so that all was a lot more fun than i anticipated it being... so fuck it, i'm ahead of schedule here, but full steam ahead.
80. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) - 71% on RT, 8.1 (#189) on IMDB
take everything i wrote about "Snatch." earlier, and combine a slightly better story. and boom, you've got a slightly better film. quintessential guy ritchie. it's smart, it's sleek, it's stylized, it's brutal, and it's funny as hell. there aren't too many caper films with "laugh out loud" moments. the story follows a group of london friends who fall into debt with the wrong people and the consequences therein. it doesn't stop, make sure you watch it sober, b/c it can be hard to follow... there's a lot going on, but it's worth it. there's always something new, no matter how many times you watch it. that, my friends, is the hallmark of a great film.
79. Terminator 2 (1991) - 100% on RT, 8.5 (#61) on IMDB
Terminator was a great film. this is an amazing film. like i said earlier, james cameron completely changed the game with this one. it came out in 1991, and the effects are on par with pretty much that's been made sense. edward furlong is completely believable as the 12 year old john connor, and linda hamilton does "bat shit crazy" pretty damn well. the governator in his greatest role, and the T-1000 is fucking terrifying. watch this film, you won't check your watch once. now of course, effects alone don't make a film great, and cameron never fails to disappoint w/ his characterization. the first R-rated film i ever saw, and just a fucking great movie.
78. Swingers (1996) - 76% on RT, 7.7 on IMDB
the above clip says it all. i love movies that appreciate what they are and don't try to do too much. swingers knows exactly what it is, and excells at it. jon favreau writes and stars as a nice guy who recently left NY for LA and left his longtime girlfriend behind. vince vaughn (either on coke or pre-mcdonald's habit - as he's about 100 lbs lighter) in the role that made him a star, is utterly hilarious, as the smooth-talking clown best friend T. they, and others, look for love and a good time in the nightlife of LA, and have completely believable and hilarious interactions and adventures along the way. is it dated? sure... who has answering machines anymore? but the interactions and feelings involved are 100% authentic. "Vegas baby! Vegas!"
77. The Last King of Scotland (2006) - 87% on RT, 7.8 on IMDB
the tagline says it all: Charming. Magnetic. Murderous. the film that won forrest whitaker oscar gold. james mcavoy (in a star-making turn) plays a young scottish doctor who decides he's fed up with life in the UK and decides to see the world. a point on a spin of the globe sends him to uganda, and a twist of fate forever links him to a military dictator named idi amin. the terror, madness, paranoia and brutality of amin's regime, as well as his personal charisma are witnessed from the inside by an outsider in a truly rewarding commentary on the human condition and one of the 20th century's most brutal dictators. terrifically acted and executed.
76. The Prestige (2006) - 75% on RT, 8.4 (#83) on IMDB
There are three parts to a magic trick. The Pledge, the Turn, and the Prestige. Chris Nolan, one of the best in the game today, brings a film that plays out like a magic trick to life. christian bale, per usual, brings his A game, the underrated hugh jackman is more than adequate, michael caine is outstanding, and david bowie is an unexpected surprise as the mad genius nicola tesla. this is a tale of a friendship that becomes a rivalry that becomes an obsession that takes over two mens' lives and ultimately destroys them both. utterly transfixing.
75. Cinderella Man (2005) - 80% on RT, 8.0 on IMDB
A true modern classic. sentimental? sure. but the tale of james braddock, a washed-up former boxer who ends up on welfare during the depression and makes the most of his last chance, becoming a hero to the struggling working class in the process, is a great one, and ron howard gives it its just deserts. in my opinion, the best boxing movie since raging bull. i firmly believe that if russell crowe hadn't thrown a phone at a hotel bellboy and fought around the world with tugger, he would have taken home another statue for this one. paul giamati and (the usually obnoxious) renee zellweger are also terrific. if you don't have tears in your eyes at the end of this one, you don't have a heart.
74. The Constant Gardener (2005) - 84% on RT, 7.7 on IMDB
a british diplomat in mourning uncovers a conspiracy that claimed the life of his beloved wife, and goes far deeper than anyone could have imagined. a powerful commentary on multinational corporations, the pharmaceutical industry and western attitudes to africa, through its characterization this film manages to be so much more. rachel weisz brought home a best supporting oscar for her sweet but fiery portrayal of tessa quayle, and the always great ralph fiennes gives a terrific, subtle and nuanced performance as her quiet husband who gets sprung into action. a truly beautiful film, with gorgeous cinematography, a great love story, and terrific acting. if you haven't seen this film, please do so immediately.
73. JFK (1991) - 84% on RT, 8.0 on IMDB
completely engrossing, oliver stone delivers a terrific film, turning a piece of americana into a thriller/mystery. an absolutely STACKED cast does not disappoint, and you become engrossed in garrison's (costner) paranoia. whatever you think about the kennedy assassination, the theories about which have taken on a life of its own, this film will make you think (even if certain liberties were taken). the fact that it's an outstanding film just adds to the whole thing.
72. V for Vendetta (2005) - 73% on RT, 8.2 (#170) on IMDB
in the near future, america has fallen, and britain stands under a right wing fascist totalitarian government. against this government fights a product of its horrors, a vigilante who commits acts of terrorism in a campaign to topple the regime that quashes individual liberty and personal choice in favor of peace and order. do you realize the balls it took to make and release a film with a sympathetic viewpoint to terrorism just 3 years after 9/11? only the wachowski's could pull it off. and pull it off they did. while i haven't read the source material, i don't need to. i love this film.
71. The Wrestler (2008) - 97% on RT, 8.5 (#71) on IMDB
probably the best "sports movie" i've ever seen, although sports are really incidental to everything that's going on with this film. remember earlier when i said i appreciated films that knew what they were and didn't try to do too much? well here you go. this film knows EXACTLY who and what it is, and just puts it out there. it's stripped down, simple, raw, and incredible. one of the best 3 or 4 performances i've ever seen.. it's truly a crime that mr. rourke didn't take home oscar gold. this much i do know, people will remember mickey rourke for this role, and you should too.
70. Mystic River (2003) - 87% on RT, 8.0 (#236) on IMDB
(forgive the arabic subtitles)
Clint Eastwood has crafted a modern american classic with this one, as he's been liable to do over the last decade or so. a simply haunting film that will stay with you. an incident happens to three young boston friends that changes their lives forever. the murder of one of their daughters 30 years later brings them back together. an engrossing film. there's a reason why it took home both acting statues.
69. In Bruges (2008) - 80% on RT, 8.1 (#202) on IMDB
like dark comedies? i've got one for you... the best film of 2008 that no one saw or even really knows about. it's been on HBO lately, check it. a tale of two hitmen told to lay low "in bruges" after one of them accidentally kills a child. hilarity ensues. filled with witty, inane banter, it manages to skate the "guy ritchie" line i was talking about earlier, where people are dying and serious shit is going on, but you're still laughing your ass off. has room for a nice little love story too. colin farrell resurrects his career. another film that knows exactly what it is, and excels its ass off at being just that. damn near a perfect film... personally, i can't wait to see what martin mcdonagh's career will bring us.
68. Pan's Labyrinth (2006) - 96% on RT, 8.5 (#70) on IMDB
A twisted, creepy as hell fairy tell for grown-ups set in a little girl's imagination while her brutal stepfather fights spanish rebels during WW2 in spain. the creator of the hellboy films brings the twisted creatures of his imagination to light once more in a truly beautiful film. this film succeeds in twisting and bending genres, and bringing a beautiful story to light. see it, even if you will be a little creeped out.
67. The Verdict (1982) - 96% on RT, 7.7 on IMDB
one of paul newman's best performances. maybe i've always been partial to this film b/c of my choice of career paths, but newman's character's path to redemption is an endearing one. a once promising attorney, reduced to ambulance chasing and alcoholism, gets one last chance to prove himself and do some good. in my opinion, the best courtroom drama of all time. you literally cannot take your eyes off of newman when he's on screen. RIP paul, you were one of the best.
66. Back to the Future (1985) - 96% on RT, 8.3 (#101) on IMDB
a crackpot mad genius in 1985 inadvertently sends his friend marty back to 1955, family craziness and some legitimately sweet moments ensue. marty mcfly, doc brown, biff tannen, george mcfly, creepy oedipus-like mother-son scenes. i'm talking about, of course, a childhood favorite of mine and a film that continues to stand up despite its inherent silliness, Back to the Future. it manages to successfully straddle the line between serious and silly that so many films fail to capture.
65. The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou - 52% (ouch!) on RT, 7.2 on IMDB
wholly unique. wes anderson's most ambitious film to date... i have never seen a film as hit or miss as this one. i, of course, am obsessed with it, and find it has something new to offer every time i watch it, but i've watched this film with wes anderson fans who think it blows chunks. there's something brilliant about that. an egotistical, fading, immature, increasingly irrelevant jacques cousteau character loses his best friend, meets a man who may or may not be his son and sets out on one last quest after the shark that ate his friend with his (not-so) loyal crew, a bond company stooge, and a pregnant english reporter in tow. it's laugh-out-loud hilarious at times, has an amazing soundtrack, a terrific cast (cate blanchett never fails to deliver) and several legitimately sweet moments. one of the only films i know that makes me laugh hard and cry hard. there's something to be said for that.
64. Fight Club (1999) - 81% on RT, 8.8 (#21) on IMDB
fight club changed my life. i think if you talk to most men of around my age, they'll say the same thing. a great book, an incredible film. wholly original, stylish, sleek, smart, serious and at the same time fun as hell. something about fight club taps into the root of young men, and doesn't let go. supremely cynical, and offering a brand new way of looking at the world, i've watched this film at least 100 times, and i get something new out of it every time.
63. Collateral (2004) - 86% on RT, 7.7 on IMDB
classic michael mann. stripped down dialogue, sharp sets, great use of rock music to highlight his scenes. one night, in a cab, in LA. tom cruise is terrific as a ruthless hit man on a mission, and jamie foxx is perfect as the unwitting cabby brought into it all. this film has a lot to offer, and i feel that its extremely underrated.
62. Patton (1970) - 97% on RT, 8.1 (#220) on IMDB
there's a reason why this film brought home a boatload of oscars. it features one of the best performances i've ever seen. george c. scott becomes general patton, the greatest american field commander of the second world war, and a true american icon. beloved by his troops like no leader of the 20th century while being punished for berating and striking them, general patton's life is a study in contradictions. a fitting salute to an american icon. they just don't make 'em like george patton anymore.
61. Twelve Monkeys (1995) - 87% on RT, 8.1 (#188) on IMDB
what a terrific sci-fi film. bruce willis is sent back from 2035 to find the source of a man-made plague that wipes out most of humanity. but this is no typical sci-fi time-traveling thriller.. you feel the disorientating impact that the time jump has had on cole and the plot twists leave you utterly transfixed. if you can keep up, this film has a lot to offer. a true modern classic. probably brad pitt's best acting performance as well.. he scares the shit out of me.
there's part two. expect part three this weekend.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Top 100: 100-81
here it is. the list. the 100 films that mean the most to me as films. not on a pure entertainment value, but films that have made a legitimate impact on my life. my method: basically, i looked at a word document on my computer that has the list of all of the DVDs that i own, the IMDB 250 and the filmschoolreject top 100 to come up with a list of about 130 films that i was in love with. i then ordered and weeded this list down to the 100 you see here now. is it perfect? absolutely not, but i did what i could. i'm still tinkering the list, and may not agree with it as posted when all is said and done. however, you've got to quit somewhere. i chose to favor films that aim for the mind, rather than strictly entertainment for entertainment's sake. thus, i am de-valuing comedies and pure actioners for the sake of more serious fare, much like the academy. surely you've heard my two theories on film. 1.) that of the "blowjob movie", a "blowjob movie" being one that's great while it lasts, but it doesn't really have any impact on anyone, or substantially change anything. that said, there aren't too many blowjob movies on this list. that list is for another time. these are my favorite films, not my "favorite fucking movies", a list that is full of movies that are just really, really fun to watch. a lot of these films aren't really all that fun to watch, but they are significant for what they mean to me, and what i'm all about. if you're looking for the films that i've watched hundreds of times and can quote front to back (superbad, anchorman, grandma's boy, face/off, the rock, varsity blues, etc.), you'll find them on the "favorite fucking movie" list, not here. 2.) while this "art vs. entertainment" dichotomy is true, it's only true to an extent. many of you have also heard my: "if you want a good story, read the book", quip, because the visual medium is best equipped for certain things, and as far as things like characterization and exposition goes, those are INFINITELY better accomplished in a 4-500 page book than in a 2 hour movie. many of these films are chosen for the beauty of their filmmaking and the expressiveness of the filmmakers involved. it's no secret i'm a fan of hard-hitting, masculine filmmaking. the things i like about movies are the things that literature are unable to achieve to the same degree. mood, expressiveness, setting, inflection, location. a book can take a page to set up the locale, but a well-done establishing shot can do it all in a second. in addition, a book can have the world's best dialogue, but the mastery of a great actor can put those words over the top. so i don't go into movies expecting the brothers karamazov, i go into them expecting to be visually stimulated. not in a mindless, garbage way, *ahem* michael bay and star wars prequels (not that i don't enjoy some of these mindless films, but i recognize the vapidity of the enterprise when visual stimulation fails to be combined with the elements that make literature great), but in an artistic way. like maximus said: "are you not entertained?!? is this not why you are here?!" - entertained, yes, but in an artistic way, not in a monster truck rally kind of way. keep that in mind when evaluating my top 100.
this being said, some (but by no means all) of the factors i considered when evaluating films for inclusion are: cinematography, direction, soundtrack, acting, characterization, score, "heart", point of view, statement seeking to be made, emotionality, and what the film means to me as a person. are there some sentimental picks? absolutely, but i tried to be as impartial as possible. don't hold it against me.
another disclaimer, unlike my good friend and fellow 3L, Antonio Mazzaro , who is compiling his own list, my experience with film has, sadly, not expanded as far as it probably should have by now, and i honestly don't have a lot of experience with the "classics", so to speak. this is unfortunate, and i've got a list about 50 movies long that i simply must watch, and will watch, and this will undoubtedly drastically alter the makeup of this list. however, at the same time i recognize that i am a creature of my own time and place, and that i truly appreciate the here and now more than i do other eras. it just feels much more prescient and authentic to me. so perhaps viewing of the "classics" that i have yet to see will only increase my appreciation for those films on this list, or perhaps it will drastically alter the list. time will tell.
so, be sure to check out antonio's list, , and check out mine. i'm excited for this endeavor, because really, he and i have extremely similar tastes (for instance, we both quote the living shit out of the butcher), but generally approach things a little differently.
so without further ado, here's 100-81.
100. Hellboy (2004) - 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 6.8 on IMDB
absurd premise, terrific execution. grounded by ron perlman's OUTSTANDING performance as the titular character. despite being 8 feet tall and 600 pounds, Hellboy manages to be more human than many of us. it's the film's heart more than anything else, that makes this a film worth watching. this film succeeds by virtue of its characterization and by not taking itself too seriously. it manages to strike the right balance between gravitas and silliness that so many similarly aimed films never even sniff. i never even saw this in theaters or on DVD, i watched it for the first time on FX and realized what a terrific little film this is. check it out with an open mind. you won't be disappointed.
99. The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005) - 84% on RT, 7.5 on IMDB
not quite a blowjob movie due to its oddly sweet rom-com moments that never decline to mindless nonsense like every movie kate hudson makes now. this film made possible knocked up and superbad, made steve carrell a star, and proved that judd apatow was a hollywood force to be reckoned with. the man is everywhere now, and his cronies are making people like me laugh constantly. delightfully raunchey... this movie just does it (pun intended), while feeling real all the while.
98. Animal House (1978) - 89% on RT, 7.6 on IMDB
While, technically this is a blowjob movie, it is also a very, very good blowjob movie, and one that is constantly imitated but never duplicated to boot. the definitive college party movie, and it introduced moviegoing audiences to the comedic tour de force that was John Belushi. national lampoons has been trying for decades to recapture this lightning in a bottle, and never even come close (yes offense, van wilder). the classic dichotomy of "us vs. them" and the idea that all of "them" are the biggest tools in the history of the earth (see: every college comedy ever) originates here. this has it all folks. don't go in expecting to be enlightened, do go in expecting to see something that's still hilarious, 30 years later.
97. Any Given Sunday (1999) - 49% on RT (ouch), 6.6 on IMDB
oliver stone, ever the controversial one, combined with al pacino (in a VASTLY underrated performance) , a young jamie foxx (who makes the film), LT, James Brown, T.O. (!), bill belamy, aaron eckhart, cameron diaz (in what i truly believe to be her best role as an actor), ann margaret, dennis quaid and jimmy woods. read the negative reviews. it's all about the "shaky camera". is that really enough to pan an entire film? there's a reason why the NFL didn't approve of this film, so they had to make up a league and fake teams. that reason is that everything hit too close to home. is the shit depicted a bit far fetched? sure, but read the sporting news sometime... there is an unbelievable amount of shit going on in the NFL. however, i do know that the interactions between teammates and players and coaches is a lot more believable given the shit we see on ESPN every day than half of the nonsense depicted in other forms of media. the growth and connection that develops between coach tony d'amato and willie beaman feels 100% authentic to me.
96. Die Hard (1988) - 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 8.3 (#124) on IMDB
the. definitive. action. movie. in the 1980's, before Die Hard, action movies were about ridiculous indestructible caricatures of individuals with gigantic muscles, huge guns and little dialogue. after Die Hard, action movies were about regular people kicking ass, talking shit, and taking names. and, it's a damn good movie to boot. unlike the rest of the Die Hard series, this escapes "blowjob" status. before john mcclain was destroying cities and laying waste to highway superstructures, he was outmanned and outgunned in a single building, but found a way. a flawed man with a bag full of problems and a wife that hates him, he finds a way to stop the dastardly eastern europeans and come out on top, despite the active opposition of the FBI and the LAPD. god, i wish i could talk shit like john mcclain... yippee ki-ya motherfucker.
95. Miami Vice (2006) - 48% on RT, 6.0 on IMDB
WATCH THE DIRECTOR'S CUT - the 20 minutes added really brings a lot to the table. a lot of the criticism directed towards this film was misguided nonsense. sure, farrell and foxx didn't play grabass on screen and act like they were starsky and hutch, but would real partners do that? this movie is sleek, stylized and just really fucking cool. oh, and its michael fucking mann, someone sue him for making a movie aimed at people older than 16. it always seems odd to me that critics complain about how no films are geared towards adults, and then trash those that are for being "too serious". very underrated, intense performances all around, and just a solid crime story from the master. i've loved this film since the first time i saw it, but then again, i really like colin farrell.
94. Iron Man (2008) - 93% on RT, 8.0 on IMDB
witness the resurrection of robert downey jr. in the 2nd biggest comic movie of 2008. while not as brooding, philosophical, or dark as TDK, this film probably did more for its source material and was a bigger hit, relatively. i mean, in the grand scheme of things, iron man is middle of the road in marvel's pantheon, while Batman is DC's heavy hitter. growing up, iron man was always my favorite super hero... and this film ABSOLUTELY captured the essence of Tony Stark and Iron Man to a degree that no other comic book film has managed to do. the insanely talented Robert Downey Jr. brings tony stark to life in a way i'd never imagined possible. jeff "the dude" daniels brings a lot to the table as an adequately layered corporate villain, and iron man just does it for me. jon favreau is a rising talent, and we're going to hear quite a bit from him. hell, even my mom liked it, and she usually only likes period pieces.
93. Equilibrium (2002) - 36% (double ouch) on RT, 7.8 (thank you fanboys) on IMDB
watch... this... shit:
1984 + the matrix = equilibrium... + christian bale (!)+ one of the highest one-man death totals in any film = my vision got all colorful, and i came in my pants. derivative? sure. but the talent and vision involved allows it to rise above. a young and relatively unknown christian bale shines in the kind of role that he's since copyrighted and ridden to fame, sean bean, as always, is great.
Father: Prozium - The great nepenthe. Opiate of our masses. Glue of our great society. Salve and salvation, it has delivered us from pathos, from sorrow, the deepest chasms of melancholy and hate. With it, we anesthetize grief, annihilate jealousy, obliterate rage. Those sister impulses towards joy, love, and elation are anesthetized in stride, we accept as fair sacrifice. For we embrace Prozium in its unifying fullness and all that it has done to make us great.
92. The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) - 93% on RT, 8.2 (145) on IMDB
in my humble opinion, the best of the three. exquisitely made, and gripping from start to finish. like all the bourne films, regardless of how improbable what you're watching really is, it feels completely authentic and gritty from start to finish. basically as good as a film of the "spy" genre can possibly be. i highly recommend all three of these films, and generally, matt damon as an actor.
91. The Big Lebowski (1998) - 77% on RT, 8.2 (#152) on IMDB
the coen brothers make their entrance onto this list. this film is so fucking ridiculously clown its not even funny, but it completely works. this fucking movie is home to some (by some, i mean "a lot") of the most quotable shit on earth. what does it all mean? does it really matter? fantastical, absurd, and great.
"Walter: Nihilists! Fuck me. I mean, say what you like about the tenets of National Socialism, but dude, at least it's an ethos."
90. Sin City (2005) - 77% on RT, 8.4 (#92) on IMDB
Marv: Walk down the right back alley in Sin City, and you can find anything.
dark, twisted, ultra-violent, ultra-stylized... and dead-fucking-on. mickey rourke is perfect as marv, willis is perfect as hartigan. we have sin city to thank for the rash of ultra-faithful depictions of graphic novels, which, considering that before the trend was to bastardize and hollywood-ize them, i can't say that's a bad thing.
89. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) - 80% on RT, 7.6 on IMDB
quintessential wes anderson. surreal, silly, but at its core, sweet.. with its fair share of "laugh out loud" moments. all the regulars are here, bill murray, angelica huston, owen wilson, but the family dynamic and redemptive qualities are surprisingly endearing. witty banter, ridiculous characters, great atmosphere, mellow, perfect music and a heartfelt story that comes through it all. start here if you're interested in checking out wes anderson.
88. Minority Report (2002) - 92 % on RT, 7.7 on IMDB
steven spielberg makes his entrance to the list in a modern sci-fi classic that, for some reason, seems to have been completely forgotten. a master at the top of his game. is tom cruise batshit crazy? absolutely, but i think you'll find he's also one hell of an actor. yet another great film adopted from the classic work of the late, great philip k. dick, who single-handedly changed the face of science fiction. like all great sci-fi, this film is about so much more than robots, technology and flying cars. it also happens to be a sleek, taut thriller, that is also a commentary on serious issues facing the world today. what would you do for security, for order, what is the price? other than "munich", this is spielberg's best work since Schindler's List. the future depicted is rich, frightening and real. i feel like a few more re-watchings would push this one further up the list.
87. Snatch. (2000) - 71% on RT, 8.2 (#156) on IMDB
Guy Ritchie proving why everyone thinks he's such a cool fucking guy. similar to his previous film, the superior Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch. follows a group of characters involved in various shady london & uk underworld dealings. brad pitt is doing what he does best, playing loose cannons. jason statham as an actual actor and not just the 2000's jean-claude van dam. just all around cool. sharp, witty banter. cool characters. pikey's. sleek, stylized filmmaking. simply a good fucking time... snatch isn't going to change your life, but it will make for a fun afternoon/evening.
86. A River Runs Through It (1992) - 78% on RT, 7.1 on IMDB
robert redford, one of the true giants of film, creates a sentimental modern classic about two brothers, their reverend father, fly fishing, love and coming of age in Montana in the 1920s-30s. while there are solid performances throughout (especially tom skerritt), this film is notable for its brilliant filmmaking. the scenes and shots of the montana scenery are truly gorgeous and a testament to the area's natural beauty. based on norman mcclean's autobiographical book of the same name, this film captures perfectly the undying, unspoken bond between brothers and the challenges and frustrations of finding yourself as a man. (and i don't even fish) this is easily redford's best work as a director.
85. The Dark Knight (2008) - 94% on RT, 9.0 (#6) on IMDB
THE film story of 2008, i've written entire blog posts about how i dislike the "snuff-film" type hysteria surrounding the film and heath ledger's performance, but that being said, i still feel it was probably one of the year's best films. it's a travesty that it wasn't nominated for best picture. (if anyone remembers "Benjamin Button" in 6 years, i'll jerk you off) an amazing character study of batman and the joker, two sides of the same coin and the issues that come with the mask. solid, even brilliant performances all around. aaron eckhart made himself a star. ledger lives up to the hype and delivers one of the truly great villain performances in cinematic history. bale, as usual, delivers time and time again, even if he takes a backseat for portions of this film. michael caine and gary oldman are solid, and truly make the film. Chris Nolan proves why he's one of the truly great directors working today. this film is lower b/c i feel like there are significant plot holes (how did the joker come up with these elaborate plots and manage to outgun the gotham PD?) and the fact that i feel like in order to make the most of ledger's performance, every possible scene that they shot was included, whether they added to the film or not, and they make the film feel disjointed at times. despite these criticisms, this film is absolutely great, and a complete game-changer for the genre. this much is certain... we're never going back to the kid shit again.
84. American History X (1998) - 83% on RT, 8.6 (#39) on IMDB
Edward Norton steps up to the A-List. his performance is, in a word, brilliant. Norton's cross to bear is the effect he had on his younger, high school brother, a smart, good kid who has crossed over to hate and white supremacy. the narrative never feels false or preachy, which is always a danger when dealing with these issues of hate, redemption, and the consequences felt by both sides as a result of misguided hate and mistrust. a story, told through flashbacks, tells the tale of the decline into hate and the healing process in changing your ways, as a brother races to save his younger brother from traveling the same road that derailed his life. powerful, gripping performances make this film special. edward "i was the kid in T2" furlong is brilliant as well. this film, along with requiem for a dream, should be required viewing in every american high school.
83. Aliens (1986) - 100% on RT, 8.5 (#63) on IMDB
A true American classic. James Cameron repeatedly brings the goods. every film he has made has consistently changed the game. forever. maybe the best thriller i've ever seen, and an amazing action movie. while the terrific "Alien" was basically a horror movie, Cameron ups the ante and the stakes in creating a tense, terrifying atmosphere featuring a hopeless battle against an (almost) unstoppable foe. this film is blessed with outstanding characterization and honestly, it's one of the more amazing films i've ever seen. that 100% up there is no fluke. once you see Aliens, you'll realize what a travesty the direction the franchise has gone really is. james cameron does the world a disservice when he waits so damn long in between films. once again, watch the director's cut.
82. Batman Begins (2005) - 84% on RT, 8.4 (#104) on IMDB
Chris Nolan, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, and Liam Neeson rewrite the book on origin stories. i rate this film higher than TDK for its first hour, which is stand-alone on of the best hours in cinema. christian bale brings a welcome and much-needed gravitas to bruce wayne and batman, a man determined to save his city from the corruption destroying it. beautifully done, beautifully acted. this film is one of the top 2 or 3 comic book films of all time. the must needed re-boot that batman, and the movie industry needed. brilliant, all around.
81. The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) - 83% on RT, 7.9 on IMDB.
the story of two argentine students and friends, one of whom happens to be che guevara, who decide to set out on a motorcycle and tour the continent of south america. based on the joint memoir published by the two, what they see on their travels changes their lives forever. whatever your political views or opinions on the conclusions drawn, this film is beautifully made, beautifully acted, and beautifully told. mesmorizing, intoxicating even... and simply a beautiful film.
films 80-61 will be posted sometime this week. try and keep up. check out Tone's list, and feel free to post your thoughts. even though i may completely dismiss them.
this being said, some (but by no means all) of the factors i considered when evaluating films for inclusion are: cinematography, direction, soundtrack, acting, characterization, score, "heart", point of view, statement seeking to be made, emotionality, and what the film means to me as a person. are there some sentimental picks? absolutely, but i tried to be as impartial as possible. don't hold it against me.
another disclaimer, unlike my good friend and fellow 3L, Antonio Mazzaro , who is compiling his own list, my experience with film has, sadly, not expanded as far as it probably should have by now, and i honestly don't have a lot of experience with the "classics", so to speak. this is unfortunate, and i've got a list about 50 movies long that i simply must watch, and will watch, and this will undoubtedly drastically alter the makeup of this list. however, at the same time i recognize that i am a creature of my own time and place, and that i truly appreciate the here and now more than i do other eras. it just feels much more prescient and authentic to me. so perhaps viewing of the "classics" that i have yet to see will only increase my appreciation for those films on this list, or perhaps it will drastically alter the list. time will tell.
so, be sure to check out antonio's list, , and check out mine. i'm excited for this endeavor, because really, he and i have extremely similar tastes (for instance, we both quote the living shit out of the butcher), but generally approach things a little differently.
so without further ado, here's 100-81.
100. Hellboy (2004) - 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 6.8 on IMDB
absurd premise, terrific execution. grounded by ron perlman's OUTSTANDING performance as the titular character. despite being 8 feet tall and 600 pounds, Hellboy manages to be more human than many of us. it's the film's heart more than anything else, that makes this a film worth watching. this film succeeds by virtue of its characterization and by not taking itself too seriously. it manages to strike the right balance between gravitas and silliness that so many similarly aimed films never even sniff. i never even saw this in theaters or on DVD, i watched it for the first time on FX and realized what a terrific little film this is. check it out with an open mind. you won't be disappointed.
99. The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005) - 84% on RT, 7.5 on IMDB
not quite a blowjob movie due to its oddly sweet rom-com moments that never decline to mindless nonsense like every movie kate hudson makes now. this film made possible knocked up and superbad, made steve carrell a star, and proved that judd apatow was a hollywood force to be reckoned with. the man is everywhere now, and his cronies are making people like me laugh constantly. delightfully raunchey... this movie just does it (pun intended), while feeling real all the while.
98. Animal House (1978) - 89% on RT, 7.6 on IMDB
While, technically this is a blowjob movie, it is also a very, very good blowjob movie, and one that is constantly imitated but never duplicated to boot. the definitive college party movie, and it introduced moviegoing audiences to the comedic tour de force that was John Belushi. national lampoons has been trying for decades to recapture this lightning in a bottle, and never even come close (yes offense, van wilder). the classic dichotomy of "us vs. them" and the idea that all of "them" are the biggest tools in the history of the earth (see: every college comedy ever) originates here. this has it all folks. don't go in expecting to be enlightened, do go in expecting to see something that's still hilarious, 30 years later.
97. Any Given Sunday (1999) - 49% on RT (ouch), 6.6 on IMDB
oliver stone, ever the controversial one, combined with al pacino (in a VASTLY underrated performance) , a young jamie foxx (who makes the film), LT, James Brown, T.O. (!), bill belamy, aaron eckhart, cameron diaz (in what i truly believe to be her best role as an actor), ann margaret, dennis quaid and jimmy woods. read the negative reviews. it's all about the "shaky camera". is that really enough to pan an entire film? there's a reason why the NFL didn't approve of this film, so they had to make up a league and fake teams. that reason is that everything hit too close to home. is the shit depicted a bit far fetched? sure, but read the sporting news sometime... there is an unbelievable amount of shit going on in the NFL. however, i do know that the interactions between teammates and players and coaches is a lot more believable given the shit we see on ESPN every day than half of the nonsense depicted in other forms of media. the growth and connection that develops between coach tony d'amato and willie beaman feels 100% authentic to me.
96. Die Hard (1988) - 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 8.3 (#124) on IMDB
the. definitive. action. movie. in the 1980's, before Die Hard, action movies were about ridiculous indestructible caricatures of individuals with gigantic muscles, huge guns and little dialogue. after Die Hard, action movies were about regular people kicking ass, talking shit, and taking names. and, it's a damn good movie to boot. unlike the rest of the Die Hard series, this escapes "blowjob" status. before john mcclain was destroying cities and laying waste to highway superstructures, he was outmanned and outgunned in a single building, but found a way. a flawed man with a bag full of problems and a wife that hates him, he finds a way to stop the dastardly eastern europeans and come out on top, despite the active opposition of the FBI and the LAPD. god, i wish i could talk shit like john mcclain... yippee ki-ya motherfucker.
95. Miami Vice (2006) - 48% on RT, 6.0 on IMDB
WATCH THE DIRECTOR'S CUT - the 20 minutes added really brings a lot to the table. a lot of the criticism directed towards this film was misguided nonsense. sure, farrell and foxx didn't play grabass on screen and act like they were starsky and hutch, but would real partners do that? this movie is sleek, stylized and just really fucking cool. oh, and its michael fucking mann, someone sue him for making a movie aimed at people older than 16. it always seems odd to me that critics complain about how no films are geared towards adults, and then trash those that are for being "too serious". very underrated, intense performances all around, and just a solid crime story from the master. i've loved this film since the first time i saw it, but then again, i really like colin farrell.
94. Iron Man (2008) - 93% on RT, 8.0 on IMDB
witness the resurrection of robert downey jr. in the 2nd biggest comic movie of 2008. while not as brooding, philosophical, or dark as TDK, this film probably did more for its source material and was a bigger hit, relatively. i mean, in the grand scheme of things, iron man is middle of the road in marvel's pantheon, while Batman is DC's heavy hitter. growing up, iron man was always my favorite super hero... and this film ABSOLUTELY captured the essence of Tony Stark and Iron Man to a degree that no other comic book film has managed to do. the insanely talented Robert Downey Jr. brings tony stark to life in a way i'd never imagined possible. jeff "the dude" daniels brings a lot to the table as an adequately layered corporate villain, and iron man just does it for me. jon favreau is a rising talent, and we're going to hear quite a bit from him. hell, even my mom liked it, and she usually only likes period pieces.
93. Equilibrium (2002) - 36% (double ouch) on RT, 7.8 (thank you fanboys) on IMDB
watch... this... shit:
1984 + the matrix = equilibrium... + christian bale (!)+ one of the highest one-man death totals in any film = my vision got all colorful, and i came in my pants. derivative? sure. but the talent and vision involved allows it to rise above. a young and relatively unknown christian bale shines in the kind of role that he's since copyrighted and ridden to fame, sean bean, as always, is great.
Father: Prozium - The great nepenthe. Opiate of our masses. Glue of our great society. Salve and salvation, it has delivered us from pathos, from sorrow, the deepest chasms of melancholy and hate. With it, we anesthetize grief, annihilate jealousy, obliterate rage. Those sister impulses towards joy, love, and elation are anesthetized in stride, we accept as fair sacrifice. For we embrace Prozium in its unifying fullness and all that it has done to make us great.
92. The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) - 93% on RT, 8.2 (145) on IMDB
in my humble opinion, the best of the three. exquisitely made, and gripping from start to finish. like all the bourne films, regardless of how improbable what you're watching really is, it feels completely authentic and gritty from start to finish. basically as good as a film of the "spy" genre can possibly be. i highly recommend all three of these films, and generally, matt damon as an actor.
91. The Big Lebowski (1998) - 77% on RT, 8.2 (#152) on IMDB
the coen brothers make their entrance onto this list. this film is so fucking ridiculously clown its not even funny, but it completely works. this fucking movie is home to some (by some, i mean "a lot") of the most quotable shit on earth. what does it all mean? does it really matter? fantastical, absurd, and great.
"Walter: Nihilists! Fuck me. I mean, say what you like about the tenets of National Socialism, but dude, at least it's an ethos."
90. Sin City (2005) - 77% on RT, 8.4 (#92) on IMDB
Marv: Walk down the right back alley in Sin City, and you can find anything.
dark, twisted, ultra-violent, ultra-stylized... and dead-fucking-on. mickey rourke is perfect as marv, willis is perfect as hartigan. we have sin city to thank for the rash of ultra-faithful depictions of graphic novels, which, considering that before the trend was to bastardize and hollywood-ize them, i can't say that's a bad thing.
89. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) - 80% on RT, 7.6 on IMDB
quintessential wes anderson. surreal, silly, but at its core, sweet.. with its fair share of "laugh out loud" moments. all the regulars are here, bill murray, angelica huston, owen wilson, but the family dynamic and redemptive qualities are surprisingly endearing. witty banter, ridiculous characters, great atmosphere, mellow, perfect music and a heartfelt story that comes through it all. start here if you're interested in checking out wes anderson.
88. Minority Report (2002) - 92 % on RT, 7.7 on IMDB
steven spielberg makes his entrance to the list in a modern sci-fi classic that, for some reason, seems to have been completely forgotten. a master at the top of his game. is tom cruise batshit crazy? absolutely, but i think you'll find he's also one hell of an actor. yet another great film adopted from the classic work of the late, great philip k. dick, who single-handedly changed the face of science fiction. like all great sci-fi, this film is about so much more than robots, technology and flying cars. it also happens to be a sleek, taut thriller, that is also a commentary on serious issues facing the world today. what would you do for security, for order, what is the price? other than "munich", this is spielberg's best work since Schindler's List. the future depicted is rich, frightening and real. i feel like a few more re-watchings would push this one further up the list.87. Snatch. (2000) - 71% on RT, 8.2 (#156) on IMDB
Guy Ritchie proving why everyone thinks he's such a cool fucking guy. similar to his previous film, the superior Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch. follows a group of characters involved in various shady london & uk underworld dealings. brad pitt is doing what he does best, playing loose cannons. jason statham as an actual actor and not just the 2000's jean-claude van dam. just all around cool. sharp, witty banter. cool characters. pikey's. sleek, stylized filmmaking. simply a good fucking time... snatch isn't going to change your life, but it will make for a fun afternoon/evening.
86. A River Runs Through It (1992) - 78% on RT, 7.1 on IMDB
robert redford, one of the true giants of film, creates a sentimental modern classic about two brothers, their reverend father, fly fishing, love and coming of age in Montana in the 1920s-30s. while there are solid performances throughout (especially tom skerritt), this film is notable for its brilliant filmmaking. the scenes and shots of the montana scenery are truly gorgeous and a testament to the area's natural beauty. based on norman mcclean's autobiographical book of the same name, this film captures perfectly the undying, unspoken bond between brothers and the challenges and frustrations of finding yourself as a man. (and i don't even fish) this is easily redford's best work as a director.85. The Dark Knight (2008) - 94% on RT, 9.0 (#6) on IMDB
THE film story of 2008, i've written entire blog posts about how i dislike the "snuff-film" type hysteria surrounding the film and heath ledger's performance, but that being said, i still feel it was probably one of the year's best films. it's a travesty that it wasn't nominated for best picture. (if anyone remembers "Benjamin Button" in 6 years, i'll jerk you off) an amazing character study of batman and the joker, two sides of the same coin and the issues that come with the mask. solid, even brilliant performances all around. aaron eckhart made himself a star. ledger lives up to the hype and delivers one of the truly great villain performances in cinematic history. bale, as usual, delivers time and time again, even if he takes a backseat for portions of this film. michael caine and gary oldman are solid, and truly make the film. Chris Nolan proves why he's one of the truly great directors working today. this film is lower b/c i feel like there are significant plot holes (how did the joker come up with these elaborate plots and manage to outgun the gotham PD?) and the fact that i feel like in order to make the most of ledger's performance, every possible scene that they shot was included, whether they added to the film or not, and they make the film feel disjointed at times. despite these criticisms, this film is absolutely great, and a complete game-changer for the genre. this much is certain... we're never going back to the kid shit again.84. American History X (1998) - 83% on RT, 8.6 (#39) on IMDB
Edward Norton steps up to the A-List. his performance is, in a word, brilliant. Norton's cross to bear is the effect he had on his younger, high school brother, a smart, good kid who has crossed over to hate and white supremacy. the narrative never feels false or preachy, which is always a danger when dealing with these issues of hate, redemption, and the consequences felt by both sides as a result of misguided hate and mistrust. a story, told through flashbacks, tells the tale of the decline into hate and the healing process in changing your ways, as a brother races to save his younger brother from traveling the same road that derailed his life. powerful, gripping performances make this film special. edward "i was the kid in T2" furlong is brilliant as well. this film, along with requiem for a dream, should be required viewing in every american high school. 83. Aliens (1986) - 100% on RT, 8.5 (#63) on IMDB
A true American classic. James Cameron repeatedly brings the goods. every film he has made has consistently changed the game. forever. maybe the best thriller i've ever seen, and an amazing action movie. while the terrific "Alien" was basically a horror movie, Cameron ups the ante and the stakes in creating a tense, terrifying atmosphere featuring a hopeless battle against an (almost) unstoppable foe. this film is blessed with outstanding characterization and honestly, it's one of the more amazing films i've ever seen. that 100% up there is no fluke. once you see Aliens, you'll realize what a travesty the direction the franchise has gone really is. james cameron does the world a disservice when he waits so damn long in between films. once again, watch the director's cut.
82. Batman Begins (2005) - 84% on RT, 8.4 (#104) on IMDB
Chris Nolan, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, and Liam Neeson rewrite the book on origin stories. i rate this film higher than TDK for its first hour, which is stand-alone on of the best hours in cinema. christian bale brings a welcome and much-needed gravitas to bruce wayne and batman, a man determined to save his city from the corruption destroying it. beautifully done, beautifully acted. this film is one of the top 2 or 3 comic book films of all time. the must needed re-boot that batman, and the movie industry needed. brilliant, all around.
81. The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) - 83% on RT, 7.9 on IMDB.
the story of two argentine students and friends, one of whom happens to be che guevara, who decide to set out on a motorcycle and tour the continent of south america. based on the joint memoir published by the two, what they see on their travels changes their lives forever. whatever your political views or opinions on the conclusions drawn, this film is beautifully made, beautifully acted, and beautifully told. mesmorizing, intoxicating even... and simply a beautiful film.
films 80-61 will be posted sometime this week. try and keep up. check out Tone's list, and feel free to post your thoughts. even though i may completely dismiss them.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Resurrection, a virgin birth so to speak.
KENNY POWERS IS COMING BACK FUCKING SOON
so here i am. back from the abyss after months of wasted time, wasted effort, wasted desires and spinning my wheels. back to the beginning again. so here goes nothing. at any rate, i'm going to start regularly blogging again. i know, i've said it, and you've heard it all before, but i'm going to try and be diligent about it this time, because it truly is refreshing to get some of this shit out there, even if only 2-3 people actually take the time to actually read it. so what's new you ask? well, not a lot with me, quite a lot with the world. well, actually, not really anything with the world, but there is some serious shit that's new in the only parts of the world i really care about, sports, movies, tv.
1. If you know me, you know I'm a Bills fan. If you haven't been living under a rock in Barrow Alaska for the past month, you know that the Bills recently signed Terrell "i'm a fuck" Owens. a lot of you are probably asking yourself: "Brens, what do you think?", and the answer is: I fucking love it. now listen to my explanation. first, the bills are a moribund franchise, mired in mediocrity and mired in a dying city. SOMETHING had to be done to make a splash. they haven't made the playoffs since 1999, and every year since then they have finished between 6-10 and 9-7. that, my friends, is mediocrity. we're talking about a team that was at one point last season 5-1, and ended 2-8. in a season in which mike "i have two rings" shanahan was fired, dick "my teams consistently underachieve" jauron kept his job. i live 400 miles from buffalo and i'm at my wit's end. imagine if you live in Western NY and you're a season ticket holder or some shit. you probably contemplate suicide weekly. so, why not bring in a guy who will generate some excitement? yes, TO is a horse's ass, and he has repeatedly shown a propensity to throw coaches, quarterbacks and franchises under the bus when he's not happy. however, look back at his track record, in his first year, he always behaves himself, a honeymoon of sorts. therefore, where's the drawback in signing him to a 1-year deal? particularly when his football life is on the line. if he signs a 1-year deal at 35 years old and fucks up, who's signing him next year? answer: no one. however, he realizes (or should realize) that he has an opportunity to parlay this one season into an opportunity with buffalo or another franchise over the next several years and end his career on a high note en route to a first-ballot hall of fame slot. This goes without saying that on paper, TO probably helps the Bills more than he would any other franchise. the Bills' offense has needed a second receiver for 5 years now. Lee Evans is a great deep threat, but he's too small and not durable enough to run over the middle or get the tough yards. TO relishes that role. for years teams have been able to double evans and/or stack the line against the run. with TO and Evans, who do you double? you need safeties off the line of scrimmage, which opens up the run. Lynch is one of the rising RBs in the league, and if it wasn't for purple jesus in Minn, people would be talking about him as the great young RB in the league. TO has MUCH more to lose than the Bills do. for the aforementioned reasons, i LOVE the signing.
2. so much has been written about this being the "golden age" of television. and i think there's a lot of merit to that. when i think of quality, damn good television, the vast majority of it has aired in the last 10 years or so. this is no more true than with battlestar galactica, which we sadly said goodbye to last night.
is it set in space, in a distant star system? absolutely. however, at its core, it's a series about human beings, family, society, and the bonds between us. it's probably the best acted series i've ever seen (hell, the two leads have been nominated for oscars), and the writing is exquisite. shrouded in myth, by unlike LOST, this is not self-created myth, but myth that hints at the core of what makes us human. let me just say, there's a reason that the U.N. hosted a forum for the creators of BSG to talk about the issues in the show. despite being set thousands of light years away and featuring a war between humans and their rebelling former robotic slaves, it somehow manages to be the best show about 1.) the military, 2.) what makes us "human", 3.) philosophy and 4.) religion that i've ever seen. (as well as one of the better shows about family and the bonds between us). in addition, its' got that "ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances" vibe going for it, which i can't get enough of. in a way, by breaking the constraints of our present setting, the show is permitted to make broader statements about who we are and what we're about without getting caught up in the muck of the when and where. are there holes? absolutely. but check out the 4-episode miniseries, i guarantee you'll be hooked and that you won't be disappointed. i won't spoil anything here, because i know people that should watch it and have yet to watch it, but it's about the ride, not the destination. the ride (and it's one hell of a ride) is all the fun. it's so rare that today a series can be of such quality while simultaneously bringing so much to the table. so whether or not I, or anyone else, thought that the ending was or was not fitting of the series, i do know that i'm going to miss it. at any rate, i'm sad to see it go, the world is worse off without it. (although there is a two hour TV movie airing this fall, and a prequel series (that i'm not sold on) starts in april)
3. In other entertainment news: the big story is Watchmen . Love it, hate it, don't know about it, whatever. this is what i do know about it. you need to fucking see it. is it perfect? no, far from it. i give it an 8.1. but it's not about this one fucking movie and whether or not it lives up to expectations or is over stylized or under acted or whatever. Watchmen is about the future of hollywood. it took 20 years to get this movie made, and Zach Snyder, for all of his shortcomings, tried to make it as well as it could be made. people's careers are on the line here. a lot of individuals made a lot of sacrifices and put themselves out there to try to put a product out there not for hollywood and the studios, but for the fans. so if you are a fan of films that take a chance, that tell stories for the stories' sake and not for some warm happy hollywood ending and to line the pockets of the powers that be, support this fucking film. it's made approx. $100 mil domestically thus far. ok, but not really that good. do you think the studios are going to put out more hard-R films with high budgets that pull no punches and are ambiguous in their message if Watchmen is considered a commercial fail? you'd better fucking believe they won't. now, if you are a fan of Spider-Man (aimed at 13 year olds) and "Pirates" (aimed at 12 year olds), then you probably won't care about this likely outcome. however, if you're a fucking adult, capable of thinking critically about the world around you and the preconceived notions held by society, then this will be a fucking tragedy. we, as the consumers, have the ultimate say in this matter. we can determine what gets made and what doesn't, by refusing to go see fucking "Race to Witch Mountain" and nic cage's latest shitfest and beverly hills chihuahah just b/c you saw a couple of commercials. demand more, and you will get more. demand more than staring at a screen blankly, laughing a couple of times, drooling on yourself and forgetting completely about what you just saw 6 minutes later. i'm not saying that watchmen is that film (although i guarantee that if you haven't read the novel, upon leaving the theater, you will want to), but at least its fucking trying, which is so much more than 99% of the shit put out can say.
3. finally, one thing has been happening lately that has truly changed my life. i'm referring, of course, to HBO's brilliant "Eastbound and Down", the study of a true force of nature. Kenny Powers, a washed-up superstar who squandered his talent and all of his money, and winds up living with his brother and teaching middle school gym, relentlessly travels through the world. watch this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kkAoLOA0HQ , and prepare to do nothing else for 3 hours of your life than laugh really, really hard. kenny powers actually reminds me a lot of daniel plainview, also known as DDL in "There Will Be Blood", in that he's a completely uncompromising man who runs roughshod over every and anyone in pursuit of whatever it is he's trying to get. now, Danny McBride (the drug dealer from "Pineapple Express" and pyromaniac FX guy from "Tropic Thunder") is playing the exact same character that Will Ferrell has been trying to play in Blades of Glory, Talledega Nights, Semi-Pro, and others, only for whatever reason, McBride is much more likeable in the role. where Ferrell is entirely oblivious and obstinate to the point of parody, McBride never crosses that line. he also manages to bring a believability to the role, in that you actually believe that Kenny Powers could be a real man, where i never felt that way about rickey bobby or any of ferrell's other sports figures. i think a key is everyone playing it straight to McBride's absurdity, it really adds a needed bit of credibility to the whole enterprise. at any rate, check out EB & D, it carries my highest recommendation.
so here i am. back from the abyss after months of wasted time, wasted effort, wasted desires and spinning my wheels. back to the beginning again. so here goes nothing. at any rate, i'm going to start regularly blogging again. i know, i've said it, and you've heard it all before, but i'm going to try and be diligent about it this time, because it truly is refreshing to get some of this shit out there, even if only 2-3 people actually take the time to actually read it. so what's new you ask? well, not a lot with me, quite a lot with the world. well, actually, not really anything with the world, but there is some serious shit that's new in the only parts of the world i really care about, sports, movies, tv.
1. If you know me, you know I'm a Bills fan. If you haven't been living under a rock in Barrow Alaska for the past month, you know that the Bills recently signed Terrell "i'm a fuck" Owens. a lot of you are probably asking yourself: "Brens, what do you think?", and the answer is: I fucking love it. now listen to my explanation. first, the bills are a moribund franchise, mired in mediocrity and mired in a dying city. SOMETHING had to be done to make a splash. they haven't made the playoffs since 1999, and every year since then they have finished between 6-10 and 9-7. that, my friends, is mediocrity. we're talking about a team that was at one point last season 5-1, and ended 2-8. in a season in which mike "i have two rings" shanahan was fired, dick "my teams consistently underachieve" jauron kept his job. i live 400 miles from buffalo and i'm at my wit's end. imagine if you live in Western NY and you're a season ticket holder or some shit. you probably contemplate suicide weekly. so, why not bring in a guy who will generate some excitement? yes, TO is a horse's ass, and he has repeatedly shown a propensity to throw coaches, quarterbacks and franchises under the bus when he's not happy. however, look back at his track record, in his first year, he always behaves himself, a honeymoon of sorts. therefore, where's the drawback in signing him to a 1-year deal? particularly when his football life is on the line. if he signs a 1-year deal at 35 years old and fucks up, who's signing him next year? answer: no one. however, he realizes (or should realize) that he has an opportunity to parlay this one season into an opportunity with buffalo or another franchise over the next several years and end his career on a high note en route to a first-ballot hall of fame slot. This goes without saying that on paper, TO probably helps the Bills more than he would any other franchise. the Bills' offense has needed a second receiver for 5 years now. Lee Evans is a great deep threat, but he's too small and not durable enough to run over the middle or get the tough yards. TO relishes that role. for years teams have been able to double evans and/or stack the line against the run. with TO and Evans, who do you double? you need safeties off the line of scrimmage, which opens up the run. Lynch is one of the rising RBs in the league, and if it wasn't for purple jesus in Minn, people would be talking about him as the great young RB in the league. TO has MUCH more to lose than the Bills do. for the aforementioned reasons, i LOVE the signing.
2. so much has been written about this being the "golden age" of television. and i think there's a lot of merit to that. when i think of quality, damn good television, the vast majority of it has aired in the last 10 years or so. this is no more true than with battlestar galactica, which we sadly said goodbye to last night.
is it set in space, in a distant star system? absolutely. however, at its core, it's a series about human beings, family, society, and the bonds between us. it's probably the best acted series i've ever seen (hell, the two leads have been nominated for oscars), and the writing is exquisite. shrouded in myth, by unlike LOST, this is not self-created myth, but myth that hints at the core of what makes us human. let me just say, there's a reason that the U.N. hosted a forum for the creators of BSG to talk about the issues in the show. despite being set thousands of light years away and featuring a war between humans and their rebelling former robotic slaves, it somehow manages to be the best show about 1.) the military, 2.) what makes us "human", 3.) philosophy and 4.) religion that i've ever seen. (as well as one of the better shows about family and the bonds between us). in addition, its' got that "ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances" vibe going for it, which i can't get enough of. in a way, by breaking the constraints of our present setting, the show is permitted to make broader statements about who we are and what we're about without getting caught up in the muck of the when and where. are there holes? absolutely. but check out the 4-episode miniseries, i guarantee you'll be hooked and that you won't be disappointed. i won't spoil anything here, because i know people that should watch it and have yet to watch it, but it's about the ride, not the destination. the ride (and it's one hell of a ride) is all the fun. it's so rare that today a series can be of such quality while simultaneously bringing so much to the table. so whether or not I, or anyone else, thought that the ending was or was not fitting of the series, i do know that i'm going to miss it. at any rate, i'm sad to see it go, the world is worse off without it. (although there is a two hour TV movie airing this fall, and a prequel series (that i'm not sold on) starts in april) 3. In other entertainment news: the big story is Watchmen . Love it, hate it, don't know about it, whatever. this is what i do know about it. you need to fucking see it. is it perfect? no, far from it. i give it an 8.1. but it's not about this one fucking movie and whether or not it lives up to expectations or is over stylized or under acted or whatever. Watchmen is about the future of hollywood. it took 20 years to get this movie made, and Zach Snyder, for all of his shortcomings, tried to make it as well as it could be made. people's careers are on the line here. a lot of individuals made a lot of sacrifices and put themselves out there to try to put a product out there not for hollywood and the studios, but for the fans. so if you are a fan of films that take a chance, that tell stories for the stories' sake and not for some warm happy hollywood ending and to line the pockets of the powers that be, support this fucking film. it's made approx. $100 mil domestically thus far. ok, but not really that good. do you think the studios are going to put out more hard-R films with high budgets that pull no punches and are ambiguous in their message if Watchmen is considered a commercial fail? you'd better fucking believe they won't. now, if you are a fan of Spider-Man (aimed at 13 year olds) and "Pirates" (aimed at 12 year olds), then you probably won't care about this likely outcome. however, if you're a fucking adult, capable of thinking critically about the world around you and the preconceived notions held by society, then this will be a fucking tragedy. we, as the consumers, have the ultimate say in this matter. we can determine what gets made and what doesn't, by refusing to go see fucking "Race to Witch Mountain" and nic cage's latest shitfest and beverly hills chihuahah just b/c you saw a couple of commercials. demand more, and you will get more. demand more than staring at a screen blankly, laughing a couple of times, drooling on yourself and forgetting completely about what you just saw 6 minutes later. i'm not saying that watchmen is that film (although i guarantee that if you haven't read the novel, upon leaving the theater, you will want to), but at least its fucking trying, which is so much more than 99% of the shit put out can say.
3. finally, one thing has been happening lately that has truly changed my life. i'm referring, of course, to HBO's brilliant "Eastbound and Down", the study of a true force of nature. Kenny Powers, a washed-up superstar who squandered his talent and all of his money, and winds up living with his brother and teaching middle school gym, relentlessly travels through the world. watch this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kkAoLOA0HQ , and prepare to do nothing else for 3 hours of your life than laugh really, really hard. kenny powers actually reminds me a lot of daniel plainview, also known as DDL in "There Will Be Blood", in that he's a completely uncompromising man who runs roughshod over every and anyone in pursuit of whatever it is he's trying to get. now, Danny McBride (the drug dealer from "Pineapple Express" and pyromaniac FX guy from "Tropic Thunder") is playing the exact same character that Will Ferrell has been trying to play in Blades of Glory, Talledega Nights, Semi-Pro, and others, only for whatever reason, McBride is much more likeable in the role. where Ferrell is entirely oblivious and obstinate to the point of parody, McBride never crosses that line. he also manages to bring a believability to the role, in that you actually believe that Kenny Powers could be a real man, where i never felt that way about rickey bobby or any of ferrell's other sports figures. i think a key is everyone playing it straight to McBride's absurdity, it really adds a needed bit of credibility to the whole enterprise. at any rate, check out EB & D, it carries my highest recommendation.
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