantly fell in love with the story of an aging filmmaker reminiscing about his childhood introduction to the world of cinema. It's an epic tale of a boy's life and growth into a young man, and it manages to hit all the key emotions along the way. It's a film made for people who love film, so if you fall under that category, this one's definitely for you.

6. Amélie (2001)
French: Le fabeleux destin d'Amélie Poulain

I remember first hearing about this French film during my first year of college, and after hearing so many people talk about how much they love it, I had to give Amélie a try for myself. What I got was a splendidly delightful tale about a young woman with whom you can't possibly fall in love. Audrey Tautou gives a stellar performance, and the light-hearted and whimsical tone of the movie is sure to draw you in immediately.

5. Das Boot (1982)
German: Das Boot

I've long known of this movie's existence, but as you can see by my year-old review (linked above), it's only recently that I've been able to take in its greatness. Arguably one of the best war movies ever to film, Das Boot effectively manages to convey the claustrophobic atmosphere of submarine life, all while bringing forth an incredible story of men just trying to survive.

4. Amores perros (2001)
Spanish: Amores perros

I saw this film after seeing movies like 2005's Crash and 2006's Babel, when the "intersecting storyline" thing was a big deal. Four years earlier, Amores perros did the same, with arguably much better results. It's a gritty tale, and it's going to take you to some very deep places, but if you can stomach some of the violence, then you're going to be amazed by the final result.

3. Let the Right One In (2008)
Swedish: Låt den rätte komma in

What starts as a very strong look at an off-beat horror film turns into something magnificent and beautiful with the film's climactic scene, and ever since, Let the Right One In has stuck with me. The relationship between the two young leads' characters is heartbreaking, but it's the glue that keeps this film together. Although still a strong film, the 2010 English-language remake (Let Me In) just doesn't compare to this original Swedish masterpiece.

2. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Spanish: El laberinto del fauno

In 2006, Guillermo del Toro gave the world Pan's Labyrinth, one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen, and one that made a run for the top spot on this list. Heralded as a fairy tale for adults, the film manages to bring a sense of wonder and dread all at once. Set against the backdrop of war, the story takes many a dark turn, and it's definitely not for the faint of heart, but I'll always hold this one dearly in my heart.

1. The 400 Blows (1959)
French: Les quatre cents coup

What can I say about this film other than its about as perfect as they come? It might be the truest "must-see" film I've ever managed to see, if only because I think every single person needs to see this masterpiece at some point in their life. I watched it at exactly the right time in my own life, and I think that was the reason the message seemed so clear to me. There isn't a person in the world that can't relate to the film's central character, and for that reason, I think that makes this a must-see for everyone.


And so, there's my list of the ten best foreign-language films I've ever seen. As with my other "top 10" lists, this one will be ever-changing, so keep your eye on it!

Top 10: Documentaries

For this week's installment into the 'Top 10' canon, I'm taking a look at some of the best documentary features I've ever seen. Documentaries have a special ability to give their audiences a view at a real subject in the real world, and the best ones will still prove to be just as entertaining - and often times more informative - as their scripted counterparts.

My days of watching documentaries are relatively small as I've only recently (as in, the past few years) gotten into the habit of giving them a view. At the current moment, that will be reflected in this particular list. You'll notice that most of the inclusions are recent pictures, but that shouldn't deter you from giving any of them a view. And as with my other 'Top 10' lists, this one will be ever-changing based off the new films I see.

And so, without any further delay, here's a look at the top ten documentaries I have ever seen:


10. Zombie Girl: The Movie (2009)

Over the years, the making of a number of films has been chronicled through documentary features, but I'm not quite sure that any has taken on the task of displaying the directorial debut of a twelve-year-old girl. When Emily Hagins started working on her zombie flick, Pathogen, a crew of documentarians took interest and gave the world an insight into the making of her first feature-length venture. What results is an honest look at the world of independent filmmaking, and it's going to make you root for Hagins from start to finish.

9. Cropsey (2010)

Billed as a documentary that delves into the concepts of urban mythology, Cropsey ultimately proves to be a blend of the documentary, courtroom and horror genres. By taking the real-life events of missing children cases in Staten Island, filmmakers Barbara Brancaccio and Joshua Zeman create an always-engaging piece that's going to leave you wondering. It's going to haunt you for a while, and I think that was the film's intention all along.

8. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008)

Speaking of films that are going to stay with you... Dear Zachary is one of the most emotionally exhausting films you are ever going to see. It tells the tragic story of one man's attempt to create a film for the infant son of his late best friend, who was murdered in cold blood. Although you always know it's a documentary, Dear Zachary is edited in a way that it almost seems like a dramatic thriller. What makes it so emotionally responsive is the fact that it is a true story. I'd dare anyone to try and watch this without shedding a tear or two.

7. Waking Sleeping Beauty (2010)

Many of my readers will know that I'm a bit of a Disney fanatic, and when given the opportunity to watch a documentary about Disney, you'll be sure I'll jump right in. Add the fact that this particular gem follows the brilliance of the Disney Animation "renaissance" period, which created films like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, and you've got yourself the makings of something that everyone in my generation is going to love and enjoy.

6. The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)

I've never been much of a video gamer, but I do tend to enjoy your classic arcade games. The King of Kong showcases a number of hardcore gamers attempting to stamp their name in the record books as the best of the original "Donkey Kong" arcade game. What makes this film so engaging is the fact that, despite it being a documentary, we're given a clear protagonist and antagonist. We know who we want to cheer for and who we want to root against, and that makes it all the more entertaining and emotionally powerful.

5. Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)

One of the first documentaries I ever watched based off its critical merit, Exit Through the Gift Shop took me into a world I knew nothing about and made me care about it immensely. It tells a very interesting story about one man's dream to become one with the street artists around the world, and he manages to do so, even if it means bringing the art down to his own level. With a finale that's going to evoke a number of emotions, this one's definitely one to keep your eye on.

4. The People vs. George Lucas (2010)

Any fan of Star Wars is going to want to take a look at this particular endeavor. It managed to capture my own personal feelings about George Lucas and his take on the original films in comparison to the more recent prequel trilogy. We're seeing a very strong love-hate relationship from fans in relation to Lucas, and I think that these emotions carry quite well throughout the film. Once again, if you love Star Wars and you haven't seen The People vs. George Lucas, do yourself a favor and watch it right now.

3. Jesus Camp (2006)

Although this film was released in 2006, it took me a few years before I actually sat down and gave it a view. Having spent nearly eight years working with the teenage youth program at my own church, I was shocked to see just how differently some organizations and religions take their camps. Of all the films on this particular list, Jesus Camp might be one of the most horrific. It's going to leave you with a bad taste in your mouth, but I think that's just what the filmmakers intended. It's a hard watch, but in a way, it might be a necessary one.

2. The Bridge (2006)

When I re-watched this film last night, it spurred me to create this particular list. The subject of suicide is generally taboo and often times off-limits, but The Bridge handles it with the grace and respect it rightfully deserves. It's not an easy film to watch - you're going to see snippets of jumpers plunging to their deaths - but if you can stomach that, then the stories from family and friends should shed a lot of light on the emotions that people face when suicide enters their lives.

1. The Cove (2009)

Arguably the most angering and emotional documentary I've ever seen, The Cove details the story of a rag-tag group of activists attempting to shut down the dolphin slaughters in Taiji, Japan. To do this, they covertly set up a number of cameras in the cove where the slaughter takes place in order to show the world the atrocities that occur each year. All animal lovers beware: you see the slaughter in full, and that was the film's desire all along. The images may be horrifying, but they may be the only way to pull people into action in order to stop this annual act.


And that concludes my 'Top 10' list of the best documentaries I've ever seen. I hope you enjoyed it! Check back next Tuesday for the next list!

Top 10: Stop-Motion Animation

For my inaugural 'Top 10 Tuesday' post, I took a little bit of inspiration from this week's upcoming new release, ParaNorman. The film, which tells the story of a young boy who can see the dead, utilizes the art of stop-motion animation to bring its characters and its world to life. And so, in honor of its opening, I thought it'd be fun to take a look at what I think are the top ten films featuring stop-motion animation.

The art of stop-motion animation is arguably one of the most difficult and tiresome, but when done correctly, it can breed brilliant results. The animators who work with stop-motion toll for years on end to craft one feature film, and it turns into a labor of love for most. To find a spot on this list, a film has to have used stop-motion animation in some significant form. Most of the films currently featured are animated films that utilized the technology throughout their run-time, but there are a couple inclusions to the list that simply use the art in very prominent fashion.

And so, without any further delay, here is my list of the ten best films featuring stop-motion animation.


10. The Lost World (1925)

In the early years of stop-motion animation, there were many films that attempted the art, and some attempts even proved successful. However, The Lost World was one of the first films truly to strike gold with the technique, bringing prehistoric beasts to life right there on the silver screen. Nearly ninety years later, I'm sure many a stop-motion animator still looks back at what these filmmakers were able to do with their clay creatures way back in the 1920s, and even if it's just for that particular facet, The Lost World is definitely worth a watch.

9. James and the Giant Peach (1996)

Although not entirely an animated film, James and the Giant Peach still uses quite a bit of the stop-motion technique to bring Roald Dahl's beautiful story to life. This was Henry Selick's first foray into directing after his feature film debut, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and while he couldn't quite strike the same brilliant chord, he still managed to bring a lively and colorful story to the screen, and he had the animation to back it up.

8. Corpse Bride (2005)

Even though Tim Burton's name is often on these darkly comedic stop-motion animated films, Corpse Bride is actually one of the only ones he's actually helped direct. He and co-director Mike Johnson managed to craft an eerily creepy atmosphere, all while maintaining that light-hearted story that's been the centerpiece for so many of his tales. It's not the best foray in the genre, but it still proves to be entirely entertaining.

7. ParaNorman (2012)

The most recent addition to this particular list proves to be the film that inspired me to create it. After seeing ParaNorman earlier today (you can see my review here), I have to say that the utterly stunning use of stop-motion animation, combined with a wonderfully macabre screenplay and storyline, all add up to craft one heck of a film. Parents beware, however: this animated feature, like Coraline and Corpse Bride, might not necessarily be directly geared for the little ones.

6. Coraline (2009)

Out of all the straight-up animated films on this list, Coraline is the only one I don't necessarily consider a comedy. It's a little too dark for that particular classification, but something about that darkness is what makes it so attractive. Henry Selick worked wonders with the stop-motion here, crafting an immersible, albeit a tad bit trippy, world for his audience to enter. The final product is something rather beautiful.

5. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Next to A Charlie Brown Christmas, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more endearing Christmas special, and I think Rudolph definitely deserves a spot on this particular list. Although the animation isn't necessarily the best the world has ever seen, it mixes with a great story and simply proves to be quite the entertaining venture. It's been playing ever year since its initial run, and that has to say quite a bit, right?

4. King Kong (1933)

Eight years after the release of The Lost World, movie watchers around the world got the chance to see the next stage of stop-motion animation with the release of King Kong. Cited by many a director as the movie that launched them towards their current profession, the almost-eighty-year-old movie still manages to impress to this day. The animation is utterly astounding, and to think it was crafted so long ago is a little hard to believe.

3. Mary and Max (2009)

If you haven't heard about this particular Australian import, I won't really be surprised. My sister initially recommended the film to me, and after watching it, I have to say it's one of my personal favorite animated films. It's relatively simple stop-motion animation, but it brings forth some incredibly interesting and endearing characters, both of whom are impossible not to love. It's definitely worth a watch, if you have the time.

2. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

One of the most recent additions to this list, Fantastic Mr. Fox was quite a revelation when it hit theaters in 2009. It was director Wes Anderson's first foray into animation, and his use of stop-motion was a little bit different than anything that had been done before. The attention to detail in the animation is impressive, and he managed to bring his trademark sense of off-beat humor to the classic Roald Dahl story. I might even go as far as to say that it's Anderson's best film, but I'm sure I'll have naysayers on that one. Still, it's quite an impressive feat for a first attempt at the genre.

1. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

It's been nearly twenty years since Nightmare first hit theaters, and it still manages to be the stop-motion standard. What other film has garnered a continued re-release each holiday season? I can't think of any off the top of my head, and yet, The Nightmare Before Christmas still manages to be an audience favorite. It blends brilliantly-choreographed stop-motion animation with a brilliantly-beautiful story chalk full of fantastic musical numbers. This film offers something for nearly every film-goer, and I think that's what's given it such a staying power.


I hope you all enjoyed this first attempt at a 'Top 10' list, and I also hope you liked the endeavor into the art of stop-motion animation. Be sure to check out this week's ParaNorman, and also be on the watch for Tim Burton's Frankenweenie, which is slated for an October release.

Happy Birthday, Morgan Freeman!

Today, we're celebrating the 75th birthday of Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Freeman has continued to gain popularity throughout his career and has become one of the more beloved performers to grace the silver screen. His first big-screen appearance came with an uncredited role in 1964's The Pawnbroker, but it wasn't until 1973's Blade that audiences actually started to take notice. He earned his first Oscar nomination for 1987's Street Smart, but 1989 proved to be his breakout year when he appeared in the films Lean on Me, Glory and Driving Miss Daisy, which would go on to win Best Picture. In the early 1990s, one could find Freeman playing opposite Kevin Costner in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven and Tim Robbins in The Shawshank Redemption. He worked consistently through the end of the millennium and easily transitioned into 21st-century films, breaking through with the role of God in 2003's Bruce Almighty. The following year, Freeman won his first - and to date, only - Oscar for his supporting role in Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby. Most recently, audiences have seen Freeman in 2011's Dolphin Tale, and they'll next be able to see him in theaters reprising his role as Lucius Fox in this summer's The Dark Knight Rises. And so, to celebrate his birthday and honor his career, I've listed my ten favorite of Freeman's acting endeavors. I've found a few videos that correspond with this roles for your viewing pleasure, so I hope you enjoy them. Once again, I'd like to wish Morgan Freeman a very happy birthday.

10. Jack Doyle

Gone Baby Gone (2007)

*****

9. Carter

The Bucket List (2007)

*****

8. Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins

Glory (1989)

*****

7. Detective Lt. William Somerset

Se7en (1995)

*****

6. Principal Joe Clark

Lean on Me (1989)

*****

5. Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris

Million Dollar Baby (2004)

*****

4. Nelson Mandela

Invictus (2009)

*****

3. Ned Logan

Unforgiven (1992)

*****

2. Ellis Boyd 'Red' Redding

The Shawshank Redemption (2004)

*****

1. God

Bruce Almighty (2003)

Happy Birthday, Danny Elfman!

Today, we're celebrating the 59th birthday of Academy Award-nominated composer Danny Elfman. A Los Angeles native, Elfman has made quite a name for himself in his thirty-year career, crafting himself into one of Hollywood's premiere film composers. His first composing work came in 1982's Forbidden Zone which he followed with 1985's Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, the film which started his frequent collaboration with director Tim Burton. Elfman went onto score Burton's 1988 film Beetlejuice and his 1989 film Batman, and that was just the start. In the 1990s, Elfman scored such big-time films as Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Mission: Impossible, Men in Black and Good Will Hunting. He followed it up with the 2000s, in which he stamped his name across films like Spider-man, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Milk and Alice in Wonderland. Most recently, audiences have heard Elfman reprise a former score in Men in Black III as well as offer something a little bit new in Dark Shadows, and they'll next be able to hear his work in the upcoming 2012 film Frankenweenie. And so, to celebrate his birthday, I've compiled a list of my ten favorite of his scores, and I've managed to find snippets of each score for your listening pleasure. Once again, happy birthday, Danny Elfman!

10. Sleepy Hollow

1999

*****

9. Real Steel

2011

*****

8. Corpse Bride

2005

*****

7. Alice in Wonderland

2010

*****

6. Spider-man

2002

*****

5. Batman

1989

*****

4. Milk

2008

*****

3. Big Fish

2003

*****

2. Edward Scissorhands

1990

*****

1. The Nightmare Before Christmas

1993

Happy Birthday, Jack Nicholson!

Today, we're celebrating the 75th birthday of the legendary, three-time Academy Award-winning actor, Jack Nicholson. He started acting in the mid-1950s and made his first feature film appearance in 1958's The Cry Baby Killer, but it wasn't until his performance in 1969's Easy Rider that he truly entered the public consciousness. Six years later, after hitting it big in 1974's Chinatown, Nicholson won his first Oscar for his leading role in the 1975 film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and a star was born. Since then, Jack has appeared in such big-time fare as 1980's The Shining, 1983's Terms of Endearment, 1989's Batman, 1992's A Few Good Men, 1997's As Good As It Gets and 2006's The Departed. Most recently, audiences have seen Nicholson in 2010's How Do You Know, and it is currently unknown as to what his next project might be. And so, to celebrate his birthday, I've listed my ten favorite of his performances, and I've managed to find clips for each for your viewing pleasure. Once again, happy birthday, Jack!

10. President James Dale

Mars Attacks! (1996)

*****

9. Edward

The Bucket List (2007)

*****

8. Dr. Buddy Rydell

Anger Management (2003)

*****

7. Warren Schmidt

About Schmidt (2002)

*****

6. Joker / Jack Napier

Batman (1989)

*****

5. Melvin Udall

As Good As It Gets (1997)

*****

4. Wilbur Force

The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)

*****

3. Frank Costello

The Departed (2006)

*****

2. Jack Torrance

The Shining (1980)

*****

1. R.P. McMurphy

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Top 10 Films of 2011

The year is 2011, 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:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 becomes the year's highest-grossing film, earning over $1.32 billion at the worldwide box office.

The world loses the likes of Anne Francis, Pete Postlethwaite, Elizabeth Taylor, Sidney Lumet and Frances Bay.

I've been able to see 101 films released in 2011, 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:

Crazy, Stupid, Love.
The Descendants
The Help
The Ides of March
Warrior

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 2011!

*****

10. The Muppets
Rated: PG
Directed by: James Bobin
Starring: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones
Academy Awards: 1 nomination
All-Time Ranking: 123
***
I remember watching some of the older Muppets films as a child, but it wasn't until I started to grow in my Disney fanaticism that I truly began to enjoy all the Muppets had to offer. So when a new Muppets film was announced and slated for release, I knew I had to see it as soon as I could. We're getting a story about reunions and about fighting to reclaim something once held dear in the past, and the film manages to bring back the magic of the old with the social issues of today. And, with dozens of familiar faces along the way, the film holds a true sentimentality that makes it easy to love.

*****

9. 50/50
Rated: R
Directed by: Jonathan Levine
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Huston
All-Time Ranking: 88
***
As Joseph Gordon-Levitt slowly makes his way further into the limelight, I am pleased to see that the general public is learning something I've known for years: he's an absolutely brilliant actor. With a desirable acting range, Gordon-Levitt is starting to become a big-time Hollywood force, and 50/50 marks the next step on his path. He takes the dramatic comedy genre and runs with it, offering a slew of laughs with his comedy but also breaking our hearts with deep, emotional scenes that cut us to the core. While the rest of the cast fills out wonderfully, this is really Gordon-Levitt's film, and boy does he do a fantastic job.

*****

8. Carnage
Rated: R
Directed by: Roman Polanski
Starring: Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly, Christoph Waltz, Kate Winslet
All-Time Ranking: 87
***
I saw Carnage on a bit of a whim, having only heard little bits about it in the months leading up to its release. With a main cast of only four individuals, the film manages to create a legitimate amount of tension as it takes us through a roller coaster of emotions, all while remaining bitingly hilarious. Foster and Winslet are at the top of their games, and Waltz does well in his performance, too. Reilly is a little bit of an odd choice here, but he manages to at least keep up with the rest of the Academy Award-winning cast, so I suppose that says a lot. Polanski does a fine job directing, and although this film won't be for everyone, I personally thought it was the funnier movies I'd seen in recent years.

*****

7. The Tree of Life
Rated: PG-13
Directed by: Terrence Malick
Starring: Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Sean Penn
Academy Awards: 3 nominations
***
It took me two viewings, but I finally found a way to garner a bit of respect for - and understanding of - this film. My first time through, all I could do was sit and scratch my head, wondering exactly what was going on. It took that second viewing to let the film sink into my head, and what I found was a beautiful piece about growing up with two drastically different forces driving you in different directions. We're getting parallel stories of the creation of life on Earth and the formation of a teenage boy being raised in the 1950s, and once it all comes together, there's something majestic and mysterious about this film that only heightens its beauty. This film probably stands the most chance to become a classic.

*****

6. Super 8
Rated: PG-13
Directed by: J.J. Abrams
Starring: Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, Kyle Chandler, Noah Emmerich, Ron Eldard, Riley Griffiths
All-Time Ranking: 86
***
When I walked out of the movie theater after watching Super 8, all I could think was, "This is what movies are all about." Abrams thrust his audience back into a 1980s-type sci-fi adventure that hearkens quite a bit to E.T. more than anything else. However, he found a way to make Super 8 its own film, and although there are some holes and flaws here and there, it still manages to be something truly fantastic. Cemented by a strong cast, including an exceptional Elle Fanning, this movie manages to soar.

*****

5. Drive
Rated: R
Directed by: Nicolas Winding Refn
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Albert Brooks, Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman, Oscar Isaac
Academy Awards: 1 nomination
All-Time Ranking: 83
***
It takes a little while for this movie to get to you, but once it finally grabs hold, it's not going to let go. It's effectively an action film, but it's an arthouse film as well, and the blend of the two is going to turn a lot of people away. It has action, but it's not action in the manner of these big budget, over-the-top adventures where everything blows up and shoot-outs last for ages. Instead, Drive is real-world and gritty and offers a believable story that's executed perfectly. Gosling is a revelation in the lead, and how he hasn't received more accolades for the performance is a travesty. The rest of the cast fills out nicely, with special mention of Brooks and Cranston who both steal every scene in which they appear.

*****

4. The Adventures of Tintin
Rated: PG
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Toby Jones
Academy Awards: 1 nomination
***
Since I saw and reviewed Tintin, I've been swaying back and forth as to whether it's really this good, but for the time being, it's going to stay in its number four slot. Spielberg takes his audience back into 1930s serial mode, so it's no wonder that this film feels like an animated incarnation of an Indiana Jones flick. We're getting a decent mystery from the screenplay, and the animation is so stellar that it's going to suck in you in from the start. At the very least, The Adventures of Tintin is a beautifully-crafted film that's going to wow you visually regardless of how you feel about the rest of the film.

*****

3. Rango
Rated: PG
Directed by: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Ned Beatty, Alfred Molina, Bill Nighy, Stephen Root, Harry Dean Stanton, Timothy Olyphant, Ray Winstone
Academy Awards: 1 nomination
All-Time Ranking: 66
***
I had been excited to see the first reunion of Gore Verbinski and Johnny Depp since 2007's Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, even if it going to be an animated film. The trailers made Rango look trippier than it actually was, but the final result of a film is something truly outstanding. I remember seeing a billboard for the film with the review, "Some kind of miracle," and I couldn't agree more. It brings a bit of twenty-first century ideology to the classic westerns of years past, mashing them together in a brilliant display of animation.

*****

2. The Artist
Rated: PG-13
Directed by: Michel Hazanavicius
Starring: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller, Missi Pyle
Academy Awards: 10 nominations
***
The Artist has been the awards darling over the past month, and it looks like it should fare well at this year's Academy Awards. Director Hazanavicius does well with the silent film, bringing the best out of his cast while maintaining the tone and feel of a silent film. Dujardin is simply fantastic as our lead, showing why silent film actors had such a difficult job of "acting" when they were not allowed to be heard. The Artist is a timely film, but can we already call it "timeless?" I think the jury's still a bit out on that one, but one thing's for sure: it's definitely a very strong film that's worthy of your attention.

*****

1. Hugo
Rated: PG
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Asa Butterfield, Chloë Grace Moretz, Ben Kingsley, Helen McCrory, Sacha Baron Cohen, Emily Blunt
Academy Awards: 11 nominations
All-Time Ranking: 27
***
If any film completely blew me out of the water in 2011, it was Hugo. The trailers purport a story of a boy who is trying to find his place in the world, all the while struggling to find someone who will love him and care for him. What the trailers don't tell you is that they only really give you the first half of the film. Right around the midway point, the storyline shifts from the boy and starts to focus on an old man named Georges Méliès, one of the grandfathers of cinema. We're then whisked through the man's life, showing a number of his former creations as he himself starts to re-live those past memories. One of the people following this page called Hugo "a love letter to cinema," and I couldn't agree more. This is a film that any cinephile absolutely needs to see. Simply beautiful.