Top 100 Movies Of All Time, #67-61

This one is a bit shorter because I messed up on the first entry so I had to reconfigure the list a bit in order to have one entry for the top ten.

67. Star Wars, Episode 3: Revenge Of The Sith

I know a lot of people like to nitpick the newer trilogy, but I did genuinely enjoy this film. It provided a lot of interesting new context for the Darth Vader character, which we don't really see too much during the reruns of the older trilogy. I also appreciated how this film had a darker tone compared to the others, and the visual style is breathtaking. (It should be noted I will not be offering commentary on Episode I.)

66. Napoleon Dynamite

If you don't love this movie, you either hate it or have never heard of it before. This was really my first exposure to the world of independent films, and proved that sometimes they are even ten times better than big-budget productions. Napoleon is simple and raw in its comedic delivery, which packs an interesting and original punch. Plus, the throwback to the eighties will have you laughing for years to come.

65. Blackfish

Given that I have a paralyzing fear of whales, it was weird that I ended up watching this film at all. But, as documentaries tend to do, this movie helped changed my view of them a bit. Here, we are presented with an honest, no-holds-barred image of what Seaworld has really become. Gritty and enticing, it is a must-see for anyone concerned with marine life, or just curious about the true faces of major entertainment enterprises.

64. Fantasia 2000

This movie came out just around the time computer animation was beginning to emerge, so Fantasia 2000 and other later films kind of mark the last hurrah for Disney's 2-D era. The film is actually a wonderful start to a sort-of "grand finale". The animation is beautiful, first of all, and I love how they incorporated different styles of animation to help unite the cinematography with the story. Overall a very visually dynamic experience. 

63. Lincoln

Daniel Day-FREAKING-Lewis, you guys! That's all I really need to say about this movie, right? I mean, good Lord, has he ever not taken a movie role and completely hit it out of the park? This film is history coming to life before our eyes. It's visually striking, and the acting is outstanding on pretty much everyone's part. The one complaint I have against this film was that I felt it was a bit long, but hey, when you are portraying a figure as monumental as Abraham Lincoln, such length is usually necessary.

62. The Iron Lady

Hey look, another biographical movie! I can sometimes get picky about these types of movies, but like Daniel-Day Lewis' performance in Lincoln, Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher immediately drew me in. She delivers this prominent historical figure with enough expertise and brutality to rival her performance in Doubt. Poignant and impressive, this film is certainly an eye-opener for everyone.

61. The Simpsons Movie

What a blast! This movie is always a ton of fun to watch, and a great pick for movie night. Come on guys, did we really expect anything less from The Simpsons? Their writing has pretty much become legendary in the entertainment world, and it truly shines on the screen in this film. On top of the story, the animation is excellent, and the pop-culture references and comedic moments are sure to please. 

Top 100 Films Of All Time, #78-68

78. 9

Every once in a while, one film emerges that is weird enough to garner attention but not inviting enough to make everyone go and see it. 9 is that type of film. This is definitely a bit of an acquired taste. I believe a lot of people looked at this movie and thought: "Okay, I'm cool with the post-apocalyptic atmosphere, but why the heck is it animated?" Animated films intended for adults is still a concept that people are slowly warming up to. But for me, I felt this film was well-written, original, and brilliantly animated. The protrayal of innocence in a hostile world is definitely taken to a new level in this grim but intriguing story.

77. Les Misèrables

People really seem to be divided on this film. On one hand, it's got a great acting and vocal performances (for the most part), but on the other hand, it's loooong. The length of the film definitely made it lag in some spots. However, there are plenty of other things to love about this movie. The costumes, the sets, the cinematography, the sound, and overall the sheer magnitude of it. This might be the one movie that has people convinced that movie musicals can actually work from time to time.

76. Shrek 2

In a cinematic world where sequels, prequels, and reboots are running rampant, rarely do sequels for animated films actually work. Luckily, this film proved that a sequel can actually be as good if not better than the first film. Dreamworks really hit the jackpot on this one. The cast is outstanding, the animation is wonderful, and the story is complex enough to be deep yet dynamic enough to stay interesting. Even years later, this movie does not fail to earn many laughs. 

75. Beauty And The Beast 

If I had to make a list of all the times Disney did a movie completely perfect, this would definitely be on the list. I don't believe that anyone with common sense could hate this film. The animation is mind-blowing, and the cinematography is nearly flawless. Plus, the characters all well-rounded, right down to the villains. It is no wonder that when someone hears the word "Disney", this is automatically one of the first things that comes to mind. 

74. The Emperor's New Groove 

I know what you're thinking: "How dare you put this film above Beauty and the Beast!" First off, deal with it. Second, let me explain why. While Beauty and the Beast is a classic Disney film, this was one of the first movies that started to present Disney movies from a different angle. The humor was a bit sillier, and more contemporary. Yes, that may make the movie seem dated, but it has also led to it being completely quotable. The best thing about this film, of course, are the villains, Yzma and Kronk, and they really steal the show in this unexpected film experience.

73. Scream

With all of the sadistic films that Wes Craven has produced, it was nice to see him actually take a chance to poke fun at his established genre. Though to be fair, it is sometimes difficult to tell whether Craven is making a satire film or a legitimate horror film. Either way, it is an absolute blast to watch, combining blood and terror with hilariously ironic moments. 

72. The Way, Way, Back

Another wonderful hidden gem that basically no one saw. Charming and full of heart, this movie is a great example of how the simplest story can make the biggest impact. It was refreshing to see a cinematic work that did not try to win over everyone, but rather let you take everything in at your own pace. It's pleasantly fun to watch and makes for a great summer movie. 

71. Spiderman 2

I grew up with the Sam Raimi trilogy, and out of all those movies, this one is definitely my favorite. What I like the most about this particular Spiderman is that, to me, it was really the only film out of the trilogy that managed to balance Peter's character development with the action sequences. When I watch this movie, I can relate to the characters a little more compared to Spiderman, yet not to the point of feeling smothered by them, such as with Spiderman 3. Whether this is my all-time favorite superhero flick is debatable, but it is definitely one for the books. 

70. Kung-Fu Panda

This is a movie I feel took everyone by surprise. I mean, just from looking at the title alone, you feel that the film is going to be stupid as hell. But boy, was everyone wrong! Not only is this movie downright hilarious, but the animation is simply spectacular. As one of Dreamwork's absolute best, this movie still remains as quotable as The Emperor's New Groove. 

69. Taken 

An intense action movie where Liam Neeson kicks serious ass? Count me in! But seriously, though, there is a lot more to this film than the action sequences. The focus on the daughter being kidnapped was an unexpected angle to come from, and it's relatable to the point where it frightens everyone. The acting is pretty well done, and the entire tone of the film really helps to pace it very well. 

68. Panic Room

Let me just say this: the camera angles make this film. The way the shots pan so flawlessly, it really pulls you into the story and makes you feel the same level of uncertainty that the main characters experience. Plus, Jodie Foster and Kristen Stewart had great chemistry in this film, which played out very well on screen and truly benefited the story. 

Top 100 Films Of All Time (So Far), #89-79

89. The Brass Teapot

This is one of the those independent films that turned out to be a real hidden gem. It was refreshing to see a story about a struggling young couple instead of having another film about a young college kid who turns into a billionare business mogul. Plus, the underlying theme of what money can do to people is especially relevant today. As with Dirty Girl, which I'll get to in a minute, I was delighted by Juno Temple's hilarious performance, and hope to see her in more projects.

88. Hugo

As much of a marketing nightmare this movie probably was, it did very well and garnered countless awards. Not only is the cast a culmination of some of the best current actors in Hollywood, but this movie is beautiful! Just the visuals alone earn it a 10/10. The romanticized steampunk-like atmosphere really pulls you in, and the intriguing, imaginative story makes for a delightful experience.

87. Carrie

While not all of Stephen King's adaptations have succeeded, Carrie has become legendary in the horror genre. Though the constant Psycho sound effects make the film appear a bit campy in some spots, the tone, music, and cinematography help this film to still be considered as one of the classic Hollywood horror films. Today, Sissy Spacek stands among Anjelica Houston and Winona Ryder as being one of Hollywood's scream queens. 

86. Tarzan

Alas, yet another film I have loved since childhood makes an appearance. (There are probably going to be a few more as we move forward). Tarzan came out a year or two before Atlantis and kind of performed at the box office in a similar fashion. It's one of those Disney movies that is visually striking in terms of animation, but is not as easily remembered as The Lion King. For what it's worth, this is still one of my all-time favorite Disney films, and has enough heart to make it last for many years to come. 

85. Dirty Girl

This movie is sort of like if The Brass Teapot was bit little more lighthearted. While both movies have similar tones and cinematography styles, and both happen to star Juno Temple, this movie relies on a snarky sense of humor that is sure to charm anyone. This film is most definitely a go-to choice for an enjoyable summer film. 

84. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

This is probably my favorite out of all the Pirates films because I feel that it is the one in which everyone tried the hardest. The acting carries the film well, and while the story can get confusing, it still does a decent job on answering all our questions. But the main thing to love about this movie is the cinematography. I mean, holy crap, this movie is gigantic! The costumes, the sets, the characters, the effects; just everything about it screams "adventure"! 

83. A League Of Their Own

What I like about this movie is that it is considered a pro-female film but does not feel the need to be  overladen with hyperfeminist tropes and messages. The cast is wonderfully hilarious, and they all have great chemistry. I am not usually one for sports films, but this movie helped to change my mind. In fact, it is probably my all-time favorite sports film. 

82. Rango

If you still aren't sure whether Johnny Depp can truly do well in pretty much any role he's in, Rango will most definitely prove it to you. The first time I watched this film, not only did I appreciate the raw, dry, (and very adult) sense of humor, but the switch from the generic forest animals to the desert was an interesting change that this film made. Finally, a movie about talking animals that isn't full of showtunes and princesses!

81. Knowing

Though some criticize this film as being overly grim, I feel that the tone helps the story extremely well. Knowing is the best apocalypse film I have seen in a while. It's intelligent (for the most part, anyway), and it's appropriately chilling, which can be difficult for most big-budget disaster films to pull off; 2012, I'm looking at you! Even after seeing this film at least three times, it still continues to give me major chills.

80. Airplane! 

Similar to how Bill And Ted treats itself, this film also succeeds in that it doesn't take itself too seriously.   The humor is outstanding, though what makes it unique in that it has a little something for everyone. There's slapstick, satire, black comedy, and almost everything under the sun. Definitely one of the comedy greats, and certainly not one to miss.

79. Shrek

I believe that this was the one film that really put Dreamworks on the map. Shrek helped prove that Disney wasn't the only one who could make smart animated films that could appeal to everyone. It's got a brilliant cast and memorable characters that still hold up today. Too bad the series kind of died a slow death, but still. 

The Gothic Bohemians Top 100 Films Of All Time (So Far), #100-90

     All right! So I spent most of the morning compiling a list of movies I consider to be the best. Notice that the movies appear based on my overall consensus of the film, and not on whether the movie was critically acclaimed, though I will admit that a good portion of my top 10 movies are considered to be extremely good (at least the majority of them, anyway). Now, it should also be noted that several "classic" films, such as the Wizard of Oz, are absent on the list because it can be largely agreed that they would appear on the list anyway had I not wanted to leave room for the movies that people probably wouldn't expect. The list is going to come in increments of 10.

Let's get started! Here are my top movies from 100-90:

100. Pirates Of The Carribean: Dead  Man's Chest

What better way to kick off a movie list than with what is arguably Johnny Depp's greatest role? This movie is full of everything we love about adventure movies, from swordfighting to treasure hunting to sea monsters.  The cinematography pulls you into a story that is both funny and complex at the same time. The thing I admire the most about this film was that it equally balanced humor and darker themes, something that the other two films did not quite do (but, to be fair, it kind of worked for At World's End, which I shall get to later).

99. 47 Ronin

I know what you are thinking: isn't it weird to put a movie on this list when you only watched it a day ago? Shouldn't you let it ferment? Sure, I suppose, but I felt this film was good enough to deserve a spot on the list. It is very campy in a sense, but that is what makes it enjoyable. Every so often, I appreciate when a movie simply aims to entertain rather than provoke, so to speak. And aren't movies supposed to be escapism, anyway?

98. Twilight

I want to thank whoever is reading this for deciding to continue with this list even after they saw the word Twilight appear. I should admit that I have no problem watching Twilight. Does it have problems? Yes, absolutely, but I do believe these issues are overhyped and exaggerated to the point where people believe this is one of the worst movies ever. A guilty pleasure? Sure. But horrible? Far from it. I can name at least ten movies worse than this one, people. In short, it is a decent film. The acting is a bit stiff, and the effects need work, but overall it delivers to the audience it aims to please.

97. Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure

Probably the 3rd campy film on this list so far. The thing that makes this film funny is how it does not take itself too seriously. And when that is established, sometimes the laughs come easier than expected. It's nice to see the historical cameos and how they interact with the modern world, and it's done in such a way that it comes off more hilarious and goofy than being forced humor. Goofy and over-the-top, Bill And Ted is certainly one of the best 80's movies I have seen so far, and hope to see again. Most excellent! 

96. Auntie Mame

Sometimes I wonder if Rosalind Russell ever failed to do well in a role. While this film took some getting used to, eventually its charming nature grew on me. It's very amusing to watch Rosalind portray the larger-than-life Mame Dennis and interact with her eccentric group of Bohemian friends. The culture shock between the raw artists and the uptight yuppies makes this film wonderfully enjoyable.

95. Dr. Suess' How The Grinch Stole Christmas

People are going to hate me for this one. The live-action (and recently, animated) Dr. Suess films have been heavily criticized as inappropriate and annoying, and while I do largely agree with that statement, this is the one "newbie" Dr. Suess film I actually like. It could have something to do with how it was practically the only film I watched as a kid, but even as I grew older I began to realize its charm. Though it focuses more on humor than on heart, it still remains one of my favorite Christmas movies.

94. Tommy Boy

Oh, Chris Farley, have you ever been not funny? It can be assumed that without Farley, this film would have been largely forgotten. But his energetic character, contrasted with the straightlaced personality given by David Spade, provides for one unforgettably hilarious film. Not to mention that it is full of moments you can't help but quote over and over.

93. Atlantis: The Lost Empire

This is kind of an underground Disney film; as in, it is good enough to be remembered but not considered as groundbreaking as many of the classic Disney films. Atlantis was a risk for Disney, and while it did backfire a bit, I still find this film to be one of the most underrated films to come out of the company. While the dialogue and story is a bit thin, the animation and characters help to compensate for that, and the movie carries itself pretty well. Plus, I probably should admit that Kida is one of my favorite Disney princesses and more attention should be given to her!

92. Ferris Bueller's Day Off

I believe that this movie would have been on the same level with Bill And Ted if it hadn't made the humor a bit smarter than Bill and Ted did. For that reason, Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a slightly more refined comedy film. The characters are well-rounded, the story is well-paced, and overall the film is witty enough to keep you interested without coming off as in-your-face or overbearing. Overall it's a well-written film with tons of memorable moments that everyone is sure to enjoy.

91. Parenthood 

I'm sure some of you are going, "Wait, what?" Yes, this is the original movie that inspired the recent TV show. (Not to mention it's the third movie with Keanu Reeves that I've included on this list so far, but let's ignore that.) What makes this movie interesting is that is relates strongly to the audience. Each of the family units portrayed represents at least one type of family we've all encountered at some point. Not to mention, the actors all have good chemistry, which is sometimes difficult to pull off for films that focus on extended families. A heartfelt and humorous film, this is certainly one of the most uplifting and lighthearted movies I have seen in a while.

90. A Christmas Story

Dang, to come off of the Keanu Reeves trend, why don't I just throw in another Christmas movie as well? Just kidding; I truly believe that this movie deserves a spot on the list. The humor is legendary; narrated with a sharp amount of wit, it is wildly entertaining and gets funnier with each passing year. How could you not laugh as Ralphie is pushed down the slide by an irate mall employee or forced to solemnly don a pink bunny outfit?

"47 Ronin" Film Review

     Let me give a bit of background as to why I watched this movie. Early this morning, I finished watching the 1992 version of Dracula, and while it was pretty good, I felt that Keanu Reeves disappointed me a bit. And so, to revalidate the belief I have that he is actually a decent actor, I chose to watch one of his most recent films, 47 Ronin.

     Based on the Japanese legend, the story follows Kai (played by Keanu Reeves), a half-British, half-Japanese man living in fuedal Japan, a country populated by samurai warriors and their respective lords.  Because of Kai's mixed ancestry, he was abandoned as a baby and brought up by a man named Lord Asano, father of Mika, a girl Kai ends up falling in love with. After Asano is tricked by the rival Lord Kira and the witch Mizuki, he is forced to kill himself via an honorable suicide ritual. As a result, Kai is banished, and Kira takes Mika as a wife-to-be. Oishi, one of Osana's men, believes that Osana has been wronged, and once he finds Kai again, they rally Osana's ex-samurai, or Ronin, in an effort to avenge their master by defeating Kira. Because it is against several moral codes to seek revenge, especially for Ronin, these men went down in Japanese history as one of the few who dared to stick it to the man. 

     It should be noted that this film had a very large budget, but was marketed mainly to Japanese audiences and ended up doing poorly at the box office. While I understand why it bombed (as in, no one has been attracted to Reeves except for very recently, which was due to his newest film Man Of Tai Chi), I don't necessarily believe it deserves all of the criticism that it is receiving. The film does have an interesting premise, and the acting and cinematography are adequate. (Notice, I said adequate, not amazing). The action sequences are paced well enough to move the plot along and keep things moderately exciting, but it does lag in a few spots. I have to say that the one thing that bugged me was how some of their historical facts were not exactly correct; for example, there is a scene where Mizuki is reading oracle bones, and it took all my self-control not to yell at the television for how incredibly wrong that scene is. Did no one on the set bother to recall that oracle bones are Chinese and not Japanese?!? Also, some parts of the mythology was a bit cluttered, and sometimes felt as if the producers were trying to incorporate a bunch of ideas at once without checking the logic of the situation.

     47 Ronin is really a popcorn movie. And by this I mean that it is a film solely meant for entertainment alone. It is not like The Matrix; the story does not try to make you look deep inside yourself or anything. Sure, there are some interesting themes about honor and integrity and all that, but sometimes that is what causes the major problems. If you are looking for a film that will blow you away with excellent acting and a compelling story, look somewhere else. However, this movie is perfect if you simply want an entertaining piece filled with swordfighting and explosions. In short, I enjoyed it as a guilty pleasure film, and put it right up there with Sucker Punch. 

    Overall rating: 6/10

How To Re-Do Your Old Clothes

Being a particularly crafty person I do not like to throw away perfectly good clothes, particularly if I can use them for something else. Now, there is the issue of when my clothes do not fit anymore, because that presents a deeper issue beyond just sewing a patch or painting a design and being done with it. So, a few days ago I emptied out the bag of clothes I was planning to donate, and turned the items into something re-wearable. Above is an old Peanuts shirt I turned inside-out and painted a red anarchy symbol over, to add a bit of punk to my closet. (I have a lot of punk in my closet already, but that's beside the point. 

Above is a twisted fabric headband that I made from an old shirt that sadly shrunk on me. I cut off the sleeves and sewed them together at both ends after twisting them to avoid any weird edges.

I have since realized that the best way to make something old look fairly new again is to paint it. The above picture shows a vest with Nirvana lyrics painted on the back. This top used to actually be a shirt, and if I took a picture from the front you would notice that the butterfly beading design still exists, although now it is more subtle due to it being cut through the middle.

One of my favorite pieces, this shirt came from an old dress. It has a zipper on the back, so I kept the zipper and trimmed the dress just below the spot where the metal pieces ended. The zipper gives it a rough, industrial look, playing into the fact that the shirt is for Nine Inch Nails. 

So, if you are looking to give new life to some of the clothes in your closet, here are a few ideas:

-If you are going to paint something, try the clothing on first so you can mark where exactly the design is going to be painted. It's really awkward when you paint something on a shirt and the logo ends up being overshadowed by your chest, or it's too close to the edge. 

-Don't overdo it. Usually something as simple as adding lace or studs is enough. If you go overboard with embellishments, the shirt will look tacky and most likely be unwearable. Which brings me to...

-Make sure you will actually be able to wear it. For example, putting sharp spikes on the shoulders of a jacket is fashionable up until the point you need to put on a backpack.

-When sewing something, watch out for really tough fabrics, like denim. My machine hates denim and I have lost several needles trying to redo jeans. For tough fabrics, sew by hand!

-Make sure you sew the trimmed edges for a clean finish. Unless, of course, you want the piece to have a chaotic or grungy vibe. 

"Blue Is The Warmest Color" Film Review

     Now that I'm kind of back in the swing of things, I felt it would be appropriate to start off with a review. Since appearing at Sundance, Blue Is The Warmest Color has attracted movie fans from all over to tell a touching yet gritty romance. I was first drawn to the film after hearing about it in Nylon magazine, and once I saw it on Netflix, I figured it was worth checking out. And truth be told, it did not disappoint. 

     Set in France, the story follows a high school girl named Adèle, who is desperate to fall in love and tries to accomplish this by sexually experimenting with a random guy she tries to convince herself that she likes. When their initial hookups leave her depressed and empty, she becomes a bit lost in thought and ends up taking notice of a girl with cropped blue hair on the street. When Adèle finds herself going to a gay bar with a friend, she meets up with this blue-haired girl, Emma, who is a budding artist and in her fourth year at college. Instantly drawn to each other, the girls embark on a rollercoaster of a relationship, discovering new things about themselves and trying to overcome troubles that arise. 

     I found it interesting how this movie earned an NC-17 rating when it has enough nudity to be branded with an "R" rating. But as people have frequently pointed out, the reason for this is probably due to how the protagonists are lesbians and not a heterosexual couple. Yes, the film is very graphic, but if a man and woman were having the sex that Adèle and Emma were having in the film, we probably wouldn't think much of it. Not to sound like I'm making a soapbox speech here, but it is weird how a gay couple in a movie automatically seems to warrant an "R" or NC-17 rating.

     The cinematography in this movie is top-notch, and takes special care in drawing into the symbolism. Even before Emma walks in, there is a touch of blue in almost every scene. Each shot is artistically crafted and lighted wonderfully. The acting is also superb, and the two leads have great chemistry. When you watch this film, you cannot help but feel drawn into their story, and are reluctant to let them go by the end. 

     Overall rating: 9/10