Michael Clayton (mikelclayton)

Chaplin PG-13

In all honesty, this was a very formulaic, and in many ways slipshod job at a biopic of a figure as monumentally important and influential to film as Charlie Chaplin. 2 hours and 25 minutes might seem like a lengthy running time, but if you really want to capture Chaplin's immeasurable and enduring genius, his very eventful life in show business, his prolific number of underage lovers and wives, and the political controversies that plagued him during his career, 2 1/2 hours is just not enough time. Despite the fact that the film doesn't seem nearly comprehensive enough and brings nothing really new to the biopic genre of film, it manages to remain a pretty good movie solely on the shoulders of Downey's performance. I know it has recently become fashionable to identify Downey Jr. as a brilliant actor, and I am thrilled by this turn of events, but he has been a brilliant actor for years, and his talents are fully utilized in this film. He has the walk, mannerisms, speech, and spirit of Chaplin so nailed that it engages you when the filmmaking does not. Attenborough is a talented director, but the enjoyable and well-executed aspect of this film that makes it good is a result of Downey Jr.'s skill and not Attenborough.

Barbarella PG

This is a ridiculous film. It's campy to the furthest degree, and some of the scenes makes you feel that the possibility that narcotics were heavily digested during the making of the film is likely very high. Within the immense silliness of this film though is a somewhat amusing movie. Jane Fonda is drop-dead gorgeous in the title role, and appears to get how absurd this film is, despite playing the role pretty straight (I heard she turned down Bonnie and Clyde and Rosemary's Baby to do this film, which is laughably poor judgment). It is pure 60's shlock and awful effects, but much of the films charm is how dated it is and how humorous this makes the film overall, and it has its own charm as an exploitation relic from its time.

Schindler's List R

Spielberg has never made a film better than this, and it is doubtful he ever will. One of the most heart-wrenching and powerful films I have ever seen, no film captures the horrors and sadness of the Holocaust better than this film. Everyone knows I have countless films I consider among my favorites, but this one will always remain firmly in my top 10.

Requiem for a Dream R

This film is an undeniable masterpiece. In showing the terrorizing affects of drug addiction in it's fullest scope, Aronofsky turns this drama into one of the most chilling horror films ever composed. Burstyn is especially intriguing as the diet pill-addicted Sara Goldfarb, an elderly woman who slowly descends into the abyss of addiction. This movie will not only frighten and disturb you, but cause you to reflect upon it's meaning as well.