My Favorite Movies: Number 56

56. Bloodsport (1988)

This is a martial arts guilty pleasure for me. There’s nothing spectacular in terms of  plot development, acting, or special effects. In actuality this is a bad movie, but to me it’s just a good martial arts flick.

I love Van Damme, and this is my favorite movie from the Muscle from Brussels.

The movie has some cool fights and a storyline that is serviceable until the next fight scene. I don’t have much to say about this movie other than it’s a personal favorite for me.

My Favorite Movies: Number 57

57. A Clockwork Orange (1971)

I'm going to make this short, but this movie is creepy, sadistic, and straight fucked up....but I LOVE IT.

A Clockwork Orange is a notoriously violent, graphic and disturbingly brilliant movie.

The film is full of creepy and uncomfortable scenes ranging from rape, violence, torture, humiliation, and obscure rehabilitation methods all of which make you question your moral compass.

Malcom McDowell is awesome, and Kubrick creates beautifully shot scenes from ungodly subject matter.

I love films that give me an uncomfortable and twisted mind fuck. And this is one of the best. This isn't Human Centipede or Saw, where extreme violence/torture is done for shock value. This is a good story with large overarching themes and satirical commentary, it just happens to be a ridiculously fucked up story.

My Favorite Movies: Number 58

58. Full Metal Jacket (1987)

To me there are four definitive Vietnam War Movies - Apocalypse Now, The Deer Hunter, Platoon and Full Metal Jacket. The later three are better movies. The Deer Hunter and Platoon are best picture winners, Apocalypse Now was a Coppola, Brando, Sheen, Duvall masterpiece. Full Metal Jacket is less decorated and has a lot less star appeal than the other three, but its my favorite of the four.

Spartacus. Lolita. Dr. Strangelove. 2001: A Space Odessey. Clockwork Orange. Barry Lyndon. The Shining. Full Metal Jacket. From 1960 - 1987 Stanley Kubrick made eight movies, and all but The Shining were nominated for Oscars. Full Metal Jacket was the end cap to this revolutionary and iconic run of films (lets just pretend Eyes Wide Shut never happened).

Full Metal Jacket follows a very basic structure, it could almost be told in the theatre with a very definitive first and second act, each with its own climactic drama. The first part of the movie basically follows a bunch of vietnam bound soldiers during boot camp, the second part meets the same characters in the middle of the Vietnam War.

The 1st half makes this movie, and the story it tells could stand on its own without the 2nd half. The drill instructor is one of the most iconic movie characters of the 20th century. From the very onset of the film viewers are immersed in the world of Master Gunnery Sargent Hartman.

The first 45 minutes is chock full of one-liners, creative dialog and a cruel since of humor. All of which leads up to the best moment in this entire film, the bathroom scene.

Curiosity, horror, empathy, shock, and ultimately tension fill the emotional spectrum during this scene. I love scenes that create a tapestry of emotion and this scene does that perfectly, ultimately ending the 1st act and setting the tone for the 2nd. 

The second part of the movie is much less entertaining, and at times drags but it has it's moments. The John Wayne impressions, the Saigon working women, the battle scenes and the ultimate show down with a Vietnamese sniper. 

The first half makes this movie what it is for me, the second half is an acceptable cherry on top with its own emotional and tension filled scenes.

This is may not be the vintage Kubrick that you'd expect, but it's a decent end cap to an unparalleled run at filmmaking and my favorite Vietnam movie. 

Teaser...number 57 on my list is another Kubrick film

My Favorite Movies: Number 59

Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)

I feel like I can never give this epic tale the justice it deserves. This series turned me onto the fantasy genre, as I had never been much of a fan. To this day I have never seen a Star Wars film, and I didn’t see a single Lord of the Rings film until 2006. But, once I experienced this world I was hooked and couldn’t get enough. I watched all three films in three back to back to back days.

We have extraordinary characters in extraordinary circumstances, yet through it all we are able to explore their characters. A lot of people love the story lines, the fantastical journey of Frodo and the people that help him achieve his task of destroying that ring. Some people love the visuals, the scenery, the costumes, the make up, the set pieces, the elaborate world translated on screen by Peter Jackson. To me the best thing about this trilogy is the depth of the characters.

Make no mistake about it, while this is a fantasy series, in it’s essence it is a Human Story;  each character is explored no matter how big or small their role was, and with each installation we learned more about each character. Characters changed, they grew, they struggled, they faltered, and they overcame.  This degree of character depth is something you don’t find in films very often, and something that is very difficult to achieve in films of this genre with this many characters and parallel story lines.

What makes that character depth even more impressive, is that this wasn’t an art film or a dramatic period piece, this was an over the top blockbuster of the grandest scale. There were elaborate worlds of Middle-Earth created with immaculate set design, award winning technical achievements in special effects, and large scale battle scenes that make Braveheart look like an animated Ninja Turtles fight. And calling these battle scenes isn’t giving it justice; these are battle sequences during which there is a range of emotion and adrenaline that is unparalleled.  

Another thing I love about this series, is that each installation had its own tone/feel and contained storyline, while together the three films are telling one story – That’s not easy.   

Ultimately, this series elevated the fantasy genre to be palatable for the general public.

This is an ambitious film series, with complex themes, and serious exploration into the humanity of characters in all shapes and sizes.  It’s not often that you see achievements of this scale in acting, directing, editing, set design, costume design, and special effects to go along with quality story telling and magnificent imagery.

For three installations we were able to escape into Middle-Earth, we all shared Frodo’s journey, we all felt his emotions. We felt for Samwise, we couldn’t get a pulse on Golem’s intentions, we rooted for Legolas with every arrow pulled from his quiver, and we loved Gandolf the grey (and the white). We loved these characters, and we loved this world, and we loved these films.

My Favorite Movies: Number 60

 Se7en (1995)

Let’s get the particulars out of the way first - While Se7en didn’t win any Oscars, it did win 3 MTV Movie Awards, so there’s that.

Se7en basically launched David Fincher onto the scene; prior to this he had only directed documentaries and shorts. Not only was this pretty much his feature film debut (if you don’t count Alien 3, and you shouldn’t), he almost single handedly redefined the art of the opening title sequence.  Please watch the sequence in the YouTube clip above and you’ll understand. Designed by Kyle Cooper, this is widely regarded as one of the best and most revolutionary opening title sequences ever and the 2 minute intro might have a more lasting impact than the film itself.

The cast in this film is anchored by Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, and Morgan Freeman. I don’t know how you can mess up a film with that trio of actors, and none of them disappoint. Each plays their roles perfectly and it is their performances that suck the audience into a film with very disturbing context and imagery.

As for the film itself, we have an imaginative, sometime gruesome, but well written narrative – this is not a film for the faint of heart. Fincher gives us a wonderfully dark and suspenseful thriller that is fast-paced, gritty, and immaculately edited.

The best thing about this movie is that it doesn’t fall trap to the usual plot devices that most suspense thriller/horror movies do. The movie is less about who the killer is and more about what is he going to do next and how will he do it. This is a smart movie about a smart killer, and the movie is better because of that fact.

**SPOILER ALERT** (But seriously, if you haven’t seen this film yet, it’s almost been 20 years get on it)

The climactic scene at the end of the movie is an all time great. It puts the viewer into a moral quagmire and elicits the wide range of emotions in the audience that any good thriller should.  Brad Pitt finds out Kevin Spacey has killed is wife and put her head in a box, while also discovering his wife was pregnant. The audience is instantly dealing with what they would do in that situation, all the while wondering what Pitt’s character actually will do. Anger, Sadness, Vengeance, Shock, Disgust, all of these emotions, and probably more that I couldn't think of, run through the viewers mind at once. And that emotional clusterfuck is the perfect payoff to a well crafted thriller.

I love this movie, and to sum up my thoughts, I’ll leave you with some parting words from Ari Gold “Anyone that puts Gwyneth's head in a box is okay with me." 

My Favorite Movies: Number 61

Gladiator (2000)

This Best Picture winner is arguably the film that launched Russell Crowe into the Hollywood elite, winning Best Actor Oscar in his 2^nd of 3 consecutive nominations. Many knew him from The Quick and The Dead, LA Confidential, or Mystery Alaska, and he was nominated for best actor the previous year for his role in the little seen but critically acclaimed The Insider. However, it was this blockbuster from Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner) that put him on the map for mainstream audiences.

Gladiator tells the epic story of a Roman general turned slave, seeking revenge for the death of his family at the hands of the Roman Emperor. Mostly fiction, with historical facts blended in, this story unfolds as a triumphant conquest of vengeance, while surmounting obstacles that would be overwhelming to an ordinary man. 

Ridley Scott transforms this story into a near perfect film. Every scene seems to capture the exact mood and tone needed to give the viewer a sense of the emotions the characters are feeling, while the actors are spot on at every moment. These emotions span the gauntlet from the cunning and power hungry Emperor, to the saddened, courageous and vengeful Maximus Aurelius.

The imagery and visual effects recreate a world that one can imagine as an exact replica of 2^nd century Rome with a perfectly recreated Coliseum, beautiful landscape shots, up-close and gruesome fighting scenes, and a plethora of phenomenal set pieces from the emperors quarters & slave chambers, to the arena floor.

From start to finish the viewer is enthralled with visually stunning imagery and Oscar worthy acting. The opening battle scene will echo for eternity, the chilling emotions Crowe gives as he discovers the death of his family are gripping, and Joaquin Phoenix gives an absolute perfect performance as he struggles with his disdain for Maximus while the people of Rome, including his wife, love him. By the end of this movie it’s Ridley Scott who should be screaming as the credits roll “Are you not entertained?”

My Favorite Movies: Number 62

Batman (1989)

One of the few Tim Burton movies I actually like, and the first film adaptation of Batman to take the dark and gritty feel of the comic books rather than the kooky Adam West TV version. Until the Dark Knight Trilogy came out this was the gold standard for which Batman movies should be compared, and in my eyes, all super-hero movies.

As with the Dark Knight, this film focused on The Joker. Jack Nicholas gives one my favorite performances of all time as the Joker wondering where Batman gets all those wonderful toys.  Unlike the Dark Knight, the arch of Keaton’s Batman is less about his personal struggles with being the caped crusader, and focuses more on his dealing with tracking down and stopping the Joker.

What people seem to miss when comparing the various Batman Movies is that being the BAT is not the hard part, we’re always going to root for the Caped Crusader. It’s the portrayal of Bruce Wayne that is the crux of any Batman movie, and in this one Keaton nails it better than any of his successors (including Bale). It’s this subtle, calm, confident and collected Bruce that gives us an emotional attachment to him. Unlike Clooney or Kilmer, who seem to just be going through the steps until they get to be Batman again, Keaton’s Bruce Wayne is a character of his own which adds a much needed dimension as we are rooting for Batman because we also see Bruce Wayne, not just because he’s the Batman.

While Nicholson, Keaton, and Burton are often the one’s heralded for this Batman installment, the unsung heroes in this movie is definitely Robert Wuhl as Alexander Knox, reporter for the Gotham Globe. He provides a great comedic relief and serves as the voice of the Gotham citizens, I just love his character.

Overall, I loved this Batman. It’s slightly dated, especially after the Nolan versions came out, but it’s still an enjoyable ride, but leaves you with one question and one of my favorite movie quotes….”Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moon light?” 

My Favorite Movies: Number 63

Rounders (1998)

You can't lose what you don't put in the middle. But you can't win much either. 

This movie is chock-full of great poker one-liners, and the acting chops to pull them off. Matt Damon, Ed Norton, John Turturro and John Malkovich play perfectly together as there seems to be few wasted scenes when one of these foursome is present, and a couple great sequences between Damon’s protagonist and Malkovich’s Russian foe.

Damon’s narrating is a great complement to the on screen performances, guiding viewers to the intricacies of the card game, as well as the inner thoughts of Damon’s strategy. What makes this great, as in gambling, is that sometimes the narrations of his thoughts don’t play out how he imagines, sometimes he’s right sometimes he gets played. This realistic interpretation of a confident, if not cocky, gambler is a great window into the mental game of poker.

This isn’t a grand cinematic achievement like Damon’s Good Will Hunting, but rather an enjoyable movie with great acting by great actors, intelligent dialogue, with a convincing plot. It’s entertaining, quotable, and rewatchable which is why I consider it one of my favorite films.  

My Favorite Movies: Number 64

Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid (1969)

This classic western tale starring a pre-Sundance Robert Redford and the great Paul Newman hits the spot for me, despite pre-dating my existence by 15 years. It was nominated for 7 academy awards, winning 4.

Not only did this film shoot Robert Redford into stardom,  it also gave us an often parodied but all-time classic scene set to the Oscar winning song “Rain Drops Keep Falling on My Head” by the great Burt Bacharach.

Overall, this movie is a bit more whimsical and lighthearted than your average western, but it has its bouts with the drama and gun fighting you expect from a classic western.

Redford and Newman’s chemistry is unmatched, and it’s hard to believe they would only work together once more in the 1974 Academy Award Best Picture Winner The Sting.

I love this movie, and if you are ever in the mood for a classic throwback, this is one that stands the test of time.

My Favorite Movies: Number 65

Gone in 60 Seconds: (2000)

This is one of the first movies I can remember having built up anticipation for prior to its release. I had already seen the original 1974 film and was in love to the point of obsession with 60s era mustangs (my first car was a 66 red mustang). I think I saw this movie in theatres no less than four times that summer.

I like this film for what it is: a star-studded, action-packed, Jerry Bruckheimer high-octane car chase blockbuster. I don’t try to claim it is anything more than that, but I love it. It is a true guilty pleasure. Though the ensemble cast of stars helps keep your attention with Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie, Robert Duvall, Giovanni Ribisi, Scott Caan, and Will Patton, the cars in the movie steal the show (pun intended).

I can’t mention this movie without mentioning Eleanor, that beautiful 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500. The whole movie built up to that car, as the unicorn to Cage’s character Memphis Raines. And the final car chase did not disappoint, racing through the tight city streets, the roar of the exhaust, sprinting through the LA river drainage with a shot of nitrous to out run a helicopter, and finally climaxing with a gravity defying jump off a perfectly placed tow truck kissing the top of an ambulance with the back tire on the way down. 

I have probably seen this movie 30+ times since it came out, and each time I love it as much as the first. It's not the best movie ever, but for me its one of my all-time favorites