True Grit (2010)

Trailer

Backwards. I always go backwards when I back up.
So basically: After the death of her father, 14 year old Mattie Ross hires Rooster Cogburn to assist in the arrest of the murderer, Tom Chaney. He reluctantly agrees and they set out together, much to his dismay. Also on the hunt for Tom Chaney is LaBoeuf from Texas.

I wasn't very interested in this film when I found out it was on the list. And it wasn't until it was over that I found out it was a Coen Brothers' film. So yeah, watching it was alright. It is a Coen Brothers' film, so it was, of course, enjoyable and had some good dialogue - especially coming from Mattie. She was defs worth watching it for. But, I rly don't understand the renewal of Westerns. I don't know. It just doesn't look right with our cameras and stuff, y'know? One last thing: WTF?! Why isn't Hailee Steinfeld credited on the poster before Josh Brolin??? ACK! And SUPPORTING ROLE?! Excuse me?! I'm pretter sure she plays the main character, thank you very much.

It's an alright film, but I don't think it deserves to be on the list.

Ziggi seal of disapproval!

Trois Couleurs: Rouge (1994)

Trailer

I feel something important is happening around me. And it scares me.
So basically: Valentine's life is changed when she accidently runs over a dog and befriends its owner, an early retired judge who has a habit of eavesdropping on his neighbours.

I don't understand this film. It was watchable, but it wasn't very interesting. I don't like these "deep" films that are all "they're about human nature, yey!!" No! You have to have a story, you can't just shove a bunch of people together and see what happens. That is not a film. Ok?

It has been mentioned to me the reason I didn't get it was because I didn't watch the first two of the trilogy, but I assume they are in the same style with the same "meaning" so no thank you. Get off the list, please.

Ziggi seal of disapproval!

The Social Network (2010)

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I don't know, but I'm really hoping it's cats that look like Hitler 'cause I can never get enough of that.
So basically: Mark Zuckerberg gets inspired and creates The Facebook, the working title of Facebook. Throughout its development, he brings in his friend Eduardo Saverin to finance the project. Two brothers, the Winklevi, had already hired him to create a school wide social networking site and when The Facebook becomes live, the two are furious that Zuckerburg stole their idea and sue. Months after the release, Eduardo also feels like Mark has been using him for his own gain and sues. In between two lawsuits, the creation of Facebook is told through flashbacks.

Ok, so there were a lot of funny lines in this film - partially because I'm a giant geek - but it wasn't enough. The film was boring and much too long. And wtf?! Facebook is not interesting enough to warrant a film, nor is Mark Zuckerburg and his lawsuits. Why was this movie even made? Stupid Facebook. The only redeeming part of this film was Eduardo`s character, who I thought was kind of awesome.

It does have some funny lines and some good supporting cast, but it defs does not deserve to be on the list. Boring film.

Ziggi seal of disapproval!

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

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When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.
So basically: Senator Ransom Stoddard returns to Shinbone, a small Western town, with his wife to attend an old friend's funeral. There, the local newspaper wants to get an exclusive interview on who exactly this old friend, Tom Doniphon, is. Senator Stoddard recounts his yearly days in Shinbone, when he was a young lawyer from the east, and his feud with local gangster Liberty Valance.

Can I just say that Tom Doniphon is a douche? This is the only movie I've paid attention to with John Wayne in it, and I'm not impressed. I just wanted to punch him. The rest of the movie was good. Jimmy Stewart was again perfect for the role - I wonder if he was at all like that in real life ... Anyway, despite its Westernness, it's well paced and kept my attention.

So, yup, I think it does deserve to be on the list.

Ziggi seal of approval!

The King's Speech (2010)

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Because I bloody well stammer!
So basically: The Duke of York, "Bertie," is plagued with a stutter that affects his ability to speak in public. Worried and out of options, his wife hired unorthodox speech therapist Lionel Logue and reluctantly Bertie accepts his help. With the untimely death of his father, the former king, and his brother, the next in line, unwilling to lead the country, Bertie ascends to the throne as King George VI just as World War II breaks out.

Yey Colin Firth! He was epic as Bertie and Geoffrey Rush was amazing beside him. They definitely carry the film well. But, the subject matter ... dragged on a bit. There was a little bit in the middle where I just wished the film would end, but it started out well and defs ended very excitingly. Also Helena Bonham Carter! Wow! Who knew she could do that?

It was definitely a lot better than some movies on the list, but I don't think it deserves a spot.

Ziggi seal of disapproval!

The Fighter (2010)

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That guy did not just get off the fuckin' couch. If he did, I'm gonna get a couch like that.
So basically: The true story of light welterweight champion "Irish" Mickey Ward in his early years. He must somehow find a balance between his family, who has always been there for him, especially his brother Dicky, his coach and the career he has always dreamed of.

NO! WHY?! I thought Rocky was bad! Or even The Wrestler! But no, this trumps all fighting movies as the worst. I don't like these kinds of movies - but hey, I did give Rocky a seal of approval, so there are exceptions! - and so I wasn't expecting to like this at all. But, I did not expect it to be this bad. The Wrestler I could at least tolerate watching the second time, but I think I would run away screaming if someone wanted me to watch this again. It's bland and annoying and I want to punch them all in the face!

I have no idea how this got on the list in the first place. It is just a bad movie!

Ziggi seal of disapproval!

Sherlock Jr (1924)

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We are lost! He is sending for the world's greatest detective - Sherlock Jr.!
So basically: A projectionist wishes he could be a detective. When he is accused of theft and dismissed by the woman he loves, he daydreams a parallel universe where he is a world class detective on a similar case.

This is a charming film. Buster Keaton is hilarious! He doesn't surpass Charlie Chaplin, but he does come close! I'm kind of upset that this film continues to get booted off the list! The effects are stunning, too. It was fabulous to watch Keaton through his dream world.

This should defs be higher on the list!

Ziggi seal of approval!

Roman Holiday (1953)

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Joe, we can't go running around town with a hot princess! 
So basically: Young Princess Ann is on tour across Europe and gets fed up with the strict rules and scheduled life. While in Rome, she sneaks away during the night and comes across Joe Bradley, who reluctantly takes her home with him after she falls asleep on a ledge. The next morning, Joe discovers she is the princess and spends the day with her trying to get a good story for out of her to report to his newspaper.

I love the ending in this film! The plot is very familiar, famous girl runs away and meets a reporter who tries to get a story from her while keeping their identities secret … But, despite that, the characters are new and interesting – and very funny! It’s a cute film with lots of very enjoyable moments. Gregory Peck did bug me a bit in this film, but that is to be expected since I am not fond of him, but Audrey Hepburn does a really good job in her role as the princess!

Ah, yes, I think this film deserves to be on the list!

Ziggi seal of approval!

Persona (1966)

Trailer

No! I'm not like you. I don't feel like you. I'm Sister Alma, I'm just here to help you. I'm not Elisabet Vogler. You are Elisabet Vogler. 
So basically: An actress is sent to hospital after loosing the ability, or rather will, to speak. A young nurse is charged with her care, but there is nothing mentally nor physically wrong with her. The doctor in charge sends the two to her cottage where their personas meld into each other.

I’ve only seen this film once – unlike all of the other Ingmar Bergman films – and I don’t understand it, yet. I definitely want to watch it again, to try and understand it. Bergman’s films are like those, and this one is the most pretentious, artsy film of his that I’ve seen. And I don’t like those kinds of films, but his are just so beautifully shot you want to understand them.

Yes, I think this deserves to be on the list. I think everyone interested in film should see at least one Bergman film, too.

Ziggi seal of approval!

Mou Gaan Dou (2002)

Trailer

I'm a cop.
So basically: The police force sends an agent undercover at the same time a crime shark sends in a batch of young men as moles. Ten years later, Chan Wing Yan and Inspector Lau Kin Ming are deep into their respective undercover roles and are desperately seeking each other out.

Many of you may know the film The Departed, taking place in Boston about the same plot. This was the inspiration – or rather original version – for that. And, I have to agree with everything I’ve read: it is defs better than the American remake. I watched the first half an hour of this film not really into it. I just wanted to get it over with (I did want to see it very badly when I first heard of it, tho). But, after about half an hour, I rly got into it and I’m rly glad I did. The Departed was good, but this takes the story to a whole new level and without the redonk Boston accents! It’s just all kinds of epic.

Defs deserves to be on the list. I know it keeps getting bumped off, but I wish it didn’t.

Ziggi seal of approval!

Mary and Max (2009)

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Not much has happened since I last wrote except for my manslaughter charges, lotto win, and Ivy's death.
So basically: One day, while 8 year old Mary is sitting in the post office, she flips through an American address book wondering all sorts of questions about the foreign country. She picks out a name, Max Horovitz, and sends him a letter. Max, an overweight New Yorker in his 40s with Aspergers Syndrome, recieves the letter and promtly has an anxiety attack, but sends his correspondance anyway. A 20 year friendship sprouts between the unlikely pair.

I was looking forward to this film, because I had never heard of it before, but once it started I had my doubts. It seemed like they were trying too hard to be quirky. Once Max was introduced, however, I changed my mind! It's different. Which is why I like it. But, it's isn't so different that you can't connect with it. The two characters are interesting and really bring you into their lives - the narrator was a tad annoying at first, but you get used to it and I couldn't imaging the story being as good without it. And the ending was really well done, sad, but well done.

This film deserves to be on the list. I'm kind of sad and kind of glad that it isn't that big of a film, but you should watch it and spread the word to all the cool kids.

Ziggi seal of approval!

Kaze no Tani no Naushika (1984)

Trailer

She's alive. There goes that dream.
So basically: A thousand years after a devasting war that left the Earth in ruins, Princess Naushika, princess of the Valley of the Wind, tries to understand and protect the Sea of Decay. When another Kingdom, the Tolmekians, use a great warrior to try and destroy the Sea of Decay, Naushika must band together with the Ohmus, giant insect creatures who protect the toxic wasteland, to save the Earth.

I love Studio Ghibli, but this was the first time I saw this film. I'm a bit tired of people shoving the environment is awesome agenda down my throat, but this one does it so it doesn't seem like it's the only purpose of it (coughavatarcough). It's an engaging story with interesting characters. It was a bit confusing at first to follow the politics of the different kingdoms, but it all works itself out in the end.

Yes, I think this film should be on the list. I also think some Ghibli films that are not on the list should be. Go watch those, too!

Ziggi seal of approval!

Inception (2010)

Trailer

Wait, whose subconscious are we going through exactly?
So basically: Cobb has been in exile from America for quite some time and Saito, a powerful Japanese businessman, gives him a chance to go back home to his children. He just has to do one thing: take down Saito's competator, Robert Fischer. Cobb has to gather a team of experts to enter into Fischer's mind through dream to plant an idea. Taking things out of dreams, deception, is easy, but inception has only been done once before.

This would have been a fairly ok movie and I wouldn't have as much hatred for it as I do except for how it was reviewed by the media and the general public. All I heard about it this summer was how it was the best movie and and such a mind fuck! My mind was not fucked. I was not confused. At all. At first I was like: I hope this gets a bit more complicated. But it didn't. It was a fairly simple plot and it did nothing to make go "woah!!!!" At all. But, I mean, overall it was a good story, entertaining enough.

I don't think this deserves to be on the list. Not because of my hatred towards it, no, but because it wasn't awesome. At all. I was kind of hoping it would be, but it wasn't. Good for like picking it up for a Saturday night or something, but no. And why is it even this high?!

Ziggi seal of disapproval!

His Girl Friday (1940)

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Walter, you're wonderful, in a loathsome sort of way.
So basically: Hildy Johnson returns to New York with her fiancee to tell her ex-husband and boss that she is quitting the newspaper and moving to Albany. Walter Burns will absolutely not allow this to happen and, in the middle of a big story, tries to convince his ex-wife and star reporter to stay on board.

Cary Grant is fabulous. This film is fabulous. It's fast paced and witty and full of chaotic nonsense. I'm pretty sure this was the first film to have two characters talk on screen at the same time and I just want to say: WHAT DID THEY DO BEFORE?! The banter between the two leads is worth it.

Yes, this defs deserves to be on the list.

Ziggi seal of approval!

Hauru no Ugoku Shiro (2004)

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I don't cook! I'm a scary and powerful fire demon!
So basically: A girl, Sophie, crosses the Witch of the Waste, who curses her into an old woman. She goes in search of a magician to help her and finds Howl's enchanted castle. There she meets a young wizard, Markl, a fire demon, Calcifer, and an animated scarecrow, Turnip, along with Howl himself. They go on an epic adventure to find her youth and she falls in love.

This is one of those films where I never remember the ending, and that's fine for me. It's not like it's a forgettable ending, it's a rather good ending. Actually, it's a pretty amazing ending because, well, watch it and find out. And it goes without saying that it's a beautiful film. All the characters are awesome, as well. Calcifer is definitely my favourite.

It makes me sad that this is one of those films that constantly get knocked off the list, it defs deserves to be on there.

Ziggi seal of approval!

Festen (1998)

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It was all you were good for.
So basically: A patriarch holds a celebration for his 60th birthday in a secluded hotel where he lives and his children grew up. His three children, two sons and a daughter, attend along with the rest of the huge family. The eldest son’s twin sister had recently committed suicide and he spends the whole night trying to explain why she did so as the patriarch’s dirty secrets are revealed.

I wasn’t looking forward to watching this. I don’t like films that take place over, like, a day. But, I was reminded of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and how I wasn’t looking forward to seeing that, either (I’m aware the plots are totally different, but they are both set over the course of one night), and I ended up loving that one. So, with some hope, I went into this picture hoping it would wow me. I didn’t. I just didn’t care for it. I didn’t like any of the characters, which is the main focus of the film – none of them were very interesting. It seemed like the writer was like, let’s make them as fucked up as possible! - and the story just didn’t hold my interest at all. I think the style, Dogme 95, is interesting, though. Maybe I’ll watch another one of those films, to get a better feel for it.

But, as for this one, I don’t think it deserves to be on the list.

Ziggi seal of disapproval!

Fanny och Alexander (1982)

Trailer

If there is a God, then he's a shit, and I'd like to kick him in the butt.
So basically: The patriarch of a theatre family suddenly dies and his wife must remarry. She was an actress in her husband's theatre, but when she marries a Bishop, he whisks her and her two children, Fanny and Alexander, to a remote mansion. There, the children endure his cruelty and must search for a way to escape.

I don't understand the first half of this film. I thought it was dreadfully dull and I wasn't looking forward to the rest. And I think it should have been called just Alexander, or maybe something unrelated to the children's names. Because Fanny doesn't come in until, like an hour into. I remember having to google her to figure out who she was when I didn't know after the first hour. She appeared just after I went back to the film - go figure. But the second half!! (I'm talking about the wedding onwards). I didn't want it to end! I really really didn't. It completely drew me in and was magnificent and eerie and brilliant.

Yeah ... I think I should rewatch this to see the point of the first half - 'cause there has to be one, right? - and it defs deserves to be one the list! I wish it were a bit higher, maybe.

Ziggi seal of approval!

Fa Yeung Nin Wa (2000)

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What a pain! I'd just go to get laid.
So basically: In 1962 Hong Kong, two young couples move next door to each other at the same time. Mrs Chan is married to a businessman who is often out of the country and Mr Chow is a newspaper editor married to a woman who is away often, as well. The two form a friendship, but become suspicious that their spouces are having an affair. In order to understand, the two roleplay each others' spouse having the affair, vowing not to fall in love themselves.

This did not sound interesting. Which makes sense, because it wasn't. I don't understand why it was set in the 60s, either. Just a preference?? I saw no point. I had to watch it in three sittings because it was just that boring.

Yup, it was just a boring film. I don't see how people can like it ... so, no does not deserve to be on the list!

Ziggi seal of disapproval!