31 August 2010

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)


Trailer

Well, technically speaking, the operation is brain damage, but it's on a par with a night of heavy drinking.
So basically: On Valentine's Day, Joel plans on making up with his girlfriend, Clementine, after a huge fight ending in them breaking up. When he arrives at her work, Clementine doesn't seem to recognize him. When he tells his friends about it, he sees a piece of paper informing his friends that Clementine has erased Joel from her memory. Outraged, Joel goes to the clinic to have the same procedure done to himself.

I liked this film when I first saw it, but I didn't think it was one of those movies that I'd rewatch. I quickly changed my mind after this viewing, however. It's a romance movie at its core, but it goes so beyond that. The way the story is told - the clinic that erases memories - is unique and clever. I dunno, this movie is just really good. So go watch it, okay?

This movie totes deserves to be on the list. My review doesn't give it justice - I should stop writing them when my brain is hurting.

Ziggi seal of approval!

30 August 2010

Chinatown (1974)


Trailer

You're dumber than you think I think you are.
So basically: Private Investigator Jake Gitties is hired by Evelyn Mulwray to follow her husband. When the news hits the papers, a woman shows up to Jake's office intent on suing for the rumours spread by him that her husband is cheating. Realizing that the first women wasn't in fact Evelyn, Jake looks into the matter, with a little help from the real Evelyn Mulwray, to see who made a fool of him.

Again, I hate this genre and I'm sure this film is pretty awesome for it's genre, but I absolutely hate it. The first time was totally excruciating and the second time was just watchable. I dunno, it wasn't that interesting. I kept thinking to myself, "Why do I care about this? These people are all boring!" At least I had Faye Dunaway to watch.

If the characters had been more interesting, I think this would have gotten an approval, but as it is, I don't think it deserves to be on the list.

Ziggi seal of disapproval!

Requiem for a Dream (2000)


Trailer

Anybody wanna waste some time?
So basically: A junkie and his junkie girlfriend try and make something of themselves, but fail. Also, the junkie's mother gets a phone call telling her she will be on T.V. and she tries to fit into a beautiful red dress, even going on diet pills that happen to be speed.

This is the only movie on the list I was srsly considering turning off. Like, my finger was right on the stop button. There are others that I wanted to turn off, but I watched them anyway. Yeah, I didn't turn this one off either, but I really wanted to. I hated this film the first time and this time there was a glimmer of hope that maybe I just had a bad experience - many of my friends love this movie, so the glimmer came from that (many of my friends also like Donnie Darko ... I need cooler friends). Nope. Within 5 minutes I remembered how bad this movie is. The script is boring, the actors are all average (homg, nekkid Jennifer Connelly!), and the story isn't very original. That really is a risk with any story about junkies, though, I find. They whine, they have dreams, they don't achieve these incredible, inspiring dreams - due to their addiction - and they fail even harder. Repeat. If you want a truly amazing junkie movie, watch Trainspotting. I think the reason it's better is because it isn't about junkies trying to make it in the world and achieving some far-fetched dreams.

Fuck Darren Aronofsky and this crappy movie. It doesn't deserve to be on the list, least of all this high on it.

Ziggi seal of disapproval!

29 August 2010

L.A. Confidential (1997)


Trailer

There's blood on your jacket. Is that an integral part of your job?
So basically: Three cops - egotistical T.V. advisor Jack Vincennes, tough cop Bud White who has a soft spot for protecting women, and a legendary cop's son who believes in honest law Ed Exley - clash at first. After a diner massacre, the three cops must work together to get to the truth of the matter and take down the corrupt L.A. police department.

Is it just me or is this movie extremely campy? But, it's done so well that you barely notice until it's over. That's the brilliance of this film. Each of the characters are, as expected, very one-dimensional and fill a known cop-drama stereotype. But, again, you don't notice it until the movie is over and you think back to it. The acting is really what made this movie so amazing. Despite the generic story and characters, the actors take their roles and add personality to them, and master the world they play in.

Of course this movie deserves to be on the list! I'm very surprised it has - society has led me to believe that campy movies are not "great" - but I'm very glad.

Ziggi seal of approval!

Reservoir Dogs (1992)


Trailer

You don't need proof when you have instinct.
So basically: Joe Cabot hires six strangers to carry out a bank robbery. He gives them each their own name: Mr Blonde, Mr White, Mr Pink, Mr Blue, Mr Brown, and Mr Orange. When Mr Blonde starts shooting during the heist, things get a little hectic as everyone tries to make it out alive and to the safe-house.

This is the film that made me love Tarantino. I think the only other one I saw before this was Pulp Fiction - which I can barely remember, I was so distracted while watching it, oops! After this film I instantly wanted to watch all of his other movies! It's just so awesome. All of the characters are amazing and it was brilliantly cast - TIM ROTH IS SO YOUNG! The story is kind of simple if you think about it, but the whole thing is put together so brilliantly - gotta love Tarantino for that - that you hardly notice how generic it is.

This movie totes deserves to be on the list.

Ziggi seal of approval!

The Third Man (1949)


Trailer

You were born to be murdered.
So basically: Out of work pulp fiction writer Holly Martins arrives in Vienna with promise of work from his friend, Harry Lime. When he gets to Harry's apartment, he is found dead. The police get involved, but Holly isn't satisfied with their results as too many stories contradict each other. With the help of Harry's Czech girlfriend, Holly scours the streets of Vienna looking for the truth.

Mystery/Crime movies are defs not my favourites and I really don't think it's a good genre for film anyway (books are really the right medium), but The Third Man is pretty good. It doesn't get bogged down with insignificant details or too many characters and names (srs, how can anyone keep up with so many names in other movies?). I think that's what makes this movie good. The story is interesting enough and the characters don't just fit into roles determined by the story.

This movie deserves to be on the list, but I don't think it should be this high.

Ziggi seal of approval!

Das Boot (1981)


Trailer

I... really wanted to screw my brains out. But now, I am in no condition to fuck!
So basically: The movie follows a war correspondent down into a German U boat during the Second World War. They set out into the Atlantic, coming across British subs as they make their way to the Mediterranean.

Ok, the film isn’t just about that. It’s about the German soldiers who are stuck in the submarines for months at a time. Not many movies depict average German soldiers, instead focusing on the major names! So, this movie is very refreshing! (There has only been one other film about the common German soldier on the list, and it was American and about WW1 – it’s All Quiet on the Western Front, if you’re curious). Anyway, it is a wonderful film and I think everyone should see it – I know a lot of you have heard of it! It’s over three hours long (and can get up to about 5 hours given the right edition) and it takes place almost entirely on a U-boat, but it stays intense the whole time!

Defs deserves to be on the list!

Ziggi seal of approval!

28 August 2010

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)


Trailer

Badges? We ain't got no badges! We don't need no badges! I don't have to show you any stinking badges!
So basically: In 1925, two men living in Mexico, Fred C Dobbs and Bob Curtin, are down on their luck. They get together with an aging prospector, Howard, and travel the Mexican mountains looking for gold. Their travels are filled with deceit, mistrust, bandits, and much more.

I can see why people would like this movie. The whole thing is filled with adventure and stuff that people generally like in movies. It’s like when you think to the fifties and the boys playing cowboys and bandits, that kind of feel. Honestly, for me, while it was entertaining enough, I didn’t enjoy it. But if you like that kind of American adventure movie – I hope everyone knows what I’m talking about – you will defs enjoy this one.

Although I didn’t like this movie personally, I can see the appeal and it does deserve to be on the list, not that high, tho.

Ziggi seal of approval.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)


Trailer

It's just a flesh wound.
So basically: King Arthur is scouring his country for the finest men to accompany him back to his round table at Camelot. Four knights accompany Arthur back to Camelot, but once they reach the castle they change their minds, saying Camelot is a silly place. On their way off, God comes down from the heavens and tells them they must find the Holy Grail. The 5 of them quickly set off on their journey.

This movie is hilarious! Watch it. It's awesome. Ok? There are so many awesome lines that you are going to quote for the rest of your life!

Obvi! The Pythons are geniuses

Ziggi seal of approval!

City Lights (1931)


Trailer

Tomorrow the birds will sing.
So basically: The Tramp meets a blind flower girl and instantly falls in love with her. He wants to help her as best he can, but he doesn't know how. When he meets up with a drunk millionaire, they instantly become friends and the Tramp uses this opportunity to secure the flower girl's financial woes. However, when the millionaire is sober, he forgets about the friendship between them and tries to take back the money he drunkenly gave to the Tramp.

This is the highest ranking Chaplin film on the list, but it isn't my favourite. It was my first feature length film of Chaplin I watched and I am really glad it was. It is a really good introduction to his pictures. It's charming and fun and the Tramp is one of the best characters to watch. Srs, you can watch Chaplin for ever and never get bored of him, which is one of the reasons this movie is so awesome.

This movie obvi deserves to be on the list.

Ziggi seal of approval!

El Laberinto del Fauno (2006)


Trailer

A long time ago, in the underground realm, where there are no lies or pain, there lived a Princess who dreamed of the human world.
So basically: The story goes that the princess of a fairytale underworld went up into the sun and lost all memory of her former life. The king of the underworld put portals on Earth to find his daughter. Now in the fascist Spain of 1944, Ofelia's mother has married ruthless Captain Vidal, who has moved her into the country. There she enters a labyrinth and finds a portal guarded by an ageless faun. The faun thinks Ofelia is the long lost princess and gives her three tasks to perform to prove that she belongs in the underworld.

I didn't get the hype after watching this movie for the first time. I mean, I liked it well enough, but I didn't get why it was that praised. On my second viewing, and a little more wise to the world of movie critiquing, I've since learned my error. This movie is stunning both visually and story-wise. The special effects are amazingly done and homg! real trees! (I am, of course, poking fun at Avatar) and it really makes the fantasy world come alive for the viewers. The story is brilliant, to really understand what I mean you have to watch it. The ambiguity of the film is defs what makes it unique.

With any interpretation of the film, it deserves to be on the list.

Ziggi seal of approval!

27 August 2010

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)


Trailer

The consensus of opinion is that the most sensible thing for Major Shears to do is to go ahead and jump, and hope for the best. 
So basically: Colonel Nicholson and his troops are captured by the Japanese during World War II. He and his men join a dying POW camp in Siam, where Colonel Saito, who disregards the Geneva Code, maliciously rules them. Shears was already at the camp when Nicholson arrived, and he wants to try and escape instead of build the bridge. Nicholson refuses and takes over most of the operations after a long power struggle with Saito. The troops begin to work on a better, more stable bridge, totally oblivious to the fact that the Allies are going to blow it up.

Srs, Alec Guinness was a douche in this movie – the accent didn’t help much either. But, I mean, that’s his character, isn’t it? So, I guess it works out in the end. If you can get over that – because of course you all hate seeing Ben Kenobi act like such a psycho – it’s a pretty decent movie. Not at all historically accurate, and apparently it offended the real troops, but what can you do about that? As long as it’s a good story and people are aware that it’s not what actually went down, what’s the big deal, rly.

I don’t think it should actually be on the list ... or at least not this high. It’s a good movie, but I wasn’t wowed by it.

Ziggi seal of disapproval.

Raging Bull (1980)


Trailer

You punch like you take it up the ass.
So basically: Jack LaMotta is determined to be a prizefighting boxer. But his violent outbursts and easy knock-outs prevent anyone from wanting to fight him. Not much is different in his home life, where he constantly abuses his wife and managing brother. This story chronicles his life through his fighting career and eventual stand-up routine.

Oh gosh, what can I saw about this film? As brilliant as Robert De Niro is as an actor, he plays the same part in a lot of his films - especially the ones on the list. And this is no exception. Here's an abusive douche trying to make it to the top of the boxing world, doing everything in his power to achieve this. The side characters are all one-dimensional and just fill in roles dictated by De Niro's need for them. And what is with the unnecessary black and white? Some movies work better that way, but this movie did not need it. I just found it distracting.

Watch Rocky, okay? This movie doesn't deserve to be on the list.

Ziggi seal of disapproval!

The Prestige (2006)


Trailer

Now you're looking for the secret. But you won't find it because of course, you're not really looking. You don't really want to work it out. You want to be fooled.
So basically: Two young magicians, Alfred Borden and Robert Angiers, are working for the same man, but when a trick goes wrong and the female assistant, Angier's wife, dies, Angier blames Borden. Now, both are trying to out smart the other in a bloody rivalry spanning several years.

Let me just say that the book is much better. Even if you don't like the movie, give the book a try, it had a whole different feel. And if you liked/loved the movie, then defs check out the book! This movie is about two magicians rivalling each other, but the film itself is also a magic trick - and according to Cutter, a magic trick has three parts. So does this movie. And the prestige at the end of the film is spectacular. The first two times I saw this movie (granted they were very far apart) I could not see what was to come. I was completely glued to the screen trying to figure out how they did their magic and what was with the Tesla machine. Even if you know the film, it's still brilliant. You can see it from a different point of view and appreciate it that way. Also, I know a lot of people felt gypped about the Tesla machine, but I think that it went well with the story.

This movie totally deserves to be on the list.

Ziggi seal of approval!

Back to the Future (1985)


Trailer

Last night, Darth Vader came down from planet Vulcan and told me that if I didn't take Lorraine out that he'd melt my brain.
So basically: Marty McFly is an average '80s teenager. He has a girlfriend, two siblings, "loving" parents, and a wacky scientist friend, Doc. One night, Doc tells Marty to meet him at the mall parking lot in the middle of the night. When he gets there, he finds out that Doc has made a time machine ... out of a DeLorean! After a group of Nigerian terrorists attack, Marty is sent back in time to 1955. Now, he must get back to the future with the help of a younger Doc.

Oh, Back to the Future. Where to even begin? I don't think there is a place. Despite all the cheesiness (and the fact that I don't agree with their time travel logic - time cannot be altered, in my mind) this is still one of the best movies ever. It's enjoyable, with lovable characters, and a plot full of adventure, romance, and mishaps!

Obvi this movie should be on the list.

Ziggi seal of approval!

Inglourious Basterds (2009)


Trailer

Yeah, in a basement. You know, fightin' in a basement offers a lot of difficulties. Number one being, you're fightin' in a basement!
So basically: During the height of the Second World War, an elite team of Jewish soldiers, commonly known as the Basterds, hunt down top ranking Nazi officials and eliminate them. When Goebble's newest film, Nation's Pride, is about to premier, the Basterds come up with a plot to kill all of the attendants. As a last minute change, Hitler and three of his top officials are also at the premier. The plot will end the war. Another last minute change moves the premier to a small theatre, run by a young Jewish woman determined to burn down the theatre and rid France and the world of Nazi tyranny.

The latest of Tarantino's films and defs one of my favourites. Tarantino and WWII combined? One of the greatest things to happen in cinema! Tarantino's writing flourishes in the insane nature of the war. It definitely is a great backdrop to showcase his talent. Oh, how do I praise this movie? If you've ever seen one of his films, you already know how awesome he is and it doesn't disappoint. The two storylines are both excellent and come together in an amazing climatic scene - srsly, it was absolutely brilliant. Mélanie Laurent is amazing; her performance really makes the climax so haunting.

I know Tarantino is one of those directors you either love or hate, but I'd like to think that this movie is awesome in its own right, so yes it deserves to be on the list.

Ziggi seal of approval!

26 August 2010

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)


Trailer

Well, I hope you like apes.
So basically: Thousands of years ago, extra-terrestrials placed a monolith on Earth to aid in human evolution. Now in the present, another monolith was found on the moon, signalling to Jupiter human's progress thus far. A team of trained scientists and a super computer, HAL, travel to Jupiter to gather information on the new monolith.

Watch this on a big screen. Or in a theatre. Or in a theatre room. Just watch it where you can appreciate it visually. That's what it's there for. Now that we've gotten that out of the way: Stanley Kubrick is brilliant. The film is stunning and the lack of dialogue and epic music gives the film an eerie feel. A lot of people probably won't get it on the first viewing - hell, I've seen it twice and I don't even get it fully - but you don't need to "get" it to appreciate it. If you don't get it at all, tho, watch it again. It's totally worth it.

This film is stunning and totally deserves to be on the list.

Ziggi seal of approval!

La Vita è Bella (1997)


Trailer

What kind of place is this? It's beautiful: Pigeons fly, women fall from the sky! I'm moving here!
So basically: In Italy, during Hitler's reign, a humorous book keeper, Guido, and his family, a wife and son, are put into a concentration camp for being Jewish. In order to keep his son safe and happy, he pretends the camp is a game. The grand prize is a real life tank and you need one thousands points to win.

I cried many times during this movie and I don't think any of them were the actual sad parts. The film just overwhelms you with this feeling, making you cry. Which is not a bad thing, because you come out of this movie with a good outlook. I didn't think it was possible to make a film about concentration camps this charming; Roberto Benigni has the perfect blend of humour, light-heartedness, and serious subject matter.

This movie should totally be higher on the list and I think everyone should see it.

Ziggi seal of approval!

Modern Times (1936)


Trailer

Buck up - never say die. We'll get along.
So basically: Charlie Chaplin's character works in a factory doing a menial job. On the brink of a nervous breakdown from the tediousness, he is sent to a mental hospital. After being cured, he is sent out, but with no job. When a mix-up ends with him being thrown in jail, he finds it cozy and wants to stay, even after being released. He tried to get back in by taking the blame from a bread thief - a beautiful girl. The two of them then hook up and have dreams of living in a nice, secure home.

This movie isn't Chaplin's funniest films, but it's definitely one of his best - and one of my personal favourites. In this film, Chaplin dabbles in the new world of talking pictures. The film is still considered a silent, but he adds some talking - never direct dialogue, always through a medium such as a recording or video - and sound effects, like bells and dogs barking. The new technology - so well paralleled in the film's factory settings - also lends itself to a brilliant scene in which Charlie sings! (really, the film is worth it just for this!). Aside from this, the plot is clever and inspiring and makes a very cute story between Chaplin and Goddard.

This movie totes deserves to be on the list.

Ziggi seal of approval!

Singin' in the Rain (1952)


Trailer

Moses supposes his toeses are roses; but Moses supposes erroneously.
So basically: Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are a famous screen couple during the golden age of silent pictures. Just after their latest picture, a rival studio makes the transition to "talkies", talking pictures. Struggling, Lockwood and Lamont's studio try and make their next picture talk. There's just one problem-- Lina's voice has a thick New York accent and makes her sound a lot less refined than her screen counterpart. In order to save the picture, Don, his best friend Cosmo, and Kathy Seldon turn the picture into a musical, and Kathy dubs over Lina's voice, much to her dislike.

I don't remember having so much fun watching a movie. Cosmo is defs the best character in this film and shines in every moment he's on screen. The musical numbers are all - well, save the boring love scene one - well written, choreographed, and performed. The story is pretty simple, but complicated things don't really work well with musicals, so you can forgive that and just enjoy!

This movie defs deserves to be on the list and is very enjoyable.

Ziggi seal of approval!

Some Like It Hot (1959)


Trailer

Nobody's perfect.
So basically: During the 20's, two musicians, a bass named Jerry and a tenor sax named Joe, witness a shooting and have to get out of Chicago. One of their agencies is actually looking for a tenor and a bass, but female musicians. Desperate, the two dress in drag and hop on the train taking the all-female band to Florida.

Billy Wilder is definitely one of the most brilliant people in cinema. He has too many movies on the list to even count - in my head, anyway - and each one if pretty brilliant itself. But none come close to the awesomeness of Some Like It Hot. This movie is a crime drama, a comedy, and a romance, with a little bit of music mixed in. Oh! Did I mention the drag? Who wouldn't want to see Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon - amazing actors, btdubs - in dresses? And Marilyn Monroe is totally hot. Best part? Tony Curtis' impression of Cary Grant! I was literally dying with laughter - you have to have seen Cary Grant movies to get the extend of the hilarity, tho.

This should be way higher on the list.

Ziggi seal of approval!

25 August 2010

Amadeus (1994)


Trailer

That sex scene between Mozart and Salieri was beautiful.

So basically: The life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is portrayed from when he arrived at Vienna, just before his marriage, to his untimely death. Antonio Salieri is now a crippling old man in an insane asylum retelling Mozart's life and his love and hatred of the famed composer to a priest.

This film is so well done that you forget you are watching a movie, but rather watching one of Mozart's operas back in the 18th century. I love it when I forget that these are just actors playing a part and are not actually in their own time period, and this movie really makes the late 18th century come alive. While biopics are not my favourite genre, this film is interesting, I think that partly has to do with the fact it's from Salieri's point of view and rather than telling facts in narrative, the human emotions of hatred and admiration are added.

It was over 2.5 hours long, but never felt like it. It totes deserves to be on the list.

Ziggi seal of approval!

24 August 2010

Der Untergang (2004)


Trailer

Yeah? What do you expect from a teetotal, non-smoking vegetarian?

So basically: Hitler's secretary, Traudl Junge, recounts the last days of the Third Reich. She starts with Hitler's 56th birthday and explores how the many people of Hitler's inner circle deal with the Battle of Berlin.

Some people don't like this movie because it paints a sympathetic picture of the Nazis in power. Firstly, this story is taken from the point of view of the secretary, Traudl, who does not have strong National Socialism views. Also, I think the majority - if not all - of people are aware of the atrocities that Hitler and the Nazi party committed and it would be unnecessary for this picture to drill that into its audience's minds. What it does show, tho, is very powerful and convincing. Moreover, I think this film actually reaffirms the images of Hitler and his top men by making this movie somewhat sympathetic. It doesn't show them just as monsters, which gives them - to some extent - an excuse for their actions. Instead, the audience sees them as having goods or sympathetic points, making their "evil" behaviour that much more atrocious. It isn't as if you're watching a film, nor a documentary. It has this odd realistic feel to it, which (I think) is the reason why people praise it so much. It's a different side of the war, one that a lot of people aren't familiar with, and it does it very convincingly.

This movie is very compelling and deserves to be on the list.

Ziggi seal of approval!

Up (2009)


Trailer

Adventure is out there!
So basically: 78-year old Carl Fredericksen ties thousands of balloons to his house to fulfill a life long dream of both his and his late wife's. His destination is Paradise Falls, South America. The place is home to his and his wife's childhood hero, Charles Muntz, who vowed to stay there until he could find a live version of the Paradise Falls monster. When up in the air, Carl realizes he has accidentally kidnapped Wilderness Explorer Russell. And when they land, Paradise Falls is very different from what Carl imagined.

Despite the depressing beginning - which will defs have you crying, or at least near tears - this movie is wonderful. My favourite part is the main character of Mr Fredericksen, who seems to be this bitter old man but really isn't (and it's discovered in a charming way). He's certainly a very good main character and his travel partner Russell really compliments him nicely. Those poor dogs though! That's my one complaint. That those animated dogs suffered so much at the hands of the cruel villain Muntz.

A charming film that can be enjoyed by all ages and should be on the list, but perhaps not this high.

Ziggi seal of approval!

Full Metal Jacket (1987)


Trailer

You write "Born to Kill" on your helmet and you wear a peace button. What's that supposed to be, some kind of sick joke?
So basically: At the height of the Vietnam conflict, a group of boys enlist and are sent to Parris Island, where they are trained by Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. The story focuses on two men in particular, Private Joker, a funny man constantly referencing John Wayne, and Leonard Lawrence aka Private Pyle, a simple minded boy. The two try to deal with the constant berating and hard training. The second part of the movie follows Joker after he is sent to Vietnam. As he is there, the NVA and VC launch the Tet Offensive and Joker reunites with one of his mates from training camp, Cowboy, as they march to Hue as reinforcements.

This is my all time favourite movie and it's the film that made me love Stanley Kubrick as a director and the Vietnam conflict as my favourite area of historical interest. Firstly, the script. The script is absolutely flawless - okay, almost flawless, as there are a couple of goofs, but that's because I've seen it too many times - and full of some of the funniest, most quotable lines in cinematic history. The story steals your interest for 116 minutes and refuses to give it back until the memorable chant of the Mickey Mouse theme. My favourite part, tho, is the fact the you don't have to watch both parts during one sitting, or even in order. Oh, and of course, there's that whole philosophy deep stuff.

Of course this movie deserves to be on the list.

Ziggi seal of approval!