Ranking the Star Wars Movies

#12: Attack of the Clones: This one is probably the worst written in terms of a dialogue. This is easily the worst structured of the prequels. Count Dooku as the main threat doesn't really show up and impact the plot until about the last twenty minutes. Perhaps this movie's biggest fail is in its depiction of Anakin Skywalker. The last thing I would have expected was a whiny, bratty emo teen. That's not exactly the best to showcase a character the original trilogy built up as a legend.

#11: The Phantom Menace: Yes, Jar-Jar is annoying. But, I will be a little more forgiving of him because he was always intended to be a side character where Anakin Skywalker was meant to be the main focus of the prequel trilogy. This movie isn't dead last because Darth Maul is awesome, and the lightsaber battles are pretty cool. What sinks it so low for me is the political dialogue. It's just so boring that I can't really bring myself to care about trade federations and taxes in a Star Wars movie.

#10: Star Wars: The Clone Wars: This was probably the most difficult movie for me to rank. It was originally intended to be the first couple of episodes of the Clone Wars television series. Instead they were edited together into a feature film. If I judge it based on the original intent, I think it's decent enough. If I judge based on what it actually is, I would have to be little harsher. Balancing the two out, I think number 10 out of 12 is probably the best placement for me to give it.

#9: Revenge of the Sith: As much as I honestly do enjoy Revenge of the Sith, I still can't quite call it a good movie. The writing and dialogue is still pretty cheesy. Hayden Christiansen and Natalie Portman still have no chemistry together. That said, Hayden Christiansen's acting is better in this one. I'm not so much talking about when he speaks. I am more talking when he has to do a lot of facial acting.

#8: The Rise of Skywalker: Personally, I wrestled with the placements of numbers 8 and 9 in my ranking. I gave Rise of Skywalker the slight edge because I think it's a little bit better quality of a movie. For my money, What I liked in this movie, I really. What I didn't like in this movie I had a very meh reaction too. It isn't anything mind blowing, but it was a decent enough adventure.

#7: Solo: A Star Wars Story: I think number 7 is a perfect placement for this movie. I don't see this as anything grand or epic. At the same time, I don't think that was necessarily the point. This was just a fun heist adventure following a young Han Solo.

#6: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: What I appreciate the most about Rogue One is the movie's willingness to take risks. On top that, this movie has the absolute best Darth Vader scene in all of Star Wars, and I really do mean that. The characters are serviceable enough, and they are kind of what hold this movie back from the top five for me.

#5: The Force Awakens: I love the new characters that were introduced here, and was interested to see where things were going to go from here. The reason I can't quite place it any higher this is because is does borrow a lot of the same story beats as A New Hope. 

#4: The Last Jedi: Welp, here goes my most controversial opinion. Yes, I loved The Last Jedi. I appreciated some of the chances it took. That said, the social commentary message and the casino sub plot are the one element you won't hear me argue with this movie's haters about. Where I honestly think this movie excels is in the stuff with Rey and Kylo Ren, and Luke.

#3: Return of the Jedi: I'm kind of lukewarm on the Ewoks. I don't love them. I don't hate them. I kind of understand what Lucas was trying to do, and I'm glad this movie was made during that point in time when people actually could rein him. It also helps that he didn't direct this movie either. It has a few more noticeable flaws for me, but I still think it serves a perfect cap-off for one of the all-time great movie trilogies.

#2: A New Hope: Even after forty years, the very first movie still ranks near the top of the list. I will say the lightsaber action isn't particularly refined in this one. There is also a sense of just getting to know the characters in this movie. It kind of feels standard from a character standpoint. Don't get me wrong, they are amazing. A lot of that comes down to the charisma of the actors.

#1: The Empire Strikes Back: Empire took what was good about A New Hope and amped it up. This movie changed the trajectory of the original trilogy. What started out in something as a standard black and white, good vs. evil story suddenly enters a bit of gray area.

Top 15 Most Anticipated Movies of 2020

Now that I have my best and worst lists out of the way, I think it's time for me to look at the movies I am the most interested in over the next 12 months.

Honorable Mentions:

Mulan, The Organ Donor, A Quiet Place Part II, Fast & Furious 9, Candyman, Soul, Top Gun: Maverick, Venom 2, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

#15: Bad Boys for Life: As far as Bad Boys 3 goes, I'm not expecting this to be high art. This movie is purely on my list because Will Smith and Martin Lawrence genuinely have good chemistry together. This is also the first movie in the Bad Boys series not to be directed by Michael Bay, so I'm curious to see how another director handles his style.

#14: Onward: Onward is an upcoming Pixar film that seems like it takes place in a fantasy world, but also has a mix of our current modern day look. This looks like it could be a movie right up Pixar's alley, and I love the additions of Chris Pratt and Tom Holland as the leads.

#13: The Eternals: The Eternals is one of two MCU movies coming out next year. This is one that has me incredibly curious because I know next to nothing about the Eternals as characters. At this point, there hasn't even been a trailer yet. I have no clue what to expect.

#12: Godzilla vs. Kong: Had I thought King of the Monsters was a better movie, this probably would have been a lot higher. However, I am still incredibly excited to see two of the ultimate classic giant monsters throw down on the big screen.

#11: Birds of Prey: DC is really starting to find their footing with their cinematic universe. I can't quite eke Birds of Prey into the top 10 simply because I still think this movie is such a wild card, but that's also why I'm so interested in this movie in the first place. If anything, there is still Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn.

#10: Bill and Ted Face the Music: Keanu Reeves has been enjoying a career resurgence lately thanks to the John Wick movies. I'm both interested in Bill and Ted 3, as well as a little bit skeptical. Comedy sequels that happen several years later rarely work. But, I'm just excited to see these characters again.

#09: Free Guy: Until I saw a trailer, I had no idea that this movie was a thing. The premise is that Ryan Reynolds plays an NPC in a video game who becomes self-aware. The premise mixed with the star is enough to make me want to see this movie.

#08: No Time to Die: Supposedly, this is going to be Daniel Craig's last go-around as James Bond. As someone who actually enjoyed Spectre, I am happy to see that Christoph Waltz is returning as Blofeld. The villain this time around is being played by Rami Malek. All of this makes me interested in this movie.

#07: Wonder Woman 1984: Wonder Woman was the first movie in the DCEU that got people excited. The movie does have Gal Gadot returning to play Wonder Woman, as well as bringing back Patty Jenkins to direct. I also am really excited by the addition of Pedro Pascal as Maxwell Lord. There are a couple of things that hold it back ever so slightly for me. One of them is Kristen Wiig as Cheetah. I just haven't seen her do enough dramatic or villainous roles to really show me that she can pull this off. The other is Chris Pine coming back to play Steve Trevor.

#06: Halloween Kills: I really liked 2018's Halloween, and I'm really happy to see the same creative team coming back. It looks like Danny McBride and David Gordon Green have a clear plan. This movie is also bringing back some legacy characters from the original movie, namely Tommy Doyle and Lindsay Wallace.

#05: Dune: I pretty much have Dune this high because it is being directed by Denis Villeneuve, the same man who directed Sicario and Arrival, both of which are movies I enjoyed very much. This is also an interesting cast to me as well.  

#04: Black Widow: Black Widow is as high on my list as it is because this is a movie I have been waiting for pretty much ever since Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Do I wish I got this movie sooner? Yes, but I'm honestly happy to be getting this movie at all.  

#03: Last Night in Soho: I don't much about Last Night in Soho other than that it stars Anya-Taylor Joy from The Witch and Split and it's directed by Edgar Wright. To me, that is reason enough for me to want to check this movie out.

#02: Tenet: Similar to how Last Night in Soho has me excited just because of a couple of names involved, Tenet gets to be as high on my list as it is because it's the next movie from Christopher Nolan. The only other thing I really know about this movie is that it looks like it's some kind of mystery movie. Sign me up.

#01: Ghostbusters: Afterlife: This movie is going to follow the family of Egon Spengler as his grandchildren seem poised to follow in their grandfather's footsteps. Supposedly, the original cast is also set to come back in some way. It also helps that this film is being directed by Jason Reitman (the son of the director of the original movie). To me, this has a lot of potential, and is probably the movie I am looking forward to the most in 2020.

Top 10 Worst Movies of 2019

Now, let's cover the movies I just didn't like from this year.

Honorable Mentions:

Girls with Balls, What Men Want, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Pet Sematary 

#10: Dark Phoenix: Dark Phoenix is a movie I almost left off this list entirely because it just didn't leave that much of an impact on me. What ultimately secured it the number 10 spot was the fact that this is ultimately where the mainstream X-Men franchise ends. Yep, the X-Men series officially ends with a whimper, not a bang.

#09: The Fanatic: So, I think a movie that stars John Travolta as an Autistic man directed by the lead singer of Limp Bizkit could only show up on my worst of the year list. It's low on the list simply because I just thought it was hilariously bad. This is the film on the list that I really have to recommend giving a watch.

#08: Serenity: In a similar vein to The Fanatic, I have Serenity low on the list for a very specific reason. The movie's plot twist is so insane and out of left field that I actually kind of enjoyed it. Make no mistake, this is a bad movie, but it's also insane, and I have to recommend it for that reason.

#07: Anna: So, I actually forgot about this movie until I was trying to compile my worst of the year list. To me, that was enough of a sign that this movie truly deserved a spot on my worst of the year list.

#06: The Silence: Remember A Quiet Place and how good that movie was? Well, The Silence is a Netflix movie that feels almost like a carbon copy, right down to having creatures that attack based on sound and the protagonist being a teenage girl that's deaf. Yep, this movie's a thing and it's one you can easily skip over when you find it on Netflix.

#05: Wonder Park: This is a bad animated movie that actually started off okay, and then had a reveal that made the first twenty minutes mean nothing. Add on top that, an obviously half-awake Mila Kunis voicing one of the characters in the film, and you've got an animated movie that just doesn't need to exist.

#04: The Lion King: The biggest sin 2019's The Lion King commits is that it doesn't do anything new. It is literally the original movie beat by beat. Because the animals don't emote, it also just makes this version feel incredibly hollow.

#03: Black Christmas: Um, wow! This is a movie that just felt like it was the wrong kind of insane for me. I'll give the actors credit for actually trying. The movie tries to tackle some major and relevant issues. It just takes the approach of beating you over the end with them, and forgets to also be entertaining.

#02: Cats: I went this movie knowing it would be bad. I wanted Cats to be bad. The problem with this misguided movie is that it just isn't that interesting or entertaining. It's not a fun kind of bad. The music is good, but the music didn't originate from the movie. The final result was just a weird film that didn't have a plot, or anything beyond the songs to carry it through.

#01: The Haunting of Sharon Tate: I watched this movie back in March or April, and nothing I saw this year even remotely approached the sheer awfulness that was The Haunting of Sharon Tate. The ending is awful, as the film tries to have it two ways. The acting, writing, directing is all so bad.

Top 10 Best Movies of 2019

2019 has officially come and gone, and I've seen everything I'm going to be able to watch for the given year. Keep in mind, I haven't seen everything. I haven't movies like Toy Story 4, Marriage Story, and Ad Astra (just to name a couple).

Honorable Mentions: Shazam, Zombieland: Double Tap, John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, Happy Death Day 2U 

#10: Alita: Battle Angel: My number 10 spot was a toss-up between this and John Wick. This movie's visual style wound up being too hard for me to overlook. And, the movie is pretty much carried by Rosa Salazar as Alita. That also shouldn't take way from some of the stellar supporting cast. This is something I would love to see continue on as a franchise if the possibility is there.

#09: Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile: This Netflix movie is pretty much anchored by Zac Efron's performance, and actually gives him a chance to truly shine in a very different role for him that is a far cry from his High School Musical days.

#08: How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World: How to Train Your Dragon 3 closed this off with a phenomenal trilogy that continues to progress its heroes forward, as well as having the best villain in the franchise. Add on top of that some beautiful animation, and you've got a film that truly deserves to be recognized.

#07: Joker: Joker may be one of the most surprising movies of the year for me. When I first heard about a standalone Joker movie starring Joaquin Phoenix, and directed by the guy who made The Hangover and Old School, I was curious, but not excited. Having seen the film for myself, this movie feels like an experience that could actually be game-changer for comic book movies.

#06: Ready or Not: Most people know that I am a horror fan through and through. For me, Ready or Not might have been my favorite of the year. The film truly knows how to balance dark comedy and thrills. Samara Weaving in the lead continues to prove herself as a scream queen. I love how the characters actually have some depth to them, even if it might not appear that way on initial glance.

#05: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: I don't know if this list would be complete without Quentin Tarantino's latest film. It's one of those movies where it simultaneously feels like it has his signature style, as well as being slightly more reserved. Once again, the actors he gets all give spectacular performances, and his knack for dialogue really shines through.

#04: Ford v Ferrari: This feels like a classic underdog story that is exceptionally well-told. I didn't know much of anything about this story going in. At the center of a great movie is the chemistry between Christian Bale and Matt Damon.

#03: Jojo Rabbit: I said in my review that I felt like Jojo Rabbit was something unique. I still stand by that. The acting is excellent on all accounts. There's sort of a darkness to the satire and humor that works because of the World War II era setting. Between this and Thor: Ragnarok, I can't wait to see what else Taika Waititi has in store.

#02: Avengers: Endgame: Avengers: Endgame gets to be this high on the list because it feels earned, especially for someone like me who has kept up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the past 11 years. This feels like a natural conclusion for the heroes who have been there from the very beginning.

#01: Knives Out: Even as I looked through some of my catch up movies for the end of the year, nothing quite came close to the experience I felt watching Knives Out. Everything from the writing, to the acting, to the direction, to the characters, to the mystery itself, just worked for me on a level that kind of surprised me.

The Leprechaun Movies Ranked

Well, now that I have officially seen and reviewed all of the Leprechaun movies, my next goal is to finally rank them from worst to best. Keep in mind, I don't really see these movies as much more than guilty pleasures at their best. So, here we go.

#8: Leprechaun: Origins: To be fair, the acting isn't awful. The concept is kind of interesting. But, the writing and directing is so haphazardly bad, that the film never really utilizes its potential. The worst thing about the film is that there's no sense of fun, or even much of a sense of humor. I don't want a Leprechaun movie that takes itself seriously.

#7: Leprechaun in the Hood: Of the original run of Leprechaun movies (I consider Origins to be more of a reboot), this is the one I consider to be my least favorite. It's not as fun as it could be. It's mostly just kind of boring. I don't really care about the characters at all. And I'm sorry, I don't really buy Ice-T as an intimidating villain.

#6: Leprechaun: Back 2 tha Hood: In a lot of respests, Back 2 tha Hood is a slight improvement over In the Hood. That doesn't say a lot because the characters still don't leave much of an impact. I enjoy some of the kills, and had a little bit of fun. All that said, it's still on the lower end of the scale for the Leprechaun franchise in my eyes.

#5: Leprechaun 2: I'd forgotten that this movie was one of the duller films in the franchise. Part of the issue for me could be the character Bridgette. She's incredibly unlikable, and horribly acted. On the other hand, the kills in this film can be a lot of fun. Warwick Davis plays the titular leprechaun for the first six films of the franchise, and he's always the best part of those films.

#4: Leprechaun 3: I think Leprechaun 3's greatest strength (outside of Warwick Davis's performance) is its setting. Las Vegas truly feels like the best possible place to have the leprechaun wreak havoc. The kills are dumb, cheesy fun. Admittedly, the acting's not very good. However, I still think this is a fun movie.

#3: Leprechaun 4: In Space: Let's get one thing straight. This movie is awful. But, it's one of the films I generally have the most fun with in the series. It's a Leprechaun movie that takes place in space, and I think they know how ridiculous the film is. This movie is as high as it is purely out of my personal enjoyment, and not based on the film's actual quality.

#2: Leprechaun Returns: I like that this film is a direct sequel to the very first Leprechaun film. While he's no Warwick Davis, I actually don't mind Linden Porco as the leprechaun. The kills are both creative and gory, and I honestly admire that. The acting's nothing special, but it's not the worst I've seen.

#1: Leprechaun: Is Leprechaun a great movie. No. However, I still really enjoy this movie despite its flaws. This is probably the best acted film in the franchise (which I admit isn't saying much). The kills are hit and miss. The film doesn't take itself that seriously, and I really appreciate that.

So there you have it. That's my personal ranking on the eight films in the Leprechaun franchise. Do you agree? Do you disagree? I would love to know.

Ranking the Friday the 13th Movies

#12: Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning: I get what they were trying to do with this movie. They attempted to kill Jason off for good in the previous movie, and wanted to pass the torch off to someone new. The problem is the final result was an unfocused mess that didn't really feel like a new beginning (or justified) in any way. It seemed closer to falling back on all of the old tricks. The kills were pretty tame for the most part, and the killer reveal (and motivation) didn't make any sense. 

#11: Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan: When I first saw this movie, I remember thinking it was my least favorite. My opinion ultimately hasn't changed much because I still find it relatively dull in the long run. The one thing I definitely think puts this a notch above A New Beginning is Kane Hodder as Jason. The man was committed to the role, and actually gave the character something of mean streak. 

#10: Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday: I respect that this was an attempt to really try something new and different with Jason. Kane Hodder's back for about five minutes, and he is my personal favorite of the actors who have played Jason. The main problem I have with Jason Goes to Hell is that it tried something different, and it just didn't work. I'm not sure why, but I can believe Jason going to space,  Jason coming back as a zombie, and Jason fighting a teenage girl with telekinetic powers before I could honestly believe him being a demonic creature that jumps from body to body. 

#09: Friday the 13th Part 3: This might be the dullest movie in the franchise. One or two deaths might stick out, but that's about it. Richard Brooker is fairly underrated as Jason in my opinion, and I give the movie credit for being the originator of the now iconic hockey mask. My biggest problem with this movie is that this was actually the first time they tried ending the franchise, and I'm glad the series didn't end with this movie. If it had, then this franchise would have gone out with a whimper instead of a bang.  

#08: Freddy vs. Jason: The stuff between Freddy and Jason is awesome. I love their fights, and there's some pretty creative kills. The problem is, there wasn't enough Freddy vs. Jason. You don't really care that much about the dumb teenagers that are just there to die. I actually enjoy this movie, but when I really think about it, I can't put it any higher than this. 

#07: Jason X: I wasn't sure where to put Freddy vs. Jason and Jason X, I settled on ranking Jason X above Freddy vs. Jason for a couple of reasons. The first one is that this is the last movie of the series where Kane Hodder played Jason. The second is this movie has my absolute favorite kill in the entire Friday the 13th franchise.

#06: Friday the 13th (2009): Of all the horror remakes to come out of the 21st century, this is the one I think is kind of unfairly hated. I'm pretty sure the filmmakers were just trying to make a Friday the 13th movie and ran with it. Derek Mears is a solid Jason Voorhees, and some of the kills are pretty entertaining. One or two characters are enjoyable (and the actors actually give pretty good performances). 

#05: Friday the 13th Part 2: This is the first movie in the series where Jason was the killer. Ginny was a solid heroine, and actually uses psychology to try and stop Jason's rampage. One of the things that I think works about this movie is that the first two victims are the only two survivors of the first film, so it gives off a feeling of legitimate uneasiness because it tells you that anybody can go this time around. 

    

#04: Friday the 13th (1980): Aside from some of the acting being pretty underwhelming, the original Friday the 13th movie is a good slasher with a decent mystery aspect to it. Some of the kills are pretty creative. I enjoy seeing a young Kevin Bacon. Betsy Palmer as Mrs. Voorhees steals the show, even though she's hardly in the movie. Adrienne King as final girl Alice is pretty good, and honestly seems like she gets overlooked a lot. 

#03: Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood: After Jason Lives turned Jason Voorhees into a zombie, having him fight a girl with psychic abilities felt like the logical next step. The character Tina Shepard is my favorite final girl of the franchise. Kane Hodder is my favorite Jason actor, and this movie is a big part of why. This is the movie that cemented the character's (and actor's) brutal streak. The fights between Jason and Tina are also pretty fun, especially because Jason doesn't often have a hero figure that's actually a match for him. 

#02: Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives: After Part 5 seemed like it was going to kill and bury the franchise for good, Jason Lives was a shot in the arm for the franchise. Zombie Jason is pretty entertaining, and some of the best kills come out of this movie. Standouts include the paintball scene and the scene in the van. Out of the three actors to play Tommy Jarvis, this verison is my absolute favorite. 

#01: Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter: This might just be the most brutal movie in the series, and actually succeeds as a "final chapter" where part 3 and Jason Goes to Hell failed. I mentioned that Jason's kills are some of the brutal in this movie. There's a guy who has his head twisted around after his throat is cut with a saw. Crispin Glover gets stabbed in the face with a meat cleaver. Even Jason's own death is pretty nasty. Corey Feldman as Tommy Jarvis also provides the first time the series played around with what the main protagonist in one of these movies could be.   

Top 10 Worst Movies of 2017

Dishonorable Mentions:

Transformers: The Last Knight, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, The Bye Bye Man, The Circle, The Snowman

There also bad movies like Boo 2! A Madea Halloween, Geostorm, The Nut Job 2, Sandy Wexler, and Wish Upon that I didn’t see this year. So if you’re wondering why none of them are on the list, that’s why.

#10: The Mummy: The Mummy is one of those movies I was hoping against hope was going to be good. I wanted to see a cinematic universe based on the Universal movie monsters succeed. Tom Cruise was completely miscast. References to the original movies were just crammed in there carelessly. The one thing that keeps it fairly low on the list for me is the mummy herself. At the very least, I found the title character interesting. Everything else was just kind of a mess.

#9: Baywatch: The movie's three leads have some good chemistry with one another, and occasionally the movie got a laugh out of me. However, Priyanka Chopra (a capable actress) is awful as the film's main villain, and a lot of the comedy just falls flat. This is a case of everything coming together to make a movie that should work, and just plain doesn't.

#8: The Dark Tower: Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey are trying. Unfortunately, the story is a mess. The directing is bland. The pacing is terrible. The writing never seems to work. Similar to the previous two movies I mentioned, this should have worked, but didn't.

#7: Rings: This is a movie where a subplot involving Johnny Galecki is far more interesting than the actual main plot of this movie. Part of that easily could be that Johnny Galecki has more talent and charisma in his thumb than the two main leads of the movie. The opening scene is one of the absolute worst I think I have ever seen because it pisses all over the lore of the original Ring movie.

#6: Flatliners: Flatliners is pretty poorly acted by a very talented cast. The direction feels conflicted. I don’t know if this movie wanted to be psychological or popcorn fun, whether or not it wanted to be a horror movie or a sci-fi movie. If anything, Flatliners has one of the most appropriate titles ever.

#5: All Eyez on Me: Most of the bad movies I saw this year were mostly disappointing more than anything else. I am a huge fan of rapper Tupac Shakur. This is a guy who had a fascinating life. A biography based on him deserves far better than the equivolance of a greatest hits album in movie form

#4: Unforgettable: I feel like you get a movie like this every year. Last year, it was When the Bough Breaks. The thing they all seem to have in common is that they are just awful. What sets this one apart for me is that it stars Katherine Heigl. This may just be the most inappropriately titled movie of the year. The one thing this movie has going for it is Rosario Dawson.

#3: CHiPs: I can’t say enough just how much I hated CHiPs. If Baywatch at least had the chemistry between its leads, this movie doesn’t even have that. The comedy doesn’t work. The mystery doesn’t work. The action doesn’t work. CHiPs doesn’t work.

#2: The Emoji Movie: This is nothing more than a corporate sellout with awful jokes, uninteresting characters, and a lazy, played-out story. The only reason this isn’t number one is that I honestly thought the animation was decent

#1: Fifty Shades Darker: This movie is even worse than the first film. Somehow, the two leads are even less likable, and have less chemistry. I know nothing compared to this movie for me this year because it was the only movie this year that I couldn’t even find one redeeming thing in this steaming dumpster fire of dogshit.

Top 15 Best Movies of 2017

At this point, I have seen everything I think I can possibly see this year. There are movies that aren't going to be on my list like War for the Planet of the Apes, Coco, The Shape of Water, All the Money in the World, Molly's Game, and Blade Runner 2049 that aren't on my list because I just didn't get to see them. These are the movies I did see and loved this year. I watched a lot of good movies this year, and couldn't quite whittle it down to a top 10.

Honorable Mentions:

Happy Death Day, John Wick: Chapter 2, Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2, Little Evil

#15: Star Wars: The Last Jedi: This is one of those movies that has really split the fan base. I think there some problems and flaws, but they were very minor for me. The overall experience I had was something that progressed the characters who needed to be progressed. I like that this movie took more chances than The Force Awakens, and because of that, I think I enjoyed this one more.

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#14: Free Fire: Free Fire truly felt like an early 90s Scorsese or Tarantino movie. It was fairly small scale, and dealt with the two groups stuck in a shootout in a warehouse for the whole movie, and had something of a jazz flair to it that I really liked.

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#13: Wonder Woman: Wonder Woman took a very different approach to the DCEU. It was set in a different time period, and didn't worry about trying to set up Justice League or any of the other ten movies yet to come in this universe. It told a story about a hero and her journey, and did it really well.

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#12: Lady Bird: I thought Lady Bird was a great coming-of-age, time capsule sort of movie. The performances were really strong all-around. I have it pretty low on the list for myself just because I don't see it having a lot of replay value for me personally.

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#11: Spider-Man: Homecoming: In my opinion, this is the best Spider-Man movie Spider-Man 2. It felt like a superhero movie told through a John Hughes lens. As far as I'm concerned, Tom Holland is the first actor I truly felt encompassed both Peter Parker and Spider-Man. This also the movie I think truly began to break the MCU movie villains curse. Michael Keaton as the Vulture was somebody you really understood and sympathized with.

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#10: The Lego Batman Movie: I feel like I missed out on a lot of the animated movies this year. Fortunately, this wasn't one of them. This movie truly understood the relationship between Batman and the Joker. It was funny, but had a lot of depth to it, and proved that good satire isn't dead yet.

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#9: It: It is the most recent movie I reviewed, and already I knew it deserved a spot on my best of the year list. The movie had some genuinely good creepy moments, but it didn't solely rely on them. The movie remembered to actually have characters you understood and related to. It also made you feel Pennywise's presence, even when he wasn't onscreen.

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#8: Thor: Ragnarok: Taika Waititi truly put his stamp on the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a movie that easily blows the other two Thor films out of the water. The movie had yet another fantastic Marvel villain in Hela, whose motivations were really easy to understand. This is a movie that laced a lot of its comedic elements with heart, but also knew when and where to pump you up for the ride you're going to go on.

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#7: Split: Split makes me happiest because it gave us a really good M. Night Shyamalan movie for the first time in over a decade. It is a movie that has genuine suspense and is carried by two excellent lead performances by James McAvoy and Anya Taylor-Joy. The twist ending is also amazing, and isn't something you'd ever really be able to see coming.

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#6: Get Out: I am amazed that a man who is only really known for comedy can make his directorial debut with a phenomenal horror-suspense film. This is a movie that tackles the idea of racism in America in an incredibly unique and subversive way. The acting, writing, and directing all make this a movie worth talking about.

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#5: Wind River: This is an incredibly heavy movie with the best acting I think I have ever seen from Jeremy Renner. It is a story that is based on true accounts, and actually can be eye-opening for a story you may not have known about.

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#4: Logan: Logan was the perfect send-off for Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, but it still leaves the potential for more stories to still be told. It's a comic book movie that doesn't feel like a comic book movie. There's actually a sense of heartbreak to Logan, and sense of realism you might not have expected from a movie like this.

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#3: The Disaster Artist: I am a fan of the movie The Room, and this is one of those movies I was excited about from the minute I heard it was happening. From both an acting and directing standpoint, James Franco owns this movie, and gives one of the best performances of his career. The Disaster Artist is a movie that truly is about the American dream, and does in a very unique way.

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#2: Baby Driver: Baby Driver is the most recent movie from Edgar Wright. This is stylish adrenaline rush backed up by an awesome soundtrack.

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#1: I, Tonya: I honestly don't know a ton about Tonya Harding beyond the incident. This was a movie that showed that maybe Tonya Harding wasn't a monster, but was a human being. I don't know how much of this was based in fact, and how much of it was based in fiction. I just know I saw a movie with a great story and fantastic lead performance from Margot Robbie.

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Top 15 Most Anticipated Movies of 2018

Honorable Mentions:

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Super Troopers 2, Mission: Impossible 6, Creed 2, Soldado, Ant-Man and the Wasp

This year, I struggled to keep it to just ten movies I can't wait for, so I bumped it up to 15.

#15: Solo: A Star Wars Story: Of all the ideas to come out of the new crop of Star Wars movies, this one interests me, but not on the level that Force Awakens, Rogue One, and The Last Jedi interested me.

#14: Jungle Book: I don't know much about this movie except it's an adaptation of The Jungle Book and it's going to be directed by Andy Serkis. I'm very curious to see what the man is capable of behind the camera

#13: Venom: This movie is going to be Sony's launching point for their own cinematic universe. Supposedly, the idea will be based of the Lethal Protector story arc. Venom will have made a deal with Spider-Man not to hurt anyone and moves to San Francisco to carve out a new identity. The idea of building a cinematic universe around Venom does worry me a little bit. However, I do think Tom Hardy is a good choice for Eddie Brock, and the rumors that Carnage will be the main villain of the movie have me intrigued.

#12: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald: I will always welcome more from this universe. I have it fairly low on the list because I'm not that sure how I feel about Johnny Depp yet. He's only in the first movie for about ten seconds. Hopefully, the director can rein him in, but we'll just have to wait and see.

#11: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse: A animated Spider-Man movie? OK. One that introduces Miles Morales and the Spider-Verse? Yes, please.

#10: Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2: I loved the first Wreck-It Ralph so much, and I am incredibly curious to see what Ralph and his friends going through the internet is going to look like.

#9: X-Men: Dark Phoenix: So, the last time they attempted the Dark Phoenix saga, it didn't go very well. I am anticipating this one because I am hoping beyond hope that this is going to try and fix the problems of the last attempt.

#8: Ready Player One: I didn't know just how much I was going to anticipate this movie until I saw the trailer. This looks like it could be one of the coolest experiences ever, and maybe one of Steven Spielberg's best movies in a long time.

#7: The New Mutants: The New Mutants is another movie in the X-Men franchise following Deadpool and Logan that looks like it's going to take a risk. The cast is something that excites me, including Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Charlie Heaton from Stranger Things. What I've heard is that is going to be a horror movie more than anything.

The New Mutants Trailer

#6: The Predator: It's a new Predator movie, and I've enjoyed all of them. Yes, that includes the two Alien vs. Predator movies. Naturally, I'm excited for this movie. 

#5: Deadpool 2: The movie is being directed by David Leitch of John Wick and Atomic Blonde this time instead of Tim Miller. What really has me sold that this sequel is still in good hands is the marketing campaign. There is literally a trailer where Deadpool is dressed up like Bob Ross for no apparent reason, but that's the kind of thing that gets me excited. It feels like Deadpool.

#4: Halloween: I've made it no secret that I love me some slasher movies. This movie is going to do something similar to what Halloween H20 did when that movie came out. It's bringing back Jamie Lee Curtis and ignoring everything except for John Carpenter's original. Danny McBride and David Gordon Green are handling the behind the scenes stuff. Yes, they are mainly known for comedies. This movie has John Carpenter's blessing, though, and both have said they are legit horror fans (and that includes the original Halloween).

#3: Incredibles 2: Of all the Pixar movies, The Incredibles is the one that I wanted to see a sequel to the most. Finally, after nearly fifteen years, a sequel is happening. I don't know what exactly is going to happen with the plot, but Pixar has made good sequels (that aren't Cars) to their movies in the past, so I do have faith in this.

#2: Black Panther: Last year, Wonder Woman was the first movie in the DC Cinematic Universe to focus on a female hero. Black Panther will be the first movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to focus on a black superhero. Chadwick Boseman carried his own in Civil War, and I can't wait to see what he does in his own movie. Throw in the director of Creed and you've got what looks like it could be another big win for Marvel Studios.

#1: Avengers: Infinity War: This is that movie Marvel has been building up to for almost ten years. Every still living hero (and almost every still living villain) we've seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe up to this point will be in this movie. Is there a chance it could be overstuffed? Maybe. But, here's the thing. The Russo Brothers proved that with Captain America: Civil War, they could make a movie with a ton of characters and keep the focus where it needed to be, so I have faith in this movie.

Top 10 Cartoon Theme songs

Honorable Mentions: There were a lot I would have loved to include, but it's a top 10 list, so here are a couple I enjoy that didn't quite make the cut. Keep in mind that this could've easily been a top 20 or top 30 list too.

Tale Spin

The Fairly Odd Parents

Teen Titans

Danny Phantom

Kim Possible

Animaniacs

#10: The Simpsons: I almost left this song off the list because it's too obvious, but that's also kind of why it deserves a spot on the list.

#9: Pinky and the Brain: It was kind of a toss-up between this and Animaniacs. I just chose the one that I personally had more nostalgia for.

#8: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: A classic you can't go wrong with. Listening back, it didn't hold for me as much, but it's still a pretty good theme that deserves a spot on the list.

#7: Family Guy: I'm not quite sure why, but I love this jazzy little number

#6: South Park: This is easily my favorite adult cartoon and adult cartoon theme song

#5: Chip and Dale: Rescue Rangers: So, I actually had to restrain myself from putting more Disney songs on my list. There will probably be a strictly Disney list someday.

#4: Duck Tales: This is a really catchy theme from one of my defining childhood shows.

#3: Scooby Doo: Where Are You?: I know there's probably a million Scooby Doo shows and themes, but the original is still my favorite.

#2: Darkwing Duck: I really didn't mean for the top 5 to get so Disney-heavy, but this one was guaranteed a spot this high on the list no matter what.

#1: X-Men: As far as I'm concerned, nothing else was going to take the top spot.

Were there any I missed? Did I have any too high? Did I have any too low? Were there any on here that didn't deserve to be on the list (honorable mentions or otherwise)? Let me know your opinions.

Ranking the Child's Play Movies

This is just the way I personally would rank each movie within the Child's Play franchise.

#7: Seed of Chucky: While I do think there are some decent moments in Seed, the overall movie isn't very good, leaning even more into comedy than the previous movie in the franchise. The three main performers are pretty good. By that, I mean the dolls / Jennifer Tilly playing herself. Redman in this movie is not good.

#6: Child's Play 3: The military school setting is interesting. This is a setting we don't really see in slasher movies. The problem is that outside of Brad Dourif as Chucky, the rest of the acting really doesn't stand up to it. The kills feel very hit-and-miss. This movie has a lot of very comical kills. The issue with this is that Child's Play 3 came out when the franchise was still supposed to be taken seriously.

#5: Cult of Chucky: There are some good performances here (especially Brad Dourif and Fiona Dourif) and some cool, gruesome kills. The first two acts are pretty solid in my opinion. Most of my issues are with the third, which just left me with mixed feelings. Alongside that, I wish there would have been more interactions between Nica and Andy. Cult and Curse are probably the two most divisive movies in the series. I like this one just fine, I just prefer Curse a little bit more.

#4: Curse of Chucky: Curse of Chucky is the movie that brought things back to what the franchise originally was. Despite the fact that this is the first movie in the series to go direct-to-video, the acting is actually pretty strong, and I love the look of this movie. The best thing about this movie in my opinion is the addition of the character of Nica. She's disabled, but she never really lets that stop her. Plus, how often do you actually see someone with a disability as the hero in a slasher movie?

#3: Bride of Chucky: So, objectively, Curse of Chucky is probably a "better" movie than Bride. The thing is, I have absolute blast watching this movie. This is one of my ultimate guilty pleasures. Brad Dourif is always fun as Chucky. This is the movie that introduces Jennifer Tilly as Tiffany to the franchise. I LOVE John Ritter in this movie. He's just so entertaining as a slimy cop, that you kind of have to watch him. This is one of the VERY few times I can think of where I didn't hate Katherine Heigl in a movie.

#2: Child's Play 2: Child's Play 2 is probably the best of the sequels. I like the foster-sibling  relationship between Andy and Kyle. A lot of the kills are pretty entertaining. I like Chucky's one-liners. They are entertaining, but they don't go too overboard. Andy feels like he belongs in this story. You do have to suspend your disbelief a bit at times (more so than usual when you have a killer doll).

#1: Child's Play: Do I even need to say anything? Did you think that anything but the original could even take the number one spot?

Top 50 Favorite Songs (30-21)

#30: What I Got by Sublime: What I Got works because it tells the story of a loser who's just going through his day, and adds a chill beat, alongside laid back instruments.

#29: New Divide by Linkin Park: New Divide has a catchy chorus and an excellent sound. I don't really have much else to say about this song.

#28: Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones: Sympathy for the Devil is just about what you'd expect. The song is told from the point of view of the devil himself. Lead singer Mick Jagger is what really sells the song for me. He has this delivery that excellently mixes being suave and cool as well as just evil.

#27: Snow (Hey Oh) by Red Hot Chili Peppers: Snow (Hey Oh) is an ode to Anthony Kiedis' favorite drugs (heroin and cocaine). The song takes something that should be ugly and gnarly and makes it beautiful.

#26: Renegade by Styx: This song sounds a lot happier than it actually is. This song tells the story of a criminal who is caught and is on his way to his death. The lyrics and instruments shouldn't necessarily mesh, but it actually seems to work here.

#25: Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz: The band takes on the chorus, sound happy (even oblivious) about the oncoming end of the world. Meanwhile, rapper Del the Funkee Homo sapien takes on the verses, taking the persona of a god-like being.

#24: Jesus Walks by Kanye West: I know what you're thinking. Really? Kanye West? But, if nothing else, I will give the man props for his ability to produce a track. Between that, and the fact that he was willing to go for it on this song, the lead single from his debut album.

#23: Hurt by Johnny Cash: This cover is nothing short of beautiful. Johnny Cash near the end of his life tackles the subject matter in the form of a man whose time is drawing near, and is looking back on his life with contemplation.

#22: Get Lucky by Daft Punk & Pharrell: I don't have a lot to say other than I love just how well Daft Punk's electronic beat and Pharrell's smooth voice go together.

#21: Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana: Are the lyrics nonsensical gibberish? Yeah, sort of. Do I care? Hell no. The song is nothing short of a burst of energy, and I love it.  

Top 11 Worst Movies of 2016

Now it's time for the flip side of the coin.

Dishonorable Mentions:

These are bad movies that just didn't quite make the cut (and they feel lucky because of it.)

Zoolander 2, Ice Age: Continental Drift, Inferno, Assassin's Creed, When the Bough Breaks, Little Dead Rotting Hood, Cell

#11: Gods of Egypt: Gods of Egypt is hilariously bad for a number of reasons (the reason it's so low on my list.) The movie is completely miscast and overacted on all counts. The effects are laughably bad. It's certainly bad, but I can't say I was ever mad.

#10: God's Not Dead 2: God's Not Dead 2 suffers from bad acting, writing, and directing. The characters are thinly written, and the cast is bloated all to hell.

#9: Meet the Blacks: One of the worst attempts at parody I think I've ever seen (and I've seen Scary Movie 5.) The jokes aren't funny and the acting sucks.

#8: Boo! A Madea Halloween: If there's anything that the latest Madea movie proves to me, it's this: Tyler Perry shouldn't be allowed to make movies anymore. The story here meanders, and the actors just ramble and talk all over each other.

#7: The Other Side of the Door: The Other Side of the Door is an awful horror movie that strands a talented cast in the middle of this crap. The scares are forced, lazy, and tired. Everything else, meanwhile, is just plain dull.

#6: The Last Heist: I thought this movie would be a lot higher than it ended up being. The actors were awful. The directing was cheap. The writing was atrocious. The idea was interesting, but the execution did nothing with this movie.

#5: Norm of the North: So, this movie was originally supposed to be direct-to-DVD. Instead, it was shoved into a theatrical release in January. The makers of this movie  seem to think a twerking polar bear and a forced environmental message go hand-in-hand.

#4: The Disappointments Room: The Disappointments Room is one of those awful, awful movies that goes absolutely nowhere. Kate Beckinsale is totally wasted in the movie(AND SHE PLAYS THE MAIN CHARACTER!) The entire thing is just dull and pointles.

#3: Shut In: This movie might've been a lot lower on my list. Unfortunately, it has one of the the absolute worst twists I've ever seen. What came before was already bad, but that twist just sank everything even lower.

#2: Nine Lives: This is a Shaggy Dog rip-off starring Kevin Spacey (whom I can only assume was blackmailed into being in this movie.) The acting is terrible. The effects are shit. I have no idea why this movie exists.

#1: Max Steel: As soon as I saw the final result of what these people seemed to think a Max Steel movie should've been, I knew exactly what the worst movie of 2016 was going to be.Max Steel offers nothing of value. There are no redeeming qualities to be found. This movie was so bad, I actually had to break down why this movie didn't work.

Top 10 Best Movies of 2016

2016 was something of an interesting year all around. Before I get into my list, I want to say that I did not get a chance to see everything I wanted to see. I just didn't get the time to see Manchester By the Sea, Moonlight, Silence, or La La Land. 

Honorable Mentions:

I had a couple movies I actually liked quite a bit that just couldn't quite make the cut.

Hell or High Water, Suicide Squad, Rogue One, Lights Out, Ouija: Origin of Evil, Hail, Caesar, Moana

#10: Sing Street: Sing Street told a classic story in a unique way, and was backed up by a pretty damn good soundtrack to boot. It's a lesser-known movie, so if you are able to, check this one out.

#9: Hacksaw Ridge: Mel Gibson returns to directing for a harrowing, yet uplifting war story about Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who lists in World War II to save lives as a medic. He saved 75 men, without ever firing a weapon.

#8: 10 Cloverfield Lane: Much of 10 Cloverfield Lane is a small, tense thriller. The whole time, you follow three people. John Goodman in this movie is as frightening and uneasy as it can possibly get.

#7: Star Trek Beyond: A lot of People were utterly worried when the trailer for this movie dropped. The final result was actually a really damn good movie with a fantastic cast that worked off each other unbelievably well.

#6: The Nice Guys: The Nice Guys is a wonderful, neo-noir crime comedy written and directed by Shane Black. Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe work off each other excellently, and are both perfectly cast. But, the absolute scene stealer is newcomer Angourie Rice as Gosling's daughter.

#5: Zootopia: Zootopia has this amazing world set up with excellent characters, a story that tries far harder than it probably would've in lesser hands, and fantastic animation that breathes life into my favorite animated movie of the year.

#4: Don't Breathe: There were points where I felt legitimately claustrophobic watching Don't Breathe. There were points in this movie where I wanted to cringe. I say all of this with the utmost praise and enthusiasm. This was easily my favorite horror movie of the year, with amazing tension and great performances by Jane Levy and Stephen Lang.

#3: Captain America: Civil War: Civil War raised the stakes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by literally tearing these heroes we've seen for years as friends apart. There's a legitimate grey area explored in this movie where you understand both sides clearly, and may find yourself switching sides constantly.

#2: Deadpool: I think Deadpool may just be the shot of adrenaline superhero movies need right now. This is a hard-R superhero movie that made over $700 million at the worldwide box office. It was a great movie because it stuck to the character it was trying to portray.

#1: Arrival: Arrival was a movie that really made me think. I watched this movie once. I loved it. It's actually grown on me quite a bit the more I've thought and thought about it. The actors are excellent. The story is intriguing. It's slow-paced, but it's never boring.

 

Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2017

Honorable Mentions:

The Lego Batman Movie, Ghost in the Shell, Beauty and the Beast, War for the Planet of the Apes, Kong: Skull Island, It, Justice League, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Friday the 13th, Saw: Legacy 

#10: Spider-Man: Homecoming: I loved Tom Holland as Peter Parker / Spider-Man in Civil War. I can't wait to see what happens in this movie now that Marvel has some say. I love the idea of Michael Keaton playing the villain, and can't wait to see more back and forth between Spider-Man and Iron Man.

#9: Dunkirk: Dunkirk is a World War II era drama that will tell the story of the storming of one of the beaches. The thing that really sells my excitement for this movie is director Christopher Nolan, who is one of my personal favorites.

#8: John Wick: Chapter 2: John Wick was one of the biggest surprises of 2014. I was incredibly excited for this movie when I first heard it was happening, and that first trailer got me even more excited.

#7: Thor: Ragnarok: I enjoy the first two Thor movies quite a bit. I'm excited to see Thor and Loki again. Tessa Thompson from Creed is playing the new love interest for Thor. That said, there hasn't been much of a plot reveal, So I don't know what to expect story-wise.

#6: Fast 8: I've been a longtime fan of the Fast and the Furious franchise. However, it wasn't until Fast Five that this franchise really found its footing. With cast additions that include Charlize Theron and Helen Mirren, including the returning actors, I'm curious to see how this movie turns out.

#5: Alien: Covenant: Here's what I know about this movie. Michael Fassbender's in it, and its an Alien movie. Really, that's all I need to know.

#4: Wonder Woman: I know a lot of people haven't cared too much for the DC Extended Universe. Honestly, the only one I've outright loved so far has been Suicide Squad. But, the trailer for Wonder Woman and the lack of Zack Snyder in the director's chair gives me a lot of hope.

Wonder Woman Trailer

#3: Star Wars: Episode VIII: I've yet to see a trailer for Episode VIII, but with The Force Awakens being a good movie, and Rian Johnson, the director of Looper, taking the mantle from J.J. Abrams, I'm definitely interested in seeing what's coming next in the Star Wars franchise.

#2: Logan: Logan is definitely going to carry an R rating. This will also be the swan song for Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Patrick Stewart as Professor X. There's also going to be an introduction of fan favorite X-23.

Logan Red Band Trailer

#1: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Seeing as how I ranked Guardians of the Galaxy as my favorite movie of 2014, of course I'm excited for this movie. I love the characters, and the trailers seem to be carrying the same tone as the first movie.

Top 50 Favorite Songs (40-31)

#40: Stressed Out by twenty one pilots: I love that this song deals with the idea of just wanting to go back to a point in someone's life where they could be carefree, and didn't have to worry about anything. But, as we grow up, we're told different things than we were told when we were children.

#39: Swimming Pools (Drank) by Kendrick Lamar: In a time period where most rap songs that deal with drinking and alcohol present no consequences whatsoever, Swimming Pools (Drank) is somewhat refreshing because it presents the negative side.

#38: American Pie by Don McLean: American Pie effectively deals with two stories, and blurs them together. First and foremost, Don McLean uses the song to address "the day the music died" when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper were all killed in a plane crash. He also brings up a story where a jester steals Jesus Christ's crown of thorns.

#37: Yeah! by Usher, Lil Jon, & Ludacris: Somehow, Lil Jon's beat and background hype yells, Usher's voice, and Luda's chilled back rhymes bring this song together to make a fun, catchy listen.

#36: Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down: For someone in my early 20s, Kryptonite is a nostalgic song. I like the singer's darker take in this song about someone's personal Superman going crazy. I also like the comparison in a potential romantic relationship of two people, comparing themselves in their own minds as Superman and Lois Lane.

#35: X Gon' Give It to Ya by DMX: Compared to more complex songs like American Pie, X Gon' Give it to Ya is decidedly simple. But, I love it as an angry haze of a hype song that's pretty easy to work out to.

#34: Hail Mary by 2Pac: Hail Mary has a sort of ominous sound and feel to it. It deals with Pac's death and resurrection (the music video actually was released after the rapper was shot and killed). He then begins to take vengeance out on his enemies. The guest verses on the song aren't bad per se, but they compare to the work that 2Pac himself puts into the track.

#33: The Outsider by A Perfect Circle: A Perfect Circle's The Outsider deals with the narrator talking with someone, clearly wanting to get them help. Whether it's for drugs or suicide is never explained, but I feel like the song works equally with either one.

#32: Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine: Given Rage Against the Machine's typically politically charged messages that they pour into every song can just as well be applied to this bombastic track. I could be wrong, but I feel like this song deals with the idea of soldiers in a war that kill, but with no real idea of why.

#31: Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes: I love this song's strumming beats and anthemic feel. Jack White's voice and lyrics compliment the instrumentation that he and Meg White put into the song.

   

Top 20 Favorite Horror Movies

Keep in mind, this isn't the definitive list. These are just my personal favorites. Some you might agree with, and others you definitely won't. In all, it's Halloween, and this is just for fun.

Honorable Mentions:

These are movies I really like, but they just didn't quite make the cut, for whatever reason

The Exorcist, The Hills Have Eyes, The Conjuring, Night of the Living Dead, Friday the 13th, Halloween, Frankenstein, Evil Dead II

#20: Child's Play: The movie that introduced the world to Chucky, Child's Play manages to make a creepy flick out of a serial killer inhabiting a child's plaything, hunting down the people he blames for his death, and then trying to transfer his soul into that of a child.

#19: The Frighteners: Peter Jackson's movie, about a psychic medium and con artist who tries to solve a series of gruesome murders, is equal parts terrifying and hilarious. The movie makes for a good watch on Halloween, if you've never seen it before.

#18: It Follows: This is a movie I've talked about at length before. Basically, this is a horror movie that tackles why sex is a GOOD thing. The titular "it" is haunting, as it has no true form. It doesn't run for you. It just walks. The fact that you're never really sure if you're seeing "it" is where a lot of the movie's horror and tension comes from.

#17: Gremlins: This might seem like a weird pick for me, as it's more associated with the Christmas holiday. However, Gremlins is a dark, twisted family horror film from the 1980s. The gremlins themselves are disgusting, evil little monsters whose mischief gets more and more violent as the movie goes on.

#16: Shaun of the Dead: Now, I know what you're thinking. How could I put this movie on my list over Night of the Living Dead. To be honest, Shaun of the Dead just kind of engaged me more. I love the idea of a drunk, loser slacker like Shaun being forced to step up. The comedy is extremely clever, and the gore is pretty damn strong.

#15: Hellraiser: Hellraiser is still one of the most visceral horror movies to come out of the 1980s. Pinhead was a unique presence as a horror villain at the time. He wasn't the movie's outright villain. He was a neutral force. This is one of those movies that is recommended viewing for any horror fan.

#14: The Brood: To this day, The Brood is a movie that haunts me. Evil children are one of those things that really can get to me. A movie about evil children that have ties to a little girl and her father with a shocking reveal can only come from a master of horror like David Croenenberg.

#13: Silence of the Lambs: As far as I can remember, this is the first horror movie to win the Oscar for Best Picture. Hannibal Lecter is one of the all-time greatest movie villains for good reason. There's an unease to the back and forth between Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster. I also want to mention Buffalo Bill, who I feel is underrated, and doesn't get talked about that much. If you've never seen Silence of the Lambs, do yourself a favor.

#12: The Thing: The Thing offers a fantastic isolated setting, with a bunch of gruff guys (led by the always awesome Kurt Russell and Keith David). The thing is able to duplicate and take over the bodies of living organisms. The tension really comes from the idea of never knowing exactly who the thing is.

#11: Poltergeist: What makes Poltergeist so unsettling is its setting. It doesn't take place in a creepy, obvious haunted house. It takes place in what appears to be a nice, normal suburban neighborhood. The acting is solid on all fronts. And, the clown scene.

#10: The Fly: If you were to ask, The Brood isn't my favorite Croenenberg movie. That would go to The Fly. This is a remake done right. It takes a cheesy 50s science fiction movie starring Vincent Price, and turns it into a terrfying look into body horror.

#9: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Showing little to no gore, Tobe Hooper's masterpiece relies heavily on what you don't see. Scenes like the hitchhiker scene and the dinner scene are just plain uncomfortable to watch, but in a good way.

#8: A Nightmare on Elm Street: Wes Craven's film takes and often blurs the lines between dreams and reality. Freddy Krueger is a sadistic force that takes great pleasure in the torture and murders of his victims. Creative kills and a unique killer help make this movie a horror classic, and I love it.

#7: The Shining: Yes, I'm aware that this is not a good adaptation. However, Stanley Kubrick's painstaking attention to detail, Jack Nicholson's performance, and the look of the Overlook hotel make me look past that. This is still a really damn good movie.

#6: Psycho: Alright, I've talked about Psycho and Norman Bates at length. So I'll just say this: this is a fantastic movie that makes you second-guess yourself.

#5: Re-Animator: I can't stress enough just how much fun Re-Animator is. Jeffrey Coombs plays a socially awkward man who finds a way to reanimate the dead, and things just get really out of hand. The violence and humor actually balance out really well together.

#4: Jaws: The shark from Jaws is a force of nature that operates solely based on its level of hunger. There's also a sort of haunting feel to that scene with Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw on the boat singing that song. And that's not including the chilling opening, and the other shark attacks, where you see very little of the shark itself.

#3: Trick 'r Treat: Trick 'r Treat is an anthology horror film with interweaving story lines that are all really damn good. It introduces a new, modern horror icon with Sam, and takes you through twists and turns that are even more fun on a second viewing. This movie is an underrated little gem that needs to be talked about more.

#2: The Cabin in the Woods: This is the type of movie that only come from the creative team that is Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard. The best I could describe it is as sort of a Scream-meets-Evil Dead, but I'm not sure that even completely covers it.                        

#1: Scream: For me, there was no other choice for number one. This clever take on the slasher genre is more than just my favorite horror movie, it's one of my top five favorite movies, period. I've seen this movie countless times, and it just still works for me. The mystery and the little hints and easter eggs throughout are awesome. 

Top 10 Halloween Guilty Pleasures - Part 2

#10: Planet Terror: Planet Terror is one of those movies that I think was kind of meant to be bad. It's glorious in all of its bloody, cheesy carnage. For example, the main character loses her leg, and replaces it with a machine gun. It kind of has to be seen to be believed.

#9: Killer Klowns From Outer Space: It's a little stupid, and it's clearly meant to be a B-Movie. Killer Klowns From Outer Space is pretty self-explanatory. It also gives what I believe to be a plausible answer for the existence of clowns, beings that are generally more frightening than entertaining. This is one of those movies where you know what you're getting into.

#8: Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies: So, last year I didn't put an Asylum movie on my list. This year, I'm fixing that. There's a lot of insane, stupid shit that unfolds throughout this movie, and Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies embraces all of it head-on. I mean it, if you're not familiar with this one, check it out. It's completely worth it.

#7: Final Destination: Now, I'm actually talking about the entire series here. Why? Because they're all enjoyably dumb. The series of movies follows different groups of people who manage to cheat death, and then all start dying in random freak accidents. It's the deaths that make these movies. They are all ridiculously complicated Rube-Goldberg inspired accidents.

#6: Leprechaun: Once again, I'm talking about the overall series, which somehow keeps managing to get dumber and dumber as the movies go on. Personally, I recommend anything pre-Hood, especially the first and fourth movies.

#5: Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters: Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters follows a grown-up Hansel and Gretel as they become witch hunters, obviously. The movie is something of a hybrid between action, horror, and comedy. In short, it knows what it is, and doesn't really try to be anything else.

#4: Hocus Pocus: Weirdly enough, this is the least violent, and most kid-oriented movie on my list. It's somewhat nostalgic for me. I recognize that it is a little bit cheesy and stupid, but it seems like it understands that. Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker play the evil witches in this movie, and they're fun to watch because they're having fun.

#3: Freddy vs. Jason: Freddy vs. Jason promises one thing and one thing only. Freddy vs. Jason. It delivers on that. Granted, the story doesn't always make sense. But, nobody watches slasher flicks for their ingenious stories. We watched this because Freddy were going to fight each other and kill people. That's what we got.

#2: Thirteen Ghosts: In retrospect, a lot of the CGI in the movie doesn't hold up. But, the setting and story are kind of clever and creative. There's one reason this movie is even on the list: Matthew Lillard. This was when he was in everything. The man is so charismatic and entertaining to watch, he pretty much overshadows everything else.

#1: Idle Hands: This is a movie that essentially answered the question, what if Evil Dead 2 was a slacker, stoner comedy. Idle Hands know that it has a stupid story, and rolls with it.     

Top 10 Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? Episodes

It's still October, the month of Halloween. So, why not talk about my favorite episodes of one of the most famous horror/mystery cartoons of all time that still endures to this day, which is also a personal favorite of mine.

#10: Bedlam in the Big Top:  The story is the gang goes to the circus to investigate the mystery surrounding an alleged ghost clown who begins hypnotizing them. I have this episode on the list simply because I am terrified of clowns.

#9: A Gaggle of Galloping Ghosts: The gang is trapped overnight in a castle, where they must outrun the Universal movie monsters (Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, and the Wolfman). I love this episode because it sort of pays homage to the classics, but also gives a pretty damn cool crossover that makes complete sense, even though you probably wouldn't expect it otherwise.

#8: Haunted House Hang-Up: I won't lie, I don't remember a whole lot about this episode, so it's pretty low on the list. I remember liking it a lot, and really dug the use of a headless ghost.

#7: That's Snow Ghost: When Scooby and the gang head to a ski resort for a weekend of fun, they find themselves involved with solving another mystery when a snow monster shows up to wreak havoc on the vacationers. The setting and the monster go hand-in-hand. One of the things I love about this particular episode is that it's legitimately one of the few times where they don't start out actively trying to solve a mystery. They just sort of stumble into it.

#6: A Clue For Scooby-Doo: While the gang is having some fun, they accidentally stumble across a ghost in a glowing green scuba suit. So, they begin trying to solve the mystery of who he is and what he wants. I love the look of the Captain Cutler ghost. He feels very vacant and empty with a hint of menace.

#5: What a Night for a Knight: The very first episode of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? centers on the Black Knight Ghost and a counterfeit painting scheme. As I already said, this is the show's first episode. It sets you up for what the overall show is, and has a fairly engaging story. But, it still keeps it simple enough for younger viewers to follow and understand.

#4: Go Away Ghost Ship: I remember that this is one where Shaggy outwits the ghost of Redbeard with an eggbeater. This was the episode I first remember seeing that told me pirate ghosts could be a thing.

#3: Spooky Space Kook: Spooky Space Kook centers around the gang running out of gas in a ghost town. They then must solve a mystery around an alien that seems to be terrorizing the town. Now, the alien himself is actually pretty creepy and has damn cool look to him, which is why this episode is so high on the list.

#2: Jeepers, It's the Creeper The Creeper is probably the most famous of Scooby-Doo's monsters, and for good reason. His introduction is so out of nowhere that's kind of memorable and a touch eerie. I actually love the character of the creeper so much this episode has the number 2 spot on my list.

#1: A Night of Fright Is No Delight: This is quite possibly the episode of Scooby-Doo I've watched the most. Scooby-Doo receives an inheritance, and along with the gang goes and stays at a haunted mansion. The mansion, however, is haunted by a group of chained green ghosts. It also borrows tropes and inspiration from slasher flicks of the time period as well as Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None.