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20. Battle Royale (2000) – This Japanese horror film is about a class of normal 9th graders fighting to the death (per a government education reform act) on an island… last man standing gets to go home. Some students are natural killers, some just don’t have it in them and some fight only to survive. Once the first kill happens… it is on!

19. Big Fish (2003) – Just thinking about the ending of this movie… “Niagara falls”
18. Garden State (2004) – Who wouldn’t want to spend a couple of weeks falling for NP?
17. Minority Report (2002) – Some of the best chase scenes… ever (right next to Ronin)
16. Cast Away (2000) – “I have made fire!”
15. A Beautiful Mind (2001) – I love a good twist in a movie. This had one of the best along with incredible performances by RC and JC.

14. Juno (2007) – The innocence and warmth this movie portrayed in the backdrop of teenage pregnancy was great. Ellen Page made this movie what it was. She was amazing.
13. Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2 (2003, 2004) – I am a sucker for a revenge story. HanzoSword!
12. Little Miss Sunshine (2006) – One of the best character movies I have ever seen.

11. The Departed (2006) – Great acting, directing, story, gore and MS finally got his Oscar.
10. The Incredibles (2004) – Best Pixar movie.
9. Avatar (2009) – Dances with Wolves (which is one of my favorite movies) on Pandora with the Na’vi with the most advanced CGI to date. Amazing. The love story is the heart of this movie.
8. Apocalypto (2006) A heart pounding adventure/revenge story. What man can’t relate to getting home to save your wife, child and unborn baby?
7. Into the Wild (2007) – This movie is haunting. It will free your spirit. Great soundtrack.
6. Memento (2000) – Most creative, different and interesting script EVER.

5. 40 Year Old Virgin (2005) – Best comedy of the decade.
4. 28 Days Later (2002) – Brought zombie films back into the limelight. Running zombies is not my preference… but this film scared the crap out of me.
3. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) – This movie is dark. It also has the best light saber duel and the most intense build up (plot wise) out of all the Star Wars movies.
2. Gladiator (2000) – Best revenge story of the decade. I love history… especially Rome. Ridley Scott nailed this one.
1. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001, 2002, 2003) – Great movies have great characters. Even though this movie has some of the greatest battle scenes, one of the greatest scores, an amazing plot and Peter Jackson directing… it is the character development that is the heart of this movie.

Best Documentaries: Murderball, Grizzly Man, An Inconvenient Truth, Bowling for Columbine

They say that knowing is half the battle…and critics don’t know shit. Why do I say this? It’s because they have forgotten what movies are all about. I will say this though, shut your brain down and buckle up for an action packed, sometimes cheesy good time. There is a bit of sub-par acting but overall I enjoyed this movie. Don’t expect it to win any awards, but you can definitely expect a sequel. Also, the accelerator suits are probably the least of your worries when it comes to unrealistic weapons or vehicles. They actually managed to serve up a little character development along the way as well.

Others may judge this movie harshly, but I thought it was a good two hours of entertainment and nostalgia. Go in with low expectations and you will have a good time.

Go see it in the theaters…and be your own judge as to what entertains you.

Remember when movies were actually good? A timeless memorable story told in 90 minutes with no CGI? They definitely don’t make ‘em like they used to.

Check out the full list here

With Oscar season around the corner it got me thinking about all the movies I’ve seen in the past 6 weeks. I thought i’d do a quick run down of each one giving you the scoop, skinny, and the 411 in case you were wondering about checking them out. I’ll put them in order of how i liked them from least to my favorite. Since this is a blitz lets get to it!

11. The Wrestler- Well this should give you an idea that there are no bad movies on this list. I enjoyed the wrestler a lot and I think that Mickey Rourke gives us a performance that is worthy of actor of the year, but the movie as a whole was just good not great like Mickey’s performance. Go see this one for the great acting but don’t expect the movie to blow you away. Good Story, Great acting.

10. Gran Torino-I think I’m in the minority here because this movie did not click with me like it did everyone else. I enjoyed it but for some reason the script did not sit well with me. I thought the acting felt forced and I found myself critiquing the movie as I was watching it. That is not common for me unless the movie is really stinking it up. Not even a tour de force by Eastwood could save this one. That said I know a lot of folks loved this movie. It has some great moments and some funny parts but was a disappointment in my mind.

9. Coraline- This is a wonderful kids movie.   I saw this because it is based on a book written by Neil Gaiman (stardust, sandman comics)   and I will see anything that  Neil has anything to do with his imagination is immense. I found myself enjoying the film, but it really is a kid’s film. It is a great movie to take a your daughter to as it has a very strong female lead. Gaiman’s fantasy world is brought to life in this 3D vision and it is done so very well. Not a must see movie, but I think if you give it a shot most would enjoy it for a kids movie.

8. The Reader- Well talk about a downer of a movie. You could tell this was a movie that would be up for a lot of awards. It is directed, acted, and filmed wonderfully. You can always tell a top notch film from your regular run of the mill Hollywood fodder. Kate Winslet turns in an incredible performance. As touching as the movie is it seems to fall a little short of completely grabbing the viewer thus it is a bit lower on the list then perhaps it could be. Don’t go expecting a feel good story or happy ending.

7. Underworld- Rise of the Lycans-Did you like part one but hate part two? Yeah me too and you’ll be happy to know this is much more like part one then part two!  The story moves well and is visually great. This movie is everything you want it to be. You could even see this without having seen the other movies I thought it would have stood by itself well.

6. Curious Case of Benjamin Button-  Like The Reader this movie just oozed with Oscar Hopefullness. Great acting great story, shot really well. It is a little long, but you are following a guys life. I remember being very happy with this movie after I saw it. I was engulfed with the story and I felt it was not just interesting but Pitt made his character very compelling.

5. Revolutionary Road-I was a little surprsed to see this movie was not nominated for best film. I’m a big Sam Mendes fan and I’m even bigger fan of his ability to film uncomfortable human moments in a real fashion. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio are both on top of their game here. This movie dragged me into their world and made you consider your own life while you looked through the window at theirs falling apart. They have the little house with the white fence but is that fence to keep others out or them inside? As with all of my top five i recommend it highly!         

4. Waltz with Bashir-    Sometimes you see a movie that is highly touted and it ends up being a disappointment.  This is far from the case with Waltz though. This Israeli animation film delivers the goods. I was enthralled with the lead character’s quest to un-repress his war memories. The animation is very good and the way it explores the human psych is wonderful. I left this film feeling like I had seen something very interesting and moving.

3. Defiance- I’m not sure why so many folks seemed not to like this movie because I thought it was pretty awesome. It was a great story with strong acting. The movie itself was a bit long, but the action scenes in it  keep everything interesting. The backbone of the movie is based on a real story and that in itself makes this even more amazing. This is not an action flick though it is really a story about survival of the human spirit.  

2. Slumdog Millionaire- At first I had no interest at all in watching this. I admit the story did not sound interesting to me, but then i realized Danny Boyle (trainspotting/sunshine) directed the movie so that coupled with critical praise allowed me to talk myself into seeing this. I’m glad i did from the music to the ode to Bollywood throughout the movie this was a top notch performance. It was one of the more interesting movies I’ve seen this year and I was engulfed in the story the entire time. I thought most of the movies this year were weak in comparison to the past few years but for me this one deserves best movie nod.

1. Valkyrie- I was so into this movie i found myself wondering if they could actually pull the assassination off even though I knew that was not possible based on History. It shows a very interesting side of World War II that I have not seen in a movie before. Like most the films on this list top notch acting and the directing of the movie was very good. This was probably my favorite movie I saw all year. Maybe not the most artistic, but my favorite.

That’s it Agree or Disagree?  How would you rank them the ones you have seen? Have you seen anything in the past month in the theatre that I haven’t that I should see? I’m curious to see Doubt, Milk, Taken & Frost Nixon. I think my top 6 on this list are must sees. They were that good. Particularly the top three. So that’s it for the movie blitz now you get to play Monday Morning Quarterback and tell me how foolish my opinion is

Action heroes are few and far between.  I know that statement sounds funny because there are hundreds of action movies.  However, when it comes to true-blood action heroes, there is a very short list.   Some of them are washed up by today’s standards….but they were gods in their prime.

What criteria did I use for this list? 

• Time Frame:  I picked actors who peaked in the 80’s and 90’s (when the action hero was HUGE) 
• Kills:  Has to have single handedly taken on some sort of mass army without enduring more then a “flesh wound”
• Get the Girl:  Must have saved at least one super model
• Must be way strong or have some sort of martial art ability
• Must not be known as a comic book character with “super strength”
• Must be able to kick the shit out of anybody not on this list

Ok, the list is below: (in no particular order)

Chuck Norris

• Biggest Bad Ass Roles:  Missing in Action, Delta Force, The Octagon, and most of the rest….
•  Worst Movie:  All TV movies that have to do with Walker Texas Ranger
• BAD ASS QUOTE:  “Nikko was easy. Now it’s your turn. One night you’ll close your eyes, and when they open I’ll be there. It’ll be time to die.” – Invasion USA

Sylvester Stallone

• Biggest Bad Ass Roles:  Rocky, Rambo, Cobra
• Worst Movie:  Stop or My Mom Will Shoot
• BAD ASS QUOTE:  “I don’t deal with psychos. I put ‘em away.” Cobra 

Jean-Claude Van Damme

• Biggest Bad Ass Roles: Universal Soldier, Kickboxer, Bloodsport
• Worst Movie:  Street Fighter The Movie
• BAD ASS QUOTE:  [handing over a flask of his moonshine] “Here, drink. But do not spill. It kill de grass.” – Hard Target

Steven Segal

• Biggest Bad Ass Roles: Under Siege, Marked for Death, Hard to Kill
• Worst Movie: On Deadly Ground
• BAD ASS QUOTE: “Nah, I’m just a cook” – Under Siege

Arnold Schwarzenegger

• Biggest Bad Ass Roles In:  Predator, Commando, Terminator, Conan
• Worst Movie:  Batman and Robin as Mr. Freeze
• BAD ASS QUOTE:  “I’ll Be Back” – Most of his movies

I run into the theater…excited with anticipation.  A movie that I’ve been looking forward to for years finally hits the silver screen.  I cautiously sit down….looking around at the people sitting around me…profiling them.  What am I looking for and why would I do this? 

You see, I’ve been burned before. Burned by the type of ass-clown that starts talking, kicking my seat or crumbling their tub-o-popcorn.  But this can’t happen tonight right ?  This movie is too important…… It can and it did.

Of course, tonight that couple sits behind me.  They literally put their feet up on the seat next to me and proceed to “chat” during the entire fucking movie. 

I’ve tried to be polite in the past.  I’ve tried to turn around….say shhhoosh nicely.  It never works.  This type of person looks at you like your the crazy one.  Then they talk about how nutz you are….just fueling their conversation fire. 

I hate these dip-shit fuck-wads out there that like to treat the movie theater like it’s their own personal living room. 

You know the type.  The same inconsiderate fucker that cuts in front of long lines, bangs his neighbors wife or scams old people out of their life savings.  You know this person.  He….or she is the person that simply doesn’t care about anybody else except for themselves.  

I once saw a crazy “insert ethic slur” guy go ape shit on a couple of college students at a movie when they asked him to put a sock in it.  He stood up started screaming.  The bastard was still going ape shit in the parking lot after the movie.  Way to propagate the stereo type….

When there’s a zombie apocalypse, I’m feeding these fuckers to the hordes. 

Anyway, I would like to suggest a remedy to this problem.  I think movie theaters should install a shock device in all their seats that is operated by the person in the seat in front of them.   When that person talks…..ZAAAAPPPP.  When that person kicks the seat….ZAAAPPPP.

Or, how about a less violent version…a flashing light on the back of my seat that say “shut the fuck up” …. thus out-annoying the person sitting behind you.   Surely they would get the hint right? 

Of course, I’m open to suggestions.  What do you think we should do?  Have any ideas?  I’m ready for a revolution. 

Who remembers the Monster Squad?  You know, the ”scary” version of the Goonies.  Well, I watched it again last night.  It’s one of those movies I always turn to during Halloween.  

If you’re not familiar, the movie is about a group of kids ”the Monster Squad” who battle the likes of Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, Wolfman, Mummy and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. 

Anyway, I just wanted to quickly post about how great this movie is.  Made in 1987, the movie was a quick hit with kids my age.  I must have watched it 50 times growing up.  How can you possibly beat a story about 12-year-olds taking on monsters?

The one quote that I’ll never forget is when “fat kid” kicks Wolfman in the Nards.  Below is a quick clip from that….  My tribute to the Monster Squad.  

Oh, and by the way, I’ll have this playing at the Halloween party this weekend.

Get The Monster Squad (Two-Disc 20th Anniversary Edition) DVD NOW

Arnold Schwarzenegger, one of my personal favorite movie stars, has been in a bunch of great movies.  Chadinator, Mindbomb and I debated about a top 10 list of movies that he has been in over the weekend, so I though I would take a stab at my top 10 right here. 

Below is a list of the top 10 movies that Arnold ”the Governator” Schwarzenegger has been in during his career. 

(1 being best, 10 being less best)

1. Predator
   1. QUOTE:  “If it bleeds, we can kill it.” – Dutch
2. Terminator 2: Judgement Day

   1. QUOTE:  “Hasta la vista, baby.” – Terminator

3. Running Man

   1. [after strangling Sub-Zero with barbed wire] “What a pain in the neck.” – Ben Richards

4. Conan the Barbarian
   1. [When asked what is best in life] “To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women.” - Conan
5. Total Recall
   1. “Get your ass to Mars.” – Douglas Quaid
6. The Terminator
   1. “I’ll be back.” – Terminator
7. True Lies
   1. “First I’m gonna use you as a human shield, then I gonna kill this guard over there, with the Patterson trocar on the table. Then I was thinking about breaking your neck.”  – Harry Tasker
8. Commando
   1. “You’re a funny man, Sully, I like you. That’s why I’m going to kill you last.” – John Marix
9. Kindergarten Cop
   1. “It’s NOT a TUMOR” – Mr. Kimble
10. Twins
    1. “I don’t know what the problem is, but I’m sure it can be solved without resorting to violence.” – Julius Benedicts 

Notable Mentions:  Eraser and the Sixth Day

With the latest Batman movie,  The Dark Night, starting this week, I thought I would take a look at all the movie adaptations that our caped crusader has been in over the history of time.

Come to find out, Batman has been all over the place.  From cartoons, cameo’s in other films, feature films, TV, Radio, comics, etc, Batman may be one of the most exploited comic heroes of all time.  

For the purpose of this article, I’m going to simply list the “feature films” that the Bat has been in.  

Enjoy:  (list from Wikipedia)

• 1943: Batman, 15-chapter serial starring Lewis Wilson as Batman and Douglas Croft as Robin.
• 1949: Batman and Robin, 15-chapter serial starring Robert Lowery and Johnny Duncan.
• 1966: Batman, feature film starring Adam West and Burt Ward.
• 1989: Batman, directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as Batman and Jack Nicholson as the Joker.
• 1992: Batman Returns, directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman and Danny DeVito as the Penguin.
• 1993: Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, animated feature spun-off of Batman: The Animated Series.
• 1995: Batman Forever, directed by Joel Schumacher and starring Val Kilmer as Batman, Chris O’Donnell as Robin, Nicole Kidman as Dr. Chase Meridian, Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face, and Jim Carrey as the Riddler.
• 1997: Batman and Robin, directed by Joel Schumacher and starring George Clooney as Batman, Chris O’Donnell as Robin, Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze, Alicia Silverstone as Batgirl, and Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy.
• 2005: Batman Begins, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale as Batman, Michael Caine as Alfred, Gary Oldman as James Gordon, Liam Neeson as Ra’s Al Ghul, and Cillian Murphy as the Scarecrow.
• 2008:The Dark Knight, the sequel to Batman Begins, starring Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent and Two-Face, and Heath Ledger as the Joker.

For a full list of what the Bat has been in, check out this link to wikipedia (click here).

I’d like to note that the Dark Night series has been the best so far.  Batman with Michael Keaton comes in a close second, but most of the ones that followed that line of moves were awful.  Some of them career killers…..has anybody seen Alecia Silverstone lately?