My Favorite Movies

A big heaping load of fun. There's giants! There's monsters! There's swashbuckling! Even a little fairy tale romance to top it all off. What's not to love?

This wasn't just an adaptation of Frank Miller's groundbreaking graphic novel series. It was a panel-by-panel translation. And that alone makes it worth seeing. Splashes of color add a creative, if not wholly original, touch to this already stylish black and white crime thriller. If you're a fan of comic books or film noir, it's imperative that you see this movie. It flat out rocks.

The best science-fiction movie ever made. Nothing more, nothing less. I can't wait for "The Final Cut", but whatever changes or additions are made to the film are unnecessary. It's good enough the way it is.

Groundbreaking upon it's release, it still an exceptional cyberpunk sci-fi today. The action scenes are spectacular, and the concept of the human race being ruled by these machines is enough to make you ponder your own existence. And like "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" and "The Princess Bride", this movie is one of the most quotable ever made.

there's only one word to describe this epic film adaptation of Frank Miller's equally epic graphic novel: Epic. The blood-soaked battles are a spectacle that makes even the hardest man weak in the knees, while simultaneously making him want to stand up for what he believes in and kick some major ass. King Leonidas may be Gerard Butler's most iconic role on the silver screen, and he makes the most of every second. Plus, the music is killer, taking a beautiful traditional orchestral score and punctuating it with some balls-to-the-wall metal guitars where appropriate.

Back in ye olden tymes, filmmakers didn't need flashy special effects or fancy-nancy camera moves in order to make a good movie. All they needed was a compelling script, actors with enough talent to make an audience connect with it, and a camera with film to capture it all.

Such is The Man with the Golden Arm, a slow-paced yet riveting account of an extreme form of the human experience. In the lead role, we have Frank Sinatra, giving possibly the best performance of his career as a recovering smack-addict struggling to get away from the lifestyle that almost destroyed him. We root for him in this attempt, especially when that lifestyle threatens to engulf him yet again.

This is about Sinatra's character, but thankfully, it manages to never be "The Frank Sinatra Show". Part of this is because of Sinatra's genuine and realistic performance, and the other is because the film feels like an ensemble piece, despite it's centering around one character. All the supporting members of the cast are on-par with the leading man. My personal favorite being Darren McGavin as the manipulative snake of a dealer, calling Sinatra's character back to his former drug of choice like the serpent drawing Eve to the forbidden fruit. Elenor Parker also gets props as his psychotic wife, as does Kim Novak as the female friend who stands by him and helps him when he needs it the most.

All in all, this movie is excellent, and is sure to tug on the heartstrings of people patient enough to sit through it.

When people think ganster flick, they usually think "Godfather". Not me, though. I think of this wonderfully excecuted prohibition-era tale. Robert De Niro is exceptional as legendary mob boss Al Capone, but both Kevin Cosntner and Sean Connery give him a run for his money as two members of a team trying to bring him down off his throne.

The characters or plot may not be well-developed, but the cast is so good that they make you believe in a world of vampires and werewolves duking it out for supremacy. More importantly, they make you care about the characters, despite how under-developed they are. And the cinematography in this slick and entertaining action/horror is absolutely beautiful.

What it lacks in substance it make up for in style. The sole reason I liked this movie is because of the cinematography, and no other movies have accomplished that. The cast may not be exceptional, but they're good enough to carry the weak plot in this stunningly shot religious thriller.

This haunting and occasionally grotesque portrait of a madman has one of the best fight scenes to ever grace celluloid. The cast is stellar, and the story is one that's artfully told. Simply put, it's one of the best revenge tales I've ever seen. This is one I highly recommend.

This action/thriller from Hong Kong is a bit thin on plot, but like "Underworld", the cast and cinematography are it's saving graces. Kelly Lin in particular is wonderfully over the top as the eccentric villain Chin, and Takashi Sorimachi portrays the hitman-with-morals O with quiet, reserved dignity. If you like a good action movie, and don't mind reading subtitles (and trust me, in this one, you need them even when they speak English) then give it a look.

A brilliant performance by John Malkovich and an even more brilliant performance by Willem Dafoe makes this chilling fictional horror film about the making of a real horror film a must-see.

I'm not much for cop thrillers like "The French Connection" or "Dirty Harry". This one is set apart from those films by stylish cinematography and an exceptional cast. And the cops aren't total hard-asses like Harry Callahan or Popeye Doyle. They're as human as you or me.

The only thing better than dry humor is black dry humor. Such is the humor in this movie about a Polish mafia hitman with a drinking problem. If Sir Ben Kingsley doesn't get at least nominated for an Academy Award as the movie's protagonist, I'll lose whatever little respect I still have for the Academy. Tea Leoni, who plays his love interest, was equally as good opposite Sir Ben. And Dennis Farina, who I'm usually not that fond of, was surprisingly good as this film's villain, an Irish mob boss.

One of the most intricate, disturbing, and well-written movies I've ever seen. It puts a human face on the worst kind of evil, condemns vigilantism, and makes the audience question whether or not horrible people deserve horrible fates. If you're willing to re-assess how you think the wicked should be punished, see this movie.

Out of all the action-epics flooding out of Hong Kong, this beautifully shot, beautifully cast, and beautifully crafted little tale is one of the best.

Guillermo DelToro's vision of Mike Mignola's cult-classic comic of the same name is a fun action/fantasy with visual flair. And is anyone better suited to play the title character than Ron Perlman? I think not.

Only a madman like Baz Luhrmann would think that a movie set in Boho-Montmarte should have modern pop and rock musical numbers punctuate it. And yet, here, it works. An exceptional cast rocks out to everything from "Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend" to a tango version of the Police's "Roxanne" in this groundbreaking and stunningly shot musical.

Cheesy monster movie action at it's finest! This movie has it all! Corny dialogue, corny acting, a corny plot, and most importantly, corny man-in-suit special effects. Not to mention, the most iconic movie monster that ever graced the silver screen, kickin' ass, bustin' heads, takin' names, and pwning his American incarnation! If this is the last Godzilla movie Japan blesses us with, the series ended on a high note. Bravo, Toho. Bravo.

This film is of a rare breed: A remake that outdoes the original. The movie was absolutely top-notch in almost every aspect. The only real gripe I have is that the first hour of the 3hr 7min film takes place on a boat, and could've been trimmed down quite a bit. But hey, if I was remaking the first Godzilla movie, I'd probably make a pretty frickin' long movie, too.

A chick-flick for the strait male audience, this is my favorite film from writer/director Kevin Smith. He manages to bring out the best in his cast, who breathe life into his witty and touching script. And when stock character Silent Bob breaks his silence, he delivers one of the most moving monologues I've ever heard.

Aside from "King Kong" and the uncut version of the first Godzilla film, this is the only monster movie I consider "good", rather than "so bad it's good". The effects are top-notch, the cast is superb, and this film is an overall blast to watch.

"King Kong" this ain't. Wow, this movie sucks. And it sucks in a good way. This movie is absolutely terrible, from weak script to stiff cast to cheesy special effects (digital SFX, I might add). So bad that it makes "Godzilla vs the Sea Monster" seem Oscar-worthy. So bad, that it's impossible to take seriously, even when people die. So bad, it's good. If you love "Mystery Science Theatre 3000" you must see "Reptilian".

Two of the greatest cult-favorite directors get together and each make a film tribute to the exploitation movies of their youth? Count me in, especially if Robert Rodriguez is one of them! I unfortunately didn't catch this in theaters, so I missed out on the "double feature" experience. But I'm glad I eventually got to see them. Man, were they both fun. In terms of quality, Quentin Tarantino's movie, "Death Proof", was better. In terms of entertainment value, definitely "Planet Terror". Then again, Robert Rodriguez could make a documentary about poop, and I'll probably like it (hell, I liked "Spy Kids"), so maybe that's a bit of a biased opinion. But both films are equally good. See 'em both, and if you're doing it as a double feature, "Death Proof" first, then "Planet Terror". That's not the order in which they played in theaters, but it's the best way to go, I think.

This excellent fantasy written by "Stardust" author Neil Gaiman and directed by cartoonist Dave McKean is one of the most original, creative, beautiful, and bizzare (in a good way) movies I've seen in a while. The cast is superb, especially Jason Barry as the eccentric Valentine, and the digital effects are a sight to behold.

Mel Brooks' funnest movie. This is far from his best (that one would be "Twelve Chairs") but it's my personal favorite. The cast is superb, the script is witty, and the humor is over the top in true Mel Brooks fashion. There are too many memorable scenes to list here. Go find a copy, and if you find it in a bargain bin, it's an absolute steal. Watch it, and you'll see what I mean. Just try not to die of laughter in the process.

This cult favorite is one twisted horror movie, and it's an absolute guilty pleasure. Tobin Bell manages to make Jigsaw one of the most sadistic and frightening villains in horror cinema without even showing his face. And when things get desperate, you're glued to your seat until the killer twist ending. But stop here if you know what's good for you. The sequels aren't worth your time.

Based upon the smash Broadway rock opera of the same name, this musical absolutely shines. The cast, all but two of which are revising their original stage roles, bring this moving story to life through the late Jonathan Larson's exceptional music and brilliant performances from all involved. Unlike most movie musicals of late, this one's entrenched in it's theatrical roots, so it's understandable that some cinephiles may not like it. I, on the other hand, got caught up in the spirit. One musical number in particular moved me so much that I actually clapped after seeing it for the first time. And the two nubies, the lovely Rosario Dawson and the smokin' hot Tracie Thoms are excellent, Thoms in particular.

I hate Andrew Lloyd Webber and I hate Joel Schumacher. Apparently two wrongs DO make a right. This musical is spellbinding from start to finish. This movie is a testament to how good of an actor Gerard Butler is. Despite his limited singing voice, he makes the title character charismatic, sympathetic, and menacing at the same time. And I don't care what Broadway purists might say about Emmy Rossum. She's the perfect Christine, much better than Sarah Brightman. Patric Wilson puts on the charm in this one, unlike his sleazy performance in "Hard Candy", as Christine's love interest. And Minnie Driver is hilarious as a has-been soprano with an ego. To top it all off, the cinematography is downright spectacular.

You thought "Shaun of the Dead" is the ultimate in Brit horror/comedy? It's nothing compared to this gem, which comes off as a cross between "The Office" and "Hostel". Unlike "Hostel", though, it's actually good. A perfect film to watch on Halloween with a group of friends.

This movie is downright hilarious. Simon Pegg is perfect as the cynical titular character, as is Nick Frost, his dumb but lovable confidant. It's script is as witty as it is quotable. It fails as a horror movie, but even though it attempts the occasional scare, I don't think making this a humerus horror flick like "Severance" was the point. I think making a great parody of zombie films was, and it excels at being that. There's a good time to be had with this zombie movie lampoon.

A-fucking-mazing! This movie is simultaneously a dumb parody of action movie cliches and a brilliant piece of political satire. No one, conservative or liberal, is safe from this hilarious piece of work from the warped minds of Trey Parker and Matt Stone. They don't care if you're a famous actor with a peaceful agenda or a mad dictator with enough nukes to destroy the world. If they want to make fun of you, no punches are pulled. In this case, that's a good thing. And who could forget the music, which lampoons every single brassy hero theme and sappy "inspirational" pop song that can be found in any '80s action movie? Sing it with me, everyone: "Americaaaa. FUCK YEAH!!!!"

Ah, the movie of my childhood. I remember laughing hysterically when the lawyer got munched, wiping away tears at the sight of the bracheosaurus with John Williams' moving score in the background, and cowering in fear of the raptors, all at the tender age of six. The cast is fantastic, especially Jeff Goldblum, and the special effects haven't aged a bit since '93. One of my personal faves.

Many films have tried to successfully resurrect the swashbuckler. Many of them, such as "The Musketeer", are failures. This one, however, is a gem. Beautifully choreographed fights and stunts coupled with a phenomenal cast, moving score, and witty script result in some of the most fun I've ever had watching a movie. If you're looking for something like an Errol Flynn flick crossed with Indiana Jones, I cannot recommend this movie more. But stay far, far away from the piss-poor sequel.

Seeing this movie in a theater packed with fanboys and their spawn was one of the most fun experiences I've had in a while. It's a good thing the movie didn't disappoint. The special-effects are mind-blowing. It's not hard to suspend disbelief and believe that the exceptional cast is interacting with giant robots. Said robots have a voice cast that are a geek's wet dream, not only with Peter Cullen reprising his role as Optimus Prime, but Agent Smith/V/Lord Elrond himself, Hugo Weaving, as his arch-nemesis Megatron. If you want a fun blockbuster movie, "Transformers" delivers.

It may be an animated musical, but it's as far from a Disney movie as you can get. It stays very true to the spirit of the television show it's based on, and that's a good thing. Tasteless humor at it's most brilliant.

A witty script chock full of one-liners. Dated special effects. Time-travel. The undead. Bruce Campbell with a chainsaw replacing one hand, and a "boomstick" held firmly in the other. Need I say more?

It captures the spirit of the graphic novel it's based upon perfectly. The cast is excellent, especially Hugo Weaving as the titular character and John Hurt as the ruthless, totalitarian dictator. Going deeper than the average comic book movie in terms of political subject matter and character development, this film, like the comic that inspired it, is a brilliant work of art.

It's got a lot more wit and a lot more heart than your standard horny-teens-on-a- quest-to-get-laid fare. It more than deserves it's rabid fanbase. I highly recommend it.

The best silent film ever made, bar none. Whether you're a Christian or an atheist, whether or not you believe God actually spoke to Jean D'Arc, Maria Falconetti gives a performance that will rip out you heart and put a lump in your throat. Mel Gibson's "Passion" of a certain other biblical figure doesn't hold a candle to this one. What happened to Jean D'Arc is the true epitome of suffering, more so of mind than body, and it's captured in this movie beautifully.

Walks the fine line between art film and softcore porno, but despite all the unnecessary sex and incest, I thought it was a really well made movie with a very good script. If you're mature enough to handle gratuitous nudity, check it out.

This predecessor to "Babel" is depressing as fuck, but it's a compelling drama, nonetheless. Benicio Del Toro in particular gives a wonderful performance, and the plot unfolds in a manner that keeps your interest in how the three stories are connected. I recommend it.

It proves that you don't have to have a big budget and an all-star cast to make a timeless horror movie. Just a camera, a script, and a little imagination will do just fine. It's those elements that make this movie a classic. Casting Donald Pleasence probably