"You think just because there are bad people that there are no good ones either? I thought the same thing for a while. But there's always someone out there for you. Somewhere." Norman Babcock
I remember being quite pleased while leaving the cinema, though at this point, some plot details have entirely escaped my memory, which is such a shame. The film itself is done well. The animation is fun and edgy to look at without being a Tim Burton rip off. I love when stories establish their own history and superstitions. Those established in ParaNorman are done so well that rooting the plot entirely in them isn’t lost on the audience at all. Information is shared when necessary so as to not be overwhelming, regularly enough to keep viewers in the loop, yet there’s still some mystery left for you to play along. One of my absolute favorite things about this film is the openly homosexual male who is not stereotypically homosexual! Not only that, but the reactions of other characters to his sexuality are not at all along the lines of disgust, surprise or humor. It was incredibly tasteful and a good way to show younger viewers especially that being homosexual is completely acceptable and normal.
Rank: 55
30 June, 2014
29 June, 2014
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
"For a hero, you're quite a hypocrite!" David
This film is everything you expect and want it to be. It’s hilarious, slightly rude, frustrating, heart-warming, and gruesome in that lovely faux-horror way. The style and direction of this film are brilliant. It moves quickly and in stride with our “hero”. Wright and Pegg wrote a brilliant script that makes you go back and forth between relating to our main characters and laughing at their hijinks to being completely frustrated with them and just wishing that they’d grow up a bit. Shaun of the Dead is hilarious, and though in my mind the weakest of the “Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy” it is still strong and wildly entertaining. It’s a great example of the fun “horror” film where everything turns out alright in the end. It even makes fun of itself by briefly showing us the team that most films would showcase, the team that survives. This film is the outcome of teamwork. Amazing script, edgy direction, and a strong cast.
Rank: 56
This film is everything you expect and want it to be. It’s hilarious, slightly rude, frustrating, heart-warming, and gruesome in that lovely faux-horror way. The style and direction of this film are brilliant. It moves quickly and in stride with our “hero”. Wright and Pegg wrote a brilliant script that makes you go back and forth between relating to our main characters and laughing at their hijinks to being completely frustrated with them and just wishing that they’d grow up a bit. Shaun of the Dead is hilarious, and though in my mind the weakest of the “Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy” it is still strong and wildly entertaining. It’s a great example of the fun “horror” film where everything turns out alright in the end. It even makes fun of itself by briefly showing us the team that most films would showcase, the team that survives. This film is the outcome of teamwork. Amazing script, edgy direction, and a strong cast.
Rank: 56
28 June, 2014
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
"You were my brother, Anakin! I loved you!" Obi-Wan Kenobi
If anyone was questioning if it was possible for Anakin to get any more frustrating after Attack of the Clones, you now have your answer. It’s awful to watch a character with so much potential throw everything away, even if you know that it’s coming from the beginning. The real brilliance of this film is the order to set the plan into motion and how seamless the Sith takeover really is. It’s so unfortunate to see that the Jedi really don’t stand a chance. They were doomed from the beginning and, even worse, they were lulled into a false sense of security. They thought that they were making headway and that the clone army was with them. At least the clones actually know how to hit a target when they’re on the side of the Jedi (since Stormtroopers have obviously taken target practice off the curriculum come Episode IV). It’s a heartbreaking twist for both the audience and the light side of The Force. Then to have to watch Anakin attack the only two people still on his side, it’s all quite emotionally draining. We always knew that Darth Vader trained under Obi-Wan and that he must have had a wife to have two children, however we never saw how that went down. We didn’t see Obi-Wan plead with Anakin to return and set things right. We didn’t see Anakin toss his wife aside, fulfilling his visions of her death. We didn’t see Anakin slaughter the Younglings. It’s heart-breaking. It’s very well done, but it’s hard to watch.
Rank: 57
If anyone was questioning if it was possible for Anakin to get any more frustrating after Attack of the Clones, you now have your answer. It’s awful to watch a character with so much potential throw everything away, even if you know that it’s coming from the beginning. The real brilliance of this film is the order to set the plan into motion and how seamless the Sith takeover really is. It’s so unfortunate to see that the Jedi really don’t stand a chance. They were doomed from the beginning and, even worse, they were lulled into a false sense of security. They thought that they were making headway and that the clone army was with them. At least the clones actually know how to hit a target when they’re on the side of the Jedi (since Stormtroopers have obviously taken target practice off the curriculum come Episode IV). It’s a heartbreaking twist for both the audience and the light side of The Force. Then to have to watch Anakin attack the only two people still on his side, it’s all quite emotionally draining. We always knew that Darth Vader trained under Obi-Wan and that he must have had a wife to have two children, however we never saw how that went down. We didn’t see Obi-Wan plead with Anakin to return and set things right. We didn’t see Anakin toss his wife aside, fulfilling his visions of her death. We didn’t see Anakin slaughter the Younglings. It’s heart-breaking. It’s very well done, but it’s hard to watch.
Rank: 57
27 June, 2014
I Give It a Year (2013)
"Be good to people, and they will be good back to you." Guy
If you can’t handle cringy comedy, then you might be better off giving this one a miss. If you enjoy cringy comedy, then this will be a favorite. This is one of those films where you’re cringing at the thought of what could happen, and then it happens and you cringe even more. But it’s also absolutely hilarious! I found myself laughing that embarrassed laugh we all know too well. This film will always make you laugh, without a doubt, providing that this is the kind of humor that you enjoy. The actors are amazing and their ability to keep a straight face throughout the insanity is absolutely staggering. I’m very glad that this movie exists. It’s a text-book British Rom-Com with wonderful British actors and cringe-inducing British humor.
Rank: 58
If you can’t handle cringy comedy, then you might be better off giving this one a miss. If you enjoy cringy comedy, then this will be a favorite. This is one of those films where you’re cringing at the thought of what could happen, and then it happens and you cringe even more. But it’s also absolutely hilarious! I found myself laughing that embarrassed laugh we all know too well. This film will always make you laugh, without a doubt, providing that this is the kind of humor that you enjoy. The actors are amazing and their ability to keep a straight face throughout the insanity is absolutely staggering. I’m very glad that this movie exists. It’s a text-book British Rom-Com with wonderful British actors and cringe-inducing British humor.
Rank: 58
26 June, 2014
Ashens and the Quest for the Gamechild (2013)
"It's not a quest!" Stuart Ashen
I wouldn’t have considered myself a “fan” of Stuart Ashen’s YouTube videos. I’ve seen them and I’ve been in stitches laughing at Clendars and horribly written packaging, but I wouldn’t seek out his latest product review just for something to watch. I appreciated the reviews that I saw, which led me to sit down and watch his full-length movie, which was absolutely brilliant. I found myself laughing and really loving every minute of the quest. It’s not alienating to non-regular viewers of his channel, yet it’s definitely something that regulars will find great entertainment in. The cast is really talented and the story is fun and slightly over the top, which is exactly what you’d want and expect from a film like this.
Rank: 59
I wouldn’t have considered myself a “fan” of Stuart Ashen’s YouTube videos. I’ve seen them and I’ve been in stitches laughing at Clendars and horribly written packaging, but I wouldn’t seek out his latest product review just for something to watch. I appreciated the reviews that I saw, which led me to sit down and watch his full-length movie, which was absolutely brilliant. I found myself laughing and really loving every minute of the quest. It’s not alienating to non-regular viewers of his channel, yet it’s definitely something that regulars will find great entertainment in. The cast is really talented and the story is fun and slightly over the top, which is exactly what you’d want and expect from a film like this.
Rank: 59
25 June, 2014
Serenity (2005)
"I am a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar." Hoban "Wash" Washburne
Serenity has some problems, which stem mainly from trying to stick an entire season worth of story into one movie while still closing the story off enough to end. Parts feel quite rushed and as if they were added for the sake of fan service. I mean, I wanted Kaylee to get with Simon as much as the next girl, but it could have been done better. Some of the characters that we love from the series are either unrecognizable or drastically underused. That being said, I love the story. The origin story of the Reavers is awesome, and the risks that the team take to both uncover them and share them reminds us why they are heroes. I would have loved this story to be fleshed out throughout a season similar to the first with little bits being revealed to the audience as we followed along. Better, I guess, to have the story in this condensed form than not at all. One last note, I had Wash's death spoiled for me pretty much from the beginning of my time watching Firefly. It didn't ruin Serenity for me at all. I knew when it was coming, but I still felt all of the emotions associated with losing a beloved character. That's good character building and film-making!
Rank: 60
Serenity has some problems, which stem mainly from trying to stick an entire season worth of story into one movie while still closing the story off enough to end. Parts feel quite rushed and as if they were added for the sake of fan service. I mean, I wanted Kaylee to get with Simon as much as the next girl, but it could have been done better. Some of the characters that we love from the series are either unrecognizable or drastically underused. That being said, I love the story. The origin story of the Reavers is awesome, and the risks that the team take to both uncover them and share them reminds us why they are heroes. I would have loved this story to be fleshed out throughout a season similar to the first with little bits being revealed to the audience as we followed along. Better, I guess, to have the story in this condensed form than not at all. One last note, I had Wash's death spoiled for me pretty much from the beginning of my time watching Firefly. It didn't ruin Serenity for me at all. I knew when it was coming, but I still felt all of the emotions associated with losing a beloved character. That's good character building and film-making!
Rank: 60
24 June, 2014
The Sting (1973)
"Christ, they'll probably miss you and hit me." Henry Gondorff
This film had always been on my watch list, however the thing that really pushed me to watch it was my love of Hustle. While I was approaching the final episode of season one, I was told that if I wanted to enjoy The Sting, I should watch it first. The Sting is a brilliant movie with the potential to be overwhelming on fist viewing. Luckily, I felt like I was able to keep up with it very well because I had seen five episodes of elaborate cons with clever Plan B’s. The brilliance of this film is in the details. The minds of Gondorff and Hooker are amazing to watch in action. Every little thing comes together, every scenario is accounted for, and they make everything work. It’s a classic scenario of routing for the “bad guys.” These bad guys are just so good at being bad, and it’s a treat to watch.
Rank: 61
This film had always been on my watch list, however the thing that really pushed me to watch it was my love of Hustle. While I was approaching the final episode of season one, I was told that if I wanted to enjoy The Sting, I should watch it first. The Sting is a brilliant movie with the potential to be overwhelming on fist viewing. Luckily, I felt like I was able to keep up with it very well because I had seen five episodes of elaborate cons with clever Plan B’s. The brilliance of this film is in the details. The minds of Gondorff and Hooker are amazing to watch in action. Every little thing comes together, every scenario is accounted for, and they make everything work. It’s a classic scenario of routing for the “bad guys.” These bad guys are just so good at being bad, and it’s a treat to watch.
Rank: 61
23 June, 2014
Oblivion (2013)
"I can't shake the feeling that Earth, in spite of all that's happened, Earth is still my home." Jack Harper
The title of this film is brilliant. The satire of this film is brilliant. We are so busy following orders and trying to be what others expect of us that we never approach boundaries, we never question if we’re doing the right thing, and we never learn how to think for ourselves or make our own decisions. We’re a bunch of clones carrying out the same orders everyday in a mindless fashion, thinking that we’re making a difference. We are oblivious. If we aren’t now, then we will be someday. This film tells us that we can be more. We can dream. We can change. No matter how bad things are, we have the ability to overcome and to make things better for ourselves. This film tells an elegant story in a beautiful, yet minimalistic way. Our main cast is small, our sets are either clean and sleek or desolate wasteland. There’s not too much to look at so that there is nothing to distract us from the human drama. Furthermore, when there is more to take in, we notice by contrast. This film focuses our attention in the best way possible to teach us a little more about being human and living on Earth.
Rank: 62
Would definitely move up upon rewatch.
The title of this film is brilliant. The satire of this film is brilliant. We are so busy following orders and trying to be what others expect of us that we never approach boundaries, we never question if we’re doing the right thing, and we never learn how to think for ourselves or make our own decisions. We’re a bunch of clones carrying out the same orders everyday in a mindless fashion, thinking that we’re making a difference. We are oblivious. If we aren’t now, then we will be someday. This film tells us that we can be more. We can dream. We can change. No matter how bad things are, we have the ability to overcome and to make things better for ourselves. This film tells an elegant story in a beautiful, yet minimalistic way. Our main cast is small, our sets are either clean and sleek or desolate wasteland. There’s not too much to look at so that there is nothing to distract us from the human drama. Furthermore, when there is more to take in, we notice by contrast. This film focuses our attention in the best way possible to teach us a little more about being human and living on Earth.
Rank: 62
Would definitely move up upon rewatch.
22 June, 2014
Star Trek (2009)
"Now, your father was captain of a Starship for 12 minutes. He saved 800 lives, including your mother's and yours. I dare you to do better." Captain Christopher Pike
This was my first step into the Star Trek universe and I have to say I was slightly disappointed. It’s a good film, and the concept to be able to create a whole new line of canon is clever. It was just forgettable. The acting was quite strong, particularly from minor characters. The story line was slightly convoluted and it took a bit too long to make sense of. My biggest disappointment stems from the fact that these are not really the characters that I was expecting them to be. They have stated in the film that the character relations in this timeline are quite different from the relations in previous Star Trek material. I felt like I was getting punished for not being a fan of the franchise already. Everyone who was already a fan gets to see this awesome parallel timeline with characters that they already know, whereas everyone who thought that now would be a good time to start tuning in has to get to know characters in an environment where they are most unlike themselves.
Rank: 63
This was my first step into the Star Trek universe and I have to say I was slightly disappointed. It’s a good film, and the concept to be able to create a whole new line of canon is clever. It was just forgettable. The acting was quite strong, particularly from minor characters. The story line was slightly convoluted and it took a bit too long to make sense of. My biggest disappointment stems from the fact that these are not really the characters that I was expecting them to be. They have stated in the film that the character relations in this timeline are quite different from the relations in previous Star Trek material. I felt like I was getting punished for not being a fan of the franchise already. Everyone who was already a fan gets to see this awesome parallel timeline with characters that they already know, whereas everyone who thought that now would be a good time to start tuning in has to get to know characters in an environment where they are most unlike themselves.
Rank: 63
21 June, 2014
Epic (2013)
"Ozzie, no kisses!" M.K.
It’s nice to get a fun and beautiful animated picture that creates a whole mystical universe within our own. The science used in the film is interesting, yet understandable. The characters are adventurous, yet headstrong. Sometimes they clash but they learn to work together, flaws and all, for the good of the many. The world and its politics are very expansive. They make the film unique and give you so much to look at. I’m sure that this is one of those films where you see a new thing with each viewing, be it the use of a leaf or the detailed design of a character. Though the concept was based off of a book, the story is mostly original which is always nice to come across.
Rank: 64
It’s nice to get a fun and beautiful animated picture that creates a whole mystical universe within our own. The science used in the film is interesting, yet understandable. The characters are adventurous, yet headstrong. Sometimes they clash but they learn to work together, flaws and all, for the good of the many. The world and its politics are very expansive. They make the film unique and give you so much to look at. I’m sure that this is one of those films where you see a new thing with each viewing, be it the use of a leaf or the detailed design of a character. Though the concept was based off of a book, the story is mostly original which is always nice to come across.
Rank: 64
20 June, 2014
Now You See Me (2013)
"What is magic? Focused deception. But deception meant to entertain." J. Daniel Atlas
I remember thinking that this film was quite fun. More fun than most people seemed to think, actually. I guess it might have something to do with the fact that I love magic. I love slight of hand and big illusions that seem impossible. It was great to see a film that showcases both magic and mystery. How did they do that? Why did they do that? The twists were predictable, yet delightful. I was quite happy with the path that the film took as well as the destination. The characters were intriguing, both in their own characteristics and in their relations with those around them. They each felt real with unique strengths and weaknesses. Fun really is the best word for this film. It’s fun trying to figure out why The Four Horsemen are doing what they’re doing. It’s fun to think about how they pulled off their stunts. It’s fun to see how they interact with each other and the people hunting them down. It’s fun to think about why they think it’s worth it. And, mostly, it’s just fun to see the illusions.
Rank: 65
I remember thinking that this film was quite fun. More fun than most people seemed to think, actually. I guess it might have something to do with the fact that I love magic. I love slight of hand and big illusions that seem impossible. It was great to see a film that showcases both magic and mystery. How did they do that? Why did they do that? The twists were predictable, yet delightful. I was quite happy with the path that the film took as well as the destination. The characters were intriguing, both in their own characteristics and in their relations with those around them. They each felt real with unique strengths and weaknesses. Fun really is the best word for this film. It’s fun trying to figure out why The Four Horsemen are doing what they’re doing. It’s fun to think about how they pulled off their stunts. It’s fun to see how they interact with each other and the people hunting them down. It’s fun to think about why they think it’s worth it. And, mostly, it’s just fun to see the illusions.
Rank: 65
19 June, 2014
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
"Dying is the day worth living for." Captain Hector Barbossa
The Pirates franchise has been on a downward spiral since the second installment, which is incredibly disappointing considering how brilliant the first film was. (Note: I liked the third way more than the second, but it was still leagues below the first.) It was nice to have a film that focused entirely on pirates, specifically Sparrow and Barbossa. The two work so well together and make for some insanely brilliant interactions. At first look, Angelica is an awesome replacement for our female in the series, though she later proves to be both frustrating and spineless. Still, a vast improvement over Elizabeth Swan. Thanks to some overdue cutting of some dead weight, it’s a good refreshing addition to the universe. Unfortunately, I don’t think that Pirates will ever be able to be as good as it was at the beginning.
Rank: 66
The Pirates franchise has been on a downward spiral since the second installment, which is incredibly disappointing considering how brilliant the first film was. (Note: I liked the third way more than the second, but it was still leagues below the first.) It was nice to have a film that focused entirely on pirates, specifically Sparrow and Barbossa. The two work so well together and make for some insanely brilliant interactions. At first look, Angelica is an awesome replacement for our female in the series, though she later proves to be both frustrating and spineless. Still, a vast improvement over Elizabeth Swan. Thanks to some overdue cutting of some dead weight, it’s a good refreshing addition to the universe. Unfortunately, I don’t think that Pirates will ever be able to be as good as it was at the beginning.
Rank: 66
18 June, 2014
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
"Now you could study Shakespeare and be quite elite,
And you can charm the critics and have nothin' to eat.
Just slip on a banana peel,
The world's at your feet!" Cosmo Brown
I wanted to love this film. I’m glad to report that there are some absolutely brilliant moments. Some of the songs are amazing, both lyrics and choreography. I think that I initially judged this film a bit too harshly based on the Broadway Melody sequence. It’s basically a ten minute digression from the plot that makes no sense what-so-ever. It’s well done, but you just can’t wait for it to be over so that you can get back to the story and characters that you’re already invested in. The film itself is brilliant, but it would be even better if Broadway Melody was 8-10 minutes shorter. Other than that, the songs are all fun and entertaining, both to watch and listen to. The characters are engaging and believable. The film itself is enjoyable and the songs are incredibly catchy. Definitely worth seeing if you have been a fan of musicals in the past. I can see why it’s considered a classic.
Rank: 67
And you can charm the critics and have nothin' to eat.
Just slip on a banana peel,
The world's at your feet!" Cosmo Brown
I wanted to love this film. I’m glad to report that there are some absolutely brilliant moments. Some of the songs are amazing, both lyrics and choreography. I think that I initially judged this film a bit too harshly based on the Broadway Melody sequence. It’s basically a ten minute digression from the plot that makes no sense what-so-ever. It’s well done, but you just can’t wait for it to be over so that you can get back to the story and characters that you’re already invested in. The film itself is brilliant, but it would be even better if Broadway Melody was 8-10 minutes shorter. Other than that, the songs are all fun and entertaining, both to watch and listen to. The characters are engaging and believable. The film itself is enjoyable and the songs are incredibly catchy. Definitely worth seeing if you have been a fan of musicals in the past. I can see why it’s considered a classic.
Rank: 67
17 June, 2014
Prometheus (2012)
"I was designed like this because you people are more comfortable interacting with your own kind." David
This film IS the modern version of Alien. I know it's a prequel, and it is quite a good one at that. It’s not amazing but it’s what I would have wanted from Alien and what, I’m assuming, people got from Alien when it came out. It does a very good job of showing us things that could have led to the events of Alien while still leaving room for questions and another film. One thing that I particularly love is the fact that this franchise continues to view women as strong characters who can put complex puzzles together and can push through and survive when no one else can. Women are complex and intelligent and daring. I've heard many complaints that this film isn't enough of a prequel, and I completely disagree. I think that people look at a prequel and expect it to be the events immediately leading up to the beginning of the first film. If anything, this prequel is more so establishing the world in greater depth and allowing us to piece together the information and fill in the gaps so that we get to the beginning of Alien on our own (or with the help of a sequel/prequel).
Rank: 68
This film IS the modern version of Alien. I know it's a prequel, and it is quite a good one at that. It’s not amazing but it’s what I would have wanted from Alien and what, I’m assuming, people got from Alien when it came out. It does a very good job of showing us things that could have led to the events of Alien while still leaving room for questions and another film. One thing that I particularly love is the fact that this franchise continues to view women as strong characters who can put complex puzzles together and can push through and survive when no one else can. Women are complex and intelligent and daring. I've heard many complaints that this film isn't enough of a prequel, and I completely disagree. I think that people look at a prequel and expect it to be the events immediately leading up to the beginning of the first film. If anything, this prequel is more so establishing the world in greater depth and allowing us to piece together the information and fill in the gaps so that we get to the beginning of Alien on our own (or with the help of a sequel/prequel).
Rank: 68
16 June, 2014
Life of Pi (2013)
"Animals have souls... I have seen it in their eyes." Pi Patel
I wish I had read the book before seeing the film. The film was beautiful, however there is a very important piece that is lost in translation from book to screen: the ending. When you've just seen the entire story play out with the animals, you're going to pick that version when you're told "But it could have happened with people, what do you think?" The story is touching and potentially enlightening if presented to the right person. The pace, however, is not optimal for film and without that big eye-opening finale, there isn’t much to reel the audience back in. Since I haven't read the book, I don't know how much was cut or changed, so I'm not sure if the pacing issues are due to the director doing a true translation or trying to change/add/subtract too much. The reason to see this film, simply put, is that it is a beautiful piece of art. 3D, framing, camera angles, colors, and special effects all work together and do exactly what they are supposed to do. They create magic on screen. There are very few films that are this visually stunning.
Rank: 69
I wish I had read the book before seeing the film. The film was beautiful, however there is a very important piece that is lost in translation from book to screen: the ending. When you've just seen the entire story play out with the animals, you're going to pick that version when you're told "But it could have happened with people, what do you think?" The story is touching and potentially enlightening if presented to the right person. The pace, however, is not optimal for film and without that big eye-opening finale, there isn’t much to reel the audience back in. Since I haven't read the book, I don't know how much was cut or changed, so I'm not sure if the pacing issues are due to the director doing a true translation or trying to change/add/subtract too much. The reason to see this film, simply put, is that it is a beautiful piece of art. 3D, framing, camera angles, colors, and special effects all work together and do exactly what they are supposed to do. They create magic on screen. There are very few films that are this visually stunning.
Rank: 69
15 June, 2014
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
"Size matters not." Master Yoda
It's very interesting watching this film for the first time and knowing Yoda. Everyone knows Yoda these days. We know what he looks like and how he talks, regardless of if you've seen every Star Wars episode or none of them. I can only imagine for people watching at the time to have had a full film with mentions of "Jedi Master Yoda" how crazy it was to see that Yoda was this tiny little green guy who just seemed to get in the way. I said directly to my viewing partner, "Why is Luke being such a jerk to Yoda?" before I realized that Luke would have no idea that this little creature making his journey particularly difficult was Yoda. End anecdote.
This film really starts to expand the massive Star Wars universe. We see new species, new planets, new powers. The characters really start to come into their own, showcasing their flaws along with their strengths (mostly Luke and his impatience since we already know how stubborn Leia is and how arrogant Han is). The main thing we're meant to see here is how similar Luke is to his father. We're being shown how Luke is training and coming to the force and how he regards his friends, and though we haven't really seen Anakin do all this yet (assuming you watch in release order) it's implied that they led quite similar paths. Anakin knows that his son will be impatient and not up to snuff on his force work (hehe pun) but will run off to protect the people he loves. Anakin was expecting his son to be so much like him that he would also immediately drop everything to stand in the dark. I think that seeing Luke choose falling to almost certain death over "eternal glory" is the first step in convincing Anakin that he may have made the wrong decision all those years ago.
Rank: 70
It's very interesting watching this film for the first time and knowing Yoda. Everyone knows Yoda these days. We know what he looks like and how he talks, regardless of if you've seen every Star Wars episode or none of them. I can only imagine for people watching at the time to have had a full film with mentions of "Jedi Master Yoda" how crazy it was to see that Yoda was this tiny little green guy who just seemed to get in the way. I said directly to my viewing partner, "Why is Luke being such a jerk to Yoda?" before I realized that Luke would have no idea that this little creature making his journey particularly difficult was Yoda. End anecdote.
This film really starts to expand the massive Star Wars universe. We see new species, new planets, new powers. The characters really start to come into their own, showcasing their flaws along with their strengths (mostly Luke and his impatience since we already know how stubborn Leia is and how arrogant Han is). The main thing we're meant to see here is how similar Luke is to his father. We're being shown how Luke is training and coming to the force and how he regards his friends, and though we haven't really seen Anakin do all this yet (assuming you watch in release order) it's implied that they led quite similar paths. Anakin knows that his son will be impatient and not up to snuff on his force work (hehe pun) but will run off to protect the people he loves. Anakin was expecting his son to be so much like him that he would also immediately drop everything to stand in the dark. I think that seeing Luke choose falling to almost certain death over "eternal glory" is the first step in convincing Anakin that he may have made the wrong decision all those years ago.
Rank: 70
14 June, 2014
King Kong (2005)
"I make people laugh. That's what I do." Ann Darrow
Humans suck. I would have been so much happier if this film ended when Ann is rescued and everyone just went back to New York and left the island as it was. Unfortunately Peter Jackson was too interested in being true to the original and reminding us how we feel the need to ruin anything beautiful and natural that we can get our hands on. Aside from that, the film is beautiful. We can really get a feel for how large and wild that island is, and we can really immerse ourselves in this universe. Some scenes are... grotesque, but again that's just Peter Jackson (a) wanting to be true to the original and (b) wanting to make a film that looks and feels incredibly realistic. The characters are very believable. Their development and the way they connect with each other is beautifully written, directed and acted. It feels real and it is a pleasure to watch unfold.
Rank: 71
Humans suck. I would have been so much happier if this film ended when Ann is rescued and everyone just went back to New York and left the island as it was. Unfortunately Peter Jackson was too interested in being true to the original and reminding us how we feel the need to ruin anything beautiful and natural that we can get our hands on. Aside from that, the film is beautiful. We can really get a feel for how large and wild that island is, and we can really immerse ourselves in this universe. Some scenes are... grotesque, but again that's just Peter Jackson (a) wanting to be true to the original and (b) wanting to make a film that looks and feels incredibly realistic. The characters are very believable. Their development and the way they connect with each other is beautifully written, directed and acted. It feels real and it is a pleasure to watch unfold.
Rank: 71
13 June, 2014
Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
"Opportunity comes when you least expect it." Oscar Diggs/Oz
I remember being quite fond of this film when I first saw it, however I don't believe it's aged very well in my mind. I feel that I've forgotten most of it and very few things stand out about this film still. The biggest critique that I heard from this film is that it wasn't canon with Wicked, to which I think that people just need to give up. That's not what this film was meant to be. What this film was meant to be was beautiful, and that's precisely how I remember it. The land and the towns and everything were pristine and detailed and insanely gorgeous. China Girl was the most perfect execution of CGI (until Gollum in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey) in that you entirely believed that she was a walking china doll. (Kudos to the sound department on that as well!) One of my biggest critiques was Mila Kunis as the Wicked Witch, and at no fault of her own. She has such a sweet round face, and the Wicked Witch is all about angles. They basically just stuck an angular nose on her, but it didn't work. She didn't look wicked enough. She looked like she was in a (very elaborate) Halloween costume. Maybe that's part of why they cast her, to throw the audience off at the beginning. I can see that. Either way, the transformation wasn't big enough.
Rank: 72
I remember being quite fond of this film when I first saw it, however I don't believe it's aged very well in my mind. I feel that I've forgotten most of it and very few things stand out about this film still. The biggest critique that I heard from this film is that it wasn't canon with Wicked, to which I think that people just need to give up. That's not what this film was meant to be. What this film was meant to be was beautiful, and that's precisely how I remember it. The land and the towns and everything were pristine and detailed and insanely gorgeous. China Girl was the most perfect execution of CGI (until Gollum in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey) in that you entirely believed that she was a walking china doll. (Kudos to the sound department on that as well!) One of my biggest critiques was Mila Kunis as the Wicked Witch, and at no fault of her own. She has such a sweet round face, and the Wicked Witch is all about angles. They basically just stuck an angular nose on her, but it didn't work. She didn't look wicked enough. She looked like she was in a (very elaborate) Halloween costume. Maybe that's part of why they cast her, to throw the audience off at the beginning. I can see that. Either way, the transformation wasn't big enough.
Rank: 72
12 June, 2014
Ice Age (2002)
"I don't know about you guys, but we are the weirdest herd I've ever seen." Sid
Though you kind of know exactly the path that this film is going to take about ten minutes in, you still find yourself invested in our main characters and how they’ll face the challenges posed to them. Our characters are all slight extremes of their stereotypes: aloof giant who cares way more than he wants to, awkward fool who is good at heart and brings the group together, and cunning bad guy trying to deceive everyone. However the reason why they are these stereotypes is because the combination works. There are multiple conflicts that need to be resolved in order to reach the end target. There are some dark themes with extremely negative connotations. There are plans that can go wrong. And there’s a time limit. It’s formulaic, however that’s precisely why it’s as enjoyable as it is.
Rank: 73
Though you kind of know exactly the path that this film is going to take about ten minutes in, you still find yourself invested in our main characters and how they’ll face the challenges posed to them. Our characters are all slight extremes of their stereotypes: aloof giant who cares way more than he wants to, awkward fool who is good at heart and brings the group together, and cunning bad guy trying to deceive everyone. However the reason why they are these stereotypes is because the combination works. There are multiple conflicts that need to be resolved in order to reach the end target. There are some dark themes with extremely negative connotations. There are plans that can go wrong. And there’s a time limit. It’s formulaic, however that’s precisely why it’s as enjoyable as it is.
Rank: 73
11 June, 2014
127 Hours (2011)
"This rock... this rock has been waiting for me my entire life. For its entire life, ever since it was a bit of meteorite a million billion years ago up there in space. It's been waiting, to come here. Right here." Aron Ralston
This film took me two sittings to get through. Not because I couldn’t handle it, but because I’m squirmy and my viewing partner wasn’t positive that I’d be able to watch the film at all. I have a thing with violence in movies. I’m fine with blood and gore and wounds. What I can’t handle is the process. I was incredibly uneasy as Aron is trying to pull himself free of the rock because I was imagining that I was about to see his arm break and a bone pop out or something. Also, I did not watch the amputation scene. Process. What’s brilliant is that Danny Boyle included an audible version for those of us who feel the need to look away. The music and the loud bursts of feedback representing Aron’s pain were a brilliant touch. I feel like I didn’t miss out on anything by not watching the amputation itself. For a film with one character who is alone for the majority of the film, it is engaging and beautifully directed. You find yourself routing for Aron even though you know that he’s only been trapped for a day and he still has four more to go. I was quite squirmy at Aron’s recklessness, however I’m sure that’s exactly how someone as cautious and cowardly as myself is meant to feel.
Rank: 74
This film took me two sittings to get through. Not because I couldn’t handle it, but because I’m squirmy and my viewing partner wasn’t positive that I’d be able to watch the film at all. I have a thing with violence in movies. I’m fine with blood and gore and wounds. What I can’t handle is the process. I was incredibly uneasy as Aron is trying to pull himself free of the rock because I was imagining that I was about to see his arm break and a bone pop out or something. Also, I did not watch the amputation scene. Process. What’s brilliant is that Danny Boyle included an audible version for those of us who feel the need to look away. The music and the loud bursts of feedback representing Aron’s pain were a brilliant touch. I feel like I didn’t miss out on anything by not watching the amputation itself. For a film with one character who is alone for the majority of the film, it is engaging and beautifully directed. You find yourself routing for Aron even though you know that he’s only been trapped for a day and he still has four more to go. I was quite squirmy at Aron’s recklessness, however I’m sure that’s exactly how someone as cautious and cowardly as myself is meant to feel.
Rank: 74
10 June, 2014
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002)
"Mmm. Lost a planet, Master Obi-Wan has. How embarrassing. How embarrassing." Master Yoda
I’m so conflicted. Obi-Wan is one of the coolest members of the entire Star Wars universe and his story here is interesting, compelling, and still heart-breaking. Anakin is one of the whiniest and most immature members of the entire Star Wars universe and his story here is boring, predictable, and way too easy to make fun of. Unfortunately, they split the movie quite evenly between the two. When I’m with Obi-Wan, I’m engaged and can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next. Then we cut to Anakin who is being more awkward than a 12-year-old on a first date in his attempts to woo Senator Amidala. Next time I watch this, I know exactly which half to fast-forward.
Rank: 75
I’m so conflicted. Obi-Wan is one of the coolest members of the entire Star Wars universe and his story here is interesting, compelling, and still heart-breaking. Anakin is one of the whiniest and most immature members of the entire Star Wars universe and his story here is boring, predictable, and way too easy to make fun of. Unfortunately, they split the movie quite evenly between the two. When I’m with Obi-Wan, I’m engaged and can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next. Then we cut to Anakin who is being more awkward than a 12-year-old on a first date in his attempts to woo Senator Amidala. Next time I watch this, I know exactly which half to fast-forward.
Rank: 75
09 June, 2014
Jurassic Park III (2001)
"All our theories about raptor intelligence, what they were capable of, we weren't even close! They were smart. They were smarter than dolphins or whales. They were even smarter than primates!" Dr. Alan Grant
It’s so nice to get Alan back into the series, and it’s awesome that we get to explore the social aspects of dinosaurs as well. The first and second films talked a lot about how they hunt, though here we get more about how they communicate and emote to other members of their group. This film feels like it works so much more with the first. We bring back the element of the chaos theory and the magic of discovery. We have (mostly) strong intuitive characters. Hell, this is the only film of the franchise where a child isn’t the most infuriating aspect, constantly sneezing at the most inopportune times. A child is one of the strongest characters in the group, which is finally giving kids some credit.
Rank: 76
It’s so nice to get Alan back into the series, and it’s awesome that we get to explore the social aspects of dinosaurs as well. The first and second films talked a lot about how they hunt, though here we get more about how they communicate and emote to other members of their group. This film feels like it works so much more with the first. We bring back the element of the chaos theory and the magic of discovery. We have (mostly) strong intuitive characters. Hell, this is the only film of the franchise where a child isn’t the most infuriating aspect, constantly sneezing at the most inopportune times. A child is one of the strongest characters in the group, which is finally giving kids some credit.
Rank: 76
08 June, 2014
In Incredible Hulk (2008)
"You know, I know a few techniques that could help you manage that anger effectively." Dr. Bruce Banner
I’m going to express an incredibly unpopular opinion. I prefer Edward Norton as Bruce Banner to Mark Ruffalo. I’m sorry. I love the idea that this tiny little scientist becomes the massive Hulk. I love the sarcasm and sass that he brings to the role. I love how you can really imagine this man trying to just blend in and lay low for years at a time. Bruce is a great character. I love how he relates to those around him and I love how he's learned to deal with problems without getting out of control. You can see the years of struggle that he's dealt with to get to this point. The most disappointing aspect of this film, like in most of the Marvel films, is the villain. Not only is he unmemorable, he has to be as close to the Hulk in size and abilities as possible. I guess that’s the only way to make it a fair fight, however we just saw that in Iron Man.
Rank: 77
I’m going to express an incredibly unpopular opinion. I prefer Edward Norton as Bruce Banner to Mark Ruffalo. I’m sorry. I love the idea that this tiny little scientist becomes the massive Hulk. I love the sarcasm and sass that he brings to the role. I love how you can really imagine this man trying to just blend in and lay low for years at a time. Bruce is a great character. I love how he relates to those around him and I love how he's learned to deal with problems without getting out of control. You can see the years of struggle that he's dealt with to get to this point. The most disappointing aspect of this film, like in most of the Marvel films, is the villain. Not only is he unmemorable, he has to be as close to the Hulk in size and abilities as possible. I guess that’s the only way to make it a fair fight, however we just saw that in Iron Man.
Rank: 77
07 June, 2014
Iron Man 2 (2010)
"This is the key to the future. I'm limited by the technology of my time, but one day you'll figure this out. And when you do, you will change the world. What is, and always will be, my greatest creation... is you." Howard Stark
This film is slightly infuriating because it’s like every reality show in the world. You have to sit and watch someone with so much intelligence and money just sit around and feel sorry for themself. It’s nice that Tony eventually figures his shit out, it’s just unfortunate that he has to fight incredibly unmemorable villains in the process of getting there. For the only true sequel of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it is quite disappointing. I mean, it's Marvel and Iron Man, so it's still good and smart and funny. It's just disappointing.
Rank: 78
This film is slightly infuriating because it’s like every reality show in the world. You have to sit and watch someone with so much intelligence and money just sit around and feel sorry for themself. It’s nice that Tony eventually figures his shit out, it’s just unfortunate that he has to fight incredibly unmemorable villains in the process of getting there. For the only true sequel of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it is quite disappointing. I mean, it's Marvel and Iron Man, so it's still good and smart and funny. It's just disappointing.
Rank: 78
06 June, 2014
Despicable Me (2010)
"Okay... Don't worry... Everything's going to be fine. We're going to be really happy here... Right?" Margo
Despicable Me is definitely a fun film for younger audiences, however it’s still enjoyable for parents as well. We have three strong female characters who know that they have the right to be happy and do what makes them feel good. Furthermore, they are definitely not your stereotypical “little girls” as far as fashion and ideas are concerned, yet they still participate in ballet. It’s about time we have young female characters for our young female viewers to relate and look up to. This film tells girls that they can be themselves and still be accepted by people, even if you're different. Though Gru's transformation into a loving father figure is predictable, it's adorable. You can see each instance of realization and compassion. It's really sweet. Not to mention the infamous minions. They're hilarious. They're a great outlet for physical comedy so that it doesn't need to happen to our human characters. I think outsourcing the physical comedy is definitely part of what puts this film above other similar children films.
Rank: 79
Despicable Me is definitely a fun film for younger audiences, however it’s still enjoyable for parents as well. We have three strong female characters who know that they have the right to be happy and do what makes them feel good. Furthermore, they are definitely not your stereotypical “little girls” as far as fashion and ideas are concerned, yet they still participate in ballet. It’s about time we have young female characters for our young female viewers to relate and look up to. This film tells girls that they can be themselves and still be accepted by people, even if you're different. Though Gru's transformation into a loving father figure is predictable, it's adorable. You can see each instance of realization and compassion. It's really sweet. Not to mention the infamous minions. They're hilarious. They're a great outlet for physical comedy so that it doesn't need to happen to our human characters. I think outsourcing the physical comedy is definitely part of what puts this film above other similar children films.
Rank: 79
05 June, 2014
Despicable Me 2 (2013)
"Hi everybody! I'd like to make some toast!" Agnes
A fun sequel to a fun film. It does a very good job of fixing that “let’s have a sequel to a film about a villain but the villain isn’t a villain anymore” problem. Though the plot is predictable, I can only imagine how much fun it would be for a younger viewer to work out the mystery as they go along. We see truly developed characters, both within the film itself and since the end of the first. There's more hilarious minions, more adorable yet intelligent little girls, and more Gru learning how to be a father. Definitely a film the whole family can enjoy.
Rank: 80
A fun sequel to a fun film. It does a very good job of fixing that “let’s have a sequel to a film about a villain but the villain isn’t a villain anymore” problem. Though the plot is predictable, I can only imagine how much fun it would be for a younger viewer to work out the mystery as they go along. We see truly developed characters, both within the film itself and since the end of the first. There's more hilarious minions, more adorable yet intelligent little girls, and more Gru learning how to be a father. Definitely a film the whole family can enjoy.
Rank: 80
04 June, 2014
Gravity (2013)
"I hate space!" Dr. Ryan Stone
I have a massive issue with 3D effects that have been added just for the sake of throwing objects at the audience. I know It was only three times throughout the film, however I had to have my eyes closed for about a minute each time. I’m not quick to forgive. I also experienced slight pain from the loudness at the very beginning. I understand why they did it. I understand it all. I understand that this is a beautiful and brilliantly made film and I get all of the not-so-subtle rebirth metaphors. I just think that I would have been able to enjoy all of these aspects so much more had I not seen this film in 3D.
That being said, this film showcases cinema and what it can do. It is beautiful and, honestly, it was meant to be seen on the big screen. It's the kind of film that has a beautiful message that you can always extract regardless of your viewing nature (cinema, tv, computer, airplane, etc.) however it'll never quite look the same as it did when it was 50 ft high. It is so crisp and has beautiful contrast. The acting is also incredible. It takes a lot of skill to be the only character on screen for 75% of a film and be believable the entire time. This film does something else spectacular, it gives the idea of space some real gravitas (pun intended). It shows both the beauty and the danger of space. It shows how far and how near it is to us on Earth. It makes it seem so real even though it's still so foreign. One of my favorite aspects of the film is the misdirection. It makes you think that something will become a problem when it is actually quite small and insignificant. It's a nice subtle way of telling the audience that small problems are small and not what you should be focusing on.
Rank: 81
Would likely move up upon rewatch outside of a cinema.
I have a massive issue with 3D effects that have been added just for the sake of throwing objects at the audience. I know It was only three times throughout the film, however I had to have my eyes closed for about a minute each time. I’m not quick to forgive. I also experienced slight pain from the loudness at the very beginning. I understand why they did it. I understand it all. I understand that this is a beautiful and brilliantly made film and I get all of the not-so-subtle rebirth metaphors. I just think that I would have been able to enjoy all of these aspects so much more had I not seen this film in 3D.
That being said, this film showcases cinema and what it can do. It is beautiful and, honestly, it was meant to be seen on the big screen. It's the kind of film that has a beautiful message that you can always extract regardless of your viewing nature (cinema, tv, computer, airplane, etc.) however it'll never quite look the same as it did when it was 50 ft high. It is so crisp and has beautiful contrast. The acting is also incredible. It takes a lot of skill to be the only character on screen for 75% of a film and be believable the entire time. This film does something else spectacular, it gives the idea of space some real gravitas (pun intended). It shows both the beauty and the danger of space. It shows how far and how near it is to us on Earth. It makes it seem so real even though it's still so foreign. One of my favorite aspects of the film is the misdirection. It makes you think that something will become a problem when it is actually quite small and insignificant. It's a nice subtle way of telling the audience that small problems are small and not what you should be focusing on.
Rank: 81
Would likely move up upon rewatch outside of a cinema.
03 June, 2014
Deja Vu (2006)
"I'll speak slow, so those of you with Ph.D.'s in the room can understand." Doug Carlin
The brilliance of this film comes from truly understanding the timeline. There’s so much that is not spelled out for the viewer, but once you see it and understand it, you can really appreciate it. As complex as the timelines get, I still found this film to be slightly predictable. The things that can go wrong, do go wrong. The characters react in relatively predictable fashions. That being said, the characters stay true to themselves and work as hard as they can to make things right. I will also say that this film wasn't anything like what I was expecting. I think I was expecting some run of the mill action movie with Denzel Washington. I was surprised with a more intricate plot and some pretty cool science fiction, which I am always happy to embrace.
Rank: 82
The brilliance of this film comes from truly understanding the timeline. There’s so much that is not spelled out for the viewer, but once you see it and understand it, you can really appreciate it. As complex as the timelines get, I still found this film to be slightly predictable. The things that can go wrong, do go wrong. The characters react in relatively predictable fashions. That being said, the characters stay true to themselves and work as hard as they can to make things right. I will also say that this film wasn't anything like what I was expecting. I think I was expecting some run of the mill action movie with Denzel Washington. I was surprised with a more intricate plot and some pretty cool science fiction, which I am always happy to embrace.
Rank: 82
02 June, 2014
Frankenstein (1931)
"He's just resting, waiting for a new life." Dr. Henry Frankenstein
Besides from being incredibly different from the book, this film was done quite well. Maybe I think that because I was never really a huge fan of the book and the differences were inconsequential. My favorite part of the book, however, was understandably cut from the film. It's a beautiful sequence that would have been quite difficult to translate well, especially in keeping with length requirements of the time. The story was told very clearly, especially with all the changes made to simplify the loose ends. The set seemed to be very intricate and ahead of its time.
Rank: 83
Besides from being incredibly different from the book, this film was done quite well. Maybe I think that because I was never really a huge fan of the book and the differences were inconsequential. My favorite part of the book, however, was understandably cut from the film. It's a beautiful sequence that would have been quite difficult to translate well, especially in keeping with length requirements of the time. The story was told very clearly, especially with all the changes made to simplify the loose ends. The set seemed to be very intricate and ahead of its time.
Rank: 83
01 June, 2014
Jane Eyre (1944)
"One day, when we're grown, we will drive down that road together." Jane Eyre
This film is an incredibly abridged version of the long and heart-wrenching story of Jane Eyre. I read this book and absolutely loved it in high school, so I found myself looking for the same symbolism and subtleties only to be disappointed. Not to mention that the most brilliant (and true) line of the entire book was not included in the movie. Silly. The best aspect of the film was the portrayal of the friendship between Jane and Helen. Strong and beautiful and heartbreaking. The worst, in my mind, was the portrayal of Mr. Rochester. I know that Orsen Wells is supposed to be a renowned actor of the time, however I found it so hard to believe him. His mouth never seemed to line up with what he was saying and I found the scenes with him to be more of a bother than anything else. It's a shame, because Mr. Rochester is such an interesting character in the book. Sometimes you want to hit him and sometimes you want to hug him. I felt neither while watching the film. He didn't emote and he completely failed to elicit any type of reaction from me.
Rank: 84
This film is an incredibly abridged version of the long and heart-wrenching story of Jane Eyre. I read this book and absolutely loved it in high school, so I found myself looking for the same symbolism and subtleties only to be disappointed. Not to mention that the most brilliant (and true) line of the entire book was not included in the movie. Silly. The best aspect of the film was the portrayal of the friendship between Jane and Helen. Strong and beautiful and heartbreaking. The worst, in my mind, was the portrayal of Mr. Rochester. I know that Orsen Wells is supposed to be a renowned actor of the time, however I found it so hard to believe him. His mouth never seemed to line up with what he was saying and I found the scenes with him to be more of a bother than anything else. It's a shame, because Mr. Rochester is such an interesting character in the book. Sometimes you want to hit him and sometimes you want to hug him. I felt neither while watching the film. He didn't emote and he completely failed to elicit any type of reaction from me.
Rank: 84
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