Films 21 - 30

This could be the prettiest film I have ever seen. The way Wim Wenders blends black and white with color photography is truly breathtaking. And oh by the way, the story is intriguing as well despite Hollywood’s attempt to ruin it a.k.a City of Angels.

Can anybody say Alan Arkin? This guy gives the book by Joseph Heller a true visual medium in which to explore this tale of irony and humor set in world war II. War. What is it good for anyway?

I’m going to direct you to my review of The Fellowship of the Ring for a more concise summation of what I really think of these movies. Although I have two things to mention here first: 1) I have lumped all three films into one slot because much like the three original books they are all one story and 2) These films represent the emergence of true talent in filmmaker Peter Jackson.

Sid note: I have to take issue with #2, I think Heavenly Creatures marked Jackson's breakthrough as a serious, non-slasher film director.  Between Tolkien's great story and the amazing effects, how much direction do the Rings films really need?

Sid's additional note:  I saw "The Return of the King" in New Zealand, so there.  It was fantastic, although a little too heartwarming at the end.

This is my all time favorite Woody Allen movie. He is at his most neurotic and Martin Landau is exceptional as Ira torn between an angered mistress and world that he spent his whole life building.

They are a whole slew of westerns out there that (and some of them very good ones) I had to choose from when I thought about the western as a genre. But I think this is probably the best one. Clint does double duty as director and actor and does it flawlessly. Hell of thing writing a top 64 greatest films of all time…..

Okay. Okay. Everybody zip it right now. This movie is good and you know it. Yes it’s absurd, yes it’s a little bit over the top. No Tom Hanks didn’t win anything for it. But it is his best cast-away movie ever and Meg Ryan is charming. A lot of people are afraid to like this movie because it is too over the top, this is exactly the reason why I think it is so good.

I really think this is Kurusawa’s best film. I know lots of people will stand up and shout "Seven Samurai" but I really think Yojimba is better. Besides It doesn’t matter as long as Toshiro Mifune lops somebody’s head off anyway.

God this movie cracks me up! Natalie Wood is luscious as the stern feminist reporter and Curtis is great as the Male Pig with a heart of gold (probably because it wasn’t a stretch for him to play – ouch). Oh and by the way check out the rest of the cast Henry (where’d ya get the pretzel) Fonda, Mel Ferrer, Edward Everet Horton…shall I go on.

Jack being Jack. Jack being Robert being Jack. I get lost sometimes trying to figure out where Jack ends and Robert begins, but it doesn’t matter. All I know is, that I keep the ingredients for toast in my house at all times, just in case he stops by.

Sid note: You'll also be covered if Elwood Blues stops by.

Fritz Lang actually bankrupted the production company to make this movie and then escaped Germany with the only copy. This must be one bad-ass movie, if someone is willing to go through all that.