Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

In the third movie in the Indiana Jones franchise, Indy goes on a quest to find both the holy grail and his missing father. First of all, I love the chemistry between Harrison Ford and Sean Connery. Despite the two only having a twelve year age gap between them, they have a pretty believable father and son dynamic. It's honestly a big part as to why this is my favorite of the Indiana Jones movies. I also quite like the Elsa character. It's really the only time in this franchise where the love interest was also one of the villains. I also think it helped make her a little more memorable than the movie's primary villain. He's not bad. He just doesn't stand out to me as much some of the other antagonists in the franchise. As usual, the action set pieces are also a ton of fun. My personal favorite is the scene in Venice. Sure, this movie may be a bit more lighthearted than the second movie. However, I actually believe that is a point in this film's favor. Overall, I adore this film. The acting, the action, and the writing are all in top form. It really is the relationship between Indy and his father that serves as the heart of the movie for me. 

9 / 10 

Zombieland

image source

Zombieland follows a small group of survivors that come together to form an unlikely family in the wake of the zombie apocalypse. I knew this was a film I was going to have to talk about at some point, because it is a personal favorite of mine. The characters all have legitimate heart and depth to them. You understand where each of them is coming from. The actors all work off each other incredibly well. The film is the directorial debut for Ruben Fleischer (who would go on to direct Venom). The film is also written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (who would both go on to write the two Deadpool movies). This is a combination that works incredibly well. For one thing, the film is unbelievably quotable. I am happy to say that Zombieland still holds up after ten years. This movie is a ton of gory fun. It doesn't have a ton in the way of plot, but I don't think a ton of plot is needed for this movie. I want to be with these characters because they are likable characters played by talented actors. I also have to appreciate the film's visual style. It actually feels unique to this movie. There's almost a meta tone to it (almost in the same vein as movies like Scream before it, or Tucker and Dale vs. Evil after it). I don't know if I can quite go that far, but I feel like Zombieland knows what it is, and runs with it. If you somehow still haven't seen it after all these years, and this review managed to sell you on seeing it, then do it. I adore this film, and I am so glad that it still holds up for me.

10 / 10 

Kill Bill Vol. 1

image source

Kill Bill Vol. 1 comes from the mind of Quentin Tarantino. I finally got a chance to watch it again recently. Much of the influence for this film comes from old school kung fu films and anime. The film follows The Bride (played by Uma Thurman) after she is left for dead on her wedding day. She wakes up from a coma four years later with vengeance on her mind and begins hunting down her old team who betrayed her and left her to die, with Bill (played by David Carradine) as the main target for her revenge. As usual, Tarantino's writing and directing shines. The cast is excellent. Lucy Liu doesn't play a villain very often, but her work in this film makes me wish she would do it a little bit more. The film also plays out in a very non-linear fashion (typical for Quentin Tarantino). I like that Bill is used sparingly. His face is never shown, but his presence is always felt, almost as though he's a shadow looming over the film in its entirety. The action is incredible. You can feel Tarantino's love for the genre he's sending up. The action is fittingly brutal and bloody. Let's be real, I honestly think this is Uma Thurman's movie. She delivers when she needs to be vulnerable. She delivers when she needs to cold and calculated. She delivers when she needs to be angry. While Pulp Fiction might be her most iconic work, I actually think The Bride might be her at her absolute best. Kill Bill Vol. 1 is one of those movies I haven't seen very often, but I think I love even more the more I actually see it.

10 / 10 

Beetlejuice (1988)

Image Source

A couple (Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis) dies in a car wreck in their small, New England town. They don't realize that they are dead at first, and eventually must contend with a yuppie family. They manage to befriend the goth teenage daughter (Winona Ryder in what may just be her best role and performance). Desperate to get the family out their house, and save their pristine small-town life, the couple, ignoring warnings form others, seeks help from a sleazy, fast-talking poltergeist, brilliantly portrayed by Michael Keaton. Director Tim Burton really found his niche with Beetlejuice. Keaton as Betelgeuse is a star-making performance, and the man is truly unrecognizable. The set design is outstanding, especially when it comes to sights we are shown in the afterlife. It feels Burton-esque. It's mesmerizing, weird, haunting, and a little funny all at once. I also think the makeup work in this movie is some the best in any movie. Period. I'm not just talking about the dead people looking a different color, or the pale-white look of Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz, or even Keaton himself. There's also a lot of little touches like the gash on Sylvia Sidney's neck that says her character had had her throat slit. Even some of the smaller characters that you only see once in the movie have such a unique look, you kind of wonder what their story is (a man with a shrunken head and a woman who has been cut in half, for example) The best to way describe Beetlejuice is as something of a demented Looney Tunes cartoon. Keaton's performance sort of seems to be a combination between Bugs Bunny and Freddy Krueger, which works way better than it probably should. This isn't just a good movie to watch around Halloween, it's a movie you can watch pretty much any time of the year. I absolutely love this movie, and highly recommend it if you've never seen it before.  

10 / 10        

Commando (1985)

Image Source

Looking at this movie from 2016 eyes, Commando might seem a little bit silly. However, this is one of my favorite movies of all time. As John Matrix, Arnold Schwarzenegger is an unstoppable killing machine with only one goal, get his daughter back. Does this movie follow the traditional formula for an 80s action movie? Sure, but that doesn’t make it any less entertaining. This movie has one of my absolute favorite action movie villains in John Bennett, played to insane perfection by Vernon Wells. Schwarzenegger has a pretty solid chemistry with both his female co-star Rae Dawn Chong, and with Alyssa Milano, creating what I felt was a believable enough father-daughter relationship. Say what you want about Schwarzenegger’s acting ability, the man is undeniably charismatic, and he’s the king of action movies for a reason. The action scenes should also be complimented. In particular, I have to praise the movie’s climax for just throwing us balls-to-the-wall action and carnage, finishing off with one the greatest knife fights I have ever seen. Yes, this movie has some of the best cheesy 80s one liners I have ever seen. Schwarzenegger brings what may just be his biggest body count here, compared to every other movie he has ever done. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Commando, in what I believe to be one of the Schwarzenegger essentials. I recommend this movie to anyone with a fondness for the ultra-violent, hard-R, action movies that inhabited and dominated the 1980s.   

10 / 10 

Seven (1995)

Image Source

A serial killer in an unnamed city begins a spree inspired by the seven deadly sins. Two detectives, expertly played by Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, are assigned to the case and do everything in their power to find the villainous John Doe and bring him to justice. Seven presents a cold, harsh, visceral, bleak outlook on the world, something David Fincher typically excels at. Doe is one of my all-time favorite movie villains. This is thanks in no small part to Kevin Spacey’s performance. He’s barely in the movie, but his presence is felt throughout, and it feels earned and meaningful when he does show up. The violence in the movie is muted, which adds a layer of unease. More than anything, it serves as a backdrop. We are really left to imagine how brutal everything was. Nowhere is this more evident than in the famous “what’s in the box” scene near the end of the movie. On repeat viewings, that moment grows more and more stomach-churning, despite never showing what exactly is in the box. Freeman and Pitt have excellent chemistry with one another. I want to be honest about the ending, though. I loved it. Without giving much away, it’s very bittersweet. It feels like it belongs within the world that this movie sets up. This is one of those movies where everything from the acting to the writing to the directing to the editing comes together to make a fantastic and tense movie. Overall, Seven is one of the best neo-noir thrillers of all time, and a personal favorite of mine.

10 / 10  

Die Hard (1988)

Image Source

In case you didn’t know, the original Die Hard is my favorite movie of all time. John McTiernan is, in my opinion, one of the best action directors of all time. See Predator and Last Action Hero as examples of this. This is the movie that managed to make Bruce Willis an action movie superstar, as well as introducing the world to the great Alan Rickman playing the great villain that is Hans Gruber. Prior to this, Willis was known mainly for television and comedy. Alan Rickman was a stage actor. These are gambles that are far less likely to be taken today. Die Hard has a great claustrophobic feel, as the movie takes place almost entirely in a building, where everyman John McClane suddenly becomes the only man qualified to eliminate the terrorists that have taken the building hostage. This is one of the movies to help redefine the action genre in the late 80s and early 90s. Die Hard suddenly became the formula, and the everyman was the hero that got the most attention as opposed to the muscle-bound one-man-armies of the 80s. When McClane is fighting the terrorists, you believe that he is fighting for his life, as well as fighting to kill. Nowhere do I think that this is more apparent than in his fist fight with Karl. The supporting cast should be commended as well, whether it’s Reginald VelJohnson as Al Powell, Paul Gleason as Dwayne Robinson, or William Atherton as Richard Thornburg. These characters aren’t stereotypes. They are fleshed out, often relatable. McClane is one of my favorite characters because I understand his dilemma. He’s not there to stop terrorists. He’s there to hopefully reconnect with his estranged wife. The action sequences are crisp, brutal, and comprehensible. Die Hard didn’t rely on shaky cam. It wanted you to experience the action. I love everything about this movie. I don’t feel that there is a moment wasted.

10 / 10 

Memento (2000)

Image Source

Memento is probably one of the most uniquely-filmed movies ever made (and that I have ever seen). This is the movie that really launched Christopher Nolan onto screen in a very big way. I really have to admire the use of storytelling that Christopher and Johnathon Nolan used to get the point across. There are two portions of the film. The smaller black and white portion plays out in chronological order, while the larger colored portion plays out in reverse. For those who have seen the movie and don't know the story, Memento is about a man who is unable to create short-term memories that is searching for his wife's killer, while you never really know what the main character's level of reliability really is. As far as I'm concerned, the character of Leonard Shelby remains Guy Pearce's best performance. The supporting cast includes Joe Pantoliano and Carrie-Ann Moss, and they do a great job. However, I do feel this is Guy Pearce's movie. The man steals the show. The movie's ending is, in my opinion, one of the absolute best I have ever seen. I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it. This movie definitely gets a recommendation from me, and it is one of my absolute favorites.

10 / 10 

Blade II (2002)

Source

Blade II is yet another sequel that manages to, not only mash two genres together, but improve upon the original as well. Once again, Wesley Snipes owns the role of Blade. One thing that separates Blade II out as the best of the bunch is that with Guillermo del Toro being brought on board as director was that the movie leaned closer to straight horror. While Snipes is awesome in the role of the character, the supporting cast is able to stand out as well. Ron Perlman, Luke Goss, Donnie Yen, Kris Kristofferson, Thomas Kretschmann, and a pre-fame Norman Reedus all step up to the plate. The story is a pretty cool idea for the Blade franchise. A well-written script, some truly fantastic performances by genre actors and non-genre actors alike, and Guillermo del Toro’s amazing direction make Blade II the best action movie to keep with any Halloween watchlist. This definitely gets a huge recommendation from both the comic geek in me, and the horror geek too. 

10 / 10 

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Image Source

Shaun of the Dead remains the definitive horror comedy of the naughties. The film is unrelentingly funny. The gore also hits at just the right moment. Shaun of the Dead never lets you forget what it is, as well as keeping a consistent tone. Simon Pegg is hilariously good as Shaun, an english slacker who must rise up when his small town becomes overrun by zombies. Edgar Wright brilliantly directs the film, showing the man knows how to mix genres. Not once does he beat you over the head with everything he does. The writing is funny and clever. This movie isn’t for everyone admittedly. The high amount of gore may turn some viewers off. Hardcore horror fans will appreciate Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost’s tongue-in-cheek approach. The comedy is smart, and the pop-culture references are so cleverly placed, it requires an extensive knowledge of the genre and multiple views to catch them. Shaun of the Dead introduced the world to two geniuses, and has become a modern staple of Halloween.

10 / 10 

The Social Network (2010)

Source

The Social Network might just be David Fincher’s best ensemble piece. The score is almost haunting. Every actor manages to make a good impression. Jesse Eisenberg shows that he is more than just a one-trick pony. Andrew Garfield seems to come out of nowhere, completely stealing the show. Justin Timberlake manages to bring out an incredible performance, and I would like to note the irony of a famous musician playing the founder of Napster. Armie Hammer gives an underrated performance, perhaps due to later work. This, for me, was the first movie that really showcased just how talented Rooney Mara was, indicating to me that working with David Fincher might be a good thing for this young woman. This is a movie for this generation. I say this because I am definitely part of the Facebook generation. I was in middle school when it really started to blow up, and was a freshman in high school when this movie first came to theaters. This isn't Fincher's darkest movie, but it definitely carries some of those elements that Mr. Fincher is known for. Mark Zuckerberg isn't exactly shown in the best light in this movie, but you can't really help but like him because of his cocky attitude. At least, that's the way I looked at it when I watched the movie. This has quickly become an absolute favorite for me. It never really drags, and always manages to keep my interest.   

10 / 10 

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Image Source

If there’s one thing I know about David Fincher, it’s the fact that nobody does dark, gritty crime thrillers better than he does. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is a film that, when you watch it, you feel disgusting, dirty, and all-around unclean. Fortunately, that is the feeling you are supposed to get when you watch this film. Rooney Mara delivers a career-defining performance as the titular anti-heroine. Every character seems to hide a dark secret, and you feel as though you’re there trying to peel back all the layers. The cast is pretty stacked, too. Aside from Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig in the leads, the supporting cast includes Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgaard, and Robin Wright. The locations for the film are perfectly chosen, adding to the movie’s overall creepy tone. The film’s score adds an ominous feel to the generally unsettling mood that the film creates. It’s a horrible film in the best way possible. Fincher fully understands the world he is bringing to life, makes a film that is gorgeous to look at, and stands out as possibly one of his best films, as well as one of my personal favorites, and for good reason. If it sounds like your movie, I highly recommend checking it out. 

10 / 10 

Trick 'r Treat (2007)

Image Source

Trick ‘r Treat may just be the most original horror film I have ever seen. There isn’t one flowing narrative, so much as there are four or five. Yet, when you watch the movie unfold, you realize just how well all these narratives flow together to make one unforgettable Halloween night. The film is very well-acted. The film always manages to keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next. It doesn’t hurt that are plenty of twists and turns you never see coming, but somehow manage to make sense in the end. I am not someone who scares easily. In fact, I rarely get scared when I watch a horror movie. So, ask yourself what it means when I personally say that this movie genuinely creeped me out. Most of the scares in the film come through a building tension and suspense, with these scares actually paying off in the end. The film rarely relies on jump scares, though when a jump scare does come up, it actually fits with the movie.  Dylan Baker is amazing, giving off a slightly funny, mostly disturbing performance. The best character in this bizarre, messed up film is the character of Sam. Anyone who wants to know who Sam is, I’m not going to spoil that. The movie gives off the essence of the Halloween holiday, and that’s really all it needs to do.  

10 / 10 

The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

Image Source

Cabin in the Woods is one of those rare horror films, where very little can and should be said, for fear of ruining the plot of the movie. This is one of the most original, unique horror films I have ever seen. One thing to keep in mind is that this movie isn’t scary, because it’s not meant to be. That’s part of the fun, though. Cabin in the Woods explores the cliches of horror films, especially the Evil Dead franchise. Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard are a dynamic writing / directing team, and they really understand the genre and world they are delving into. The actors are all really good, particularly Kristen Connolly and Fran Kranz. If I were to nitpick, I would say that I wish Amy Acker had a little more to do, but that should in no way be considered a hinderance in regards to the movie, and as far as I’m concerned, doesn’t really knock the movie down in any way, or take away from it.. There’s some great cameos that I don’t want to spoil, suffice it to say, they will make any hardcore horror fan go crazy. The movie shows little hints as to what’s happening, and the payoff is completely worth it. The movie carries a dark, twisted sense of humor. There are parts that make you laugh, and you might wonder why. This is a fun movie that requires multiple viewings to really dig deep into what’s going on. The best part is, you never get tired of it. 

10 / 10  

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Image Source

This was easily, my most anticipated movie of 2014, I had high hopes for Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Thankfully, the movie more than delivered what I was hoping for. The action wasn’t CG’ed beyond belief. It actually was very well-grounded. There were some elements of CGI, but the movie also struck a good balance with some pretty impressive practical effects, as well. Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson have an undeniable spark in their chemistry. Johansson’s Black Widow is essentially the female lead, and she’s not the love interest, something that doesn’t happen very often. I also have to admit, it is kind of refreshing, too. Anthony Mackie as Falcon was a welcomed addition to the cast. His continued performances make me believe he may just be the next Will Smith. The man is never lacking in charisma, and is one of those actors I can walk away from a movie saying he was good in it. The chemistry Anthony Mackie shared with Chris Evans was just as good as Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson. It was also nice to see Cobie Smulders and Samuel L. Jackson get a little more to do, especially because before they felt shoved to the side. Sebastian Stan is also incredible in the movie.  The movie took some twists and turns I didn’t see coming, which I will always respect from a story-telling standpoint. The Russo Brothers really handled the material they given well, which should be commended because they come from a comedic background, and handled their first major action blockbuster (which also happened to be a Marvel movie) like champs, and I cannot wait to see what they can do with Civil War. 

10 / 10 

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

Image Source

I was a huge fan of the first How to Train Your Dragon. So, I was eagerly excited to see where they could take the awesome world they had created. How to Train Your Dragon 2 builds upon and improves everything that was great in the first movie. One thing I loved seeing was the fact that this second one took many more risks than its predecessor. The characters were aged now. One of the things I was actually glad to see them tackle was the idea of forcing the main character to grow up, become a man, and have to eventually take on the responsibility of becoming chief of his village. if they were to play things safe with this movie, then he probably would have stayed a kid. I also have to commend the way they go about forcing him to take on these new responsibilities, as it was something I felt was both heartbreaking and realistic. The battle scenes were breathtaking. There was this grand attention to detail put into the backgrounds, people, dragons, and weapons. It gave each of them an epic look and feel. The 3D in the movie was also some of the best I think I have ever seen. It really does feel like you are flying on the dragons. I liked the idea of building a mother-son relationship, something animated films rarely do. The family aspect of the movie was great, too. The characters are fantastic, on the whole. They feel fleshed out, and continue to grow from their places in the first movie. They don't really get stuck in rehash land either, as the story does feel like something of its own. This was more than just one of my favorite movies of 2014, but it quickly became one of my all-time favorites. It really does feel like this series is becoming the Lord of the Rings of animated movie franchises. It will attract the crowd it intends to attract, but there are so many more people who will easily find something to enjoy.    

10 / 10 

Gone Girl (2014)

Image Source

Once again, David Fincher doesn’t disappoint. Gone Girl is a harrrowing, realistic, and unpredictable movie. I may even sound a lot like a broken record at this point, but David Fincher is my favorite director working today, and this movie does provide extreme evidence as to why. Every time you think you know where the film is going, a new twist is thrown in. Ben Affleck is an actor that, I’ll admit, I’ve never really been a big fan of. This movie, and his performance in the film, have made me completely rethink my opinion of him as an actor. Another actor who delivers an awesome performance in the film that has never really impressed me before is Tyler Perry. The actors are all-around spectacular. The entire cast shines. But, I have to be honest, this is Rosamund Pike’s movie. Pike delivers a career best performance. Fincher is the only director I am convinced could have even pulled this movie off. It really carries that dark, twisted, almost uncomfortably funny tone that a lot of the movies from his past filmography tend to carry in spades. The movie mocks the people who only ever accept one side of the story, as well as those who try to convince you that there is only one side to the story. It feels like what happens if you were to mash up Seven, Fight Club, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and Zodiac all into one movie, but still find a way to keep it fresh and new. I can't really compare this movie to the book it's based on because, unfortunately, I never read it. The movie does stand on its own very well though, and that's one of the biggest compliments I can give it. I also have to compliment the movie's music, because Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross deliver a truly haunting score. Gone Girl is a film that sticks with you, and you will find yourself thinking about the movie after you’ve finished. In short, it will leave you speechless, and even questioning the person you are sitting with.  

10 / 10 

Fight Club (1999)

Image Source

Fight Club may be that movie that critics just got wrong. Early on, the movie failed to find its footing at the box office. Many critics (at the time) slammed it for being surface-deep, overly violent, and too pro-anarchy. In more recent years, the movie has earned much more praise, even earning a well-deserved cult status. There are layers to the movie. To me, initial criticism of the movie just being about guys who fight and punch each other sounds like something that would come out of the mouth of someone who had never seen the movie before. There is an extra layer to the pro anarchy and fascism ideas that is, more than anything, darkly funny and mocking satirization of our consumerist culture of the late 1990s. David Fincher's direction works, shining as some of the best of his career. Fincher expertly manages to bring attention to little details that you might not expect. For example, nearly every shot of the movie has a Starbucks cup somewhere. The movie also sparkles with outstanding performances, particularly from Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter. Brad Pitt and Edward Norton have an excellent back and forth. Yes, the characters may be morally reprehensible people, but this is an area where I feel the direction, writing, and performances all blend together. You actually find yourself rooting for these characters, even though you know you probably shouldn't. One reason why I feel the screenplay in Fight Club is so strong is the movie's quotability. This is one of my absolute favorite movies. It flows really well in ways a lot of other movies don't, at least for me. It's pretty slick in its editing, splicing in little elements that you don't really notice unless you've seen it many, many times. This is a movie that really has stood the test of time. It's something that I myself constantly hear and see referenced in pop culture. I love this movie, and have absolutely no issues with it. I'd go on, but I've probably broken the rules enough as it is.

10 / 10  

The Breakfast Club (1985)

Image Source

Recently, I had to ask myself a pretty huge question. Did keeping The Breakfast Club strictly in the 80s and for the most part, dating it actually make it more timeless? For the most part, I think it did. This is actually a very simple movie, but that's why I think it is so good, maybe even one of the best I have ever seen. The number of characters was sparse. The setting is simple. The movie does cut pretty with some of the dialogue. This movie really touches on some topics that are still relevant today, like peer pressure and suicide. The pop culture references maybe dated now, but it doesn't matter to me. This movie also created what I consider to be one of the greatest movie theme songs of all time in Simple Minds' Don't You Forget About Me. The acting is so good. There's a dynamic and chemistry that couldn't possibly be rivaled if the movie were to, for whatever reason, be remade today. Writer and director John Hughes really does a fantastic job balancing the touching and relatable dramatic moments and characters and the hilarious moments and comedy. One of the things I find most interesting about this movie to me is that it only took John Hughes 2 days to write it, and I think it might be one of the best written movies I've seen. I hold true to the statement that I do not believe there is truly such a thing as a truly perfect movie, but, as far as I'm concerned, The Breakfast Club is pretty damn close. As a statement to how good I think this movie is, when I was posting my series on my 50 favorite movies, I forgot this one (and it takes the place of Demolition Man for me.)

10 / 10   

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Image Source

Empire Strikes Back is my personal favorite Star Wars movie, and one of my all-time favorites. I personally like the darker turn it takes. Yoda is awesome in the movie because you just know he's powerful without him ever really having to do anything, and that's a huge testament to director Irvin Kershner and screenwriters Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, as well as George Lucas himself. The final twist ending of the movie is one of those endings where I wish I had a time machine so I could see the reactions of first-time viewers for myself. Everything in this movie feels lie the first one on a grander scale, and with a darker edge. Things seem hopeless by the end of the movie, and I think that's just perfect for a middle chapter in a trilogy. The lightsaber battles in this movie feel like an upgrade from the first film in terms of stunts, visual spectacle, and choreography. This one of those movies that I liked as a kid, but it really grew on me as I got older. The writing is great. The directing is great. The effects are better here than in the first film. The characters progress and don't feel like they're stuck or forced to regress as some sequels can and will do, and the actors are all clearly enjoying themselves.

10 / 10