Directors need to realize that the mainstream audience will never appreciate a movie where there isn’t a lot of sex or violence, not necessarily ones that even make sense. (Fucking Independence Day is still #22 on the highest grossing movies of all time….Titanic is #1.)

These aren’t in any particular order, as I don’t think its possible to rank them because they each have a different objective. How can you compare a comedy like Super Troopers with something like Apocalypse Now? You just can’t.

If I had to call it something, I’d call it the best existential(sort-of) and original romance comedy of all time. Guess thats a pretty narrow category…but this movie really was astounding. Easily Jim Carey’s best acting performance. The filming and character development is excellent. The concept behind the movie is both original and masterfully executed throughout the movie. Not to mention that it fulfills my pre-reqs for a truly great movie–it makes you think.

And Elijah Wood plays the part of a jackass really well, as he always does.

First of all, don’t waste your time with the director’s cut! They butchered a great movie in an attempt to increase its audience. Onto the movie! Great movies always get better each time you watch them. Donnie Darko is brilliant because it leaves so much up to the viewer, and like any good movie it has some great plot twists and great acting. Not many people debate that this a ‘must-see’ movie.

Well let me just say that this is NOT a date movie. But if you want to feel deeply impacted by a movie….while at the same time wanting to kill yourself, see this. It is not just for drug addicts, although I doubt you’ll be putting anything in your arm anytime soon. The cinematography, screen writing, and soundtrack come together to create a move that truly is heartbreaking, brilliant, and unforgettable.

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Like most movies with actual content, this move is underrated at 3/5 stars.

Great acting. Not a movie which appeals to everyone. But in my opinion, if it got across what it was trying to get across, then it is a quality movie. That’s not to say everyone need like it. This is somewhat akin to someone who doesn’t like spicy foods walking into a Thai restaurant and saying the food sucks.

Where Requiem for a Dream was designed to make you feel the highs and lows of drug abuse, this was meant for depression. I really thought it did a good job, just as Requiem did.

If you have wasted your time with anything made by Michael Moore, treat yourself to a real documentary like this. Liberal or conservative, you will find this movie shocking. It analyzes the role of the corporation in the contemporary world. A must see for anyone living in this generation. (If you’re reading this, that probably means you).

What movie list is complete without Braveheart! It strikes me right at my very cliché love for war and glory. Not much I can say that hasn’t already been see. Simply a well done historically-themed drama. No reason to miss this, it’s on TV all the time.

No one ever accused Super Troopers of being a cinematic masterpiece. If you accept it for what it is, a dumb but funny movie, then you really will enjoy it. It’s well done and original. Most of all it has the re-playability factor.

Oh I hate how cliché it has become to talk about this movie. Its easily dismissed as a teen angst movie. It has great acting and some biting observations about our culture and lifestyle. Will definitely make you question some basic things. Very quotable.

“We were all raised on television to believe that one day, we’d all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars, but we won’t. We’re slowly learning that fact. And we are VERY PISSED OFF.”

Again this movie strikes at my weakness for epic war and glory. Brad Pitt is perfectly casted as the selfish Achilles. The movie falls short of being an overall masterpiece like Braveheart. Nevertheless it is sufficient to be a very worthwhile viewing. If you open your mind a bit you’ll catch some of the philosophical undertones that make the movie more than just an good war movie.

Check out my favorite quotes page for one of my very favorite quotes, which comes from this movie.

A beautifully crafted story such as this leaves any viewer in awe when it all comes together. This is an excellent adaptation of the age old novel. I like the actors and the storyline. Vengeance and love are such sweet compliments.

If you like The Count of Monte Cristo, you’ll love V for Vendetta, and visa versa. Monte Cristo is a blatant theme in the movie as “V” watches the older version of The Count of Monte Cristo throughout the movie. The concept is loosely based on the vengeance of that movie, but takes place in a political commentary. The movie is somewhat themed on Orwell’s 1984 Big Brother state. The United Kingdom is a fitting setting, given that London is currently the movie video taped city in the world. The movie comes together brilliantly, a complete film to the end. Some great action shots and a great storyline doesn’t hurt either. Natalie Portman gives an excellent performance as well.

By the way, anyone who pegs this as a liberal attack on the Patriot Act is just stupid, the book this is based on is decades older than the Bush administration. (Similarities make ya think though, doesn’t it?)

Witty, enjoyable, and quotable. Must see, of course.

[Subtitled: French]
Quality movie about 4 people from four different cultures moving in together, it was recommended to me before I left for Europe. It’s targeted at a late teen early 20’s coming of age audience, I highly recommend it.

[Subtitled: French]
It’s in French (Les Poupées russes), just like its predecessor, L’Auberge Espagnole, but easily subtitled in English. Really great movie, makes you feel a lot closer to the characters than most Hollywood movies do. Nice to get a foreign perspective as well. Its well done, and I especially like it because I can relate the the guy. Not a writer like him per say, but I can still relate to him. Naturally, that makes for a great bit of film. I have to say I got a bit of life experience just watching someone elses, not something you can usually say about movies considering how unrealistic they usually are.

Not a lot of films tackle to difficulties of the twenty-somethings, its something that kind of gets swept under the rug. The movie takes a really honest approach at the complications of that period in the characters life. I’m glad that this one did such a good job of it, because as I’ve seen its a subject both greatly ignored and incredibly interesting.

Looks like I have a bit of a thing for drug movies. Well this is another great movie. In the spirit of Snatch this is a British dramatic comedy which follows the lives of five heroine addicts. It does an excellent job portraying the world of a heroine addict. As with any good movie, it’s not only about heroine users . . . it is definitely worth watching. It’s not quite as depressing as Requiem for a Dream either.

A sort-of musical drama from India. Long as hell, but enjoyable, and a fresh change from American cinema.

Timeless perspective on the horrors of war. A power-point or a textbook will never be able to communicate this as effectively as this movie does.

Simply a good, fun movie.

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I typically love historical fiction, and this one was very good! The character development was realistic and well done. The characters confused me at times, but as I thought about it, I realized how human it made them. No happy endings here, the movie portrays Ugandan dictator as he was, unstable and brutal. The movie shows this in a subtle way and ultimately leaves you with a good feeling of the optimism that is lost in the corruption of many African governments still to this day.

Don’t let life pass you by, from the little things to opportunities. Suppose that would be the tagline. A rare movie that does exactly what a movie should do, make you feel are warm and fuzzy inside afterwards! Full of humanity, wit, and insight.

Last Updated: June 21th 2007