My Favorite Movies

"You feel that sting, big boy, huh? That's pride f*ckin' with you! You gotta fight through that sh*t!" -Butch Coolidge

My all-time joint favourite movie (along with Before Sunset). A masterpiece.

"I'll never forget this one night thing. Even tomorrow in other arms, my heart will stay yours until I die." -Celine

Superb. This (along with Pulp Fiction) are my joint ranked Favourite movie. I have no criticisms about this. The most visually beautiful film I've ever seen. It's only 80 minutes but it's like a 3-hour long movie (in a good way, I mean). Hawke and Deply share the best on-screen chemistry I've ever seen before. The characters of Jesse & Celine are developed well. It seems so realisic. Their funny & deep conversations will make you feel like your walking around Paris beside them. Make sure you watch Before Sunrise first though. I just wonder what lies ahead of Jesse & Celine. I want more!

"Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it, like my heart's going to cave in." -Ricky Fitts

Amazing.

"Let's never come here again because it will never be as much fun." -Charlotte.

Possibly the most visually mouth-wateringly beautiful film ever created. Easily, the best of the three films directed by Coppola (The Virgin Suicides, L.I.T. & Marie Antoinette). The gorgeous scenery of night time, neon-lit Tokyo to the bright, natural shrines of Kyoto is the perfect setting. Surrounded by all the outer beauty, there's an inner beauty which lies in the characters of Bob and Charlotte. There's a perfectly suiting lack of dialogue between the two throughout the film which develops the characters much better than any long conversation. Bill & Scarlett are phenomenal. Rivalling only Delpy and Hawke in the on-screen chemistry department. I found Ms. Johansson annoying until I viewed this and realized she's possibly the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. The direction is nothing short of extraordinary. Coppola is undoubtedly a genius.

"Tracy was playing with Barbies before she met Evie!" -Melanie

Ever since I saw the cover of the DVD I knew I was hooked! The teenage girl rebellion has become a bit of a cliche in recent years. But this was anything but. Yeah, the loss of innocence & the downward spiral were both included but Thirteen also sees strong direction, symbolism and indie movie charm. The handheld camerawork makes the film seem real and honest. The highlight of this film however, has to be the acting. Although Nikki Reed had been through the ordeal herself and Holly Hunter was Oscar nominated, the star who steals the show is Evan Rachel Wood as Tracy! The audience feels her pain as she reacts to her mother, drugs, sex, petty crime, school & of course; Evie Zamora. Evie will forever remain was of my all time favourite movie characters. The soundtrack is also perfect with its heavy rock & depressing (at times) tunes. Katy Rose's "Lemon" is the ultimate theme song for a movie, it fits in so well. If your looking for a good funny teen movie stay away from this but if you want to see a powerful, raw, honest indie masterpiece, watch this! Some call it "shocking", others call it "disturbing", but nothing could have made this film better. Unlike some films I don't think "Thirteen" was trying to be controversial, it was just showing a reality. One of my all time favourites. Suitable for repeated viewing. See it now!

"Life is like the surf, so give yourself away like the sea." -Luisa

There's many adjectives that describe "Y Tu Mama Tambien"... funny, tragic, strange, sexy, fresh, youthful but none of these describe the film better than the word "beautiful". Alfonso Cuarón directs the film with very skillfully and I'm not surprised that the screenplay was Oscar-nominated. The movie is emotionally driven, a story that's centred around life and it's unexpectedness. The three central characters are just so interesting. As the film progresses, you get to know these people and you care about them. The audience follows Julio and Tenoch's conflicts of jealousy and opposing classes, a friendship that is both comedic and tragic. Then there's Luisa, the beautiful Spaniard that steals the boys' affections. I was fighting back the tears when her surprising heartbreaking story was revealed... a twist ending which you won't see coming, but on repeat viewing the signs are unavoidable. It really is a work of genius that one could watch over and over, and still take something from it. A study of friendship and romance, "Y Tu Mama Tambien" is undoubtedly my favourite foreign language film of all time.

?It's the sense of touch? In L.A., nobody touches you? I think we miss that touch so much, that we crash into each other, just so we can feel something.? ?Det. Graham Waters

So moving, finally, a well desevred Best Picture! Performances are great. The cast makes an amazing ensemble. My favourite Musical Score of all time.

?Help me, Lola! I don't know what to do!? -Manni

One of my all time favourites, I loved everything about it. The adrenaline rush, the pulsing techno, the partly animated segments, the multi-scenarios, the complete weirdness of it all. One woman's race against time to save her doomed lover. The idea of living the same moments over and over again if they don't turn out the way you have planned. Tykwer does at good job at directing & I love the hopeful ending. It made me think long after viewing. Referenced in everything from The Simpsons to Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind. Everyone should see this movie.

"But in the end, isn't it always the same question and always the same answer?"

?Walk down the right back alley in Sin City, and you can find anything.? -Marv

The most original film in years. One of my all-time favourites.

Kill Bill is a masterpiece, it's features scenes of Colour, Animation, Back & White, good acting, powerful story. Also, Uma Tarantino = Success.

?That woman deserves her revenge and we deserve to die.? ?Budd

"You know what I like best about Christmas? The surprises. I mean, it's like you get this box, and you're sure you know what's inside of it... But then you open it up and it's completely different. You know, wow, bang, surprise!... it's kind of like me and you here... this time yesterday, who would have thunk it?" -Claire Montgomery

Judging from the horrible poster, you mightn't watch to watch this but you really should. Claire's theory on surprises also applies to this film as it's quite simply, one of the funniest movie of all time! Go has alot of my personal favourites; my favourite movie title, my favourite opening sequence, my favourite soundtrack, my favourite last line in a movie, the list go on..... The characters are potrayed so well. Everyone has their favourite character. I've spent ages thinking about the small details of this movie. If the MTV generation did anything right, it spawned this movie. In my opinion, it's the most underrated film of our time. Everyone go out and buy it. It's Pulp Fiction meets Dazed & Confused on ecstacy, what's not to like?Nothing, it's perfect.

?Well this isn't an American Teen Princess Pageant! This... This... This is Nazi Germany!? -Amber Atkins

Either Michael Patrick Jann got very lucky with the perfect cast and idea or else he's comic genius. Either way, this film just might possibly be, the funniest movie of all time. From the characters' personalities to their "talents". Beyond the obvious laughs, lies a clear satire of small town Republican America. And beyond that, there's heart to the movie in the big dreams of a small town girl; Amber Atkins. I think the movie's strength is the characters she encounters along the way. Although Kirstie Alley, Ellen Barkin and Kirsten Dunst make you cry from laughter, it's the supporting roles of bubbly contestant Brittany Murphy, awkward pageant assistant Mindy Sterling and especially promiscuous neighbour Allison Janney who really have the viewers rolling on the floor. With tonnes of laughs, a "killer" plot, colourful characters, clever satirical jabs, a few explosions and a little bit of heart, D.D.G. is very much suitable for repeated viewing.

?Letting everyone down would be my greatest unhappiness.? ?Maire-Antoinette

This was probably my most anticipated film of the year, and it did not disappoint. Dunst's best performance. Excellent direction my Ms. Coppola. I could see many of her trademarks appearing throughout. The modern rock works well with the old fashioned setting. It's visual wonder and an amazing "rise-and-fall" story told with incredible beauty. Not as good as "Lost In Translation" but better than "The Virgin Suicides". It does well in continuing Coppola's "young girl's confusion" series. Highly recommended. I'm eagerly awaiting Sophia's next feature. "This, Madame, is Versailles."

"Courage is when you're the only guy who knows how shit-scared you really are." -Roland Bozz

I have to say; I've always loved this movie! I always thought Colin Farrell's acting was overrated, that is, until I saw this movie. He seems so realistic and genuine, not to mention, he has the Texas accent down to a tee. It would also turn out to be Matthew Davis' best performance as well. They're a perfect odd couple. The grainy, 16-millimeter quality is perfect for telling a harsh, cold Vietnam times. The core of the movie however is Bozz & Paxton's friendship. There is an in-dept view of both characters that exists within the film. Highly underrated but still appreciated. This will remain Joel Schumacher's only masterpiece. Perfection!

?Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around.? ?Sofia Serrano

"It can't rain all the time." -Eric Draven

Looking at the poster, it looks like a slasher movie aimed at teens but it couldn't be more different. The Crow is an astonishingly powerful film. All the more powerful because of the circumstances which surrounds the film's production (Lee's unfair demise and the talented Davis' downfall). The film is unique in the sense that it's a black and white movie filmed in colour. However, this technique works for The Crow making it all the more beautiful. The plot is predictable but the execution is perfect. With characters who the audience either fully feel for or no compassion at all. Lee's performance is untouchable, as is the young Davis' (who never acted again because of the incident). Inside the movie exists this tragedy made almost unbearable by the event which took place on the set. Lee's performance is simple, honest and one of the greatest I've ever had the privilege to witness. He creates a character which is among the most spectacular to appear in motion pictures. I just happy that Brandon Lee's and Rochelle Davis' last performances were two of the most moving ever seen.

R.I.P. Brandon Lee 1965-1993

?You always got to go with the best idea you've got. Otherwise, you're just left lying around - not knowing what to do.? ?Marty

My guilty pleasure

"That's what I love about these high school girls, man. I get older, they stay the same age." -Wooderson

"Dazed and Confused" is the ultimate party movie! You can only expect something truly amazing when you watch a Richard Linklater film, that's just what you get here... one of Linklater's finest. It's the definition of nostalgic cinema... any who has memories of those days instantly wishes to relive them after watching this film. And although it's based in 1976 America, it has the power to make anyone who wasn't around at the time to want to be there in the moment too, like me for example. Even though, I wasn't a part of that era, I can still relate to the characters and the cliques. The movie is full of quotes that can be repeated on drunken nights out. One of the film's greatest assets is it's unbelievable soundtrack which is arguably known as the best soundtrack of all time. The film boasts a very impressive ensemble cast that work really well together. Also, it's very interesting to see Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey, Milla Jovovich, Nikky Katt, Parker Posey & Joey Lauren Adams before they were famous. Renne Zellweger also features in a non-speaking role. Watch this film, you're guaranteed to love it.

I was completely taken off gaurd with this film. It's the funniest teen movie since the 80s.

Good racing scenes, Nice story (even though it's pretty much stolen from Point Break) and really hot girls.

Best hand-to-hand martial arts movie ever. Van Damme's best. Acting-wise, the film is terrible but it get lots of credit for its story (which spawned off everything from Mortal Kombat to Street Fighter video games). The film is so cheesy and has every 80s cliche and training montage possible. Unfortunately, this being his starring debut, his future roles didn't live up to his portrayal of Frank Dux.

The ultimate mind-fuck! One of the best 90s movies around.

A film that really makes you think. One of 2004's best films. Kate & Jim make the odd but honest couple.

Director Scott's finest film.

The small space of the motel room that the entire movie is set in is the perfect setting for this thriller. The performances are excellent. The film seems so real.

?If not now, then when?? -Octavio

Four words describe this film; super-cool & ultra-violent. Everyone should watch this film at least once. It was said to be too violent for US release but there have been alot more violent movies MADE in the States. I don't see why this was banned!!!? I have yet to meet someone in person who didn't like this movie. Although a dull sequel was made, we can thank the hevens that there hasn't been an American MTV remake. I can just imagine it, Hilary Duff & Bow Wow would be the leads. Now, I can see why THAT would be banned!

1999 is my favourite year for film, out of the many blockbusters came this Independant movie. Gained attention from a unknown Hilary Swank winning an Oscar. Swank's performance feels so real. The best female performance I have ever seen. A well desevred Oscar Win. Chloe Sevigny gives yet another amazing performance (As usual) although it doesn't match up to Swank's. It's an extremely disturbing movie with its graphic rape scene so it's not for everyone. But most would find the film overall to be moving & emotional. Sad ending. Independant Film at its best. Worth a look.

"The first time I saw a movie at the cinématèque française I thought, 'Only the French... only the French would house a cinema inside a palace.'" -Matthew



There is no other film quite like "The Dreamers". I found it highly enjoyable and I think the reason that cinephiles love it is because it's about cinephiles. The film references are thrown at the audience like baseballs; quickly and with the intention of a catch. The three central characters work very well together... they represent three very different individuals but when they're placed together, they make up one whole (a close group against the grain of the rest of the world). First you have Matthew (played by the lovable Michael Pitt), he's the representation of good, the egotistical Theo is the representation of evil and then you have Isabelle. Isabelle is the conflict between the two. At times she's "tres genial", but at other times she seems very naive. She tries to act confident but only the audience can peer into her soul to see that she's very vulnerable. My main complaint is the story relies too heavily on sex. The nudity seems relevant but the sex doesn't. Graphic sexual content works well to advance the story in some films, like the genius "Shortbus", you feel it's just thrown in there to excite the pervs. All in all, it's a great film, you don't want to miss this one. But at the end of day, as far as sexy "three's a crowd" movies go, this just doesn't live up to the exceedingly high standards set by "Y Tu Mama Tambien".

A movie thats seems shockingly realistic. It remainds me of Oliver Stones' "Natural Born Killers", with its ultraviolence and satire. I can't help but feel that the acting is dull (but this is probably because of Van Sant's decision to cast actual high school students rather than actors). Some scenes feel unnessary and dragged out. The film is screaming Controversy! It could be compared to "Battle Royale" or "Thirteen" with its media warped youths. This movie is definetely unforgettable and it will surely make you think about it long after its viewing. Everyone must see this movie but it's understandable if you don't enjoy it.

"Your movies have made a fool out of me!" -Edie Sedgwick

One of those amazing times when bored, you turn on the TV and some movie you've never heard of appears on the screen and make you really think. This applies to this film. Spacey's direction is excellent.

?It's just like the 60's. Only with less hope.? ?Justin Bond