My Favorite Movies

Three years after the destruction of the Death Star, the Rebellion is on the run from The Galactic Empire and Darth Vader. It seems the evil Sith Lord is now obsessed with finding Luke Skywalker is has gone to train with Yoda on Dagabah to become a Jedi. Meanwhile a love relationship builds around Han Solo and Princess Leia as they avoid the looming threat of the Empire. Meanwhile Vader has a trap planned for Luke in the Cloud City of Bespin, which ultimately leads to one of the greatest revelations in movie history; and no that?s not a hyperbole.

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is my all time favorite movie. The stakes are higher, the danger is greater, the emotions are deeper, the tone is darker, and the movie is just overall a great movie. Everything that A New Hope did right (which was basically everything), The Empire Strikes Back did even better. The movie is just perfect in every way.

Now, in my review of Revenge of Sith review, I said that dialogue wasn?t really a strong point in the Star Wars series; however I will admit that the original trilogy did have stronger dialog and The Empire Strikes Back really shows that off. Boasting three credited writers including George Lucas, Lawrence Kasdan (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Body Heat, Silverado) and Leigh Brackett (The Big Sleep, Rio Bravo), Empire?s characters continue to live in this world with richer and deeper dialogue.

The revelation about Darth Vader is one of the greatest surprises ever on film, even the actors didn?t see it coming. I wish I was there in 1980 in a theater crammed with people when Darth Vader said, ?No, I am your father.?

John Williams gives some of his best music for Empire. The Imperial March is one of the most recognizable themes in world and a theme that captures tyranny and fear perfectly.

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back represents Science Fiction brilliance that?s engaging, as well as entertaining.

An epic masterpiece. To the great cast of characters to the excellent battle scenes, everything here is outstanding. Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura are brilliant! This truly stands out as one of the greatest films ever made!

A grand finish to the greatest series of all time. The circle is complete.

19 years has past since the events in Revenge of the Sith. The Empire now reigns supreme as a cruel dictatorship and are opposed only by the Rebellion, a group determined to restore peace to the galaxy. The Rebellion, led by Princess Leia Organa, has stolen the plans to Death Star, a giant battle station which has the power to destroy plants. Leia is captured by Darth Vader and the Empire; however before she is captured she places the plans to the Death Star in the hands of R2-D2 and C3PO. The two droids look for the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi on Tatooine, but instead find there way too Luke Skywalker. Now Luke is about to embark on a journey that will change his life forever.

Well this is it. The movie that changed it all, Star Wars, the most popular space opera in the world. Its influence on science fiction and pop culture is staggering. Most sci-fi films that take place in space after 1977 were influenced by Star Wars.

George Lucas creates wonderful characters in both trilogies that feel like they exist in this world, and in Episodes IV-VI, we get the feeling of a ?used future.? Everybody goes around knowing the world they live in without over explaining things to the audience and movie is much better because of it. From the characters, to the technology, to the weapons, the Star Wars saga oozes with creativity, wit, and life.

Star Wars today, remains one of the greatest and most influential science fiction pictures of all time and definitely one of my all time favorite films. This one of the movies that?s an experience; nothing is ever the same after you?ve seen it. After 30 years, the magic of Star Wars still remains.

The Dark Knight is more than just a comic book movie and a Batman movie, it's a well made crime drama filled with excellent well-developed characters and perfectly handled action sequences. The entire cast does an excellent job and Heath Ledger is excellent as the chaotic psychopath, Joker. Years from now when people look back on the Batman films, they will remember Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, instead of Tim Burton's carnival goth films and Joel Schumacher's neon, nipple loving lightshow.

The best film of 2006 and Martin Scorsese's best film. A movie so good, it's criminal.

This truly is one of the best science fiction movies ever made. Great story, good performances, and fantastic action sequences. Groundbreaking and epic!

Christopher Nolan resurrected the limping franchise and brought it back at full force. Thank you Mr. Nolan, thank you. Looking forward to The Dark Knight.

The first and best of the franchise. A thrilling science fiction masterpiece that proves that bigger budget doesn't mean better movie.

I loved everything about this movie. A great continuation of Final Fantasy VII. The action and animation are spectacular. Even if you're unfamiliar with Final Fantasy, see this for it's breathtaking animation.

Advent Children Complete is even better.

One badass Japanese western-influenced film. Sanjuro has got to be one of the coolest movie characters ever created.

A more than worthy sequel to Yojimbo, it's a very different movie but Sanjuro is just as good. A great mix of character, humor and terrific action.

An incredible film that really grips you until the very end...or is it beginning? Christopher Nolan is a master of his craft. Loved it!

Better than the first and a damn good stand alone movie. An excellent science fiction film on all fronts.

Top-notch script and superb thrills. A Great detective story with an intense creepy atmosphere. David Fincher is a genius.

My favorite Disney movie. Gothic, beautiful and emotional with excellent musical numbers.

The greatest parody film out there.

Quite possibly the greatest anime ever made. Katsuhiro Otomo has crafted together a story so creative and original. The animation is so good that nearly twenty years later it's better than half the anime seen today. Yeah, the hype is real.

The best of the Vengeance trilogy and one of the best revenge stories ever told. Brilliant, brutal and twisted.

A thrilling action/adventure story that hasn't aged over time.This movie was definitely made by "top men."

Better than the first and contains amazing animation.

A very deep film about morality, truth, the ugly side of human nature and eventually hope. Though some may think that Toshiro Mifune overacted his performance I thought it work well for the movie.

A powerful movie on drug abuse and it's consequences. Very well directed and acted. Very raw and real and Clint Mansell's music is perfect.

A classic film that inspired classic films. Once again Akira Kurosawa comes out on top and Toshiro Mifune shines in his role as the General Rokurota.

This movie does hit you...as hard as it can. David Fincher once again proves that he is a master of the craft.

A brilliantly dark, twisted and funny movie. Such a bizarre premise that's well written and well directed. The Requiem theme at the beginning sets the tone for the entire film.

Deep, original, and bizarre movie that deals with worm holes and time travel. A very layered and complex piece that is very intriguing and the subtleties here are brilliant. The eerie music piece in the movie is also excellent. The Butterfly Effect attempted to the time travel thing like this and failed. If you love movies that mess with your mind, then check this out.

From the action, story telling, acting and characters...everything about this film is wonderful.

One of the best movies of the 1990s! This is the movie that inspired the "Silent Hill" series. If you get a chance, please see this movie.
Keep an eye out for a Lewis Black cameo

A Classic that has been tainted over the years. Quite possibly the greatest horror movie ever made.