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amadeusrye
1) Harold and Maude & Ed Wood (tie)
2) Office Space
3) The Big Lebowski
4) Being There
5) Paper Moon
6) Clue
7) Die Hard
8) Beetlejuice
9) Ordinary People
10)The Usual Suspects
Guilty Pleasures:
1)Revenge of the Nerds
2)Hocus Pocus
3)Moving Violations
4)The Jerk
Movies I Hate:
1)Fight Club
2)Manhattan
3)2001: A Space Odyssey
4)Dr. Strangelove
5)Goonies
6)Nothing But Trouble
Favorite Directors:
Tim Burton, Peter Weir, & Hal Ashby
Favorite Actors:
1) Johnny Depp
2) Michael Keaton
3) Jack Nicholson
4) Dustin Hoffman
5) Ben Stiller
6) Bill Murray
Favorite Actresses:
1) Natalie Portman
2) Meryl Streep
3) Jessica Lange
Reviews
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Very Good, But the Ending is Weak
If the movie ended about 10 minutes early, it would have been excellent. I'm sure some people would disagree with me, but I felt that the last 10 minutes were a waste and brought the movie down. Other than that it's a great movie. The Coen brothers always end on a bittersweet note, that I feel is unnecessary and manipulative. It's like they are compelled to constantly pull the rug out from underneath you.
In spite of this, this movie is extremely well made. The dialogue is hysterical ("Is this your homework Larry?"), the dream sequences are clever, and "The Dude" character is inspired. If you like this film you might like "Jackie Brown". Like Lebowski, there is a profusion of profanity. "Shut the f*** up Donnie!"
Blade Runner (1982)
Like Watching A Strange Dream
This movie looks really cool, especially considering it is from 1982. I like how it makes you think (i.e. what makes a person human and what are memories?) too. I'm still not sure though, if the film is actually brilliant or just artistic/symbolic nonsense. Either way, it's definitely one of the most influential and better science fiction films ever made. The Matrix wouldn't exist without this film. It's probably the only Sci-Fi/Noir film ever made too.
Does anyone else find the final sequence in the building really scary? It's like a weird nightmare, yet visually hypnotic. If you like this movie you might like "Donnie Darko". It's also a cult favorite and raises many philosophical questions.
Breaking Away (1979)
A Hidden Film Gem
How could anyone not like this movie? It's one of the few realistic coming of age stories. The characters are really likeable and the acting is great too. What is so bad about being a "cutter"? To me it seems kinda cool. "Don't forget to punch the clock shorty!"
Freddy Got Fingered (2001)
How Not To Make a Movie
I guess Tom Green achieved his goal of making a bad movie. In a way the whole movie is like a prank from his television show: he actually managed to get a studio to make this stinker. The trailer to the movie is funnier than the movie itself. Still, I don't hate the movie as much as most people. It's gross and stupid, but I think that's the point.
***Spoilers***
Best parts: #1 son, restaurant scene, soap on a roap, sausages song, japan 4, and get inside the animal.
Worst parts: rip torn's butt, the zebra cartoon, the last 15 minutes, and the parts with the kid getting injured.
Days of Heaven (1978)
Could Have Been Much Better
The cinematography is gorgeous and the acting is good, but the story needed work. The first hour of the film is pretty good, but the rest is disappointing. I wish if the ending were changed a bit and if more questions were answered, because I really wanted to like this film.
***Spoilers*** Why did the film make Sam Shephard the bad guy at the end? I hated that. I don't think his character would have done that. His death is really stupid. Abby was in love with him so the original plan no longer had the same meaning.
What happens to Abby and Linda at the end? Did Abby get The Farmer's money? Nothing is explained!
Ed Wood (1994)
One of My Top 3 Favorite Films
What more could you want from a movie. Tim Burton is my favorite director and Johnny Depp is my favorite actor. Martin Landau is brilliant as Bela "Pull the String! Pull the String!". I watch this movie over and over finding new things each time. I can't wait till the DVD comes to America. If you like this movie I'd recommend any of Tim Burton's other films and the Peter Bogdonavich film "Paper Moon", which is also in black and white.
White Nights (1985)
Very Rewatchable
This is a great movie. Baryshnikov and Hines are fantastic and act pretty well considering they are dancers. I love the music in the film especially the two Chopin songs waltzes (the one Baryshnikov plays on the piano and the one at the embassy party). The best parts are 1) Baryshnikov's response to the Russian ballerina when he hands her his note and 2)when he wins Hines's rubbles.
Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
Pee-wee's Stupid Adventure
This movie is just plain dumb. Tim Burton is my favorite director and most of his other films are excellent. He really needed practice when he did this one, though. There are a handful of funny scenes, but eventually Pee-Wee becomes too irritating to laugh at. My advice would be to skip this one and watch "Beetlejuice", "Edward Scissorhands", "Ed Wood", or "Sleepy Hollow" instead.
Fearless (1993)
This Film Left Me Speechless
This is an incredible film! Peter Weir once again proves that he is a genius director. The cast is also brilliant. I can't believe that the film didn't get any recognition for its achievements. If you like this film watch other movies directed by Weir like, "The Truman Show", "Dead Poet's Society", "Mosquito Coast", or "Green Card".
Jackie Brown (1997)
Tarantino's Best Flick
This movie has really great acting, directing, plot, music, etc. Tarantino is good at giving actors real potential, like casting Robert Forster and Pam Grier in the film. I like the 70's appeal of the film, especially the very first scene where the title is shown. The only possible problem I'd have with the film is that there is way too much bad language (mostly from Samuel L. Jackson). One of my new favorite films.
Heathers (1988)
One of the strangest/funniest movies ever
This film has one of the best screenplays ever written. The last minute of the film is probably the funniest ending to a movie I've ever seen. The idea is so imaginative and original. There are offensive moments in this film, but it also makes you think especially after the Columbine tragedy. I was shocked to find out that Kim Walker, the young actress who played Heather #1, died a couple years ago. Talk about strange coincidences and sad irony. If you watch the film, enjoy it and don't try to take it seriously...it's a satire not a slice-of-life. If you like "Heathers" I'd recommend another black comedy "The Last Supper" with Cameron Diaz and Ron Perlman.
Nurse Betty (2000)
Warning: Do Not See This Movie!
This is one of the worst movies I've ever seen! The violence is disgusting and the plotline is very weak. The advertisements made this look like a fun, light-hearted romantic comedy but it is far from this. This film attempts to be a black comedy, but is not funny at all (a chuckled only about three times throughout the movie) and is more of a drama. Take out the violence and cussing from this movie and you are left with a pile of pointless, boring fluff.
Pretty Baby (1978)
Interesting But Disturbing
I think this film does a very good job capturing the period of 1917 New Orleans and shows a different side to early 20th century America. I love the music in film (i.e. Jelly Roll Morton and Scott Joplin), the set is wonderful, and the acting is good. Much of the nudity, however, is completely unnecessary. It tarnishes the story, which is actually quite absorbing.
Clue (1985)
I'll Never Get Tired of This Movie
I have seen "Clue" countless times and the more I watch it, the more I love it. The screenplay is totally original and hilarious. The whole story is based on a board game but manages to work into a film. The casting is perfect. Tim Curry has never been better and delivers comic genius. Madeline Kahn is also funny as usual. The only possible problem with the film is that the story is so confusing, but it doesn't matter because this movie is more of a comedy than traditional mystery. If you like "Clue" I'd recommend "Evil Under the Sun" or "Death on the Nile", two good Agatha Christie based films.
Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (2001)
One of the Best Films Ever Made
I love this movie! There is something very magical about it, that wouldn't have worked if it were made in Hollywood. I even like that it has subtitles and that the dialogue is in French, which originally I thought would be annoying. In fact, it has inspired me to take a semester of French at school! Every scene in the film is like a Renoir painting and the characters are so likeable. If you like this movie I would recommend watching "Moonstruck".
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
One of the Most Overrated Films of All Time
Before I watched the film, I expected something brilliant, hilarious, and entertaining. This movie has none of these qualities. I must have laughed at most twice during the entire film! I've been repeatedly disappointed with Kubrick's films, but somehow had higher hopes for this one. All I can say about it is that it must have been shocking when it came out in the early 60's with talk of a real nuclear war going on. Maybe it was funny then, but it sure isn't now.
Harold and Maude (1971)
The Greatest Film Ever Made
This film is amazing! Along with "Amadeus" it is my favorite film of all time. The story has so much depth to it that you can watch it 50 times and still find new things in it. It also combines comedy and drama exceptionally well, which many films cannot accomplish. If you like this film, I would highly recommend "Being There" with Peter Sellers, which is also directed by Hal Ashby.