The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

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Did I ever tell you I was struck by lightning seven times?
So basically: Benjamin Button is born the day the Great War ended. His mother used her last breath to make his father promise that there would be a place for Benjamin in the world. However, once his father looks upon his deformed body, he runs away with him, planning on throwing him into the river. Without the heart to do so, he leaves Benjamin on the steps of an old folks' home, where he is picked up by one of the employees, Queenie, and adopted by her. Benjamin has a curious condition which makes him grow younger, instead of older, and he goes all over the world from his home of New Orleans to Russia. The entire time, his love for a girl named Daisy, who he met when he was an old man, never dwindles.

I actually went to see this in theatres last year. And I cried. I cried again this time. Brad Pitt is very believable as a man who ages backwards, making us sympathize with his character. Caroline was my favourite character, tho, even if she doesn't have much screen-time. The only problem I had with it was the length. I'm not sure how the director/editor could have cut it down, as each scene fit into the story well, but it did seem to be a tad long and I started feeling my attention dwindle. However, it never disappeared entirely.

This totes deserves the "prestige" of the list. It's emotional and a great story as we follow Benjamin throughout half of the 20th century. It's a tad long, but the ending is worth some of the slower moments.

Ziggi seal of approval!

Barry Lyndon (1975)

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I'm a man who would rather be known as a cuckold than a fool.
So basically: Barry Lyndon is a man from Ireland who fell for his cousin. However, his cousin is engaged to someone else. In order to win her hand, he challenges her fiance to a duel; which he wins. His family then forces him out to Dublin, on the run for killing the man. Before he reaches his destination, he is robbed and has naught but the clothes on his back and the boots on his feet. Without any other opportunities, Barry must join the British Army and fight in the Seven Years War. This starts his journey throughout the continent and back into England and the aristocracy.

It's hard to believe that one of my fav directors of all time is Stanley Kubrick as this is the second movie on the list of his and also another one that is, unfortunately, not going to get that great a review from me. I'm not going to deny that it's a beautiful picture. Stanley Kubrick is a genius after all. And the music! I love the music in this film and it's defs one of the highlights. The narration is done beautifully as well; not many films can pull of narration - I can think of a few off hand. I hated the character of Barry Lyndon, and I know I'm not supposed to like him, but I didn't even like him in the way that you're supposed to like the anti-hero.

I hate to say it but I just don't get why people love this film so much. I'd suggest checking it out for yourself, if you like 18th century movies, but no, this doesn't deserve to be on the list.

Ziggi seal of disapproval!

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

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You're not nearly as stupid as you look.
So basically: A family goes on a roadtrip to get their daughter, Olive, into a beauty pageant in a bright yellow bus that doesn't work. Richard Hoover is the father, a spokesperson for his "9 steps" program, who is waiting for a publishing deal for his book. Sheryl is the mother who loves the entire family and just wants to see everyone happy. Dwayne, Olive's older brother, has taken a vow of silence until he reaches his goal of becoming a pilot and he hates everyone. Grandpa is closest to Olive and has been with her every step of the way in her pursuit of beauty queening. He loves coke and women. Sheryl's brother, Frank, also joins them on the road trip after his doctor tells them that he can't be left alone, since he's tried to commit suicide. At first, none of them like each other, but throughout the trip they learn to love and accept the people they are with.

Watch this. All of the characters have their own quirks and by the end you love all of them. This atypical family somehow works. You don't think that these people could possibly get along in a bus for 2 days straight, but they do. Despite all of them having their own shit to worry - albeit, the mother is there for moral support and good-heartedness - it doesn't distract them from their ultimate goal of Olive's beauty pageant. I honestly can't see anyone not liking this quirky film.

Yes! This movie totes should be on the list and defs deserves all the "prestige."

Ziggi seal of approval!

All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

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You mean there's a mountain over in Germany gets mad at a field over in France?
So basically: A group of schoolboys get encouraged to join the Great War by their teacher. Enthusiastic and full of duty and pride, they go out into the front. What they find there is far from what they imagined. The plot follows Paul as he goes from camp to the front and back again, witnessing the horrors that war brings.

Great film. It's serious and yet it can mix in humour without it seeming like it's making light of the theme. It's the second war film on the list, but I think it should be WAY higher up! It's defs one of the best war films out there. I also like how it's from a German perspective, which doesn't happen very often, without making them the bad guys. It's not about bad guys and good guys or heroes and villains, it's about the nature of war and who it effects the most - the nameless soldiers who are taught that dying for their country is the most noble thing in the world. The scene where they are discussing what causes a war is probably the best scene in the film and one of the best scenes in cinematic history - in my personal opinion, that is; it perfectly sums up the uselessness of war.

This movie deserves all the "prestige" thrown at it and can do with a little more - watch it!

Ziggi seal of approval!

The Truman Show (1998)

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We accept the reality of the world with which we are presented.
So basically: Jim Carrey plays an honest, normal guy named Truman Burbank. He lives in a nice little house, in a nice little neighborhood with a nice little wife. Everything about his live is nice - except that it's all a lie. Christof has created his own world, a television show, and Truman is the star. Broadcasted 24/7 since Truman was born, he is the only baby legally adopted by a corporation. Things are running smoothly in Truman's life until he starts to get suspicious. Now he must discover the truth about his life and go to Fiji to find the girl he loves.

I went into this movie thinking I was going to give it the seal of disapproval. It was just one of those movies I'd seen so many times that whenever someone suggests watching it I groan. But, I hadn't seen it in a couple of years, so I was hoping it would be different. Wow! I had completely forgotten how good this movie is! Just like the audience in the film, the real audience cares for Truman and wants him to discover the truth! The scary part is that I can actually see this happening in the future; that our society wouldn't stop it. We're already half-way there with all of our reality shows, Big Brother comes to mind as it's very similar - hilarious television, btdubs. So yeah, good film.

As mentioned above, before this viewing I wouldn't have said it deserves to be on the list. I completely change my mind. Go watch this film. Especially if you're like me. You might find out you love it again!

Ziggi seal of approval!

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

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Like the Grinch, but a skeleton.
So basically: In Hallowe'en Town, Jack Skellington is bored of the same old thing of scaring people and goes off into the forest. There he finds the door to Christmas Town, where he is instantly drawn into this unusual new holiday. He runs back to his own world to tell the others about Christmas Town, but they just don't understand. In an attempt to explain it to them, he looks into the scientific method and decides to take Christmas upon himself and the other inhabitants of Hallowe'en Town.

When you take away everything awesome about it, this movie sucks. I'm so angry with this film! Without looking at it with a critical eye, it's just a fun movie with awesome musical numbers. And of course it's a cult classic, so I'm defs going to get an earful from everyone. Can I also add to the fire that I hate Tim Burton? Yeah. Srs, tho. Poor, poor perfect Jack, so bored with his perfect life. He even says that he's good at everything! And then he discovers Christmas Town and steals it from all the children of the real world - just like the Grinch! Why doesn't anyone find this appalling? They KIDNAP Santy Claus! And Sally is basically useless in this whole thing. How is she totes in love with a guy she doesn't even talk to? It's totes just a celebrity crush. Geez, give her some more depth than being blindly in love with Jack, will you?

No, this totes does not deserve the "prestige" of the list. And it's not a great film at all! Watch it for the fun of it, but don't pay too much attention to the plot, tho. You've been warned.

Ziggi seal of disapproval!

Toy Story 2 (1999)

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Buzz never delivered that kiss!
So basically: Woody gets ripped right before Andy goes to Cowboy Camp and has to be left behind on a self. There he finds Wheezy, a penguin squeaky toy that had been shelved a couple of weeks ago. As Woody is worrying about whether or not he's going to be shelved forever, Andy's mom has a yard sale and takes Wheezy from Andy's self! In a desperate attempt to save Wheezy, Woody and Buster - Andy's dog - run out to the yard sale, but on the way back Woody falls off of Buster. Outside and alone, Woody gets spotted by an evil toy collector. When Andy's mom refuses to sell Woody, the toy collector steals him! It's now up to Buzz and the rest of the gang to go to Al's Toy Barn and rescue Woody.

Oh noes! The curse of the sequel! It doesn't hit this movie as hard as some, but it still isn't the greatest. The story is alright as it deals with issues all toys must face - their kid growing up. But the introduction of the new characters and Woody's easy acceptance of them and his move to Japan isn't in character. Woody should fight for Andy, not leave him, even with the knowledge that Andy might one day forget about him. My favs part is when they're crossing the street! what chaos from a few toys. Why didn't they just wait for night time? All around, it's just an alright movie. The many references to Star Wars were nice, tho.

As far as Disney-Pixar movies go, this isn't a good film. And it certainly doesn't deserve to be on IMDb's top 250 movies! I really don't kno how it got there.

Ziggi seal of disapproval!

Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

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Get off the panties. You've done enough damage.
So basically: Jimmy Stewart plays small town lawyer Paul Biegler who is hired by Mrs Manion to defend her husband after he murdered the man who beat and raped her. After deciding to take the job, Biegler is locked in a battle of wits with the defence attorney, with even the audience unsure of whether or not the accused is trustworthy.

Jimmy Stewart is absolutely awesome in the role of Paul Biegler. I can't think of anyone else who could have played him without making the movie a serious one. Of course, the subject matter is pretty serious, but the film itself is still comical, without becoming a farce. I don't think any other leading man could have done that. Judge Weaver is a welcome inclusion to the already comical movie and he makes the courtroom scenes come alive. He's defs one of the most well-written characters in the movies. I'm not sure what to think of Laura, whether she's telling the truth or not, which I guess is the appeal of her character. Myself? I don't think she was raped, just because of the way she acted afterwards. She was still calm and readily able to talk about it. I don't know why her husband would keep to her story if it wasn't true, tho. Mabbs he did trust his wife.

This is defs one of the better movies I've seen, and I'm not one for court dramas. So yes, this deserves all the "prestige" and, if anything, should be higher on the list.

Ziggi seal of approval!

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

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Robin and Will are totally gay together.
So basically: if you don't know the story of Robin Hood then you're living under a rock. Please come out, your computer might get squished.

Those tights! That hat! That hair! Charming film. My favourite part is when Little John pushes Robin into the water. He totes deserves it, he's just so full of himself. I guess that's what leading men do, tho. They're always so arrogant, and yet they're also kind and heroic, fighting for what's right, and so on, always getting the girl. They totes do not deserve to get the girl. Poor Marian. I don't like her. Oh well, she's just a product of her time, eh? I do prefer Men in Tights to this version, tho, but I'm not really fond of the whole Robin Hood story - except, well, who doesn't love the Disney version? Robin's a fox! And Friar Tuck is so adorbs in the Disney one. He's pretty cool in this one, too. It's definitely a movie people should see.

That doesn't mean it deserves to be on the list. I don't actually think it does. Personal opinion, is all.

Ziggi seal of disapproval!

Mulholland Dr. (2004)

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It's like being punched in the face by your grandmother: confusing and not very fun.
So basically: The first 4/5ths of the movie we think we're following a woman named Rita (who has lost her memory) through Los Angeles. She meets up with a new girl in town, Betty, and they try to solve the mystery of Rita's life, the car crash that caused her amnesia, and the money in her purse. ...and then they pull an Alice in Wonderland and it turns out it was all just Betty's dream. Betty is actually Diane Selwyn (the girl Rita thinks she is in the dream world), who is in love with the real Rita - Camilla. Confused yet?

Oh god. Worst movie evar! It's like, a punch in the face by a confusion monster with some slightly creepy lesbian sex and crasterbation. I totes called the lesbianism before it happened, btdubs. But besides that, I did not like this movie at all. I didn't get it the first time, well, mostly didn't get it, then on the second viewing (and with a little bit of help from IMDb) I got it, but I still did not like it. If you need IMDb to figure something out, it's too effing "arsty." wtf David Lynch?! Gah!

I can think of at least 100 movies (please don't ask me to prove that) that are better than this, so no, no "prestige", no hype, nothing. Don't watch it. Unless you're into that kind of thing, in which case, well, knock yourself out.

Ziggi seal of disapproval!