Films whose title is a street name

"Winning changes everything."

In 1966, Texas Western coach Don Haskins led the first all-black starting line-up for a college basketball team to the NCAA national championship.

REVIEW
"Glory Road" tells the true (though as with any such movie, apparently partially fictionalized) story of the Texas Western basketball team's 1966 season as it startled the nation with its march to the national championship. Though it takes place after passage of the Civil Rights Act and during the brotherhood speeches of Martin Luther King Jr., the blatant racism of earlier times lingered more than a little. The film does a good job of providing viewers with a taste of that fact. It is certainly an inspirational story and the cast does as well as can be expected in a movie that necessarily must attempt to explore a number of characters. On the negative side, the game scenes sometimes seemed poorly filmed and some of the dialog - especially the radio and television announcers - was stilted and felt awkward. Still, for those who appreciate a good sports movie, this is worth a look.

"Stand Your Ground And Fight."

A wrongfully expelled Harvard undergrad moves to London, where he is introduced to the violent underworld of football hooliganism.

REVIEW
Not too cliché though it ends up being a hollow melodrama; the finished product dances between loyalty, horror and revenge but it manages to capture this terrible element of British society. Violence is relentless and extreme, making the entertainment fulfilling but the story has a lot of energy. Hooliganism is depicted as intoxicating and the "yankee" transformation looks real, as well as the violence defense and its final condemnation. Don't remember a film dealing with this kind of neighborhood wars. It's certainly a gritty drama and well acted, a portrait of young destroying their lives that makes sense for sure.

The acting is surprisingly strong with Elijah Wood, Charlie Hunnam, Lee Gregory and Claire Forlani delivering performances usually only seen from the big boys. Much of the credit must go to director Lexi Alexander who shows a real flair for tension-filled scenes and getting the most out of an actor.

It is a bit of a coming of age story for wimpy Wood as Matt, a journalist major at Harvard who gets expelled when he won't fight the drug charges that his roommate sent him up with. The rest of the film is Wood's search for his backbone. Hunnam proves to be an exciting and dynamic leader of men, who actually does have a soul ... even if it is a bit misguided. Forlani flashes her most expressive eyes and does a great deal with her limited role here.

Check this one out and spread the word on this hidden gem. The action is good, the dialogue is fast and fun and checking out the world of football firms is also very interesting.

"What could be safer than living next to a cop?"

An interracial couple moves into their California dream home, only to find themselves the target of their volatile next-door neighbor -- a racist LAPD officer -- in this tightly wound thriller starring Samuel L. Jackson and Kerry Washington. Newlyweds Chris and Lisa seem like they have the perfect marriage and now, with their new home in the exclusive community Lakeview Terrace, the perfect life as well, but things soon turn ugly in the posh neighborhood when they begin to receive threats from their neighbor Abel, a middle-aged LAPD officer who has obvious objections to the couple's interracial marriage. What starts as an attitude problem soon morphs into full-on harassment, and before long the couple finds that their worries go far beyond their property values -- or the encroaching California wildfire burning in view of their community -- as they begin to fear for their lives.

Review
A nicely done thriller thanks to Samuel L. Jackson's terrifying performance as the uptight father and a ruthless cop and some powerful support performances from Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington. I am not familiar with some of Neil LaBute's previous efforts but Lakeview Terrace gives off a good impression. He handles the subject of racism pretty well. Its not overdone, its not too preachy, it just told a fairly good story and that was it. No pretentions, no melodramatic mumbo jumbo that has often plagued films that takes on such delicate topics on screen. It topped the box-office when it was released all thanks to Samuel J's star power and here's hoping more people will see this movie. If you want your daily dose of thrillers, then Lakeview Terrace is a must see. But don't expect much though, its just a little film taking on big, controversial subjects that is relevant in this day and age.

What the hell is up with this film? I knew this film is going to be strange because of all the reviews it got but man, that was way too fucked up. Was the director on crack when he made this film? I'm still mystified by it up until now. This is definitely one of those films that requires second viewing and some internet consultations.

OK. So the first part of the film can be easily followed. Its basically about a woman who had amnesia and this woman Betty takes her in in her aunt's apartment and then inside the purse of the woman with amnesia there's loads of money. Puzzled, Betty and Rita (the woman) decides to follow some leads and track down her real identity. There's some subplots involved concerning a Hollywood director (Justin Theroux) struggling to find a lead actress in his new film and then there's this hitman who is I think looking for the money and then there's a guy who died because he saw a bum in a dumpster (a lol moment) which is totally unrelated to the story.

But then, when the moment Rita drops the blue box it all goes to crazy town and I was like this little kid confused and clueless and all alone. Right up until the last frame, you will be confused. I don't think any person could understand it first viewing.

David Lynch, who is known for making really weird movies, captures what it is like inside a dream. This is what the movie is in a nutshell: a dream. Its so bizarre and haywire. But if you watch it closely and observe, I mean really observe it all makes sense. I just viewed it for the second time just now and I completely understood it now. And from what I've seen , its beautiful. Its like a jigsaw puzzle, before you see the complete picture you must first piece all the puzzle and the reward is very glorious. The acting is just superb. Naomi Watts is a complete stand out. She really stood among the rest. The others were pretty good too. The directing is just plain excellent. David Lynch among other "weird" directors like Gondry, will go down as one of my favorite directors ever.

"How do you break free without breaking apart?"

Titanic shipmates Kathy Bates, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Kate Winslet step onboard for director Sam Mendes' tale of suburban malaise in 1950s-era Connecticut. Adapted from the classic 1961 novel by author Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road tells the tale of a young Connecticut couple whose once-idealistic relationship steadily deteriorates into a ceaseless cycle of petty jealousy and bickering as they strive to retain their independence in the conformity-obsessed world of picket fences and perfectly manicured lawns. Ever since they first met, Frank (DiCaprio) and April (Winslet) saw themselves as special and different. They strive to form their relationship around higher ideals, though upon moving into their new home on Revolutionary Road, the defiant couple pledges never to be confined by the social conventions of the era. As time passes, however, Frank and April gradually become the very thing that they both feared most -- a typical suburban family complete with abandoned dreams and faded hopes. Frank loses his nerve after taking a comfortable job with a reliable salary, and April morphs into an unsatisfied homemaker desperate for passion and excitement. But April's independent spirit hasn't been suffocated just yet, and when she hatches a plan to head for Paris, her need to escape at all costs stands in direct contrast to Frank's desire to hold on to what they already have.

Review
Sam Mendes handles a very difficult and complex subject with commanding fashion. This film is about relationships, egos, insecurity, problems a couple faces in everyday life. The story is not something that will inspire you or make you feel good but it will make you think and show you a different aspect about relationship. The film's screenplay is good, if not great but what makes this film a memorable piece of art are the two lead actors and the director's sensibility about the subject. Talking about actors, it is time Leo gets the well deserved accolades, he delivers one of his career best performance. He takes this movie to another level and this film shows why Kate Winslet is one of the best actress of our generation. They effortlessly make this movie a treat to watch. It doesn't matter whether it will get an Oscar or a golden globe but it will be one film one will remember in days to come. Sam, I am waiting for your next.

"I am big! It's the pictures that got small."

A hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent-film star who has faded into Hollywood obscurity.

REVIEW
"Sunset Boulevard" represents Billy Wilder at his most acidic and ghoulish, but it's a testament to his genius as a film maker that he could create a film as relentlessly bleak and cynical as this one and make it devilishly entertaining (and even quite funny at times) rather than unbearably depressing.

There's a big fat heart at the center of Wilder's bitter pill, and it's one that could be easily missed amid the dark, film-noirish exterior. I think that ultimately "Sunset Boulevard" is about the love of movies. You can tell that Wilder loves movies as much as the sad and decaying film star Norma Desmond, played brilliant by Gloria Swanson. But he understands with an insider's point of view that there's a seedy underside to every business, and that's what he sets out to expose in his film. Movies get made and stars are born, but for every birth there's a death.

I don't know how much of Swanson's performance is acting or her just being herself. If you allow yourself to think about it too long, Wilder's use of her is almost cruel, as making fun of Norma Desmond the character nearly amounts to making fun of Swanson the actress. The whole movie is uncomfortable in that same way--it's like a bunch of Hollywood used-to-be's got together and decided to let themselves be parodied for a greater cause. But the film stops just short of cruelty, because in many ways Norma is the most sympathetic character in the film, and every so often there's a glimpse of the vulnerable human being underneath that ridiculous getup that begs to be loved, and who can't relate to that?

William Holden is perfect in a non-showy role that it would be tempting to pass off as an easy one. But I don't think it is an easy role. Holden has to be responsible for tempering the audience's reaction to Norma--he's the moral conscience of the film, and his steady presence anchors it and keeps it from sailing headlong into camp.

There are so many quotable lines in this film, I don't know where to begin. Imagine this film and "All About Eve" coming out in the same year. It's a movie quote fan's wet dream.

In an eerie bit of prophetic trivia, apparently Gloria Swanson thought this film would signal such a major comeback for her that she began plans to write a stage musical based on the film, starring herself. (She might even have gotten as far as completing it). Of course nothing ever came of it, and Swanson sunk quickly back into obscurity. But she would be vindicated to know that a stage musical did eventually appear, courtesy of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, and it actually does quite a bit of justice to Wilder's film.

"Never Forget. Never Forgive."

In the Victorian London, the barber Benjamin Barker is married with the gorgeous Lucy and they have a lovely child, Johanna. The beauty of Lucy attracts the attention of the corrupt Judge Turpin that falsely accuses the barber of a crime that he had not committed and abuses of Lucy later. After fifteen years in exile, Benjamin returns to London under the new identity of Sweeney Todd, seeking revenge against Turpin. Sweeney Todd meets the widow Mrs. Lovett and owner of a meat pie shop that tells him that Lucy committed suicide with arsenic many years ago, and Turpin assigned himself as tutor of Johanna. He opens a barber shop above her store, initiating a crime rampage against those that made him suffer and lose his beloved family.

Review
First of all the Sweeney Todd script is unique itself being a musical. Burton's vision was perfect for it. So dark with some vivid colors at times. The whole plot of Sweeney getting his revenge because the love of his life was taken away was so touching. And all the little quirks throughout the movie with all the different characters was so much fun to watch.

I went into the movie knowing it would be a great movie, but it exceeded my expectations by far. There was humor, a lot of emotion, incredible music, and so much talent from the actors. It was also weird and creepy at times, but I loved it anyway. I highly suggest you to see this if you want to see a movie so different from any other movie.

"Greed, for lack of a better word, is good."

A young and impatient stockbroker is willing to do anything to get to the top, including trading on illegal inside information taken through a ruthless and greedy corporate raider whom takes the youth under his wing.

REVIEW
A darn good yarn, from the time before Oliver Stone decided he had to be more relevant than entertaining. Certainly there is social commentary in Wall Street, but at least it's not the only thing. The story arc on Bud Fox, played by Charlie Sheen, is a 1980's version of the Icarus tale. So, too, in a way is the arc on Gordon Gekko, played by Michael Douglas, although it is less explicit and less complete. Douglas, who won an Oscar for the role, never looked so much like his father than in this one. Wonderful cinematography, and Stone's ego never came through, so the direction was unobtrusive. Excellent supporting cast, including James Spader, John C. McGinley, Terence Stamp, Sean Young, and Hal Holbrook. If you haven't seen it, do.