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Longest_Lasting_Redshirt
Really. I am just a 15 year old boy who can tell how old in days people are. (I get board in math class)
I want to go into making movies and as a result I became a movie buff.
Top films of each genre:
*= one of twenty five favorite films of all time (I count Franchises as one if in parenthesis)
Action:
Old James Bond
King Kong (Favorite movie) (1933*, 2005)
Lord of the Rings
Pirates of the Carribean
The Poseidon Adventure
Sci-fi
2001: A Space Odyssey*
Star Trek (II, First Contact, VI,IV, and III)
Star Wars (old Trilogy)*
Alien, Aliens
Terminator (1 and 2)
The Fly
Jurassic Park*
Minority Report*
Plan 9 From Outer Space (So bad it's good)
AI: Artificial Intelligence
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Planet of the Apes
Horror:
The Silence of the Lambs
Halloween*
Psycho*
The Shining
The Haunting (1963)*
Jaws*
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street*
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Frankenstein
Fantasy:
Edward Scissorhands*
Beetlejuice
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
The Green Mile*
Big Fish
Drama:
Atonement
The Shawshank Redemption*
The Godfather (I and II)*
Citizen Kane*
Titanic
Full Metal Jacket
Saving Private Ryan*
A Clockwork Orange*
Paths of Glory
Schindler's List
Cassablanca*
Family:
Ratatouille*
WALL�E*
Toy Story (1 and 2)
E.T. The Extra Terrestrial*
The Incredibles
The Nightmare Before Christmas*
Comedy:
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb*
Juno
Airplane!
Young Frankenstein
Catch Me if You Can
The Terminal
Thank You for Smoking
Back to the Future (I, II, and III)
Stand by Me
Thriller:
Rear Window*
The Man who knew too much
The Lady Vanishes
Vertigo
The Dark Knight*
No Country for Old Men
The Departed
Cape Fear (1962, 1991)
Sixth Sense*
Favorite song: The Sound of Silence
Favorite Writer: Stephen King
Favorite Book: The Green Mile
Top 10 Directors (For the most part tied):
1. Stephen Spielberg
2. Stanley Kubrick
3. Alfred Hitchcock
4. Tim Burton
5. James Cameron
6. Martin Scorsese
7. Mike Nichols
8.
Reviews
Flashforward: No More Good Days (2009)
JUST enough there
Since I could just spend the entire review talking about how it ripped of LOST at every chance it got, I'll just stick with the story and make as few LOST references as possible.
I have yet to read the book (I will be stopping by the library tomorrow or the next day to get it) so this is from an outside perspective on that.
The show centers around the idea that the entire worlds population blacked out for two minuets and seven-teen seconds. In that time, they saw a glimpse of six months in the future and what will probably happen. An idea that is really good, slightly predictable (but not in a bad way, it can make give you the feeling of creating theories in LOST on how things get there)the aftermath scene was pretty interesting. Or rather it would be if it didn't copy the LOST pilot down to even some of the same shots (Jack sees a huge plane about to collapse after several close-ups: FBI guy sees a building about to collapse after a few close-ups) A lot of issues span from the fact that they only had an hour to tell the story of the pilot. They needed the extra hour to bring in more characters or at least make it so they didn't crow bar in so many into an hour. And from the FIVE MINUTE to be continued thing at the end (trim it down, writers)even more main characters are going to pop up. They either need to trim it down to only a few people or get more time so they can tell the story and do the characters justice. Some characters seem like they will have some cool arcs, others seem a little to CSI-ish (Random guy in late 30s has all access to be head of an FBI investigation of what is clearly the biggest catastrophe in human history).
Overall, it reminds me a lot of getting the Star Trek: Voyager/Enterprise feeling throughout (Same writer... wonder why.) Just trying to capitalize off of the fans of LOST (They even had an Oceanic logo in the back ground!) who want more and realize the show is about to end. To be fair, it is the pilot, and those tend to be a little clunky. I just hope they learn from their mistakes and do the story more justice. There are enough questions asked (Be more subtle about it, let the audience think for themselves, that is why the LOST audience you so desperately want loves the show)to intrigue me. I will watch the show for the rest of the season and if it becomes clear they aren't just planning to wing it for as long as they can Chris-Carter-style, I will be in for next year. And if this mildly interests you, add LOST season 1 to your netflix cue. (Sorry, when you clearly are taking things from a show, and thus from even more obscure things across decades to be fair, you have to expect a few comparisons not in your favor)
Batman: The Animated Series: Heart of Ice (1992)
If only Joel Schumacher watched this ...
This is the story of Mr. Freeze, a villain that is a guilty pleasure of mine. (If Batman and Robin was never made, I bet he would be more popular) Freeze is shown as a sympathetic character and a merciless villain at the same time. He rations out the puns instead of using them at every possible situation. The voice work of everybody is brilliant. He believes that he is defeating an evil with his actions. In the end, Freeze finds himself in prison, begging for his wife's forgiveness. Batman gives a final glance at them and leaves to fight another crime. Overall, it is simply a well written episode. Add in some spectacular animation and great quotes, you get the best episode of the Batman animated series.
WALL·E (2008)
Possibly Pixar's Best
PIXAR has made a long string of good movies. With the weakest being CARS, witch still was a good movie (just not perfection/near perfection like the rest) could there reputation hold up to the next movie.
Do we need oxygen to live? I can't think of a bad part in this movie. There are some scientific errors beyond basic sci-fi, but the movie is good enough to look past them. The little dialog beyond some robot designating things such as "Target" or "Foreign substance" and a few commercials. One particular thing I enjoyed was when a space craft was passing the moon, you could see the Armstrong landing sight. Next to it was an add for a BUY-N-LARGE superstore.
The animation was flawless. If I was looking at the images minus the people and some robots (not all however)I would swear it was live action.
The sounds are going to win an Oscar. The music will be nominated (though I doubt it will win) I really doubt any movie will beat this for best animated feature film 2008. I wouldn't be surprised if it got nominated for best screenplay. I will defiantly by the DVD. So I have to wait till about November/December.
Recount (2008)
It's not always fair, but almost no movie doesn't show any bias.
When I am old enough, I will probably be a Democrat and I know I will still be liberal. That means that this review will be a little slanted left.
Look, when your writing a script you start off neutral, but sooner or later your going to give a little bias. Your personal opinions come in when you write a speech, give a presentation, or basically do anything the public will see,that you do not give a slight slant towards one side. The reviews that say this is bias are bias themselves (very slightly but still). It at least this isn't as bad as Michael Moore. Name one filmmaker who's last name is not spelled K-U-B-R-I-C-K that would not be bias(and even Kubrick had to work on it a little to nail Full Metal Jacket) Now to the movie. I will take heat for this, but I loved this and preferred it to other movies like this (All the Presidents Men). Sorry but ATPM wasn't as good for me. I already knew how it would end. I knew most of what happened in Watergate from history. And I am 15, so I was not alive to see it happen.
This I was 7 when it happened. I have spent most of my life with Bush as president, and me being against his decisions, and having to live with them. I think thats why I preferred this movie.
It's not completely accurate, but it still is enjoyable and the whole truth can not be found out by now
I liked how the real people such as Al Gore and George Bush sounded like the real people. The movie had some humor. It overall was a great movie with limited left-slant at the end. I want to see what other people would do to make it neutral without sounding life FOX news. (there I can't make it without bias, lets see you do better)
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Toy Story 2 has done what is either the best or worst thing a sequel can do...
... Be better than it's predecessor.
In the first 10 minutes, we see everything pixar (which is everything to make a perfect movie) It starts with something purposely cheesy and humorous (flying credits) spectacular animation (you can see that the entire movie) movie references, comedy, and in the next part of the movie, the brilliant heart filled moments.
(side note: I am watching this movie as I write, and I noticed an A BUGS LIFE calendar in the back round, more tradition of Pixar) As the movie continues, we see humor for both kids and adults, we see some great animation that makes the first movie look terrible, and most importantly, Jesse's story. (told with the perfect music) if you look on youtube, most people who look at that video say they were twenty or thirty and began crying like children in that sequence.
The Voices are amazing. Kelsey Grammar, Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, John Ratzenberger, and everyone who's names elude me for the moment, did a fantastic job.
The only flaw in the entire movie is the epilogue. It just seemed a little too(I know it makes I am defying the point of an epilogue by saying this) epilogish. It just seemed a little too must-be-rapped-up even to the point of unbelievable things on TV (even for TV)
This movie is great, well animated, brilliantly written, and great use of music, sound combo, everything came together into a perfect fit of film making. Next to Ratatoullie, it is my favorite pixar film
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Best Star Trek movie (and one of the best sci-fi movies) ever!
I rented the first three of the six original Star Trek movies a couple of months ago. After trying to sit through The Motion Picture twice, and couldn't, This one I expected to be similar. Quite contrary. While The Motion Picture (TMP) had bleak and dull lighting, costumes (bad costumes even for Star Trek) This starts off with Spock's Iconic ear, and we see a well done scene (The reason I knew what was going on is because I read Leonard Nimoy's biography, where he talks about the movie) Then we have Khan, the best Star Trek villain ever! Ricardo Montalban gave the best performance of the movie with great lines, and he was threatening.
This movie also broke new ground with one thing: Chekov (Walter Koenig) actually did something that progressed the plot! after two seasons of just saying "mother Russia" and occasionally giving an input, he actually progressed plot! I suppose that you know the ending by now (I won't say, just in case you don't. But even if you do know what will happen, you still will love the scene (If you just want to watch it, I first found it on YouTube, result of lack of patience to sit through the movie for hours when I just want to watch that scene) After watching the whole movie, I still loved it very much and almost cried.
Just watch this movie, It is the best Star Trek movie, with First Contact as a close second. The only advantage this movie has is it isn't actually a geeky movie like the other nine (or the five of which I have seen)
Star Wars (1977)
Sci-Fi at its highest point
Star Wars is totally genius. Very few movies have as many infamous shots, lines, and scenes (the godfather is the only one I can think of). Most people in the world probably know the lines "These aren't the droids your looking for" "May the force be with you" "When I lift you I was but a learner. now I am the master" etc., etc.
The Music is sheer brilliance. From the opening credits through the end credits. The acting was beautiful. The set design and special effects were probably the best part of the movie. What more can be said. It is probably my favorite sci-fi movie (between this, Jurassic Park, and 2001: a space odyssey) This, Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi are simply brilliant. Many studios convinced themselves it would be a flop and turned them down. Worst mistake they ever made!
Casino Royale (2006)
Eight star movie. One star bond movie.
If you are not familiar with bond movies chances are you will love this. This is a great movie. All that actors are great. The plot (though hard to follow) is good. Every scene is well done. The trouble is that I didn't like it because it is not the 007 style. 007 is supposed to be straightforward plot, damsels in distress, psycho villains, Awesome henchmen, and other things this movie didn't have. They tried to make James Bond, who is supposed to be a one dimensional minimum character development (Not saying thats bad), ladies man and turned him into a developed, non B-movie character he is. The Plot is WAY to confusing for a bond film. Their is not a clear villain or bond girl.If 007 came to be in the cold war, than why does his first mission happen in July 2006 (wow I thought we were done in 1990.) I am not against character development, confusing plots, unclear villains, and all other things (if I was I wouldn't hate "Family Guy" but I am for B-Movie's such as 007.
This is a great movie on its own, but a bad James Bond movie. While an improvement over Die Another Day (it sucked) this is bad for bond. They need to get back on track and follow the formula we have come to know and love. As the title says Great movie. Pathetic bond movie.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Pure brilliance. one of the few great animated family movies outside Disney
Please note that Disney had no part when it was made (no logo or copyright on VHS release) I am guessing it owns rights now.
Disney and Pixar have the most great animated family movies. Very few exist outside. The only ones I can name are Polar Express, Shrek, Iron Giant, and this. Nightmare is brilliant. Each camera angle (yes I am referring to camera angles in a stop-motion movie) is brilliant. They movie the camera unlike most claymation/stop-motion animated movies. Danny Elfman took a 7 star movie and used the music to perfect it. All characters are likable. The plot is brilliant. Tim Burton's poem is awesome. Everything looks cool in a strange and surreal world. The only flaw is how quickly people figure things out. Considering its a kids movie that can be let go. Other than that this movie is flawless. I am fourteen and I still love it. 10/10. My favorite film of the 90s
Titanic (1997)
one of the best films of the 90s.
My favorite films of the late 1990s are defiantly saving private Ryan, the sixth sense, and this.Each shot is so well crafted by a master of cinema, James Cameron. I first saw this movie when I was about eleven. I watched it because I became fascinated with the titanic. That was almost four years ago. Since then I have grown from loving flashy and violent movies to more well crafted (even though sometimes still violent, like the original Star Wars of Lord of the Rings) movies. Each shot is well done. I like how anything not having to do with roses family or jacks friends actually happened. They had more that you can see in their numerous deleted scenes. All the actors were brilliant. I was surprised when I heard Kate Winslet in her British accent. The music was flawless. Some of the writing is a little cheesy, but it is redeemed by the rest of the movie, the brilliant directing, the factual accuracy, set design, and acting. Overall a brilliant film. 10/10
King Kong (1933)
My personal favorite movie.
Now look, this movie is good, but flawed. It is very melodramatic and the once brilliant special effects are limited. Directing is even below standard. Some actors are really bad.
I just named some negative things. But I still love it. Fay Wray and Robert Armstrong are good. I still like the melodramatic script and the special effects are a little nice to look at. I like the black and white images. The scenes are really good (preferably the log bridge scene is my favorite scene) There is great emotion in this movie on kong's part. You hate him up until the end where you see he is dyeing by the monster of modern day. I felt sympathy for an ape who killed several dozen people. There isn't really a protagonist or an antagonist. You can decide which side you are on.
This is also a movie if you don't feel its modern enough, see the remake. I know this is a review for the original(which I think is superior to Peter Jacksons) , but that was a great, faithful remake.
Yes this movie is flawed. It isn't as well done as movies like the godfather or anything else that awesome. but this is my guilty pleasure. Also think of where cinema today would be without this. This is a movie that takes you from your bad day and lest you enjoy yourself. See it. "Its the thrill of a lifetime"- Carl Denham
The Simpsons Movie (2007)
Hilarious! (and i thought it would be bad)
I am a HUGE fan of the Simpsons. 400+ episodes of fantastic comedy moments. yet after 18 years I was afraid 90 minutes would be too long and I would get board. I entered the theater at the very end (before my sister and i realized that we were watching the last one and ours started in a half an hour) We left and shopped for a little while. Unfortunately that cost knowing how it would end. when we got back I knew that somewhere they would have a 2001 a space odyssey reference (it was the very beginning) then they went into the priceless "Itchy Hillary 08" moments. the movie does not hesitate to say that we are paying to see a movie about a show we can watch on TV for free (Homer even calls us "complete idiots") They have their traditional attacks on FOX broadcasting, A great story line, great voices (just like the show) and virtually everything needed for an animated movie. It will be nominated for best animated film of the year (probably lose to ratatuie though, the academy likes PIXAR) overall it is a fantastic movie that redeemed the somewhat dull 18th season. 10/10
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
an essential to cinema and Kubrick
my favorite Kubrick is either Dr. Strangelove and A Clockwork Orange. He is a master of cinema (one of my three favorite directors) his movies are more intense and extreme that most other directors. That is part of why they are so good, and this is no exception.Lets look at the good elements: Directing: its like each scene is its own priceless sculpture. The most interesting shot is of Alex jumping off the roof and the camera is eye point of view. My dad and I think (and most likely it did happen) that Kubrick lost a camera there(the thing that makes me doubt that is its 2 million dollar budget, even low for back then).
acting: the actors were brilliant in every level. Malcolm McDowell was and sympathetics and devious at points.
Writing: There was great slang created by the books author that any other writer/director would not have used and I was feeling sorry for a kid who killed! need I go on? Set and costume design: my personal favorite element of the film. The costumes of Alex and his "droogs" were well done. The sets were so interesting that it's hard to believe they were location
Music: its another of Kubricks award deserving use of music. classical that he nailed.
In conclusion it is a flawless film. It is (for not-so-distant future film) realistic. No truly new technology, just new ideas and theories. What I wouldn't give to have been old enough to see this in the theater.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
watch it multiple times. it grows on you
I did not think much more that a 6 or so when i first saw it. i watched again on TCM a few months later and loved it. Every time i hear the music I smile. This is a movie I can see people hating. Kubrick is the kind of director that likes symbolism, realism, etc. This movie really does not have any major characters for the entire thing. we have the first act main (one of the apes) second act main (dr. Floyd) and three in the third (Dave, frank, and the infamous HAL 9000 computer system)The true only flaw is that the space sequences get dull the first time you watch them (particularly the star gate sequence. After getting used to Kubrick they seem priceless its a 10 star 80-100 minute movie brought into 2.5 hours. other than that it is flawless (particularly the special effects of the Dave jogging).