Just because the fucker has a library card, doesn't make him Yoda.
1995 Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman
2 homicide detectives hunt a serial killer in a town where it never stop raining, in one of the car scenes it looks like someone is throwing buckets of water at the windscreen. I didn't think I had seen this until it got to the final couple of scenes and I remebered the end. If you haven't seen it, it keeps you guessing to the end and the final twist is dramatic and unexpected.
Lots of tense atmosphere and the usual US cop tracking baddie type stuff but it is better than the average serial killer movie.
7.5/10
Sunday 30 January 2011
Saturday 29 January 2011
Film 14 'Unforgiven' IMDB N0. 100
Yeah, they cut up her face, cut her eyes out, cut her fingers off, cut her tits, everything but her cunty, I suppose.
1992 Clint Eastwood directed produced starred made the tea.
God this is slow, you wait the whole film for a decent gun fight, then it's all over too quickly and predictably.
I'm sure there are loads of messages in this about the deep down goodness of Americans or something but I couldn't be arsed, it's boring, predictable rubbish. It took me two goes to get to the end.
One positive thing that has come out of this is that I will not record another film off the telly if it has adverts, I know you can skip through them, but it just spoils the whole thing. Film4 boooooo.
shoot me 6/10
1992 Clint Eastwood directed produced starred made the tea.
God this is slow, you wait the whole film for a decent gun fight, then it's all over too quickly and predictably.
I'm sure there are loads of messages in this about the deep down goodness of Americans or something but I couldn't be arsed, it's boring, predictable rubbish. It took me two goes to get to the end.
One positive thing that has come out of this is that I will not record another film off the telly if it has adverts, I know you can skip through them, but it just spoils the whole thing. Film4 boooooo.
shoot me 6/10
Friday 28 January 2011
Film 13 'The Lives of Others' IMDB No. 57
Stand still. Eyes to the floor.
2006 German with subtitles. Das Leben der Anderen (original title)
This film is based on a true story set in East Berlin 1984 before the fall of the wall when the secret police (stasi) controlled everything by having over 100,000 employees and 200,000 informers.
There is no fancy filming or lighting or stunts, this is just a plain and simple film shot against the backdrop of East Berlin where the lives of others affect one man more than his background would have thought. It's quite slow paced but you don't want it to end too soon.
Worth a watch. 7/10
2006 German with subtitles. Das Leben der Anderen (original title)
This film is based on a true story set in East Berlin 1984 before the fall of the wall when the secret police (stasi) controlled everything by having over 100,000 employees and 200,000 informers.
There is no fancy filming or lighting or stunts, this is just a plain and simple film shot against the backdrop of East Berlin where the lives of others affect one man more than his background would have thought. It's quite slow paced but you don't want it to end too soon.
Worth a watch. 7/10
Thursday 27 January 2011
Film 12 'Goodfellas' IMDB No. 16
You bustin' my balls?
1990 Martin Scorsese. Based on a true story.
The story follows the life of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) in Broklyn New York between the 50's and 80's as he rises through the ranks of the local mob with his friends Jimmy and Tommy played by Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci. Every actor that has played an Italian gangster is probably in this film at some point, there's even an appearance by Samuel L Jackson as Stax.
It really sets the scene of what life was like to be a gang member during this time, all the cars, women, crime, partying and inevitable violence. Great dialog and pace, sets the bar for others of this genre.
Ball busting 8/10
1990 Martin Scorsese. Based on a true story.
The story follows the life of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) in Broklyn New York between the 50's and 80's as he rises through the ranks of the local mob with his friends Jimmy and Tommy played by Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci. Every actor that has played an Italian gangster is probably in this film at some point, there's even an appearance by Samuel L Jackson as Stax.
It really sets the scene of what life was like to be a gang member during this time, all the cars, women, crime, partying and inevitable violence. Great dialog and pace, sets the bar for others of this genre.
Ball busting 8/10
Wednesday 26 January 2011
Film 11 'Full Metal Jacket' IMDB No. 86
Are those... live rounds?
Seven-six-two millimeter. Full metal jacket.
1987 Stanley Kubrick film set in 1968 during the Vietnam War.
A two part story following a set of new recruits training to be Marines before being sent to Vietnam. Right from the off this film grabs you. Gunnery Sgt Hartman is a mean bastard. In the opening scenes screaming and spitting as he shouts, you feel like your there taking the abuse as well. It makes me feel glad that I never went to war or had to do National Service, I wouldn't last 5 minutes.
The second half follows 'Joker' in Vietnam as a journalist writing for 'Stars & Stripes' ending up in the full horror of battle in the Tet offensive.
Although filmed almost entirely in the UK you wouldn't know, the landscapes and atmosphere are awesome as I said before it's just like being there or as you would imagine it.
I'm not a war film fan but I thought this was great.
8.5/10
Seven-six-two millimeter. Full metal jacket.
1987 Stanley Kubrick film set in 1968 during the Vietnam War.
A two part story following a set of new recruits training to be Marines before being sent to Vietnam. Right from the off this film grabs you. Gunnery Sgt Hartman is a mean bastard. In the opening scenes screaming and spitting as he shouts, you feel like your there taking the abuse as well. It makes me feel glad that I never went to war or had to do National Service, I wouldn't last 5 minutes.
The second half follows 'Joker' in Vietnam as a journalist writing for 'Stars & Stripes' ending up in the full horror of battle in the Tet offensive.
Although filmed almost entirely in the UK you wouldn't know, the landscapes and atmosphere are awesome as I said before it's just like being there or as you would imagine it.
I'm not a war film fan but I thought this was great.
8.5/10
Film 10 'Casablanca' IMDB No. 17
Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.
1942 black and white classic starring Humphry Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
Another film I have never seen before it's crammed full of classic lines we've all heard before.
Bogart plays Rick Blaine, exciled american owner of the most popular bar in Casablanca. The story unfolds as the Germans come to town followed by Czech underground leader Victor Lazlo and his wife Ilsa. Local Police Captain Renault is great right to the end.
Here's looking at you kid 7/10
1942 black and white classic starring Humphry Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
Another film I have never seen before it's crammed full of classic lines we've all heard before.
Bogart plays Rick Blaine, exciled american owner of the most popular bar in Casablanca. The story unfolds as the Germans come to town followed by Czech underground leader Victor Lazlo and his wife Ilsa. Local Police Captain Renault is great right to the end.
Here's looking at you kid 7/10
Saturday 22 January 2011
Film 9 'Inception' IMDB No.6
Number 6 my arse
Why is this number 6?
I dont like Leonardo Di Caprio never have and this has done nothing to change this.
The idea of this film is that people can enter other peoples dream world and do things to make them do other things in their non dream world. In this case they want a man with loads of companies to sell the companies so his monoply is broken up, to do this they have to go '3 deep' and with some 'math' 2 minutes when your'e 3 deep would last ten years or some such bollocks. How long does it take for a van to fall off a bridge? Why do they have to go 3 deep? Do they even go 3 deep?
There are easier ways to make companies collapse, it's called the Stock Market and insider trading.
And another thing, why do Hollywood film makers insist on adding a romantic element to films that really don't need it? It's the usual crap presented in another way with more special effects thrown in, it's clear this was made for the 3D market, you could add another 5D's and I wouldn't want to see this again.
I'm sure it'll be a christmas staple of the future.
The snow scene was nicked from James Bond, but I did like the weightless scene in the hotel.
a generous 6/10
Why is this number 6?
I dont like Leonardo Di Caprio never have and this has done nothing to change this.
The idea of this film is that people can enter other peoples dream world and do things to make them do other things in their non dream world. In this case they want a man with loads of companies to sell the companies so his monoply is broken up, to do this they have to go '3 deep' and with some 'math' 2 minutes when your'e 3 deep would last ten years or some such bollocks. How long does it take for a van to fall off a bridge? Why do they have to go 3 deep? Do they even go 3 deep?
There are easier ways to make companies collapse, it's called the Stock Market and insider trading.
And another thing, why do Hollywood film makers insist on adding a romantic element to films that really don't need it? It's the usual crap presented in another way with more special effects thrown in, it's clear this was made for the 3D market, you could add another 5D's and I wouldn't want to see this again.
I'm sure it'll be a christmas staple of the future.
The snow scene was nicked from James Bond, but I did like the weightless scene in the hotel.
a generous 6/10
Fim 8 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' IMDB No. 9
Medication Time
1975 multi Oscar winning film adapted from the novel by Ken Kersey.
Jack Nicholson plays McMurphy who convinces the prison guards he's crazy and gets sent to a hospital ward to evade prison, he fits in well with the other inmates, playing cards for smokes.1 cigarette is a dime Danny DeVito's character keeps breaking them in half to bet a nickel. Brilliant acting and story line, McMurphy just keeps pressing all the right buttons to annoy the ward sister Nurse Ratched.
As good today as it was then.
I had forgotten the ending it's a lot sadder than I remember.
8/10
1975 multi Oscar winning film adapted from the novel by Ken Kersey.
Jack Nicholson plays McMurphy who convinces the prison guards he's crazy and gets sent to a hospital ward to evade prison, he fits in well with the other inmates, playing cards for smokes.1 cigarette is a dime Danny DeVito's character keeps breaking them in half to bet a nickel. Brilliant acting and story line, McMurphy just keeps pressing all the right buttons to annoy the ward sister Nurse Ratched.
As good today as it was then.
I had forgotten the ending it's a lot sadder than I remember.
8/10
Sunday 16 January 2011
Film 7 'Monty Python and The Holy Grail' IMDB No. 73
It's just a flesh wound.
King Arthur and his knights in search of the Holy Grail. Typical Python nonsense, I particularly liked Sir Bedevere constantly lifting his grill on his helmet even though he could see through it fine, like someone wearing glasses who keeps pushing them up the nose. Hundreds of classic quotes. "One Two Five" "Three Sir" "THREE".
Killer rabbit and the bridge of death. "What's your favourite colour?" "Blue...No...arrggh"
7/10
King Arthur and his knights in search of the Holy Grail. Typical Python nonsense, I particularly liked Sir Bedevere constantly lifting his grill on his helmet even though he could see through it fine, like someone wearing glasses who keeps pushing them up the nose. Hundreds of classic quotes. "One Two Five" "Three Sir" "THREE".
Killer rabbit and the bridge of death. "What's your favourite colour?" "Blue...No...arrggh"
7/10
Film 6 'Pan's Labyrinth' IMDB No. 75
2006 Fantasy masterpiece. Spanish with subtitles.
I had no idea what to expect with this one, I purposfully didn't read anything about it, I hadn't heard of it until I went through the list.
Set in 1944 Spain, the film seamlessly intertwines the fantasy world of a young girl, Ofelia, and the real world of the Spanish cival war. I don't want to give too much away about the film plot.
The fantasy scenes are dark and frightnening, the real world brutal and real, the sadistic Captain played by Sergi Lopez is great. This is not a kids film.
I'll give it 7.5/10
I had no idea what to expect with this one, I purposfully didn't read anything about it, I hadn't heard of it until I went through the list.
Set in 1944 Spain, the film seamlessly intertwines the fantasy world of a young girl, Ofelia, and the real world of the Spanish cival war. I don't want to give too much away about the film plot.
The fantasy scenes are dark and frightnening, the real world brutal and real, the sadistic Captain played by Sergi Lopez is great. This is not a kids film.
I'll give it 7.5/10
Thursday 13 January 2011
Film 5 'The Dark Knight' IMDB No. 10
Now that's more like it.
I haven't seen a Batman movie since the Buster, I mean Michael Keaton one, there's not much enthusiasm in my house with me being the only male. so I sat and watched on my own with headphones while the girls watched Glee. I was in for a pleasant surprise.
It is a brilliant rollercoaster of good versus evil, I know it's origins are from comics but this miles away from that.
Heath Ledger as The Joker is great and plays the Agent of Chaos really well. None of the usual American Happy ever after crap here, it's tense and moody right to the end.
Loved it and will watch again 8/10
I haven't seen a Batman movie since the Buster, I mean Michael Keaton one, there's not much enthusiasm in my house with me being the only male. so I sat and watched on my own with headphones while the girls watched Glee. I was in for a pleasant surprise.
It is a brilliant rollercoaster of good versus evil, I know it's origins are from comics but this miles away from that.
Heath Ledger as The Joker is great and plays the Agent of Chaos really well. None of the usual American Happy ever after crap here, it's tense and moody right to the end.
Loved it and will watch again 8/10
Sunday 9 January 2011
Film 4 'Metropolis' IMDB No. 97
1927 silent black and white classic
I don't think I have watched a full length silent movie before, I don't think I will do it again.
Lots of big sets and big overacting 1920s style and lots of orchestra music setting the mood. The version I watched has a lot of scenes missing, apparently lost forever, and replaced with captions explaining what is going on, it's 2 hours long and has an interval. I'd hate to think how long it would be if all the scenes were found and restored
This is said to be one of Hitler's favoutite films.
A 'sci-fi' story of the opressed workers rising up against the machine, with a boy meets girl boy loves girl boy saves girl and lots of kids girl loves boy plot going on too. Throw in a mad inventor and a robot and the craziest 'erotic' dancing I've seen and you have it.
I've watched it and I won't watch it again.
5/10
I don't think I have watched a full length silent movie before, I don't think I will do it again.
Lots of big sets and big overacting 1920s style and lots of orchestra music setting the mood. The version I watched has a lot of scenes missing, apparently lost forever, and replaced with captions explaining what is going on, it's 2 hours long and has an interval. I'd hate to think how long it would be if all the scenes were found and restored
This is said to be one of Hitler's favoutite films.
A 'sci-fi' story of the opressed workers rising up against the machine, with a boy meets girl boy loves girl boy saves girl and lots of kids girl loves boy plot going on too. Throw in a mad inventor and a robot and the craziest 'erotic' dancing I've seen and you have it.
I've watched it and I won't watch it again.
5/10
Saturday 8 January 2011
Film 3 'Citizen Kane' IMDB No. 37
1941 another black and white classic
This film has cinematography that has been reproduced thousands of times, camera angles, moody lighting, the lot. This is the life of a millionaire tycoon told by others after his death to a reporter trying to find out the meaning of his last words 'rosebud'. You have to wait until the end to find out.
For me, it's a bit boring, I'm sure if you saw it in 1941 and it was the first time you'd seen a scene shot from low down it might be less so.
6/10
This film has cinematography that has been reproduced thousands of times, camera angles, moody lighting, the lot. This is the life of a millionaire tycoon told by others after his death to a reporter trying to find out the meaning of his last words 'rosebud'. You have to wait until the end to find out.
For me, it's a bit boring, I'm sure if you saw it in 1941 and it was the first time you'd seen a scene shot from low down it might be less so.
6/10
Film 2 'All About Eve' IMDB No.82
This has been on the recorder for ages, I now need the space to make room for all the other films I need to watch. Can't find an official trailer but this gives you a flavour.
Lots and lots of smoking and a fair bit of drinking in 1950. Apparently this film is part of American folklore, I can see why. Set in New York's theatre world it seems you can't trust many people even, it turns out, the nice ones. This must be the blueprint for how the Hollywood film industry works.
Bette Davis is great. 6.5/10
Lots and lots of smoking and a fair bit of drinking in 1950. Apparently this film is part of American folklore, I can see why. Set in New York's theatre world it seems you can't trust many people even, it turns out, the nice ones. This must be the blueprint for how the Hollywood film industry works.
Bette Davis is great. 6.5/10
Thursday 6 January 2011
Film 1 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' IMDB No.22
I had to start somewhere and this was on the telly. Can't beleive it is nearly 30 years old, I was 14 when it came out and didn't watch it then.
I'm not a fan of this sort of thing, nothing to think about just watch and wait for the inevitable outcome. That said, the chase and fight scenes are good with some tense moments and a few jumpy bits thrown in.
American schoolboy adventure nonsense. 6/10
I'm not a fan of this sort of thing, nothing to think about just watch and wait for the inevitable outcome. That said, the chase and fight scenes are good with some tense moments and a few jumpy bits thrown in.
American schoolboy adventure nonsense. 6/10
Saturday 1 January 2011
The Top 100 list as of 1st January 2011
| 1. | 9.2 | The Shawshank Redemption (1994) | 546,902 |
| 2. | 9.1 | The Godfather (1972) | 428,386 |
| 3. | 9.0 | The Godfather: Part II (1974) | 257,965 |
| 4. | 8.9 | The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) | 170,312 |
| 5. | 8.9 | Pulp Fiction (1994) | 436,934 |
| 6. | 8.9 | Inception (2010) | 267,400 |
| 7. | 8.9 | Schindler's List (1993) | 289,525 |
| 8. | 8.9 | 12 Angry Men (1957) | 127,189 |
| 9. | 8.8 | One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) | 225,720 |
| 10. | 8.8 | The Dark Knight (2008) | 488,449 |
| 11. | 8.8 | Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) | 289,642 |
| 12. | 8.8 | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) | 380,964 |
| 13. | 8.8 | Seven Samurai (1954) | 101,056 |
| 14. | 8.7 | Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) | 332,794 |
| 15. | 8.7 | Fight Club (1999) | 402,261 |
| 16. | 8.7 | Goodfellas (1990) | 240,319 |
| 17. | 8.7 | Casablanca (1942) | 174,138 |
| 18. | 8.7 | City of God (2002) | 176,263 |
| 19. | 8.7 | The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) | 404,090 |
| 20. | 8.7 | Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) | 78,417 |
| 21. | 8.7 | Rear Window (1954) | 123,952 |
| 22. | 8.7 | Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) | 252,181 |
| 23. | 8.7 | Psycho (1960) | 150,426 |
| 24. | 8.7 | The Usual Suspects (1995) | 277,797 |
| 25. | 8.7 | The Matrix (1999) | 398,969 |
| 26. | 8.7 | Toy Story 3 (2010) | 95,109 |
| 27. | 8.6 | The Silence of the Lambs (1991) | 257,992 |
| 28. | 8.6 | Se7en (1995) | 294,398 |
| 29. | 8.6 | It's a Wonderful Life (1946) | 106,872 |
| 30. | 8.6 | Memento (2000) | 288,571 |
| 31. | 8.6 | The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) | 341,583 |
| 32. | 8.6 | Sunset Boulevard (1950) | 57,373 |
| 33. | 8.6 | Forrest Gump (1994) | 317,889 |
| 34. | 8.6 | Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) | 161,366 |
| 35. | 8.6 | Leon (1994) | 211,010 |
| 36. | 8.6 | Apocalypse Now (1979) | 180,252 |
| 37. | 8.6 | Citizen Kane (1941) | 142,957 |
| 38. | 8.6 | North by Northwest (1959) | 97,142 |
| 39. | 8.6 | American Beauty (1999) | 305,000 |
| 40. | 8.5 | American History X (1998) | 236,856 |
| 41. | 8.5 | Taxi Driver (1976) | 163,904 |
| 42. | 8.5 | Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) | 249,259 |
| 43. | 8.5 | Saving Private Ryan (1998) | 281,969 |
| 44. | 8.5 | Vertigo (1958) | 95,717 |
| 45. | 8.5 | Amelie (2001) | 190,605 |
| 46. | 8.5 | Alien (1979) | 188,535 |
| 47. | 8.5 | WALL·E (2008) | 194,704 |
| 48. | 8.5 | The Shining (1980) | 186,887 |
| 49. | 8.5 | Lawrence of Arabia (1962) | 82,427 |
| 50. | 8.5 | Spirited Away (2001) | 107,533 |
| 51. | 8.5 | Black Swan (2010) | 22,803 |
| 52. | 8.5 | Paths of Glory (1957) | 47,000 |
| 53. | 8.5 | Double Indemnity (1944) | 38,805 |
| 54. | 8.5 | The Pianist (2002) | 142,003 |
| 55. | 8.5 | A Clockwork Orange (1971) | 201,843 |
| 56. | 8.5 | To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) | 86,135 |
| 57. | 8.4 | The Lives of Others (2006) | 79,933 |
| 58. | 8.4 | M (1931) | 41,791 |
| 59. | 8.4 | The Departed (2006) | 278,070 |
| 60. | 8.4 | City Lights (1931) | 29,281 |
| 61. | 8.4 | Aliens (1986) | 176,935 |
| 62. | 8.4 | Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) | 230,502 |
| 63. | 8.4 | Requiem for a Dream (2000) | 194,690 |
| 64. | 8.4 | Das Boot (1981) | 72,796 |
| 65. | 8.4 | The Third Man (1949) | 52,784 |
| 66. | 8.4 | Reservoir Dogs (1992) | 221,976 |
| 67. | 8.4 | L.A. Confidential (1997) | 171,068 |
| 68. | 8.4 | Chinatown (1974) | 82,422 |
| 69. | 8.4 | Modern Times (1936) | 37,795 |
| 70. | 8.4 | The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) | 34,685 |
| 71. | 8.4 | Life Is Beautiful (1997) | 114,871 |
| 72. | 8.4 | Back to the Future (1985) | 213,324 |
| 73. | 8.4 | Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) | 160,675 |
| 74. | 8.4 | The Prestige (2006) | 221,017 |
| 75. | 8.4 | Pan's Labyrinth (2006) | 163,124 |
| 76. | 8.4 | Raging Bull (1980) | 93,854 |
| 77. | 8.3 | Cinema Paradiso (1988) | 47,959 |
| 78. | 8.3 | Singin' in the Rain (1952) | 57,761 |
| 79. | 8.3 | Some Like It Hot (1959) | 70,371 |
| 80. | 8.3 | The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) | 61,123 |
| 81. | 8.3 | Rashomon (1950) | 40,866 |
| 82. | 8.3 | All About Eve (1950) | 36,195 |
| 83. | 8.3 | Amadeus (1984) | 101,441 |
| 84. | 8.3 | Once Upon a Time in America (1984) | 75,695 |
| 85. | 8.3 | The Green Mile (1999) | 210,220 |
| 86. | 8.3 | Full Metal Jacket (1987) | 159,464 |
| 87. | 8.3 | 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) | 166,583 |
| 88. | 8.3 | Bicycle Thieves (1948) | 29,096 |
| 89. | 8.3 | Inglourious Basterds (2009) | 195,824 |
| 90. | 8.3 | Braveheart (1995) | 251,508 |
| 91. | 8.3 | The Great Dictator (1940) | 39,210 |
| 92. | 8.3 | The Apartment (1960) | 38,226 |
| 93. | 8.3 | Downfall (2004) | 86,894 |
| 94. | 8.3 | Up (2009) | 123,645 |
| 95. | 8.3 | Gran Torino (2008) | 139,955 |
| 96. | 8.3 | Gladiator (2000) | 293,434 |
| 97. | 8.3 | Metropolis (1927) | 41,935 |
| 98. | 8.3 | The Sting (1973) | 68,772 |
| 99. | 8.3 | The Maltese Falcon (1941) | 53,436 |
| 100. | 8.3 | Unforgiven (1992) | 103,786 |
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