Top Twenty-Five Films of the Decade

Top Twenty-Five Films of the Decade

It's hard to believe that it has been ten years since the new millennium. A lot of great films have been released over the past decade. These are my top twenty-five films from the beginning of 2000 to the end of 2009.

25) Inside Man
Inside Man is in a bit of a different direction from most of Spike Lee's other films in that it does not focus solely on race relations in America. Of course, Inside Man still has aspects of a "Spike Lee joint" such as giving the viewer a detailed look at city life or using a variety of shots to represent each of the character's moods. The fact that this film is not tied down by an attempt to make a political statement works to its advantage. It is able to give a smart, interesting message while also being enjoyable to watch. The film takes place primarily during the time period of one day, in which a bank robbery takes place in downtown New York. Detective Frazier played by Denzel Washington is the negotiator in charge of figuring out how to solve the situation. However, throughout the film many twist and turns are presented, and it is these complications that make Inside Man the best heist film of the decade.

24) Collateral
Perhaps it is because I am such a big fan of Michael Mann that I thought Collateral was one of the best thrillers of the decade. Mann is a modern day auteur, meaning that you can immediately recognize Mann's style of film making when viewing one of his movies. Instead of using the camera as a means to make the audience feel as an outsider watching the action, Mann shoots his films in such a way as to give the audience a feeling that they are right beside the characters. Unlike most directors, Mann focuses on representing the reality of cinematic situations. In Collateral, a cab driver played by Jaime Foxx is held hostage by a hitman named Vincent (Tom Cruise). During the time period of one long night, Vincent has five stops and five kills he must make. Some people don't like the way Mann shoots his movies, which I can understand because his films are certainly not meant to capture the allure of the events and actions within his films. Instead, Mann strives to obtain the grittiness of the environments he presents. In most cases (such as in Heat, Collateral, Thief, The Last of the Mohicans, and The Insider) he succeeds like no other.

23) Thank You For Smoking
I love films that make you think while simultaneously making you laugh. Sadly this is rare among Hollywood films, but Jason Reitman's Thank You For Smoking was one of the few films that succeeded over the past decade. Despite the title, this film is not anti-smoking or pro-cigarette. Indeed, the film goes beyond the simplistic question of whether smoking should remain legalized. Instead the film promotes the freedom for Americans to make their own decisions. What's fascinating about this film is throughout the entire movie the main character promotes independent thinking, and by the end the viewer is left to interpret the film in a similar fashion. People are guaranteed to think about this film in disparate ways, which is exactly what it is meant to do. In this sense it will promote conversations not simply about smoking but about freedom, independent thought, and how our government works. This is an perfect example of a superior Hollywood comedy.

22) 500 Days of Summer
There was no film over the past decade that I could relate to more than 500 Days of Summer. The emotions felt and expressed by the main character in this film are exactly what most people go through after a hard break-up. Yet, the great thing about this film is it demonstrates the humor in those situations and despite how miserable you may be at the time, everyone goes through the same thing and eventually learns from it. There is something unique and superior about a film that strives to be honest. In this aspect, 500 Days of Summer is one of the best romantic comedies of the decade.

21) Wall-E
The last ten years have been a decade dominated by Pixar. People may argue that animated films are presented primarily to younger audiences, but I have yet to meet a person who was not entertained by Pixar’s Wall-E. This film follows a clumsy little robot who chases after the love of his life and by doing so ends up benefiting the entire human race. The 3D animation in this film is gorgeous to look at, but the main reason to see Wall-E is the little robot himself. Sure it may be childish at times, but it is like looking at a puppy learning to walk or newborn cat playing with yarn, you can act like you aren’t touched by the sight but in your head you are thinking about how adorable it really is. I don’t care who you are, if you don’t smile at least half a dozen times throughout watching Wall-E, chances are you don’t have a heart.

20) Almost Famous
Even if you don't love 70's music, Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous still has a lot to offer. I for one love the music of that time period (The Who, The Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton), as well as the style of the people living in the early 70s. Almost Famous is just as much about the kind of music played during the 70s as it is about depicting the effects that music had on 70s culture. More so than today, people actually depended on music as a means of personal expression. Most people have had a point in their lives were a certain song has helped them through a hard time but in the early 70s, music was a necessity for a large portion of society. Not only was the United States in the middle of a controversial war, but the people learned of the Watergate scandal. No longer could we trust the politicians that we had elected to protect us and make decisions on our behalf. Through such hardships the lyrics expressed through music gave people hope of a better future. The plot of Almost Famous follows a journalist assigned to write an article for Rolling Stone on an up and coming band named Stillwater. Through months of following the band on the road, the young journalist personally sees how the band and their fans are affected by music. Almost Famous magnificently demonstrates that in the 70s, music was not simply a form of entertainment but a way of life.

19) Cinderella Man
My favorite sports film of the last decade is Ron Howard’s Cinderella Man, which unlike Clint Eastwood’s Million Dollar Baby (also a great film) is a feel-good movie. Everyone loves an underdog story, especially one with so much heart. Although the boxing sequences in this film are top-notch, the film is not simply about an old boxer coming out of retirement to defeat the national champion. Indeed, the film is more about family and doing what is necessary to support and protect those who you care about the most. The film takes place during the depression, in which a lot of people were desperate for work, very few could afford to eat or pay for electricity, and many families were broken apart out of desperation. Under such circumstances everyone needs someone to look up to and in Cinderella Man it comes in the form of an old washed up boxer who is given a second chance for the national title. Cinderella Man does exactly what a great sports movie is supposed to do, it demonstrates that physicality is not always the most important aspect in competition, but heart and spirit are often the deciding factor.

18) The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Even if you didn't enjoy the movies or the books it would be difficult not to respect the grand scale and spectacle of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. What Peter Jackson created was revolutionary to say the least. Jackson successfully brought life to J.R.R Tolken's beloved storybook characters and created a believable middle earth. All three movies had the unique quality of being almost or over three hours long, yet I never once looked at my watch or felt bored.

17) No Country For Old Men
There are certain sequences in No Country For Old Men that compare with some of the best scenes in the history of cinema. What I love about the Coen brothers is they do not make their films for anybody else but themselves. They come up with their own personal vision and just go with it. This allows each of their films to be like nothing the audience has ever seen before. No Country For Old Men contains sequences of suspense and shock relatable to classic Hitchcock films. This is partially caused by the presence of the creepiest villain in modern cinema, who is so unpredictable that you don’t know what heinous actions he may perform. The suspense is also caused by the Coen brothers’ use of silence, which hides the viewer’s expectations of what may occur. Similar to most of the other Coen brother’s films, No Country For Old Me, is intelligent, shocking, and suspenseful. You never know what to expect from a Coen brothers film, but you are guaranteed to be entertained.

16) Requiem for a Dream
Although Traffic is more successful at demonstrating the entirety and overwhelming influence of the drug empire in the United States, Requiem for a Dream is more successful at showing the negative personal effects of drugs on an individual. If I ever have a friend who was considering trying heroine or any other hardcore drug, I would show them Requiem for a Dream in an attempt to change their mind. I really believe it could be that influential. The film follows four people who all appear to believe that they are invincible against the harmful effects of heroine (as with anyone who takes hard drugs), yet throughout the film their addiction worsens to the point in which all their lives are negatively affected. This film is very personal in that it allows the viewer to get inside the head of the characters. The director, Darren Aronofsky, often places a hand held camera right in front of the characters so that the audience is personally able to see the fear and horror that the characters are experiencing. At times it is frightening, but it is also unforgettable. Requiem for a Dream is a film that I would have a hard time watching again, but it is a movie that will always remain in the back of my head.

15) Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2
When it comes to taking a previous genre and adding his own unique style, Tarantino is the master. In both Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2 Tarantino adds modern dialogue to his own personal take of the kung fu/spaghetti western films of the 1960s and 70s. As a director Tarantino is excellent, as a writer he is one of the best. I cannot think of any filmmaker who writes such interesting dialogue. Every conversation in each of his films serves a purpose and properly builds the viewer to become interested in his characters. There were many times throughout Kill Bill that I asked myself: How did he come up with this? I answered because Tarantino is a lunatic, but he is also a genius. In reality the two volumes were shot as one film, so I've combined them to form my number fifteen film of the decade.

14) The Prestige
Most people know Christopher Nolan as the director of the Batman movies, but my favorite Nollan film of the past decade is 2006's The Prestige. It is true that this movie can get very confusing at times, but there was no film over the past decade that I had more fun trying to figure out. I saw this film twice in the theaters and bought it the week it came out on DVD, yet I still pick up on new details every time I watch it. Through magnificent cinematography, this film captures both the allure and grittiness of the time period. Also, the idea of a competition between magicians is fascinating. I had a great time watching the two magicians try to outsmart each other and come up with bigger and better tricks. The idea of a competition forcing someone to take things as far as Hugh Jackman's character did was truly intriguing.

13) Zodiac
I have a lot of respect for movies that attempt to be as realistic as possible. I had never heard anything about the Zodiac murders before this movie, but after watching the film I felt like I was almost an expert on the subject. This is because David Fincher pays attention to every aspect of the Zodiac killings such as the newspapers articles surrounding the murders, the locations, and the people directly and indirectly involved. He doesn't just demonstrate how the killings affected victims or the people assigned to solve the case, but he shows how it became a city wide phenomenon. The film perfectly links scenes from the actually murders with scenes of reporters, cops, and one obsessed cartoonist named Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) attempting to figure out who the Zodiac really is. However, the film is not simply about the killings themselves but it is about how an obsession with solving a case can deeply affect someone's life. In the film Robert Graysmith is a simple cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle with a loving family, yet he eventually gives it all up in order to try and solve a murder case that he is not directly linked to. It is the combination of all aspects surrounding the murders that makes Zodiac one of the intelligent thrillers I've ever seen in the past ten years.

12) United 93
Some people feel sick after watching this movie because Paul Greengrass uses a shaky camera to make audience members feel as if they were actually a passenger on United Airlines Flight 93. Yet, I believe this adds to the realism and intensity of the film. By feeling like an actual member of the flight I felt like I was able to personally see the sacrifices and courage made by the people on board. I went into viewing this film with hesitations because I thought it would be really depressing, yet despite being a realistic account of one of America's most recent tragedies, it actually gives the viewer hope. Even while staring almost certain death in the face, the passengers aboard Flight 93 made the decision to try and save themselves and as well as the U.S. capital. United 93 was one of the best biographical films of the past ten years.

11) Wonder Boys
My favorite comedy of the past ten years is Curtis Hanson's Wonder Boys. Sure there were films over the decade that I might have laughed harder at, but there was no comedy that I enjoyed more. Part of why I liked this film so much is because I love the college environment. Wonder Boys demonstrates how even a professor with serious mental problems can positively affect his students and vice versa. The film follows Professor Grady Tripp, a drug addicted writer/professor at a small liberal arts University, who goes through one of the worst, yet most humorous days in cinema history. The writing is brilliant, the music is fantastic, and the characters are interesting. I hope that in time this will become a college cult classic.

10) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Many critics have compared The Curious Case of Benjamin Button to Forrest Gump saying that both films follow the journey of a unique character, who despite certain setbacks are able to overcome the obstacles of life. However, regardless of this similarity between the two films, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button has its own unique strengths. Although Benjamin Button himself is not as interesting or likeable as Forest, his condition of going through the physical stages of life backwards is more complex and visually stimulating than the mental challenges of Forest Gump. I loved the look of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Not simply the environment but the transformations of the two main characters played by Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Button’s condition was intriguing to watch in that it was fascinating to see a character go through the complete stages of life. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a step away from David Fincher’s other works. Before viewing this film I wondered whether Fincher would be able to pull off The Curious Case of Benjamin Button because it is so much lighter than his other films. Over the past two decades Fincher has become the primary filmmaker of dark toned dramas such as Se7en, Fight Club, The Game, Panic Room, and Zodiac. However, Fincher perfectly combines the delicate source material of Benjamin Button with the gloominess of the time periods.

9) District 9
So far this has been the best film I saw in 2009 (with 500 Days of Summer, Avatar, and Inglorious Basterds at close range). Through the documentary set-up at the beginning of the film, the alien seclusion appears somewhat realistic. For the first fifteen minutes the film is comprised primarily of interviews, in which scientist describe how the ship appeared above a South African city and how the government have isolated the aliens. The film then becomes an action movie, yet it also explores how human beings treat those who are different. In most alien movies, the foreign invaders are viewed as the enemy. However, at about the halfway point of this film I realized that I wasn’t cheering for the survival of the humans, but I cared more about the extraterrestrial beings. This film demonstrates how people naturally treat anybody or anything dissimilar as less superior. The aliens in this film are not necessarily evil, but because they look different and have their own way of life they are treated as savages. When the main character begins transforming into an alien himself, the scientist do not attempt to help him but want to use his body as a means to acquire power. Despite being a film about aliens, this film feels realistic because it explores pragmatic human instincts and emotions. It is easily the most original and best sci-fi film of the decade.

8) Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
There have been many films about the negative influence of greed on the human mind and the despicable actions it can cause someone to perform. The greediness and desperation displayed by the characters in Sidney Lumet’s Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead shocked me more than any other film of the past decade. After viewing this film for the first time I stared at the screen for about five minutes with my mouth open wide attempting to analyze what I had just seen. Throughout his film I was stunned to learn what the characters were doing; yet somehow I understood the desperation of their situation. Despite performing some of the most hideous acts of betrayal, violence, and dishonesty I can imagine, I didn’t view the characters with contempt but instead actually felt sorry for them. This is something that only a great director can pull off. Every scene is necessary and also placed in the right order to pull off the effect of becoming emotionally tied to the actors on screen. In the film two brothers (played amazingly by Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke) are so desperate for money that they decide to rob a mom and pop jewelry store. They believe the plan is full proof because the jewelry store belongs to their parents so they already know how to breach security. However, when things go wrong it causes a chain of events in which everyone learns the truth about one another and causes serious consequences for the entire family. I cannot say enough about this film. It is a must see for those who can handle it.

7) The Departed
Most of the time remakes of films are not as successful as the original. However, in most cases Martin Scorsese does not create the remakes. Scorsese’s brilliant style of filmmaking is what made The Departed far superior to the film that it was based upon, Infernal Affairs. Longer and more complex, The Departed has a similar story to Infernal Affairs but Scorsese spends time exploring the Boston Underworld and Police Department. While watching this film I actually got a sense of the corruption within the Boston Police. Anyone could be an informant no matter their appearance because in most cases they had been trained from an early age on how to lie, cheat, and act like a completely different person. As with most of Scorsese’s films the violence is often graphic and shocking, which adds to the story in The Departed because it demonstrates the brutality of the mafia and the pressures of the “rat” to keep their true identities a secret. The Departed is my favorite film by Martin Scorsese, which is saying something because he is a superb filmmaker in every aspect.

6) The Lives of Others
There have been a lot of films concerning government rights to spy on its citizens, but none as good as The Lives of Others. The film is about the East German Secret Police and their ability to place taps in the apartments/houses of every person in East Berlin. Most of the time they did this to see who was planning on defecting to the west. However, in one instance a government official used the system for his own personal desires. The Lives of Others not only gives viewers a look into a time period and place in which people did not share the same independence as Americans have now, but it demonstrates one individuals willingness to do the right thing despite pressure from the government he supported his whole life. This film is a masterpiece in every aspect

5) Ripley's Game
This film is a jewel that very few people have ever seen or even heard of, yet after recently re-watching it I discovered that this film’s craft and character development are superior to almost any film of the past decade. The film follows the life of a former ingenious assassin named Tom Ripley (played by John Malkovich), who is brought out of retirement when an acquaintance is in need of assistance in the murder of several high-business competitors in Berlin. However, instead of killing these men himself, Ripley uses the opportunity to hire one of his neighbors who is in desperate need of money to kill the men for his own amusement. This film is poetic in its use of lighting and space in that it presents a dark tone throughout the film in a similar fashion to Tom Ripley’s own personality. What makes the film truly fascinating is that it explores a character without a conscious. Ripley looks at the death of other people as simply “one less car on the road.” He may like you in many ways or even care about you, but that doesn’t mean he will not kill you for his own benefit.

4) Munich
The Israeli/Palestinian Conflict is an international crisis that is a representation of human nature. It began as a fight over territory and differences in religion, yet now after years of fighting it appears to have become more about revenge and hatred. Munich is about a team of Israeli assassins hired to murder the Palestinians responsible for the massacre of ten Jewish athletes at the 1972 Olympics held in Munich, Germany. However, through both the group’s successes and failures the team leader finally realizes that the conflict is not going to end through continuing acts of violence. Certainly fighting for the honor and pride of a nation you believe in is something to be proud of but is it worth it if you are going to be forced to worry about the safety of yourself and your family for the rest of your life? In Munich Spielberg effectively demonstrates the complications of war and the effects that violence has on the human mind.

3) Traffic
Can America’s war against illegal drugs be won or has it become such an established industry that the best option is to attempt to control the flow of drugs into the United States? This questioned is analyzed in Steven Soderbergh’s Traffic, which is as influential as it is powerful. The film follows several different perspectives of the narcotics industry from the drug lords, to the undercover cops, to the government officials, and finally the users themselves. However, what is unique about this film is it does not simply show the part that every person in the industry plays, but it demonstrates how he or she are all connected. For example, the government official in charge of eliminating the trafficking of drugs is willing to do anything to stop it, but all along he has a daughter who has become addicted to the very drugs he spends so much time battling against. Eventually he is forced to make a choice, focus all his time and effort on stopping the incoming narcotics into the United States or search for his missing daughter who has succumbed to her addictions in the heart of downtown Baltimore. The narcotics business has become so big in the United States that every aspect of our society has become affected by it. I believe this is not simply an anti-drug film. Instead, I view this film as a wake up call to everyone in our society on how enormous the narcotics business has become.

2) Pan's Labyrinth
What makes this film a “fairy tale for adults” is not simply the graphic violence but it is the intertwining of a realistic situation with that of a magical world. In an environment of war the main character, named Ofelia, is able to find comfort in the Labyrinth of Pan. It is here that she learns of her destiny, to return as princess of the underworld. However, in order to do so she must perform certain task, which prove difficult because of her villainous stepfather. Over the decade no film has contained better cinematography than Pan’s Labyrinth. It is two hours of eye candy that should be experienced by everyone.

1) City of God
A film like City of God can really make a person appreciate their current living situation. I think as Americans we sometimes forget how lucky we are to live in a place where we can commonly feel safe in our own homes and parents can feel comfortable sending their children to school without having to worry whether they will be shot and killed or whether a drug lord will attempt to recruit their twelve year old kids as drug dealers. This sounds like a nightmare but in Rio de Janeiro, this is reality. Within the city, conditions have become so impoverished that a life in crime is at times the best and often only option for young adolescents. We may think that a city such as Memphis has a high crime rate because over a hundred murders take place per year, but in Rio de Janeiro this statistic is in the thousands. City of God follows the life of a young photographer named Rocket, who through his difficult upbringing has access to the criminal underworld of Rio de Janeiro. As a child, Rocket was the youngest brother of a member who belonged to one of the most feared gangs in the city and through this connection he was able to personally see the rise and fall of the drug king in Rio de Janeiro named Little Z. This film does an amazing job of giving the viewer a look into the grittiness of the inner city. The cinematography is fast-paced and often frantic, yet somehow at the same time the important details are properly highlighted. The filmmaker is never afraid to pause the action in order to share a story of a significant building or person. In some movies this doesn’t work, but in City of God it gives the viewer a more complete view of the criminal life of Rio de Janeiro. Overall, I believe this is an important film for people to watch because it allows audiences to see a world, in which people are much less fortunate. City of God may be hard to watch at times, but the fact remains that places such as Rio de Janeiro do actually exist and the more people around the world that learn about the injustices taking place, the sooner something can be done.

Review of A Chirstmas Carol 3D

This holiday season perhaps the most known Christmas adaptation in the world has been released in 3D. Of course I'm talking about A Christmas Carol, yet instead of being excited only one simple question comes to mind, Why? Certainly Robert Zemeckis (who directed Forest Gump, Back to the Future, and Romancing the Stone) could have found a story more fit for 3D animation. This is not to say that A Christmas Carol is not great tale about one man discovering the Christmas spirit. However, by making the film in 3D, Zemeckis overuses digital effects that are not necessary to the plot. Sure its cool to see an old man fly through the air every once in a while or see a 3D ghost coming at you head on but the effects in this film are overused. So despite entertaining at times A Christmas Carol displays no originality and is less superior to the other versions of the film because it focuses more on effects and less on character development. By the end of the film I didn't really care whether Scrooge learned about the joy of Christmas, which is supposed to be the entire moral of the movie. After getting out of the movie all I could think about was why can't Hollywood create new original Christmas films?

RATING: 2.8/5

Review of Avatar

While watching James Cameron's Avatar I didn't feel like I was simply viewing another film but I felt as if I was in the middle of a one-of-a-kind experience. In a similar fashion to how The Matrix (1998) raised the bar for technology in cinema in the late 90s, Avatar has now raised the level even higher. Throughout the entire film I was amazed at how gorgeous the planet of Pandora looked as well as the blue natives and the human made machines brought to occupy the newly found planet. Not since Star Wars (1977) has a more fascinating world been created. As far as the plot goes, it basically has the same story as Dances with Wolves (1990) and The Last Samurai (2003), which is not necessarily a bad thing. However, lets face the facts, the reason to go see Avatar is not for the plot but it is to see the amazing digital technology. Though it is almost three hours, Avatar is like a roller coaster that keeps you on the edge of your seat for a long period of time except there is no long line, no quizzy stomach, and no screaming people behind you (except for the occasional screaming baby that some dumb parent thought was good idea to bring to the movie theater). Throughout the last decade I have had my hesitations about filmmakers overusing special effects (such as in the new Indiana Jones and 300). However, after seeing Avatar I am excited about the use of modern technology in film. Avatar has demonstrated that through the use of CGI new worlds can be created and look almost realistic. In short, you need to go see Avatar on the big screen, with the 3D glasses, and with a large popcorn and a drink. Avatar is why people go to the movies, to be entertained beyond words.

RATING: 3.8/5

Review of (500) Days of Summer

One of the negative aspects of most Romantic Comedies is that they appear fake. The cliche endings and the unrealistic relationships between characters are repeated in movie after movie. So after viewing (500) Days of Summer I'm relieved to say that there is now at least one film that explores the realism of relationships and break-ups. There are so many times in this movie where I could relate to the main character. I often found myself screaming out at the television, "Oh My God the exact same thing happen to me." The film follows the relationship between Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel). According to Tom everything seems to be going fantastic and he honestly believes that Summer is the woman for him. However, after less than a year of dating she decides to end things. Tom is shocked to say the least and goes through an era of depression almost as long as the relationship was itself. Let's face it, it happens to everybody and (500) Days of Summer shows how quickly your feelings can change from being completely in love with someone to hating them beyond words. There are so many interesting scenes that each explore different aspects of relationships. For example, in one fantastic sequence the filmmaker divides the screen in half, one-side showing what Tom expects to happen and on the other side displaying what actually happens. Tom expects that Summer and him will get back together and have a romantic evening. However, in reality she simply invited him to the party just to be nice, and already had another love interest. (500) Days of Summer is unlike any other romantic comedy ever made. This is because its focus is not on presenting a feel good movie or giving the audience a happy ending, but it is to demonstrate that everyone goes through the hardships of relationships and break-ups. However, by the end of the film another realistic aspect is shown, which is we learn through the hard times and most of the time things work out for the best. Overall, if you've ever been in a relationship you should do yourself a favor and watch (500) Days of Summer. It's honest, clever, funny, and one of the best films of the year.

RATING: 4.5/5

Review of The Blind Side

Although The Blind Side is considered a sports movie, more importantly it is an inspirational film about one family's decision to help out another person less fortunate. Normally sports films are not my kind of movie, but The Blind Side was pleasantly surprising primarily because the focus is taken away from the football and is more concerned with the relationship between Leigh Ann Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) and Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron). This is not to say that the football scenes are not entertaining but the film is strengthened by the fact that football takes a backseat to scenes exploring the growing emotional ties between a homeless African-American in Memphis and the family that adopts him as their own. This film is strongly supported by a fascinating story and touching subject matter. After watching this film I honestly had a lot of respect for the Tuohy's. Let's face it, most of us are often presented with a similar situation in which we have an opportunity to change the life of someone much less fortunate, yet the majority of people pass by and do nothing about it. This particular family just happened to pass by a young teenager walking along the street and decided that they were going to give him a home to live in. After a time period they came to look at him as one of their own and helped him become a professional football player. Overall, this film is not only a "feel good movie" but it actually possesses the ability to inspire audiences to help other people.

RATING: 3.5/5

Review of Watchmen

I'm really glad I waited to view Watchmen on a big screen HD TV and on blue-ray. Visually Watchmen is one of the top films I've ever seen. However, it is not the impressive digital effects that make the film worth viewing but its the superior character development, creative story, and unique message that the film presents. I absolutely love films that explore the question "what would the world be like if this happened?" Watchmen takes place in a world in which a superior being named Dr. Manhattan helped the United States win the Vietnam War, which in turn caused Richard Nixon to be elected to a third term. Also, throughout the cities groups of ordinary men and women dress up as superheros in an attempt to fulfill their own empty lives. Through their costumed charades they question whether or not they are actually doing any good until a government act outlaws the presence of the masked heroes. The movie is primarily about the reactions of the former "superheroes" and how they cope with losing the identities they once felt so comfortable with. Some of the watchmen cannot let go of their former lives as superheroes, yet others are relieved to no longer have the responsibility to fight crime. The best thing about Watchmen is the interesting characters, in which each superhero's past is presented in flashback form. In fact, the best parts of the film are events that occur out of chronological order. Zack Snyder, who failed with 300, really impressed me. He stayed faithful to the graphic novel, yet made enough changes to be able to effectively make the transfer from the book to the big screen.

RATING: 3.8/5

Review of Magnolia

A lot of people have a moment in their lifetime in which they question whether an event that occurred was simply a coincidence or if outside forces played a part. Magnolia is a film that explores the fact that weird things happen to each and every one of us. Certain things occur that may make us question whether there are inner connections between ourselves and other human beings. At first I was frustrated with this film because of the bizarre incidences that occur, yet afterward I realized that the only way this film could be made and make sense is if it was spontaneous and fanatical. The plot line is almost as peculiar as the characters in Magnolia, especially Tom Cruise's character who is a sex therapist. However, with all the great characters and connections, by the end of the film Magnolia works and stays with the viewer for days to come. You are guaranteed to continue thinking about the film days after viewing it and will wonder why certain events occurred and what they represent. After watching Magnolia I understood why the best actors choose to work with Paul Thomas Anderson. It is because the way he shoots his films challenges his actors in a way that few directors of this modern time period choose to do so in that the majority of his scenes contain very few cuts. This makes the film so much better in my opinion because it keeps the viewer entranced within the story. Overall, Magnolia is a one of a kind film created by perhaps the best director of our generation. Paul Thomas Anderson has made only five films (Hard Eight, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Punch Drunk Love, and There Will Be Blood), and each one is unique and a masterpiece in its own way.

RATING: 3.6/5

Review of The Lives of Others

Privacy is something most people take for granted. It is hard to imagine someone watching and listening to our every move, yet in the early 1980s the secret police of the GDR (German Democratic Republic) commonly spied on the citizens of East Berlin in an attempt to discover who was planning on defecting to the west. In The Lives of Others a corrupt government official tries to misuse the system in order to win over the woman he loves. In an attempt to eliminate her boyfriend (a stage writer) the government official hires the secret police's most loyal and experienced technician to spy on the writer in order to find evidence against him. However, over time the spy becomes fascinated with the man's personal life and begins to support the writer's actions over those of the government he assist. The Lives of Others has one of the most interesting stories of any film I've seen recently. I was intrigued by the idea of a government having the right to spy on any citizen questioned. The film also explores how a life of consistently watching the lives of others may appear interesting at first, yet it produces its own emotional effects on the individual spying. Often it is those people who spend their lives watching others who possess the most personal problems such as loneliness and depression. Overall, The Lives of Others is a clever, well-made film about a time-period and place in which people did not share the same freedoms that we possess now in the U.S. or at least that's what we are made to believe.

RATING: 4.7/5

Review of Invictus

To be completely honest I really did not know much about Nelson Mandela before watching Clint Eastwood's Invictus. I knew that he was a man of great importance in South Africa who promoted peace, yet I did not know the sacrifices he made and all the things he did not only for his country but for the world. Invictus follows the Rugby team of South Africa in 1995 and its journey to attempt to win the world cup. The team is strongly supported by South Africa's newly elected president, Nelson Mandela, who understands that a national sports team is not simply for entertainment purposes but has the ability to unite a nation in turmoil. Everyone around Mandela can't understand why he places so much importance on Rugby, yet he keeps watching the games closely and gives the team extra support. For him the team symbolizes a change for South Africa, in which black people and white people can live in harmony. Though Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years by a white government, he holds no grudges and looks only to improve the future. In showing Mandela's greatness, Eastwood succeeds tremendously especially in casting Morgan Freeman as Mandela who portrays him realistically. Eastwood also succeeds in demonstrating the importance that a sports team can have in that it can give people a common ground despite differences in race, religion, and politics. A great sports team can make people proud of their country in a similar way to a college sports team making a student proud to be part of a university. Every aspect of this film is spectacular with the exception of the Rugby scenes themselves, which unfortunately take up the last 25 minutes of the movie. The problem lies with the fact that we've spent the majority of the film following Mandela and then we are expected to care about the team, but the truth is I didn't. The ending is drawn out way too long and the action of the game seemed boring to me (maybe its just I don't watch Rugby). Overall, I would recommend Invictus despite the uninteresting scenes of the Rugby match. Eastwood is one of the best directors in the business and despite not being his best work, Invictus is better than anything else being released right now.

RATING: 3.0/5

Review of The Ice Storm

I'll be the first to admit that I sometimes take for granted the fact that I am part of a loving, functional family. My parents have never been in a fight and have always been there for me in every sense of the word. This being the case I think I sometimes forget how many people actually live in a home similar to the family represented in Ang Lee's The Ice Storm. The film revolves around the life of the Hoods, in which the father (Kevin Kline) is having an affair, the mother (Joan Allen) suffers from boredom and depression, and the children (Christina Ricci and Tobey Maguire) dread being at home for Thanksgiving. The whole family is ready to erupt when the holidays arrive, yet one dreadful accident is able to make the group realize the importance of sticking together. Though this film's message is powerful, it is missing scenes of influence to separate it from any other family dramas. Overall, a film like this does make you realize how lucky you are because of the problems all the characters are facing onscreen. However, looking back I can't think of any scenes that were particularly memorable. I think the setback with this film is that the characters are simply boring despite the problems they have. The only thing that makes any of them interesting is the fact that they can't stand being in the same room with their own flesh and blood. So despite the powerful message, this film could have been so much better with clever writing and interesting characters.

RATING: 2.6/5

Review of Monty Python's The Life of Brian

Being a person who believes organized religion has caused more problems than it has solved, Monty Python's The Life of Brian is my kind of movie. The film follows Brian who is accidentally recognized as the messiah. Yes it is true that I can understand how this film can be considered very offensive, yet instead of looking at it as a movie making fun of religion, I believe it should be viewed as a movie that helps people recognize how ludicrous we act as human beings. Not just on the topic of religion but on how humans view death, love, and violence. The Life of Brian is a fantastic satire, in that it perfectly makes fun of human weakness. This film demonstrates how people are often no different than ants who follow along in a line. As a comedy, it succeeds on every level in that it is thoughtful, clever, and spontaneous. Although this may not be in the same league as M*A*S*H or Dr. Strangelove, it is one of the best satires of the past half-century.

Five Most Overrated Films

5) Titanic

Yes I agree its an epic film with a talented director. However, Titanic has made over 1.8 billion dollars, which is more money than any other film ever created. I'm not saying Titanic is a bad film but it simply does not meet the requirements to be the top grossing film of all-time. Also, it should not have had so much success at the Oscars (11 wins). I may be a bit bitter because Titanic beat out L.A. Confidential at the 1998 Academy Awards. However, being over three hours long Titanic is not very re-watchable. I dread ever having to sit through the movie again.

4) 2001: A Space Odyssey

When it comes to talented filmmakers Stanley Kubrick is at the top of my list and honestly I can understood how the special effects in 2001: A Space Odyssey were viewed as impressive in 1968. However, in modern times I found this film dreadful to watch. It is too long, the story is boring, and the ending is simply frustrating. Some movies are able to stand the test of time, and 2001: A Space Odyssey is simply not one of those movies. Pass on this one and re-watch Star Wars instead.

3) The Passion of the Christ

I think Mel Gibson is one of the most talented filmmakers in Hollywood. The direction is not the problem in The Passion of the Christ but the script and the focus on torture is the problem. It is true that I am not a religious person and so the film possessed no theological meaning for me. But no matter what your beliefs it is hard to argue that The Passion of the Christ does not suffer from repetitiveness and unnecessary violence (this coming from a person who loved Kill Bill and Sin City). It is not the blood I had a problem with but it is the fact that the violence is not done in a way in which I cared about the person suffering. Everyone understands that Jesus suffered greatly for our sins, but Gibson should have focused more on why the crucifixion of Jesus mattered rather than spent so much time torturing not only Jesus but the audience. There are other means to show the sacrifices that Jesus made for our sins but watching him suffer for an hour and a half was simply not entertaining or insightful. By end I didn't feel sorry for Jesus, I felt sorry for myself. Instead watch Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ, which gives a much more thoughtful approach to the sacrifices of Jesus Christ.

2) 300

For me 300 represents a common problem with many new releases over the past 5 years, which is the over concentration of CGI and less emphasis on an interesting story and writing. The premise for 300 is great but deep down the film went off in to many directions such as following the life of the cripple or the Kings journey to see the oracle. I also didn't buy the rock n roll music in this film. If you are going to make an epic movie, it should come with music designed for the time period. The combination of modern elements and the epic story did not work at all. I had really high expectations for 300, yet the slow motion action, non-interesting supporting characters, and corny dialogue left me really disappointed. By the end of this film I really didn't care about who lived and who died. This surprised me because the film is meant to have you cheering for the Spartans. The film is proof that action is still better without the computer generated special effects (check out Children of Men). However, this may change after I see Avatar.

1) Boondock Saints

I don't know how this film has become a cult classic. I know I will offend some people by saying this film is overrated, but in all honesty this film was a disaster. Some people thought this film was funny, yet I don't remember laughing out loud even once. All the jokes are flat and despite some good one-liners by the two leads most of the dialogue is uninteresting. Willem Dafoe is a great actor but his character was unnecessarily flamboyant. At times the film wants to be taken seriously, yet it pulls jokes such as Dafoe dressing up as a woman that completely take away from the story. The film overall should have either gone all action drama or all comedy but it goes for both and fails. As far as the premise of two brothers suddenly gaining the ability to kill criminals, it is really hard for me to buy. Nothing triggered their sudden decision except for being in a prison cell. Even the action sequences are not thrilling at all caused by the slow motion that takes away from the intensity. After watching the film I felt like I wasted two hours of my life. You couldn't pay me to see the second installment.

The Fantastic Mr. Fox Review

You have to hand it to Wes Anderson, he strives to make a different kind of movie. Ive never actually seen Bottle Rocket but I've heard good things. Both Rushmore and The Royal Tenembaums were interesting, despite the weird undertone surrounding both films. The problem I've had with all Wes Anderson's films have not been the direction or the characters. The problem has been that I simply don't get Anderson's humor. His films are meant to be comedies yet I don't recall laughing out loud at all. I pitied his characters instead of being able to laugh at their weaknesses (despite my dark sense of humor). Instead of concentrating on character development I always believed Anderson should have been given room to expand his creative capabilities. Enter The Fantastic Mr. Fox, the movie Wes Anderson was born to direct. This film focuses on Mr. Fox, a retired chicken thief attempting to settle into a less stressful life as a writer. However, after five years of taking it easy Mr. Fox decides to perform one last con (or at least he believes). Though he is successful, his robberies end up putting himself, his family, and the rest of the animal community in danger. The best part of this film is the excellent stop-motion animation. For the past decade, animated films have been dominated by Pixar (Toy Story, Wall-E, Up, Finding Nemo) so it is nice that Hollywood has released something different and refreshing. So even if The Fantastic Mr. Fox does not sound like your kind of movie, give it a try because for me it was the surprise of the movie season.

RATING: 3.4/5

Review of the Waking Life

Yesterday I watched Richard Linklater’s Waking Life. Although I was impressed with the animation of the film, I was disappointed with the movie as a whole. This film is all over the place to say the least in that new characters arise every five minutes and begin sharing there own philosophical thoughts with “dreamer.” The film follows the main character (Willy Wiggins from Dazed and Confused) through a series of dreams until he realizes that he can’t wake up. Through his dreams he explores many characteristics of life such as human’s violent nature, dreaming and the possibilities of god and reincarnation. The idea for this film is interesting, yet it truly is one hour and forty minutes of just talking. I can deal with hours of talking, but the problem is I gained no feelings toward any of the characters. As far as the philosophies explored, I did find some of them fascinating such as the analysis of revenge by a prisoner in a jail cell. However, most of the philosophies run together. To much is going on in this film and by the end I simply didn’t care. If you do decide to watch this film, I would suggest a clear head and the mood for patience since its a lot to take in. As for me, I think the film should have concentrated more on a couple important philosophies rather than attempt to explore every aspect of human life in less than two hours.

RATING: 2.3/5

Top Ten Films of All Time

10) Rear Window

Easily Alfred Hitchcocks’s best film. Though the film is filled with great characters (played by Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly, Raymond Burr and Thelma Ritter) what really makes the film superior is the environment. The opening sequence in which Hitchcock introduces all the neighbors is one the best long shots in cinematic history. Both suspenseful and thrilling, Rear Window has held up fantastically over the past half-century.

9) Raiders of the Lost Ark

Better than all the other Indiana Jones installments (especially the 2nd and 4th films), Raiders of the Lost Ark is arguably the best adventure film of all-time. It’s hard to believe that it has been almost thirty years since this film was first released, yet it continues to entertain new generations.

8) Pan’s Labyrinth

Described as a fairy tale for adults, Pan’s Labyrinth is one of the imaginative films ever made. Supported by a fabulous score and cinematography, Pan’s Labyrinth is two hours of eye candy. Also, the film has one of the best villans ever captured on screen played by Sergei Lopez. The violence is brutal, yet it is impossible to turn away.

7) Heat

Nothing not to like here. Robert De Niro and Al Pacino face off in a Los Angeles crime epic. Not only does the film have one of the best shoot-out’s in cinematic history, but also one of the best scenes of dialog when Pacino and De Niro finally meet face to face. This is Michael Mann’s best film, which is saying something considering he made Last of the Mohicans and Collateral.

6) Schindler’s List

Out of all the films concerning World War II Germany, Schindler’s List is easily the most effective at demonstrating the horrors of war. Not only does the film give an accurate portrayal of the Holocaust but it also tells the incredible story a man who saved over 1,000 Jewish people.

5) City of God

One of the most shocking films I’ve ever seen, City of God is a realistic depiction of the criminal life in Rio de Janeiro. No film (not even Slumdog Millionaire) successfully shows the hardships of poverty better than this film. City of God delivers more than just a powerful message but an experience to the viewer that is unforgettable.

4) 12 Angry Men

If there is ever a time in my life that I am called to serve on a jury, this movie will come to mind and it will affect how I approach the situation. It tells the story of a juror who stands up for his belief that every person deserves a fair trail despite enormous pressure from the other jurors to just make an easy decision. Unlike many movies in Hollywood, this movie truly has the ability to make you think and perhaps even affect the lives of viewers.

3) Pulp Fiction

Though I’ve seen Pulp Fiction at least a dozen times, it is still as entertaining as the first time I saw it. Tarantino’s masterpiece proves that the most important aspect of a film is the writing. With so many classic lines and scenes, Pulp Fiction remains one of the most re-watchable films ever made.

2) Traffic

I’ve always been a fan of Steven Soderbergh, yet Traffic overshadows all his other films by a long shot. Before watching this film I knew little about America’s war on drugs, but after watching Traffic I felt both educated and fascinated by how much of an effect drugs have had on our culture. Soderbergh gives viewers several different perspectives of the narcotics business from the user to the cops to the drug lords themselves. This is a masterpiece that should be viewed by every American.

1) L.A. Confidential

L.A. Confidential perfectly blends the style of the 1950s, film noir, and modern violence to form my favorite film of all-time. With a story that keeps you guessing, yet is not so confusing to lose your attention like many of the film noir’s of the 1950s (The Big Sleep, Maltese Falcon), L.A. Confidential is always entertaining. This is Curtis Hanson’s masterpiece and easily should have won the Oscar for best picture in 1998.