Friday, January 29, 2010
Friday Night at Home/Continuing the Movie List...
It's about 6:30, Friday night, and I'm already in my comfy clothes for the evening. Jules and I are heading out to Vegas tomorrow morning so we're going to spend the night at home packing and get things in order. Right now there is a ridiculous show called 'Teen Cribs' on MTV so I thought it would be a good time to sit down and hammer out a quick blog. But seriously, following 'Cribs' is a reality show called 'Jersey Shore' and it looks like it might be even worse. I don't know what the infatuation is with going on television and making an ass of yourself but I guess when you think about it, I guess it's not much different than writing your thoughts on a daily blog because eventually I'm going to write something that will make me look like an ass - probably already have! But the difference is, I'm looking like an ass to about 10 people, the idiots on some of these reality shows are being seen by millions. So 'Snookie', enjoy the fame while it lasts, I hope it was worth your dignity.
On to the countdown - my brother, Rich is about 20 movies behind - hopefully he'll catch up over the weekend...
#70. Driving Miss Daisy (1989) - Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy are wonderful in this movie about an aging Jewish, southern matriarch and her black chauffeur. The story spans several decades and during that time Miss Daisy goes from wanting nothing to do with Freeman's Hoke to calling him her best friend at the end of the movie. With more and more movies taking advantage of the tremendous technological advances in film making, the actors are the life of 'Driving Miss Daisy' and Tandy and Freeman were at the top of their game in 1989's Academy Award winning Best Picture.
#69. West Side Story (1961) - The best movie of 1961, West Side Story is basically a 'modern' day version of Romeo and Juliet filled with wonderful music and dancing gangs. Almost campy, I mean would anyone seriously be intimidated by these hoods, but you still find yourself singing along with every song and hoping Maria and Tony can figure out a way to be together in the and live happily ever after. Unfortunately, their 'Someday' never comes.
#68. Do The Right Thing (1989) - With all due respect to 'Driving Miss Daisy', and my #70 ranking tells you that I hold that film in very high regard, Do the Right Thing was the best movie of 1989. A Brooklyn pizzeria is at the center of the conflict of this powerful movie directed by Spike Lee. As the summer heat soars to record breaking temperatures so do the tempers of everyone in the neighborhood surrounding Sal's Pizzeria until it reaches a point that they'll all regret. The best movie Spike Lee has ever made.
#67. The Dark Knight (2008) - I remember when Heath Ledger died and The Dark Knight was still several months away from being released. Even then, everyone was talking about Ledger's performance as the Joker and predicting he very well could win a posthumous Oscar. Being the cynical person that I can sometimes be, I couldn't believe that an actor could win an Oscar for playing a villain in a Batman movie and if he did win, it would obviously be for sympathetic reasons. Then I saw the Dark Knight and realized that Ledger may have created the greatest villain in movie history. He became the Joker and his performance was right up there with Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs, Robert DeNiro in Cape Fear and blew away the previous Joker played by Jack Nicholson. The movie didn't suck, either.
#66. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) - Just an hysterical, goofy movie about growing up in California in the early 80's. Filled with valley girls, burnouts and teens filled with sexual angst, Fast Times was a surprise hit and launched the career of two time best Oscar winner, Sean Penn, who stole every scene he was in as the burned-out, surfer Jeff Spicoli.
#65. Coal Miner's Daughter (1980) - I had no interest in seeing this movie when it came out back in 1980. I was not a fan of Loretta Lynn, didn't have an interest in country music and figured it would be a waste of time. About a year later, it was on Showtime and with nothing else on to watch, I decided to give it a shot. Afterall, Sissy Spacek won best actress for her performance so it couldn't be all that bad. Obviously, I liked the movie. Spacek gave the best performance of her career as Loretta and Tommy Lee Jones was equally impressive as her husband/agent, Doolittle Lynn. Showing Loretta grow from a thirteen year old bride to the 'First Lady of Country music', you cheer for her every step of the way as she rises to super stardom. I watched Coal Miners Daughter just about every time it was on Showtime that summer and even bought the soundtrack.
#64. Slumdog Millionaire (2008) - Last year's best picture took the movie viewing world by storm. A story about a boy from the streets of Mumbai attempting to win $1,000,000 rupees on India's version of the 'Who Wants to be A Millionaire'. As he ascends toward the million dollar question the show's host and the police are convinced he's cheating until he explains how he knows all the answers and they realize he didn't come on the show to win the money, he's simply hoping to find the girl he's been in love with throughout his childhood. And the answers to the questions tie in to the tough and mean life this 18 year old kid has experienced. A wonderful piece of film making.
#63. Rainman (1988) Dustin Hoffman is amazing as an idiot savant and Tom Cruise gives one of his better performances as his brother in 1988's best picture of the year. Cruise learns that he has a brother he never knew about at the same time he also learns that his father has left all his money to the brother. He then learns the brother has no idea what's going on in the world, feels cheated about the money and basically kidnaps 'Rainman' from the institution he's been living in to get to the money. The brothers take to the road to get back to LA and Cruise's character is continually frustrated dealing with his brothers quirks. This movie is better every time I see it as you pick up on the little nuances of Hoffman's portrayal.
#62. Young Frankenstein (1974) - Gene Wilder, Cloris Leachman, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, Terri Garr and Madeline Kahn are hysterical in Mel Brooks comedic tribute to the old Frankenstein franchise. Filmed in black and white while using the set from the original Frankenstein movies, Wilder plays the grandson of the original Dr. Frankenstein who stumbles across the laboratory where his grandfather conducted his experiments in trying to bring the dead back to life. The movie is filled with classic scenes including a duet between Wilder and Boyle (playing the monster) doing a song and dance to Puttin' on the Ritz. Mel Brooks at his ultimate best.
#61. Gregory's Girl (1979) - This is another movie I discovered on Showtime. A Scottish film about a high school geek who is dealing with his first bout of puppy love. The girl of his dreams (Dorothy) happens to be the best player on the schools' boys soccer team and really has no love interest in him but she agrees to go out with him anyway. What Gregory doesn't know is Dorothy is part of a scheme to hook him up with Susan, a classmate who has a crush him. This is one of the best movies I've ever seen about those awkward teen years and the character of Gregory is one of my all time favorites. If you've never seen this little gem, you should try to track it down in your local video store, it's worth the watch.
That's all for tonight - hopefully I'll be able to get a post up from Las Vegas!
On to the countdown - my brother, Rich is about 20 movies behind - hopefully he'll catch up over the weekend...
#70. Driving Miss Daisy (1989) - Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy are wonderful in this movie about an aging Jewish, southern matriarch and her black chauffeur. The story spans several decades and during that time Miss Daisy goes from wanting nothing to do with Freeman's Hoke to calling him her best friend at the end of the movie. With more and more movies taking advantage of the tremendous technological advances in film making, the actors are the life of 'Driving Miss Daisy' and Tandy and Freeman were at the top of their game in 1989's Academy Award winning Best Picture.
#69. West Side Story (1961) - The best movie of 1961, West Side Story is basically a 'modern' day version of Romeo and Juliet filled with wonderful music and dancing gangs. Almost campy, I mean would anyone seriously be intimidated by these hoods, but you still find yourself singing along with every song and hoping Maria and Tony can figure out a way to be together in the and live happily ever after. Unfortunately, their 'Someday' never comes.
#68. Do The Right Thing (1989) - With all due respect to 'Driving Miss Daisy', and my #70 ranking tells you that I hold that film in very high regard, Do the Right Thing was the best movie of 1989. A Brooklyn pizzeria is at the center of the conflict of this powerful movie directed by Spike Lee. As the summer heat soars to record breaking temperatures so do the tempers of everyone in the neighborhood surrounding Sal's Pizzeria until it reaches a point that they'll all regret. The best movie Spike Lee has ever made.
#67. The Dark Knight (2008) - I remember when Heath Ledger died and The Dark Knight was still several months away from being released. Even then, everyone was talking about Ledger's performance as the Joker and predicting he very well could win a posthumous Oscar. Being the cynical person that I can sometimes be, I couldn't believe that an actor could win an Oscar for playing a villain in a Batman movie and if he did win, it would obviously be for sympathetic reasons. Then I saw the Dark Knight and realized that Ledger may have created the greatest villain in movie history. He became the Joker and his performance was right up there with Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs, Robert DeNiro in Cape Fear and blew away the previous Joker played by Jack Nicholson. The movie didn't suck, either.
#66. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) - Just an hysterical, goofy movie about growing up in California in the early 80's. Filled with valley girls, burnouts and teens filled with sexual angst, Fast Times was a surprise hit and launched the career of two time best Oscar winner, Sean Penn, who stole every scene he was in as the burned-out, surfer Jeff Spicoli.
#65. Coal Miner's Daughter (1980) - I had no interest in seeing this movie when it came out back in 1980. I was not a fan of Loretta Lynn, didn't have an interest in country music and figured it would be a waste of time. About a year later, it was on Showtime and with nothing else on to watch, I decided to give it a shot. Afterall, Sissy Spacek won best actress for her performance so it couldn't be all that bad. Obviously, I liked the movie. Spacek gave the best performance of her career as Loretta and Tommy Lee Jones was equally impressive as her husband/agent, Doolittle Lynn. Showing Loretta grow from a thirteen year old bride to the 'First Lady of Country music', you cheer for her every step of the way as she rises to super stardom. I watched Coal Miners Daughter just about every time it was on Showtime that summer and even bought the soundtrack.
#64. Slumdog Millionaire (2008) - Last year's best picture took the movie viewing world by storm. A story about a boy from the streets of Mumbai attempting to win $1,000,000 rupees on India's version of the 'Who Wants to be A Millionaire'. As he ascends toward the million dollar question the show's host and the police are convinced he's cheating until he explains how he knows all the answers and they realize he didn't come on the show to win the money, he's simply hoping to find the girl he's been in love with throughout his childhood. And the answers to the questions tie in to the tough and mean life this 18 year old kid has experienced. A wonderful piece of film making.
#63. Rainman (1988) Dustin Hoffman is amazing as an idiot savant and Tom Cruise gives one of his better performances as his brother in 1988's best picture of the year. Cruise learns that he has a brother he never knew about at the same time he also learns that his father has left all his money to the brother. He then learns the brother has no idea what's going on in the world, feels cheated about the money and basically kidnaps 'Rainman' from the institution he's been living in to get to the money. The brothers take to the road to get back to LA and Cruise's character is continually frustrated dealing with his brothers quirks. This movie is better every time I see it as you pick up on the little nuances of Hoffman's portrayal.
#62. Young Frankenstein (1974) - Gene Wilder, Cloris Leachman, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, Terri Garr and Madeline Kahn are hysterical in Mel Brooks comedic tribute to the old Frankenstein franchise. Filmed in black and white while using the set from the original Frankenstein movies, Wilder plays the grandson of the original Dr. Frankenstein who stumbles across the laboratory where his grandfather conducted his experiments in trying to bring the dead back to life. The movie is filled with classic scenes including a duet between Wilder and Boyle (playing the monster) doing a song and dance to Puttin' on the Ritz. Mel Brooks at his ultimate best.
#61. Gregory's Girl (1979) - This is another movie I discovered on Showtime. A Scottish film about a high school geek who is dealing with his first bout of puppy love. The girl of his dreams (Dorothy) happens to be the best player on the schools' boys soccer team and really has no love interest in him but she agrees to go out with him anyway. What Gregory doesn't know is Dorothy is part of a scheme to hook him up with Susan, a classmate who has a crush him. This is one of the best movies I've ever seen about those awkward teen years and the character of Gregory is one of my all time favorites. If you've never seen this little gem, you should try to track it down in your local video store, it's worth the watch.
That's all for tonight - hopefully I'll be able to get a post up from Las Vegas!
# posted by Vince Hopkins @ 6:27 PM 
Comments:
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That was a pretty good ten. Obviously I already had Young Frankenstein, and there are a couple that will appear later. I didn't include Slumdog because I felt that after everyone saw it it got blown way out of proportion and Driving Miss Daisy was awesome. I haven't seen a couple of them though.
70-61:
#70 No Country For Old Men (2007) - When you think of movie villains, you typically think of Darth Vader, the Joker, Hannibal... But probably the most unbelievably cold blooded of them all is Javier Bardem's character Anton Chigurh in this best picture winner. He plays a calm psycho who will stop at nothing to hunt down a rancher (Josh Brolin) who has stumbled across a case of money.
#69 Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) - One of the most recognized comedies ever, this Monty Python spoof of King Arthur's quest for the holy grail is loaded with laughs. It is very zany including
a killer rabbit, rude Frenchmen, and curtains.
#68 Anchorman (2004) - Many people don't really like Will Ferrell but I happen to be a huge fan. Anchorman also happens to be surrounded by a phenominal cast. Steve Carrell plays a semi-retarded weather man, Paul Rudd plays a sex fiend field reporter, and David Koechner plays the over the top sports caster.
#67 The Sixth Sense (1999) - Great movie. M. Night Shamalangadingdong turned out a great movie with a creative twist. My favorite part about watching this movie was that I watched it with Mr. Feissenger and I knew the twist and said it out loud and it pissed him off soooo bad. I got a kick out of it.
#66 Aladdin (1992) - I'm a fan of the original Disney movies and this is one of their best. Musically it has an awesome soundtrack, Robin Williams is very funny as the genie, and the story is top of the line.
#65 Clerks (1994) - Everyone says that the original is better than the sequal and that holds true with Kevin Smith's Clerks movies. This was better than the second due to more witty and subliminal humor that some might get confused by. It is also the first of one of my favorite directors movies.
#64 To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) - Gregory Peck delivers one of the best acting performances ever as greatest parental figure ever Atticus Finch. He delivers throughout the movie edition of Harper Lee's only novel. Incredible story.
#63 The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) - Jim Caviezel plays an illiterate sailer named Edmund Dantes who is wrongly framed for commiting treason. As the back story unveils, he sits and waits in the French prison Chateau D'if with a former priest superbly played by Richard Harris, waiting to escape and get his revenge.
#62 Leon (The Professional) (1994) - This movie is about a professional hitman (Jean Reno) who gets caught up in a murder that occurs in his apartment building by a corrupt police officer (Gary Oldman). The assasin, Leon, takes in the daughter of the victims who is played by Natalie Portman. She is absolutely stellar as the outgoing Mathilda.
#61 Trainspotting (1996) - This is a rather disturbing movie set in Scotland about a mans struggle with a heroine addiction. Ewan Mcgregor plays the junky who has to put up with his unruly friends, underage "girlfriend", and spirited parents. Don't watch this if drug content and the result of such disturb you.
70-61:
#70 No Country For Old Men (2007) - When you think of movie villains, you typically think of Darth Vader, the Joker, Hannibal... But probably the most unbelievably cold blooded of them all is Javier Bardem's character Anton Chigurh in this best picture winner. He plays a calm psycho who will stop at nothing to hunt down a rancher (Josh Brolin) who has stumbled across a case of money.
#69 Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) - One of the most recognized comedies ever, this Monty Python spoof of King Arthur's quest for the holy grail is loaded with laughs. It is very zany including
a killer rabbit, rude Frenchmen, and curtains.
#68 Anchorman (2004) - Many people don't really like Will Ferrell but I happen to be a huge fan. Anchorman also happens to be surrounded by a phenominal cast. Steve Carrell plays a semi-retarded weather man, Paul Rudd plays a sex fiend field reporter, and David Koechner plays the over the top sports caster.
#67 The Sixth Sense (1999) - Great movie. M. Night Shamalangadingdong turned out a great movie with a creative twist. My favorite part about watching this movie was that I watched it with Mr. Feissenger and I knew the twist and said it out loud and it pissed him off soooo bad. I got a kick out of it.
#66 Aladdin (1992) - I'm a fan of the original Disney movies and this is one of their best. Musically it has an awesome soundtrack, Robin Williams is very funny as the genie, and the story is top of the line.
#65 Clerks (1994) - Everyone says that the original is better than the sequal and that holds true with Kevin Smith's Clerks movies. This was better than the second due to more witty and subliminal humor that some might get confused by. It is also the first of one of my favorite directors movies.
#64 To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) - Gregory Peck delivers one of the best acting performances ever as greatest parental figure ever Atticus Finch. He delivers throughout the movie edition of Harper Lee's only novel. Incredible story.
#63 The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) - Jim Caviezel plays an illiterate sailer named Edmund Dantes who is wrongly framed for commiting treason. As the back story unveils, he sits and waits in the French prison Chateau D'if with a former priest superbly played by Richard Harris, waiting to escape and get his revenge.
#62 Leon (The Professional) (1994) - This movie is about a professional hitman (Jean Reno) who gets caught up in a murder that occurs in his apartment building by a corrupt police officer (Gary Oldman). The assasin, Leon, takes in the daughter of the victims who is played by Natalie Portman. She is absolutely stellar as the outgoing Mathilda.
#61 Trainspotting (1996) - This is a rather disturbing movie set in Scotland about a mans struggle with a heroine addiction. Ewan Mcgregor plays the junky who has to put up with his unruly friends, underage "girlfriend", and spirited parents. Don't watch this if drug content and the result of such disturb you.
Judd, way to piss-off Dougles!
Your dad was way off with Dark Knight. Should have been in the Top 50!
Your dad was way off with Dark Knight. Should have been in the Top 50!
# posted by 
: 2:55 PM
: 2:55 PM
Howdy would you mind sharing which blog platform you're working with? I'm looking to start my own blog in the near
future but I'm having a difficult time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I'm looking for something completely unique.
P.S My apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
Feel free to surf to my blog ... http://38000ft.com
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future but I'm having a difficult time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I'm looking for something completely unique.
P.S My apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
Feel free to surf to my blog ... http://38000ft.com
# posted by : 7:22 AM
: 7:22 AM << Home
