A Writer's Perspective

My pal and fellow JU Dolphin Harley Ferris (a published poet and all-around knowledge-aficionado) recently shared his thoughts about the new Sherlock Holmes movie on Facebook. Because he is a friend and I love him to death, I'm stealing it and posting it here to share his always insightful perspective. I present Harley Ferris in "Holmes, Sweet Holmes":

...or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Film

I approached the new Sherlock Holmes film with trepidation. Gabi and I love the Holmes mythos. Admittedly, I’ve only read a few of the actual stories, so most of our love comes from the teleplays and movies. Basil Rathbone is brilliant, Jeremy Brett is inspired, Matt Frewer is, well, Max Headroom, unfortunately, and will always be so. Still, we love Robert Downey, Jr., and I was eager to see what he would do. The main concern I had from the previews was that Holmes seemed emotional, irrational, and most-grievously, dependent on Watson for rescuing. So last night, we plunked down our money and gave it a go.

The first thing that struck me was just how enjoyable it was. If you’ve seen other Guy Ritchie movies—even that BMW commercial with Clive Owen and Madonna—you know he stylizes everything he does with a certain flair, and the Holmes movie was no different. The fight scenes were reminiscent of Brad Pitt’s boxing matches in Snatch, and Ritchie actually used the technique to illumine the character of Holmes. The set design was terrific, revealing the dirty sky and filthy back streets of turn-of-the-century London. Costuming seemed to take a few liberties, though not so much as the new BBC Robin Hood (sorry, it’s not Robin of the Hoodie).

As to the character of Holmes, specifically regarding his weaknesses, the trailers skew his frailty a bit. From the previews, I was expecting a womanizing, depraved, hotheaded Holmes that needed Watson’s calm, calculating caretaking to prevail. This is hardly the case. I would daresay Jude Law is my favorite Watson. He is certainly the most capable partner to Holmes, and partner he is. Far from the bumbling idiot Watson of Nigel Bruce, Law is more than the oft-portrayed assistant, nearly matching Holmes step for step and proving invaluable more than once. Additionally, rather than a token heroin addiction, Downey shows a Holmes that descends into near-madness when his mind is not wrapped around a case, depicted by a range of symptoms. But most surprisingly, mainly because he actually pulls it off, Downey delivers the most human Holmes to date, in my opinion.

When detective stories first appeared, the reader sat back and watched Sherlock Holmes, Father Brown, Ellery Queen or Hercule Poirot solve crimes with dazzling intellect, boundless knowledge and sly intuition. Over time, however, crimesolvers became less and less the unmatched wit and the reader/audience was invited into the mystery to participate in hunting down the villain. My opinion is that as culture changes, stories evolve, and the heroes of the past adapt to accommodate contemporary society. How, then, does one present the loved character of Sherlock Holmes in a way that not only delights but also endears? I think Ritchie & Co. pull it off nicely by keeping Holmes a step ahead of the audience, just barely in front of the baddies, coming out on top at the end of day. He is smart, strong and funny, but fallible. Watson is helpful, stoic, courageous, yet endearing. The movie’s execution is masterful, and the last ten minutes set up Sherlock Holmes 2 without any question. Will purists add it to the canon? Never. Will it revive the other incarnations of Holmes to young moviegoers? Possibly. Will you enjoy it? Probably. Will it be on my shelf when the DVD hits stores? Elementary.

Bollywood for Beginners: Om Shanti Om

The following is a review of a Bollywood film, a component of Indian Cinema. Bollywood is the mainstream, musically-oriented, film genre in India. It is not confuse-able with the grittier, more realist Bengali or Malayalam cinemas. Wikipedia's entry concerning: Bollywood.

Om Shanti Om

I've titled this series "Bollywood for Beginners" because, frankly, that's what I am, a beginner to Bollywood. I had seen a grand total of one Bollywood film (Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke, more on this to come) before watching Om Shanti Om. Despite my limited exposure, I understand three things about Bollywood:

1. Bollywood films are long (generally 3+ hours).
2. Bollywood films succeed (in India) according to the strength of theirs songs and choreography.
3. Bollywood films contain no (or possibly very little) kissing, no sex, and no love story ending any other way than a traditional marriage (in order to appeal across the wholly diversified, yet generally conservative continent).

Om Shanti Om, in many ways, is a great introductory-to-intermediate course on Bollywood. This intriguing flick certainly defies the genre's temptations: linear story-line, useless and off-track dance sequences (well, maybe just one), and overly simple characters.

That being said, the film is far from genre-shattering. Its ending, in many ways, is nothing surprising, and several times during the course of the film's 2 hours and 42 minutes, contrived or over-used plot devices seem to shove the story into the next dance scene.

Still, the story features the fine acting of Shahrukh Khan, the 41st most powerful person in the world (that's more powerful than Oprah, according to Newsweek), fun and catchy songs, a good sense of humor about itself, and a story line that most viewers would not be able to predict (not even 30 minutes in, dad).

Why is this film good for beginners? Well, it's actually good for serious beginners to Bollywood -- beginners ready and willing to dive head first into Bollywood cinema. Om Shanti Om is renowned for its cameos. It's a movie about the Bollywood industry (at times poking a lot of fun at the industry, too), so it has cameos from over 40 well-known Bollywood stars (including a ridiculous and almost-laborious dance scene in which 30 cameos occur consecutively). This is valuable to the serious Bollywood beginner, because this is a chance to learn some faces, to enjoy seeing Amitabh Bachchan, his son Abhishek Bachchan, and action hero Akshay Kumar. It is rare that four leading males appear in a single movie, so this is helpful in starting to remember the chiseled jaws and manly brows of Bollywood, as well some of the dazzling faces of Bollywood's lead females (Priyanka Chopra and Vidya Balan, to name a few).

I am compelled to also warn viewers to exercise caution when watching this film with the kids. Beyond the the possibly heavy themes of murder and reincarnation, the film also includes several dance scenes with scantily clad subcontinent-ers.

Netflix Priority: Middle of the queue. Go ahead and bump it up in front of Die Hard 2.

The Worst Highest Grossing Films Ever, Part 1

Just because a film is a blockbuster doesn't mean it's a good film. It seems that every year, a new, terrible movie (Watchmen) explodes in the box office, while thousands of brilliant ones quietly fall from the marquee (In Bruges). The general population has no idea they've been subversively swindled; they have no idea that Michael Bay or George Lucas has just purloined $7 from their pockets.

This series is an effort to shed light on these block-busting burglars. Starting from the bottom of Box Office Mojo's inflation-adjusted list of Top Grossing Films, I will work towards shedding light on poor script-writing, shoddy acting, and all around piss-poorness. Today, we start with the 94th highest grossing film of all time, Spider-Man 3.

More after the jump!

Top Five Chicago Movies

As apparent from my normal blog -- Homebody and Woman: Adventures in Chicago -- I recently moved to Chicago, a city I have long-idolized culturally. To commemorate the occasion, I am posting my Top 5 Chicago Movies as well as what I hope to be a complete list (see: The List!) of qualifying films* so we can debate. Enjoy!

5. Stranger than Fiction

Some people may find this a surprising appearance on this list -- in truth, many may not realize it's a Chicago film at all. But the truth is: the film not only 1) employs a variety of the city's locations, but 2) features the Chicago Transit Authority in a particularly funny scene. Oh yeah, it's a good movie with a great cast, too.

To those who haven't seen it: don't watch the trailer. If you've seen the trailer, ignore it. It's misleading. Stranger than Fiction is not a typical slapstick, Will Ferrell-genre movie; it's much more intellectual and rewarding.


4. Adventures in Babysitting

This is a no-brainer. From the blues house to dangling perilously from a skyline-defining building, this movie is Chicago. Unfortunately, it's just not as good of a movie as the top three.


3. The Untouchables

Set in 1920s-30s gangland Chicago, this film featured not only an impressive cast (Robert De Niro, Kevin Costner, Andy Garcia [Ocean's 11-13], and Sean Connery -- who received an Oscar for his role), but it also possessed an exciting, enticing script with plenty of action and even some tear-jerking drama. Oh yeah, and it's basically about the coolest part of Chicago's history -- fedora-wearing gangs. Now everyone's got gold teeth and internet schemes.

2. The Blues Brothers

Come on. This is a blues town. You can be certain of that because the Blues Brothers took the time to lead a massive manhunt right through the center of this town, in what will likely be the greatest and most catastrophic car/foot chase scene in cinematic history. If for nothing else, this movie makes the list on the sheer, over-budget beauty of that penultimate scene. Oh yeah, and Nazis in Pintos. That too.

...Aaaaand, the Top Chicago Movie goes tooooooooo:

1. Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Product of the late, great John Hughes, Ferris pretty much presented the Second City better than any tourist video or Travel Channel special could. Beyond the fact that everyone has seen this movie, which makes its marketing even more effective, the movie itself enjoys such a light-hearted disposition that I would have felt like a jerk to put this movie any lower than number one.

In every good movie, there always must be a conflict. What's interesting about Ferris is the dual-fold conflict -- the obvious conflict being their flight from Principle Rooney, but also there exists this more pressing, troubling and innate desire to capture their fleeting youths. Ferris admits at one point that all three compatriots are aimed in different directions, implying the whole adventure was an effort to forestall that impending separation. This, perhaps, is the brilliance of John Hughes, who -- throughout his various 80s hits -- always found a way to interweave the adventure and comedy with the appropriate measure of teen-angst that every adult viewer could see their own youth unfold through. And that's why it's my Top of Chicago Movies.

In an effort to cut off what I imagine will be some serious fallout, allow me now to explain why National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is not on this list. First, it is a suburbs movie. The truth is, most viewers fail to realize it's a Chicagoland movie at all, unless they are familiar with the Chicago Blackhawk's logo or are otherwise perceptive. Secondly, the movie fails to feature the city prominently in its one scene within the city, rather, it focuses on the lewd humor of bra shopping. Simply put, Christmas Vacation, though the greatest Christmas movie ever, is not a top-5 Chicago movie. Sorry.

The List!**:

Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Adventures in Babysitting
Stranger than Fiction
The Untouchables (filmed partly at my school!)
The Sting
High Fidelity
Uncle Buck
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
What Women Want
Blues Brothers

Blues Brothers 2000
Code of Silence (Chuck Norris)
Road to Perdition
The Fugitive
The Breakfast Club
Backdraft
Risky Business
A League of Their Own
Wayne's World
Rookie of the Year (not sure about this one)
The Informant!
Return to Me
Home Alone (h/t to Patty-Lu)

*For a film to qualify, it must take place in Chicagoland -- i.e., the suburbs are included -- and I have to have seen it all the way through (my apologies to the first half of High Fidelity and the majority of The Sting). Other films earn consideration if a large amount of action occurs within downtown Chicago or portions of the city are featured prominently (see: The Informant! and High Fidelity). Gothom City does not count as Chicagoland, partly because the two films you're thinking of are too good for this list.

**In no order, whatsoever.

It was Arrested Development

The purpose of this post is to inform new fans and update avid fans concerning the impending Arrested Development movie. "Arrested Development?" you say? "What is that?" you say?

Wuh-ELL! Arrested Development (AD) was a TV show on FOX that ran only three seasons, garnered consistently low ratings, and featured a cast of little-known comedians and actors, producing only one "star" (if that) in the shifty, awkward Michael Cera (Juno and Superbad). But beyond the fact sheet, AD was brilliant.

It was brilliant. Seriously. Literally. Brilliant.

Damned for its complex jokes, long-reaching motifs, and questionable sexual circumstances (incestuous love between cousins, an ambiguously gay man with a wife and child, and an almost Oedipus Rex-like unrequited relationship between a son and mother), the show never pleased the Dancing with the Stars, 24, and American Idol audience -- it never provided the quick adrenaline rushes or comedic slaps in the face that so many of us are forced to accept as television.

Instead, AD dared to believe TV watchers were patient enough to wait 30 seconds or more for a joke's payoff, intelligent enough to detect nuance and subtlety in an actor's expression ("I am tired of looking guilty!" *scratches face, looks away*), and real enough to detect similarities between themselves and the outrageous characters of the show.

So: AD, a complete and consummate cult classic, cut short in its third season, has set teh interwebz ablaze over the last year or two concerning rumors of an impending movie. For a long while, the aforementioned Cera declined to participate, likely too busy with his blossoming career. But, in February of this year, Cera finally agreed to participate in the yet-written film.

Arrested Development is really the brainchild of its writer/producer Mitch Hurwitz, whose most impressive accomplishment -- before AD -- was writing nine episodes of the television show Golden Girls (which, as it turns out, is kind of funny). He is still in the process of writing the movie's script, so until that's done, us die-hard fans must wait on official release dates and projections (most think it will be in theaters by late 2010).

Can't wait for Arrested Development the movie? Want to get familiar with Michael Bluth, George Bluth, Oscar Bluth, George-Michael Bluth, and George Oscar Bluth (G.O.B.)? Well, do what I do: rewatch episodes of the show's three series! They're now all available on Hulu, and I've seen each episode over 20 times!!!*


Arrested Development on Hulu:
http://www.hulu.com/arrested-development

...movie information on IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0901469/

...TV show's Wikipedia page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrested_Development_%28TV_series%29


Now study up because I'm sure the movie will be full of banana-grabbing inside jokes and "her?" motifs that only the well-versed will appreciate!

Return from whence you came!


*I also own each season on DVD, so I'm able to watch them on the go too.

Bradley also blogs about city life, cats, and general world knowledge with his wife at Homebody and Woman!

Okay....maybe I was wrong

I know that I said that this would be the year of he animated movie, and I haven't fully backed off that idea yet, but it is beginning to look like it may be a big year for another genre: the intelligent Sci-Fi film. Over the past 15 years or so there have been a slew of big Hollywood science fiction movies that, while fun, were nothing to write home about (Independence Day, Transformers, Men in Black, among many others) with only a handful really standing out as truly great film making (The FIRST Matrix, I, Robot, Wall-E). In the past, films like Alien, Total Recall, and The Thing, among others, showed that just because a movie is about creatures from another planet or futuristic worlds doesn't mean it has to be completely stupid. However, this year has already given us three films that will undoubtedly be at the top of many critics lists at the end of the year: the brilliant rebirth of Star Trek, the low-key Moon (which I STILL haven't seen), and an "alien-invasion" movie that might just be the best alien movie since, well....Aliens!

In newcomer Neill Blomkamps District 9, an alien ship essentially "runs out of gas" above Johannesburg, South Africa. The extra-terrestrials, derogatorily known as "prawns", aboard the ship are extremely malnourished and are put into slums blocked off from any interaction with the outside world. The creatures are heavily monitored and guarded by a group called MNU, headed up by a brilliant, if somewhat naive, desk-worker named Wikus Van De Merwe (played perfectly by relatively unknown actor Sharlto Copley).

I don't want to say much after that because the movie throws so many different turns at you that it is best to be completely surprised. A mix of mockumentary-style interviews and straight-ahead hand-held sci-fi action, you very quickly realize that this movie is not your ordinary run-of-the-mill "aliens=bad; humans=good" summer flick. This is a bold piece of science fiction art that should go down as one of the most original, exciting, breath-taking and down-right great alien movies in film history. BAM! Said it....

Oh, and I also saw Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (which I have nothing to say about whatsoever...except that it is one of the most pointless things I have ever had the displeasure of looking at) and Funny People. The latter, like District 9, is also original and not what you would expect from a Hollywood summer blockbuster. And while it is a funny and interesting look at comedians in show business, it is also kinda long and somewhat monotonous. SO DON'T BE A MORON! GO SEE DISTRICT 9! FUNNY PEOPLE WILL SOON BE A DOLLAR AT REDBOX, PEOPLE!

Called It!

For those of you that remember, in an earlier post I predicted that, as last year was the year of the superhero film, this year would be the year of the animated film...Okay, so Ice Age 3 is far from peeking any sort of interest and Monsters vs. Aliens was child's play; HOWEVER, two of my absolute favorite movies of the year so far were of the cartoonish nature. Coraline is a soon-to-be-Hot-Topic classic, and the other being the absolutely wonderful Up.

It's almost stupid to say anything about this film. It's from Pixar, a studio that's worst movie was Cars...But come on, that's like saying a certain cut of beef is the worst; when it comes down to it, you will still eat it and enjoy it. The legendary Ed Asner is the perfectly lovable old man Carl who decides to save his home by flying it away with the help of millions of helium balloons. But come on, you know that already. In fact, I shouldn't bore you with the details because you've already seen this movie...right? If not, what's wrong with you? Don't be a tool. Skip Transformers and go see Up.

I saw a couple of other movies since I last wrote as well, but I will just give you the cliff notes:

Hannah Montana: The Movie - HEY! Get off my back, I was on cruise and they were showing it for free. And it wasn't that bad...if you're an 11 year old girl, or you're my wife.

The Proposal - HEY! It looked kinda funny, alright?...but it wasn't. It's hard to root for Bullock, who plays a stuck-up wench the entire movie

Year One - Hilarious...but not intentionally. Cera was great, but Jack Black is starting to lose the magic I think.

Away We Go - Really funny, really sweet, very real, and some of the best performances of the year, most notably from the hilarious (though usually terrible) Maggie Gyllenhaal. Go see it.

Favorite Music Moments in Film

I read an online interview the other day that Empire Magazine did with Cameron Crowe (director of Almost Famous, Jerry Maguire, Say Anything, etc) and he listed his top ten favorite music moments in film. I thought that presented too great of an opportunity not to blatantly copy, so here is MY list of the best musical moments on the silver screen!

(NOTE: For the purpose of easier selection, I have left off films that fall within the genre of "musical", which I would define as any movie where people randomly bust into a song about what they are doing and the musical accompaniment comes out of thin air.)

10. "You're the Voice"by John Farnham being sung by a peaceful, then suddenly extremely and hysterically violent, mob in Hot Rod (2007) - This is just too good to not put on here. I especially love Bill Hader and Andy Samberg's dialogue afterwards: "What happened back there?!" "I don't know man, it started off super-positive."

9. Napoleon's dance at school assembly to Jamiroqui's "Canned Heat" in Napoleon Dynamite (2004) - Like I said the last time I wrote about this indie-turned-blockbuster, I realize the hype for this thing got way out of hand, specifically among American youth groups. Still, when you first see it, the "skills" in his moves are so surprising you want to cheer.

8. The entire film of This is Spinal Tap (1984) - I almost went with one of the more obscure tracks ("The Jazz Odyssey" song, made extra-hilarious when you see a guy in the crowd with his head in one hand and the other hand complacently giving a thumbs down), but the whole hour and a half is too perfect to single anything out.

7. The newsroom quartet randomly bust into four-part-harmony on the seventies classic "Afternoon Delight" in Anchorman: the Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) - So funny...I want to watch it right now.

6. After a particularly rough night, the band and crew are brought back together through a sing-a-long of Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" in Crowe's own Almost Famous (2000) - This scene pushes this already stellar movie into rock-n-roll-movie heaven!

5. Cameron sings a particularly somber rendition of an old hymnal in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) - Okay, so this is literally only about 11 seconds long, but I laugh out loud every time. Nothing better than watching Alan Ruck, lying on his "death bed", singing "Let my Cameron gooooooo!" And there's a recorded choir singing with him! Priceless... You can listen to the very short clip here: http://www.entertonement.com/clips/27237/Ferris-Bueller

4. John Williams heart-wrenching and epic theme plays while the kids bike into the air to safety in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) - I feel like I have to catch my breath each time that scene rolls with that impeccable score on top of it.

3. Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" starts playing incidentally in the middle of a zombie fight in Shaun of the Dead (2004) - I love that Shaun and the gang start actually fighting on rhythm with the song at one point. Not to mention this is one of the greatest rock songs of all time!

2. A slow zoom on main character Glen Hansard as he plays the heart-achingly painful song "Say It to Me Now" in the beautiful Once (2007) - Haunting and stunning. And without a single cut away!

1. The One-ders celebrate as their song "That Thing You Do!" is first played on the radio in That Thing You Do! (1996) - That scene is filled to the brim with absolute joy! The bass player and Fey screaming and running down the street, Steve Zahn kissing the floor display, Guy's family looking on in confusion as their appliance store is taken over by their son and his rock-n-roll group. Love it!

Runner's Up:

11. Orange County (2002) - All the girls stopping what their doing to dance to Crazy Town's "Butterfly"

12. The Sandlot (1993) - Ray Charles' America playing over the guy's night game

13. Big (1988) - Hanks and Loggia playing chopsticks on the giant piano mat in FAO Schwarz

14. Back to the Future (1985) - The crowds reaction to Marty's Johnny B. Goode: "It's your cousin, MARVIN berry!"

15. Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004) - Any time the guys talk about how good their lyrics are...again, priceless!

So I guessed it's fairly obvious that these picks are nostalgic and personal...sue me. Let me know what you think are the greatest music moments in film...there are many!

I have a theory...

I saw the new Star Trek. By far the best movie I have seen this year so far. I saw it with a group of friends and family, and as I was watching it I kept thinking, "Hmm, there's no way anyone else likes this movie...It's too loud, Hollywood, and sci-fi, right?" But to my surprise, everyone else loved it as well. In fact, everyone I have talked to has loved it. The casting was impeccable, with especially awesome turns by Zachary Quinto as a young Spock and Simon Pegg as Scotty. The plot was nearly flawless, perfectly connecting this new group with the classic 60's television cast. It was campy and funny, exciting and fast, smart and provoking. What more could one ask for in a summer blockbuster based on one of America's few great fables?

My theory is that everyone likes (or will like) Star Trek. It doesn't matter if you have tons of knowledge or no knowledge on any of the past "Star Trek" TV series or movies (although if you really wanna see some clever connections between this new series and the old, at least watch Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan). It is enjoyable from the first frame to the applause-worthy ending.

Have you seen it? Yes? Did you like it? Of course you did. And if you didn't....man, then I just don't know what to say. Go see that Beyonce movie Obsessed, I guess. You will probably like that....tool

2009...DO SOMETHING ALREADY!

Oh...my...gosh. This is turning into such a boring year at the movies. Has anyone else stared at your computer screen or your newspaper listings, looked at all the times and ads for the most recently released Hollywood films, and thought, "Hmmm...I think I would rather just stay home and watch Sister Act."

Seriously, people...THERE IS NOTHING OUT!...and I have really been giving things a chance. Granted, I haven't seen some promising looking recently released films yet (State of Play, The Soloist, Sunshine Cleaning), but I have seen four movies from 2009 since I last wrote, and I am so under-impressed (although NOT UN-impressed) by them that even the thought of just writing about them seems like a drag.

So here is all I can muster:

I saw Monsters vs Aliens: Good for kids, 3D was okay, writing was childish, not nearly as funny as it should have been.

I saw Adventureland: Don't let the trailers fool you; this thing is NOT a comedy...in fact it's often quite bittersweet. It's a dramedy, at most. Definitely good, but not great. Loved newcomer Jesse Eisenberg, and Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader were both great but barely in it at all. And I will always have a soft spot for Bill from "Freaks and Geeks."

I saw 17 Again: Surprisingly good...for a movie that is blatantly made for twelve-year-old girls. It should have focused on Efron's roommate's relationship with the principal. That was funny. (By the way, did anyone think some of the scenes between Efron and Leslie Mann, who I normally love, were kinda creepy?)

I saw Taken: Funniest movie of the year...not intentionally.

Okay, so these weren't all that bad, but where is the movie-magic we have been longing for?

I am sorry I sound so bitter. I know we haven't reached the peak season yet for big Hollywood films (Summer, come quick!). But the last two years some great big-studio movies came out early in the year: Baby Mama, Cloverfield, Children of Men, Hot Fuzz.

Come on, guys. Don't let last year's writing strike destroy our time at the movies this year!

Favorite 90's Movies!

Ahh, yes! The decade that I grew up in, which of course places it in a special position in my heart. Playing Super Nintendo, listening to Boyz II Men, wearing giant Jnco jeans with the little cartoons on them, walking around quoting Ace Ventura....those were the days.





Here are my favorite movies from that wonderful decade:

10. THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (1999) (Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sanchez) - Three twenty-something film students go into the woods to make a documentary about a witch legend in a small-town. One of the scariest movies ever in my opinion. If you like classy, atmospheric, NON-GORY horror movies, this is a must. Some of the acting is pretty bad, but the idea of making a mockumentary into a horror classic is awesome. OH! And guess what?! This is the first time I have ever put a Razzie winner on my top ten list! (If you don't know what that is, let me know and I will tell you.) FAVORITE SCENE: Nothing can top the ending, but I also love when we find out what happened to their map. CAUTION: R for lots of F-words and some extremely scary scenes...but if you can handle the language, their is no sex or gory violence.

9. FACE/OFF (1997) (John Woo) - A brilliant criminal (Nicholas Cage AND John Travolta) and an about-to-be-retired investigator (Nicholas Cage AND John Travolta) switch faces and lives in order to destroy each others'. Won a technical Oscar. Before you scream, "WHAT?!", let me explain: within the genre of over-the-top, fantastical action movies that are unapologetically stupid, there is none better. I can't wait to find out what you guys have to say about this one. FAVORITE SCENE: When the "criminal" wakes up in the hospital to find out what has happened...and decides to seek revenge. So awesome! CAUTION: R - Lots of violence, some bad language...I think that was it.

8. THAT THING YOU DO! (1996) (Tom Hanks) - A sixties garage band's rise from small-town group to number-one-on-the-chart superstars. Nominated for musical Oscar. Okay, so this may be a somewhat nostalgic pick, but I could watch this movie everyday. It is so funny, the music is great, the acting is perfectly natural, and Steve Zahn is a comedic genius. If you get the chance, find a video and watch Tom Hanks talk about this film, which he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in; he has such a love for the material and it shines through in brilliant harmony on film. FAVORITE SCENE: "There he goes, off to write that hit song, 'Alone in My Principles'." CAUTION: PG for language...nothing real bad.

7. JURASSIC PARK (1993) (Steven Spielberg) - A rich white man finds a way to clone real dinosaurs from mosquito blood, and in turn decides to open a makeshift zoo for people to come see his prehistoric creations...UH-OH! BAD IDEA! 3 technical Oscar nominations. Wow! this must have been the decade to make outrageously dumb ideas into AMAZING movies! You've probably seen this, and if you haven't...well, do! FAVORITE SCENE: I will always love the shot of just the water glass on the dash rippling from the T-Rex steps. CAUTION: PG-13 for scary violence involving fake animals.

6. THE SANDLOT (1993) (David M. Evans) - A story of growing up, being part of a small-town little league baseball team, and the awkwardness of being "the new kid"...and there's a big dog, too. If you haven't seen this since it first came out, you should really check it out again. In some ways it is like Stand By Me on a baseball diamond...and slightly more kid-friendly. A great story that doesn't fit the sports-movie cliche's. FAVORITE SCENE: The giant erector set construction that was supposed to get the ball out of the big dogs backyard. CAUTION: PG for language...and the kids chew tobacco at one point, but it is all but glorified.

5. THE BIG LEBOWSKI (1998) (Joel Coen) - The story is much too complex to explain in one sentence...but ultimately its about a White-Russian-loving pothead (Jeff Bridges) who wants to get reimbursed for his urine-stained rug. Some of the best one-liners in history. There is a toss-up in my opinion over what is the Coen Brothers best film: this one, No Country, or O Brother. There is definitely some stuff in this film that is unnecessary, but the brilliant relationships between The Dude (Bridge), Walter (John Goodman), and their cohorts and enemies is undeniably perfect. FAVORITE SCENE: When Walter realizes he is clubbing the wrong car. CAUTION: Extreme caution! Strong R for drug use, nudity, sexual innuendos, lots of language, and some violence.

4. TOY STORY (1995) (John Lasseter) - A couple of action figures (Tim Allen, Tom Hanks) with the same "kid" must learn to get along and find their way back home. 3 Oscar nominations, including best original screenplay. The movie that started not only Pixar, but the entire CGI animated genre. But it is an important movie for more reasons than that. Pixar has always said that story is the most important part of a film, and everything else comes second. This idea is apparent throughout this flawless kids film. FAVORITE SCENE: I love the conversation Buzz and Woody have under the car at the gas station. Great deliveries from both Allen and Hanks.

3. A FEW GOOD MEN (1992) (Rob Reiner) - A young JAG lawyer (Tom Cruise) takes on the most difficult case of his life when two guys are charged with the killing of a weaker recruit. Won four Oscars, including best actor (Jack Nicholson) and best picture. I have watched this movie three times in the last six months and have seen something new in it each time. The acting all around, from Nicholson to Cruise (even Kevin Bacon), was impeccable...and I am a sucker for a good courtroom drama...and this is one of the best. FAVORITE SCENE: Cruise's character snatching the book from Bacon's character in court in order to prove a point. CAUTION: R purely for language. Fairly safe for 13 and up.

2. SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993) (Steven Spielberg) - The true story of a factory owner (Liam Neeson) who hires Jews during the Holocaust in order to protect them from Auschwitz. 12 Oscar nominations, 7 wins: including best picture, director, adapted screenplay. Crazy long, somewhat depressing...absolutely perfect in every way. From the acting and directing, to the story telling and the mood, I have never been so completely entranced in a film and a character like Schindler. FAVORITE SCENE: It's hard to pick a "favorite" scene from a film like this, but the scene of Schindler breaking down in the street after saving all of his employees. CAUTION: R - very rough and realistic; violent, harsh language, sexuality/nudity.

1. GOODFELLAS (1990) (Martin Scorsese) - The true story (again) of a man (Ray Liotta) and his rise from young Mafia assistant to the head of a Mob crime family. 6 Oscar nominations and one win for Best Supporting Actor for the unforgettable Joe Pesci. Here's a shocker for you guys: I think Goodfellas is better than The Godfather. The pacing is superior and it holds up over time much better. Not to mention it does not in any way glorify the Mafia lifestyle, whereas The Godfather series kind of does...by the way, I think The Godfather is a brilliant film and I own a copy of it. But Goodfellas is entertaining, thought-provoking, and awesome. BOOM! FAVORITE SCENE: Pesci's character doesn't like the new young bartender hackin' on him in front of his buddies...CAUTION: Strong R - Violence and language.

RUNNER'S UP:
A League of Their Own (1992), What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), Mystery Science Theatre 3000: The Movie (1996), Benny and Joon (1993), Ransom (1996)

Also, here are my runner's up in each category...HEY, ten years is a long time! Lots of movies came out! Get off my case!

COMEDY:
Clueless (1995), What About Bob (1991), Office Space (1999), Houseguest (1995), Liar Liar (1997)

ACTION/ADVENTURE:
Fight Club (1999), The Matrix (1999), Total Recall (1990), Air Force One (1997), Twister (1996)

ANIMATION:
South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999), Aladdin (1992), A Goofy Movie (1995), The Lion King (1994), The Iron Giant (1999)

DRAMAS:
Man on the Moon (1999), Sling Blade (1996), Good Will Hunting (1998), Quiz Show (1994), The Truman Show (1998)

HORROR:
The Sixth Sense (1999), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Stir of Echoes (1999)