I See Dead People...

Who hasn't seen this movie?  Seriously?  This movie is one of the most well-known horror flicks of this generation, and if you haven't seen it yet-- congratulations, you're the only one.  Forget the fact that every second of the film is filled with paralyzing suspense, but the ending contains one of the greatest plot twists in all of movie history.  This is a film that can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone, and will never be forgotten.

RATING:

V - 5
A - 8
S - 10
A - 8
E - 5

Total = 36/50

Swing Time

This movie is your run of the mill motion picture from the 30s, to say the least.  Obviously Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are timeless, this is undeniable, but this kind of broadway musical can only appeal to so many people in this modern era.  Swing Time is definitely a treat for people whose movie taste includes classic musicals without a doubt, and a good look into a different time in movie history for everyone else.

RATING:

V - 5

A - 9

S - 7

A - 7

E - 9

Total = 37/50

So Far...

The Current Top 5 Movies (according to my rating scale):

1. Yankee Doodle Dandy
2. Toy Story
3. Ben Hur
3. Goodfellas
4. Pulp Fiction


Yankee Doodle is still holding strong at the top spot with 45/50 points, with Toy Story coming in at a close second (44/50).  I am becoming wary of the fact I may hold a bias towards movies I have seen in the past, mainly because 3 of the movies on the list above are movies I already knew I loved....  will have to determine the accuracy of my rating scale at a later date, I suppose.  Nevertheless, would definitely recommend any of these top five!!  Happy movie viewing :)

#11379

I have heard about the movie Sophie's Choice (1982) many times over the years and how depressing it is, but not once did anyone mention it was about a Holocaust survivor, and not once was I tempted to actually watch it...  but I'm glad I did.  A movie about a woman that survived the Holocaust cannot evade the inevitable sadness that comes along with that topic, but the writers of Sophie's Choice actually accomplished this by basing the majority of the plot on her life after the war and her search for happiness.  I went into this film thinking I would be sobbing for 2 hours straight but for most of the story I actually felt enlightened and truly touched by Meryl Streep's portrayal of the life of a survivor.

I was also unaware that Kevin Kline played the leading male opposite Streep in this film, and may I say that his character is truly a whack-a-doo...  quite possibly the most two-faced character in movie history other than......  well, Two Face, or maybe Charlie/Hank from Me, Myself, & Irene.  Not to mention the three's-a-crowd dynamic of Streep, Kline, and their new younger downstairs-neighbor friend, Stingo, was repeatedly awkward throughout the entire movie.  Can you say 24/7 third wheel?

Although there are awkward parts of the movie, if the story told by Streep is all you focus on I have no doubt you'll come away with a warmed heart instead of a bout of depression.  Her strength more than anything is what should truly shine through by the end of her tale.

Rating:
Visual - 7
Acting - 9
Script/Plot - 5
Attention - 8
Emotion - 9

Total = 38/50

F**k You! You Mother F***er You Son of a B****...... uh, you get the idea.....

Let me just say:  Goodfellas.  Kick.  Ass!!!!!  I have seen this film many, many times and it never ceases to disappoint.  The unbeatable combination of Liotta, DeNiro, and Pesci is pure movie gold.  They are without a doubt the most believable mobsters to ever grace the silver screen.  They are gritty and frightening and refuse to take anyone's BS.  Needless to say these are men that no one would want to get in the way of, especially crazy wild card Tommy DeVito who will 'whack' anyone who crosses him without hesitation.

Scorcese did a fantastic job of juxtaposing the glamorous side of the gangster life with the horrendous.  One minute Liotta and his wife are getting star treatment at the local Copacabana show, the next Liotta, Pesci, and DeNiro are inserting a shovel into a man's face.  That's normal........   right?  Not so much for the average citizen but for a New York gangster?  Anything is possible, no matter how gruesome or highly illegal.

Also, has anyone ever noticed how awfully fake and obnoxious Ray Liotta's laugh is????  You will now.......

Rating:
Visual - 7
Acting - 9
Script/Plot - 9
Attention - 9
Emotional Response - 5

Total =  39/50

Le Drug Smuggle Fail

French TV stars and NYC mobsters involved in a big drug smuggle via luxury car???  Eh.

I think I look for something a little too specific when it comes to movies made in the 70s and 80s, mainly because in comparison to what my generation is used to seeing at the movies, mob flicks like the French Connection come off a tad corny.  I was told before viewing this film that it contained THE best car chase scene of ALL TIME.  uh.........  not so much.  It was exciting, it was suspenseful, but THE BEST OF ALL TIME?  not so much.  I already know that the chariot scene from Ben Hur FAR outweighs this even though that isn't technically a chase scene.....  just a small technicality.

As much as I enjoyed watching Gene Hackman and the guy from Jaws being the worst policemen to ever exist, this movie was only mildly entertaining as a whole.

Rating:
Visual - 4
Acting - 7
Script/Plot - 5
Attention - 5
Emotional Response - 5

Total = 26/50

"Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon"

What can be said about Pulp Fiction that hasn't already been said?

It goes without saying that Pulp Fiction is one of the most unique movies ever made.  This can be credited to the unbelievably twisted mind of Tarantino, which I find endlessly entertaining, and the fact that he follows a non-linear plot structure.  The way the movie unfolds out of chronological order but preserves the connection between the characters and the scenes is the true key to enjoying this film.  It also helps if you aren't greatly perturbed by violence and gore...  just a tad.

To say the least, Pulp Fiction is not for the light of heart.  Tarantino consistently means business in his films and the violent scenes he writes are no joke.  At the other end of the spectrum if you can suspend every moral fiber in your body while watching you can attempt at seeing these scenes from the angle that Tarantino intends........   usually just pure unrest of the soul, but that's besides the point.

The bottom line, he's a weird brand of genius, but viewer discretion is advised :)

Rating:
Visual - 8
Acting - 9
Script/Plot - 10
Attention - 7
Emotion - 5

Total = 39/50