My Favorite Movies

"The first rule of fight club is...you do not talk about fight club."

I never imagined I would love a movie about men fighting each other for no reason, but I was wrong! Brad Pitt and Ed Norton are two great actors, and the contrast between their characters in this movie makes the movie even better. The best part about this entire movie, despite it's wittiness and direction by Fincher, is the twist ending. AWESOME movie!

Is it better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all? That's the question asked in Michel Gondry's movie, Eternal Sunshine. Don't expect the crazy antics of Jim Carrey in this one, but an introverted thinker. Kate Winslet breaks out of her shell as the outspoken, independent Clementine. This movie takes you on a trip through the mind of a broken hearted man trying to hold on to the memories of his love.

If you expect to sit down, watch this movie, and understand everything....think again. From the mind of Hunter S. Thompson, nothing makes sense, and it's clearly shown in Terry Gilliam's movie. It's a wild, drug trip in the life of Raoul Duke and his lawyer. So, most of the movie exists in the hallucinations of Depp while high on his immense drug collection. Suprisingly, it allows for some dazzling imagery and absolute rampant humor- a favorite of mine is the two being stuck on a carnival-themed rotating bar in "Circus, Circus"...as well as Depp swatting at imaginary bats with a fly swat ("This is Bat Country!"). It's extremely funny and witty. Johnny Depp, as always, gives an outstanding performance.

This is the most believable, uncanny impersonation of Jim Morrison that I have ever seen. Val Kilmer is nothing short of AMAZING. Watching this movie you feel like you're not watching actors, but a real-life documentary of Morrison and The Doors. From their uprise of the band, to the downfall of it's star, Stone covers all the bases. Beautiful cinematography, amazing concert scenes, and saddening, dark display of the 60's/70's drug scene. Val Kilmer should have won an Acadamy Award for this performance. I have to say this is one of the best hidden secrets in the movie industry. Brilliant, funny, romantic, wild, and heartbreaking.

This is the type of movie I love. I call them 'thinking movies'. Unless your a fan of the psychological thriller genre, I wouldn't recommend this film. But, being a fan myself, this is one of the most unique, mindblowing movies you'll ever see! Jake Gyllenhaal is amazing, Frank the bunny is terrifying, and everything in between depends on your own interpretation. Have fun!

What a concept! A man with only short term memory to spare is on a search to find his wife's murderer. There aren't ever two scenes put together in the correct sequence, but in the end it all makes sense. That truly takes talent. Kudos to the film editors! Guy Pierces does a tremendous job. One of my all time favorites!

Plastics. Need I say more? This is a true cinematic classic.

Cameron Crowe is one of the best screenwriters and directors, and I'm not saying this just because he's a fellow KY native. (Although that helps!) Vanilla Sky is nothing less than mindblowing. Crowe takes you on a wild ride where the line between reality and fantasy are nothing but a blur. Every time you see it you pick up on new things you didnt see before. I love it!

You either love it or hate it, but being a woman and watching this movie... I LOVED it. A family of three brothers are torn apart through war, love, and lust. Be prepared for a huge emotional rollercoaster. The plot will suprise you at every turn. Heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once. I cried my eyes out! Wonderful movie :)

Shane Black is brilliant. I love movies from a first person perspective, almost giving their own commentary on the film. (My favorite example being Fight Club). I love the character having control of the picture, everything being at his will. Black does it flawlessly! I consider this a dark comedy, so it was right down my alley. Kilmer plays a gay detective who is very funny (check out the gag reel too if you rent the dvd!) Some scenes are hysterical. ("It was onlly like...an 8 percent chance!") Downey Jr. was very impressive. I can't say that I've ever been a fan of his acting until now. I would have never guessed this was such a low budget movie because the cinematography is superb, as well as the one continual scene shots. THAT takes talent. Very witty, funny, yet action packed. LOVE this film!

When was the last time you saw a decent Pirate movie? For me, it was never, until this movie was released. Don't let the Disney logo fool you. This is one of the best movies they've ever released! Johnny Depp gives a performance of a lifetime as crazy Capt. Jack Sparrow. I'm so glad he's finally getting the respect he rightfully deserves as an actor. This movie brings together a ton of laughs, romance, and swashbuckling action into one movie. Brilliant!

I've been told that loving this movie makes me sound psycho. Maybe so. It's as deep a dark comedy as you can possibly get. There are some seriously gory and risque scenes of Christian Bale killing off his mistresses, but somehow the director has made it funny? It's mezmorizing watching this man and his crazy thinking process... so much that it's extremely interesting. Ironically, he's obsessive compulsive about being on top of the business world, his physique, and cleanliness, yet splatters the blood of his victims wildly at night. Don't ask, just watch it and you'll see what I mean!

I really don't know how you couldn't love this movie. One man covers decades of history despite being seen as 'challenged'. From college football to vietnam to international ping pong to shrimp boating, you've got to love Forrest. Hank has created one of the most loveable characters in all of Hollywood. I only wish we could take the time to enjoy life the same way Forrest does!

Forget what you've ever heard about corny vampire movies. This movie is anything but. Anne Rice's book was thrilling, and so is this film adaptation. The cast is unbelievable (with the likes of Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Christian Slater, a very young Kirsten Dunst, and Antonio Bandares you can't go wrong.) Brad Pitt is wonderful as the gentle-hearted Louis, spawned from the evil LeStat (Cruise). Dunst is incredible (which makes me wonder what happened later in life...) although she was only 12 when this was filmed. I've never cared for common vampire films, but this stands FAR above the rest. Who knew vampires had heart? I commend Jordan on the superb character development of Louis and LeStat. This movie is a MUST SEE!

Wonderful from beginning to end. Made with the book 'Heart of Darkness' in mind. Was even better seeing it after I read it. The beginning is my favorite part, with The Doors "The End" serving as background music to an array of napalm bombing in Vietnam. If you like war movies, then you NEED to see this movie! How can you go wrong with Coppola? You can't. I recommend the redux version for amplified color quality and sound. Superb filmmaking!

I couldn't have been happier when Crash won Best Picture over Brokeback Mountain this year at the Oscars. This is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. This ensemble cast is phenomenal. I love how the story displays the acts of racial prejudice people have against one another...and that racism isn't just black & white, but a part of all ethnicities. One of the best moral stories of any recent movie I've seen!

Adrien Brody is one of the most talented actors alive, perhaps it's his versatility. This was the first movie I saw with Brody, and it's nothing short of wonderful. I'm a huge fan of the WWII era, but this movie is shatteringly real. Instead of focusing on the war, it focuses on the Holocaust. It's heartbreaking.

Certain films are hard to pull off, especially ones that takes place in one setting for the entire length. But, Sidney Lumet totally pulled it off. I'm not a huge fan of the black and white genre, but I rented this movie anyway because of my interest in court proceedings. Henry Fonda stars as the one man of the 12 person jury that feels the young man on trial for murder is innocent. Needing a unanymous verdict, they become '12 angry men'. They slowly chip away at the details of the homicide as 'reasonable doubt' begins to grow. Who knew it could be a nail biter? I loved seeing what happens inside the jury room. See it!

I love Shakespeare's work. Maybe it's because I've had to read so much of it that I began to understand it. But, in school, I always dreaded watching the boring re-creations of his plays. Romeo and Juliet defies any presumtions I had. It takes the classic story and sets it in modern day Verona (complete with pistols, explosions, and police). Mauricio is hysterical to watch, and I love the interpretation of Romeo & Juliet's first meeting. Leo Dicaprio and Claire Danes are perfect. It competely brought Shakespeare's work alive for me, and ever since I invision this movie when I read it.

Growing up in KY, I always heard Johnny Cash's music, but I was never a huge fan. It was after hearing one of my favorite actors (Phoenix) would be playing him that brought me to see the movie. I thought Joaquin would 'kinda' look like him, but I was BLOWN away as the resemblance. What astounded me even more was the fact that Joaquin sang the songs himself! I never realized it until I read it after seeing the movie. He's one dedicated actor. I learned a lot about Cash and his life with this movie, especially his battle with drugs. Reese Witherspoon won Best Actress for her lead role, which she completely deserved. She really gave June Carter a compliment by playing her (looks wise and voice wise). Even if you're not a fan of Cash's work, the movie alone is worth watching!

I suppose it's my love for journalism that puts this movie so far up my list. Ed Murrow's bravery helped extinguish the fear put in the hearts of American's by the communist-crazy senator, Joseph McCarthy. Murrow was a true journalist who I highly respect. Clooney did a great job directing, and acting, in this movie. Making this movie black and white really returns the movie to its rightful era. Beautifully done.