Well, here it is.
10. Chicago
Alot of you may have noticed, but I'm a sucker for style. And this movie certainly has alot of it. I thought the casting and acting and singing was all great, the story, however simplistic, contained hints of mystery. I might get it for putting an oscar award winning musical in my list, but I really liked this movie, it could be my fascination with the 1900 - 1960 period as well.
9. Mall Rats
I have never found, in my entire life, a better written script. The description of the Mall itself is one of the most priceless dialogues I have ever heard. Jay and Silent Bob are at their funniest (even moreso than strikes back) and the sheer stupidity of it all just begs the question, what the hell was this movie about? And thats why I love it.
8. LA Confidential
The Guy Pearce love starts now...........
Never before have I seen a movie like this. Despite the fact that it oozes Noir and has brilliant acting by all the members of the cast (all fully used to their potential, might I add), the movie's strong point lies within it's buildup and it's character development. When the movie starts we don't like any of the main protaganists, they all have their own problems and their ways of dealing with them, as the movie unfolds they begin to band together in pursuit of true justice. And, in true hollywood fashion, one of the best shootous in movie history happens, and the ending, it's only something that can happen in real life.
Although this is my favorite time period 1900 - 1960, it never says that in the film, it's like we are watching a current film, we've already accepted that we are in the 50s, now lets watch. I liked that it didnt' focus on being in the time period itself, instead it focused on the story.
7. Grave of the Fireflies
Maybe not the best anime, but the best movie that was an anime. This movie is so gut wrenching and saddening and apocalyptic that it just blow my mind. This was the first movie I cried in since my childhood when I cried in My Dog Skip and Air Bud, I wouldn't cry for those two movies now, but I will always cry when I see this movie.
History tells us that Japan did some of the most unspeakable things to it's enemies, things that we should never commend. But watching this movie opens up eyes to other side of things, the side of those who were ravaged by the atomic bomb.
A sad movie, with historical revelance and some great animation. I can't see a top ten list without it.
6. Memento
What hasn't been said about this movie? What hasn't been praised? What hasn't been commended?
I try to find words to nit-pick but I can't. I could say a weak ending, but then I realize the reason I hate the ending is because the movie ends.
It engrosses you with the mystery, confusion, and alternate narrative style. It keeps your attention by shocking you, frame by frame, from finish to start this movie had me captivated.
Guy Pearce is also awesome.
5. The Passion of the Christ
It's importance to people not of the faith may be much less than what it is to some people. But denying the brilliant acting performance conducted by Jim Caviezel is to lie to yourself. The story is told without compromising the Bible and the adherence to the language/subtitles as well as the dedication put into this movie rubbed off on everyone who saw it.
4. Toy Story
I was hard on Finding Nemo because I thought it was a wasted setting and there was no real moral value to it prevalent throughout the movie. However, this is toy story.
The benchmark visuals, fantasy setting, and voice acting performances were all superbly done. The setting was one that we can relate too, we've had toys we've grown tired of, and that can be parralled to real life friendships. The voice acting was well done, every voice fit their role with enthusiasm and purpose. We dont' need to discuss the visuals, they speak for themselves.
A good family movie, right on top with grave of the fireflies and passion of the Christ without the blood
3. Attack the Gas Station
Rarely does a movie make me laugh like the way Attack the Gas Station did. Every character, every action, had some sort of suttle or outrageous humor. The plot of the story is so ridiculous that it warrants its own set of laughter by itself "4 buddies decide to rob a gas station they robbed the night before."
Maybe more important than it's comedy, however, is perhaps the cultural view we get of South Korea. The hyper Capitalism installed by Americans is shown in this movie, people fail to realize that South Korea and Japan are very capitalist countries, moreso than America. And their brute "The Art of War" tactics are unmatched by any big wig corporation, save for the ones in America, of course. This movie gives us a look at that culture and what it does to disaffected youth.
But its mostly funny.
2. City of God
Some movies are so hip they just require to be on a top ten list. This movie, although hip, is on this list not because of it's style, but for it's look at drugs, drug dealing, gangs, and the City of God.
I have always envisioned Rio De Janeiro as a beach spot for tourists, I knew it would be a developing country, but I figured it would be like Mexico. When I was given a detour of this world I paced myself and challenged my thinking on the subject. Could this be the real City of God?
Yes, it was, or at least the former City of God. The acting was fantastically portrayed, and the narrative was nicely done switching in between the big political events of the movie and Rocket's personal life.
This movie accomplished what it's title suggested. The City of God. We saw the City of God in it's entirety, spared from nothing, shown the truth.
An excellent movie.
1. Glory
Glory addresses our nation's history with an explosion. The sheer importance of this film makes it what it is, our civil war, not a war against foreigners, not a war against invaders, a war between our people, but more importantly, the war between freedom and slavery. This movie addresses both angles, and because of that, it's importance is sealed.
Noone here can tear this movie apart on any reason. Everyone was brilliantly cast, from the USCTS to the White officers. Matthew Broderick played a high pitched and snobby officer. This wasn't Vietnam where people had to earn a rank, this was the American civil war, your rank depending on your nobility. And thusly, matthew Broderick is the perfect fit.
How about Denzel Washington? Oh yea, it was the movie that launched his oscar career and all star status.
Cary Elwes was fantastic. So was Morgan Freeman.
Again, I can not emphasize the importance of this movie to all Americans. It is a must see, for the subject matter itself. The same way the Pianist is, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Caligula, and all the various historical films who get it done right, by showing what is required for the period at hand.
Well done.
My summary is coming up along with my final thoughts.
*Note: Full Metal Jacket, Jackie Brown, Apocalypse Now, The Pianist, Akira, and the Godather were all hovering around my list, so I consider those movies important as well.