Tag Archives: Top 10 Films

#1 Favorite Film, 1958 Films, Alfred Hitchcock, Barbara Bel Geddes, Favorite Film of the Year, James Stewart, Kim Novak, Thriller, Tom Helmore, Top 10 Films, Top 100 Films, Top 25 Films, Top 250 Films, Top 50 Films

Vertigo-1958

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Vertigo-1958

Director Alfred Hitchcock

Starring James Stewart, Kim Novak

Top 250 Films #1

Scott’s Review #151

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Reviewed August 7, 2014

Grade: A

Over the years, Vertigo (1958) has quickly become one of my favorite Alfred Hitchcock films. With each repeated viewing, I learn, appreciate, or see something new.

It is an absolute masterpiece.

The primary appeal of Vertigo lies in its mystique and dream-like quality, which offer a beautiful cinematic experience. It is sometimes ominous, psychological, gloriously complex, and even confusing.

That is what makes it extraordinary.

Considering the time, the colorful opening visuals are dynamic, groundbreaking, and stunning.

The story involves a retired detective, Scottie, played by Hitchcock stalwart Jimmy Stewart. Scottie suffers from vertigo, which hinders his daily life.

After an incident in which a police officer is killed, and Scottie blames himself and his vertigo for causing the death, he whiles away the days brooding and keeping companionship with Midge, a college friend to whom he was once engaged.

One day, he is hired by another college friend to follow his wife, played tremendously by Kim Novak, who is acting strangely and periodically disappearing, obsessed with a painting of a woman from years past.

From this point, the plot twists and turns in a mysterious fashion, and a romantic, bizarre, and obsessive love story is intertwined.

Is Scottie in his right mind? Will his vertigo continue to haunt him? What is the secret to Madeleine and Judy? Is Midge as sweet as she appears?

The score to Vertigo is haunting and unforgettable, adding significantly to the film’s mood and ambiance.

Several location shots are featured in San Francisco, including the Golden Gate Bridge, steep streets, the Mission District, and the Redwood Forest.

As with all Hitchcock films, every set and detail is perfect, from paintbrushes, coffee mugs, curtains, and furniture to the gorgeous, bright red décor of the restaurant, which is heavily featured in the film.

How exquisite does Kim Novak look in the film??

Initially critically panned upon its release, it is now considered one of the greatest films. Its unique camera angles and slow, methodical pacing have influenced other films.

The film is not always an easy watch, as it is complex, to be fair, but like a fine wine, it improves with age.

Vertigo (1958) is a layered psychological thriller that gains more appreciation with each viewing.

Oscar Nominations: Best Sound, Best Art Direction

#2 Favorite Film, 1974 Films, Al Pacino, Best Picture Oscar Winners, Connie Mason, Danny Aiello, Diane Keaton, Drama, Epic, Favorite Film of the Year, Francis Ford Coppola, Harry Dean Stanton, James Caan, John Cazale, Mario Puzo, Michael V. Gazzo, Mob, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Talia Shire, Tony Sirico, Top 10 Films, Top 100 Films, Top 25 Films, Top 250 Films, Top 50 Films

The Godfather: Part II-1974

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The Godfather: Part II-1974

Director Frances Ford Coppola

Starring Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro

Top 250 Films #2

Scott’s Review #197

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Reviewed: November 25, 2014

Grade: A

Frances Ford Coppola’s sequel (and technically also a prequel) to the highly regarded and successful The Godfather (1972) is one of the rare sequels to equal, if not surpass, the original in its greatness, creativity, and structure.

The Godfather Part II (1974) feels more profound, more complex, and ultimately richer than The Godfather- and that film itself is a masterpiece. Part II is much darker in tone. Francis Ford Coppola had complete freedom to write and direct as he saw fit, with no studio interference.

The results are immeasurable in creating a film masterpiece.

The film is sectioned into two parts, which is an exciting and practical decision.

The story alternates between the early twentieth century, following Don Corleone’s life, now played by Robert DeNiro, as his story is explained- left without a family and on the run from a crime lord, Don escapes to the United States as a young boy and struggles to survive in the Little Italy neighborhood of New York City.

He obtains a modest job as a grocery stockboy and finally celebrates his eventual rise to power in the mafia.

The other part of the film is set in 1958, as Michael Corleone faces a crumbling empire, with both rivals and the FBI investigating him and holding Senate committee hearings in Washington, D.C., and a failing marriage to Kay (Diane Keaton).

Betrayal is a common theme of the film, as Michael’s wife, brother, and mobster allies are revealed to be cagey enemies. Michael becomes increasingly uncertain and mistrustful of almost everyone around him. Is Kay a friend or foe? Is Fredo plotting against him? He even begins lashing out at Tom Hagen on occasion.

What makes The Godfather Part II so brilliant, and in my opinion richer than The Godfather, is that it is tougher to watch- and that is to its credit. Now, instead of being a warm, respected member of a powerful family, Michael is questioned, analyzed, and betrayed.

New, interesting characters are introduced, including Hyman Roth, played by Lee Strasberg, a former ally of Don’s, and Frankie Pentangeli, played by Michael V. Gazzo. These characters are intriguing, and their allegiances remain unknown throughout most of the film: are they loyal to the Corleones or deadly enemies?

The character of Michael evolves from conflicted to all-out revenge-minded, including seeking revenge against members of his own family. Michael is now a dark, angry character- gone is the nice, decorated war hero with his whole life ahead of him.

He is much older and has changed.

Similar to the original Godfather, the opening scene is a large celebration- this time, Anthony Corleone’s first communion celebration.

Additionally, the film’s finale involves the deaths of several significant characters one after the other.

Unique to this film are the multiple-location scenes, featuring New York, Nevada, Italy, Florida, and Cuba, which make for an enjoyable segue throughout and a more substantial budget.

The blow-up confrontation between Michael and Kay is devastating and shocking in its climax. When Michael punches Kay in a sudden rage, the audience feels punched as well.

The incredible scene at the end of the film, with the entire family gathered around for Don’s fiftieth birthday in 1942, is a special treat for viewers; familiar faces make cameo appearances.

I love these aspects of the film.

The rich history of Don is the most significant aspect of The Godfather Part II, known as “Godfather” and patriarch of the family. His life as a boy and young father is explained, so we see how he became one of the most powerful men in the crime world.

I love how he remains a decent man and helps people experiencing poverty and the victims of ruthless Don Fanucci, his predecessor. He loves his wife and children, but also loves his neighbors and helps them, believing in the principle of fairness.

Ultimately, the characters of Don and Michael are worlds apart.

The Godfather Part II (1974) is one of the most complex and well-written films in movie history- studied in film school, discussed, imitated, and championed.

It remains vital and should be viewed and analyzed repeatedly.

Oscar Nominations: 5 wins-Best Picture (won), Best Director-Francis Ford Coppola, Best Actor-Al Pacino, Best Supporting Actor-Robert De Niro (won), Michael V. Gazzo, Lee Strasberg, Best Supporting Actress-Talia Shire, Best Screenplay Adapted from Other Material (won), Best Original Dramatic Score (won), Best Costume Design, Best Art Direction (won)

#3 Favorite Film, 1975 Films, Drama, Elliott Gould, Favorite Film of the Year, Geraldine Chaplin, Gwen Welles, Jeff Goldblum, Julie Christie, Karen Black, Keenan Wynn, Keith Carradine, Lily Tomlin, Ned Beatty, Robert Altman, Ronee Blakley, Satire, Scott Glenn, Shelley Duvall, Top 10 Films, Top 100 Films, Top 25 Films, Top 250 Films, Top 50 Films

Nashville-1975

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Nashville-1975

Director Robert Altman

Starring Lily Tomlin, Keith Carradine, Karen Black

Top 250 Films #3

Scott’s Review #47

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Reviewed June 19, 2014

Grade: A

Nashville (1975)  is a brilliant film.

I have found that with each subsequent viewing, it creeps higher and higher on my list of favorite movies of all time.

The style is unique (largely improvised) and epitomizes creative freedom in the film during the 1970s.

Director Robert Altman lets his actors express themselves, even allowing them to write their songs; the dialogue overlaps at times, which results in a natural feeling as the viewer watches the cast of twenty-four principals intersect over five days at a political rally/country music festival.

It is pure Robert Altman at his finest.

Nashville is a satire of the political arena of the early 1970s, particularly the Vietnam conflict and its politicians.

The film certainly questions and challenges the government with an ironic patriotic setting (Nashville).

The country music industry was in uproar upon the film’s initial release. It is a layered film that can be discussed and appreciated, and every character is cared about.

I cannot adequately describe the multitude of nuances in each scene that are noticed over time.

Each character, even those with limited screen time, is vital to the story, as are the political elements —the questions of war, policies, and so on.

The chaotic bits and individual storylines come together at the end, and many background happenings are exciting to watch and take note of throughout each viewing.

With each experience, the audience will notice more and more. I certainly do.

Lily Tomlin, for example, plays Linnea, a haggard mother of deaf children with a supportive husband, a woman who, on the surface, is heroic; yet, she is a complex character. She is bored with her life and falls in love with a young musician despite the guilt and repercussions.

The musician in question is Tom Frank, played by Keith Carradine. Handsome and self-absorbed, he arrives in Nashville to dump his bandmates in hopes of a solo career and beds many willing females.

He also lashes out at a soldier at the airport, saying, “Kill anyone lately?”

Despite his unlikable character, Carradine gives one of the most beautiful performances in the film when he sings “I’m Easy”.

Several of the female characters assume he is singing the song for them, but who is he truly singing it for — if anyone?

Another character to analyze is Barbara Jean, played by Ronee Blakley. A frail yet very successful country singer, she is in and out of hospitals as she frets about her replacement singer stealing her thunder.

Her insecurities rise to the surface.

Insecurity is a common theme among the characters. Many of them are unsure, afraid, or lack confidence in their musical talent, relationships, or themselves.

These are only three examples of the twenty-four richly layered characters- some ambitious, some falling apart, others meandering through life.

Many songs throughout were written and performed by the actors themselves.

Nashville (1975) is storytelling and filmmaking at its best. A creation by Altman that is deservedly admired, revered, and heralded as a significant influence.

It is studied in film schools as it should be.

Oscar Nominations: 1 win-Best Picture, Best Director-Robert Altman, Best Supporting Actress-Ronee Blakley, Lily Tomlin, Best Original Song-“I’m Easy” (won)

#4 Favorite Film, 1972 Films, Al Pacino, Best Picture Oscar Winners, Diane Keaton, Drama, Epic, Favorite Film of the Year, Francis Ford Coppola, James Caan, John Cazale, Mario Puzo, Marlon Brando, Mob, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, Talia Shire, Top 10 Films, Top 100 Films, Top 25 Films, Top 250 Films, Top 50 Films

The Godfather-1972

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The Godfather-1972

Director Frances Ford Coppola

Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan

Top 250 Films #4

Scott’s Review #196

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Reviewed November 24, 2014

Grade: A

The Godfather (1972) is one of the most identifiable and brilliant film masterpieces of all time. It is so ingrained in pop culture and film history that it was a blueprint for 1970s cinema, and its legend deserves to live on.

The film has not aged poorly nor been soured by over-exposure. It is as much a marvel today as it must have been when it was initially released in theaters.

The film revolves around the Corleone family- a mob family living in New York. They are high-powered, wealthy, and influential with politicians and law enforcement alike. They are the cream of the crop of organized crime families.

The patriarch of the family is known as “The Godfather”; his real name is Don Corleone, played by Marlon Brando.

The eldest son is hot-headed Sonny, played by James Caan. Middle son Fredo, played by John Cazale, is dim-witted and immature, serving as the family’s weak link.

Finally, the youngest son is the central character in the film. Michael, played by a very youthful Al Pacino, has just returned home from World War II, a decorated and Ivy League-educated hero.

Throughout the film, Michael wrestles with steering the Corleone family business toward the straight and narrow or continuing the death, bloodshed, and corruption that currently plague the family.

Rounding out the Corleone family is Tom Hagen, an Irish surrogate son of sorts, who serves as the family attorney. Connie, the temperamental and emotional sister, and Mama Corleone, the passive wife of Don, complete the prominent family.

The various supporting characters are numerous, ranging from family friends and relatives to corrupt mob figures and those introduced when Michael lives in Italy.

The brilliance of The Godfather lies in the richness of the numerous characters on the canvas, as well as the film’s structure and pacing.

Even minor characters are vital to the film, and every scene is essential and effortlessly paced, so that they neither seem rushed nor dragged out; the film is immeasurably character-driven.

My favorite character is Michael Corleone, as he is the most troubled and complex of all. Pacino plays him to the hilt as, initially, a nice guy trying to do the right thing, going against the grain, and non-traditional- he proposes to a WASP woman who has no Italian heritage.

When events develop in a particular way, Michael suddenly becomes the leader of the family, despite being the youngest son, and the complexities of the character deepen from this point.

Specifically, the revenge killing sequence is brilliant as the viewer is kept on the edge of their seat through a car ride, a meal in a restaurant, and a men’s room scene, until finally, all hell breaks loose, all the while Michael is conflicted, unsure, and intense.

Has he veered too far from being a nice guy? Can he salvage the family business without being ruthless? Michael faces a battle of good vs. evil.

The scenes are brilliantly structured- the grand opening scene alone is beautiful as the audience is introduced to the entire family- cheerfully dancing and frolicking during a bright and sunny outdoor wedding (Connie’s) at the Corleone estate, while inside a dark interior study, a man begs Don Corleone to help avenge his raped and beaten daughter by having her attackers killed.

Several scenes in The Godfather are my personal favorites —the aforementioned restaurant scene, where Michael is faced with a dilemma involving a corrupt policeman and a high-powered figure. One can feel the tension in this extended scene.

The scene in a Hollywood mansion where poor, innocent, horse Khartoum meets his fate in the most gruesome way imaginable.

Later, Michael’s beautiful Italian wife, Apollonia, has an explosive send-off.

Towards the end of the film, there is an improvised scene featuring a tomato garden with an elderly Don Corleone playing with his young grandson.

Finally, the brutal scene involving Corleone’s son Sonny at the toll booth is mesmerizing, murderous, and flawlessly executed.

The lack of any strong female characters and how women are treated (either beaten or passively following their husbands) is bothersome.

Still, unfortunately, circa the 1940s, this was the way things were.

One could argue that Kay Adams, played by Diane Keaton, is the strongest female character, as she questions the Corleone family’s motives and attempts to keep Michael honest and trustworthy. She has little in common with the other female characters.

Lines such as “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse” and “Don’t forget the cannolis” are unforgettable and quote-worthy.

The finale of the film is breathtaking —a combination of bloody kills mixed with a peaceful scene of Michael accepting the honor of becoming his nephew’s godfather. As he pledges his devotion to God and denounces Satan, the murders he orchestrated are simultaneously being executed.

The character, while complex, suddenly becomes a hypocrite.

Some view Michael as strictly a hero whose choices should not be questioned or analyzed; others view Michael as not a hero, but rather a complex, tortured, and flawed character.

One must watch The Godfather and The Godfather Part II (1974) as companion pieces, as Part I is slightly more straightforward and easier to follow than the more complex and layered sequel.

The Godfather (1972) is storytelling and filmmaking at its absolute best and continues to influence films to this day.

Oscar Nominations: 3 wins-Best Picture (won), Best Director-Francis Ford Coppola, Best Actor-Marlon Brando (won), Best Supporting Actor-James Caan, Robert Duvall, Al Pacino, Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (won), Best Costume Design, Best Sound, Best Film Editing

#1 Favorite Horror Film, #5 Favorite Film, 1960 Films, Alfred Hitchcock, Anthony Perkins, Favorite Film of the Year, Horror, Janet Leigh, John Gavin, Martin Balsam, Pat Hitchcock, Simon Oakland, Top 10 Films, Top 10 Horror Films, Top 100 Films, Top 20 Horror Films, Top 25 Films, Top 250 Films, Top 40 Horror Films, Top 50 Films, Vera Miles

Psycho-1960

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Psycho-1960

Director Alfred Hitchcock

Starring Janet Leigh, Anthony Perkins

Top 250 Films #5

Top 40 Horror Films #1

Scott’s Review #165

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Reviewed September 6, 2015

Grade: A

Psycho (1960) is the film to end all films, and not just within the horror genre. At the time of its release, it transcended the art of cinema to a new level and has influenced generations of films since, still holding up incredibly well today.

It is undoubtedly one of the greatest Alfred Hitchcock films and one of the greatest films ever made.

Hitchcock took considerable risks and dove from the thriller to the horror genre with Psycho.

The story revolves around a young woman named Marion Crane, superbly portrayed by Janet Leigh. Marion lives in Phoenix, Arizona, and sees her boyfriend (the dashing John Gavin) for frequent afternoon rendezvous at cheap motels when he is in town because they are both struggling financially.

She is presented with an opportunity, via her job, to steal $40,000 and flee the state to start a new life with her beau. She seizes the opportunity.

On the run, she stops at a run-down Bates motel where she meets owner Norman Bates, hauntingly played by Anthony Perkins.

Perkins and Leigh have fantastic chemistry together, and the audience picks up on it—is it romantic? Is there a mysteriousness to it? Something is odd about Norman. They bond over a quiet meal of sandwiches at the motel while discussing life and his ailing mother.

The famous shower scene and the shocking twist that follows are now almost taken for granted, as most people are already familiar with them. However, I can only imagine the shock viewers felt when they first saw these two delights.

To this day, both are still suspenseful.

Fortunately, when I saw this film for the first time, I didn’t know the ending, and I am glad I didn’t, because it took my breath away.

Killing off the leading actor at the start of the film, halfway through, was a novel idea and mind-blowing at the time of its release (1960).

This act left the audience’s mouths agape in disbelief, prompting them to ask, “What now?” “How can this be followed?” This act later influenced the original Scream (1996) film and surprised audiences again.

According to Hitchcock, no one could enter the film after it had started, and viewers were persuaded not to reveal the ending – oh, how I wish that occurred these days.

An aspect of the success and longevity of Psycho is the chemistry between Perkins and Leigh, who got along famously while shooting Psycho, and more importantly, the likability of Norman Bates. There is a rooting value for him, even though he is the villain.

When Marion’s car is only half-submerged in a lake containing her dead body, we root for it to sink entirely because of Norman. The concerned look on Norman’s face has a sense that affects the audio at this point in the story. Norman is troubled and wo, undead, and the audience does not have history.

Let’s not forget Janet Leigh. The audience sympathizes with her predicament. She is hopelessly in love with her man, steals money, is conflicted, and, at her core, is a friendly, decent, kind woman.

Halfway through the film, Marion’s sister, Lila, played by Vera Miles, is introduced as a detective, and the suspense and mystery intensify as they search for Marion and investigate the Bates Hotel and Norman Bates himself.

Miles then takes center stage as the lead in the film, which is intriguing.

The film then returns to horror at the terrific and terrifying conclusion, which will shock first-time viewers.

The musical score (especially the shrill strings) is incredibly effective and influenced other horror films to come (Friday the 13th immediately comes to mind).

Psycho is a film that can be enjoyed and studied over again.

Oscar Nominations: Best Director, Alfred Hitchcock, Best Supporting Actress-Janet Leigh, Best Art Direction, Black-and-White, Best Cinematography, Black-and-White

#2 Favorite Horror Film, #6 Favorite Film, 1963 Films, Alfred Hitchcock, Darlene Conley, Elizabeth Wilson, Ethel Griffies, Favorite Film of the Year, Horror, Jessica Tandy, Karl Swenson, Richard Deacon, Rod Taylor, Suzanne Pleshette, Tippi Hedren, Top 10 Films, Top 10 Horror Films, Top 100 Films, Top 20 Horror Films, Top 25 Films, Top 250 Films, Top 40 Horror Films, Top 50 Films, Veronica Cartwright

The Birds-1963

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The Birds-1963

Director Alfred Hitchcock

Starring Tippi Hedren, Rod Taylor

Top 250 Films #6

Top 40 Horror Films #2    

Scott’s Review #173

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Reviewed September 22, 2014

Grade: A

The Birds is one of director Alfred Hitchcock’s finest works.

Made in 1963, following Psycho, it continues Hitchcock’s run of successes, both commercially and critically.

It is set in northern California (in San Francisco and Bodega Bay) and tells the story of unexplained bird attacks in a peaceful small bay town.

Tippi Hedren plays Melanie Daniels, a wealthy socialite from San Francisco who drives to Bodega Bay to pursue a love interest, Mitch Brenner.

Mitch, played by Rod Taylor, is a successful attorney who meets and shares a flirtation with Melanie the day before at a pet store in San Francisco. He regularly visits his mother (Jessica Tandy) and sister (Veronica Cartwright) in Bodega Bay.

Once Melanie arrives in town, birds begin to attack the locals living in the sleepy community periodically.

The Birds is a film that has held up incredibly well and is as exciting and horrifying today as it was in the past.

One intriguing aspect of the film is that it offers no rhyme or reason for the bird attacks, which keeps the viewer guessing when a gull swoops down and attacks innocent Melanie.

It is entirely mysterious and open to interpretation- are birds fed up with being caged?

Are the love birds that Melanie purchased the cause of the attacks? Do the birds hate humans? Why do they attack the children? Why do they peck the eyes of their victims out?

One could spend hours debating these questions.

A major creative success of the film is its decision to eliminate a musical score. The eerie silence and the loud sounds of the birds attacking create a haunting dynamic.

My favorite scene of The Birds features Melanie sitting on a wooden bench in the schoolyard, enjoying a cigarette. Behind her is a deserted jungle gym. She barely notices a tiny bird innocently flying past her and landing on the jungle gym.

She continues smoking her cigarette. The viewer sees what Melanie cannot- as slowly, hundreds of birds land on the jungle gym behind her.

Without music, the scene is deadly silent and dramatic, shifting from close-ups of Melanie to long shots of the birds gathering behind her.

Another interesting aspect of The Birds is the character relationships. Mitch’s mother, Lydia, is afraid of losing her son, so she initially despises Melanie. Mitch’s ex-girlfriend, schoolteacher Annie Hayworth, strikes up a close friendship with Melanie; one might expect them to be rivals.

A hysterical mother lashes out at Melanie, calling her evil and blaming her for the attacks.

During the long periods of calm, one wonders when the next attack will occur—and we know it will. We searched for clues to identify what triggers the attacks, but we found none.

This makes for brilliant and suspenseful filmmaking. They hardly come better than the masterpiece The Birds (1963).

Oscar Nominations: Best Special Effects

#7 Favorite Film, 2001 Films, Angelo Badalamenti, Ann Miller, Billy Ray Cyrus, Chad Everett, David Lynch, Favorite Film of the Year, Justin Theroux, Laura Harring, Lee Grant, Melissa George, Naomi Watts, Robert Forster, Thriller, Top 10 Films, Top 100 Films, Top 25 Films, Top 250 Films, Top 50 Films

Mulholland Dr.- 2001

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Mulholland Dr.- 2001

Director David Lynch

Starring Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux

Top 250 Films #7

Scott’s Review #297

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Reviewed December 12, 2015

Grade: A

Mulholland Dr. (2001) is my favorite David Lynch film and, as far as I am concerned, a pure masterpiece in experimental filmmaking.

Championed by many, yet hated by others for its non-linear and confusing storyline, trying to make sense of the mishmash of dreamlike plots is a waste of time and undoubtedly headache-inducing, as the film must be experienced and appreciated for its creativity.

My best analogy is that Mulholland Dr. is to film what Pink Floyd is to music – it must be savored and experienced. It is a film that invites interpretation and study.

The main story, if one is attempting to summarize in a paragraph, goes something like this:

Part 1- aspiring actress Betty Elms (played by then-unknown Naomi Watts) arrives in sunny Los Angeles as a perky, clean-cut girl. She stays in her aunt’s gorgeous suburban apartment while she is away filming a movie on location.

Betty meets an amnesiac woman, the gorgeous Rita (Laura Harring), who is hiding in the apartment. Before meeting Betty, we learn that Rita was involved in a car accident on Mulholland Dr. and is carrying a large sum of cash.

Still, she does not know who she is or even her name, making up the name “Rita” from a poster of Rita Hayworth she sees on the wall while showering.

Part 2: Betty (now named Diane) and Rita (now Camilla) are lovers, and Betty, no longer aspiring, has now become a neurotic, struggling actress with no work, and is involved in a love triangle with Camilla and another man, who are both great successes and pity Diane.

Diane and Camilla visit a club named Club Silencio, where a gorgeous singer brings them to tears with her singing, only to collapse and reveal herself as a phony. The host warns that everything is an illusion.

Intersecting vignettes seemingly unrelated to the central part of the story- a young director forced to cast a woman after threats from the mafia, a terrified man who sees a demented man behind the dumpster of a burger joint, and a detective searching for the clues to the car accident involving Rita- all come together to relate to the main story.

Mixed in with all of these stories are recurring odd characters- the seemingly sweet elderly couple that Betty meets on the airplane.

This strange cowboy appears every so often. Coco, the landlord, played by legendary film actress Ann Miller, in her last film, Coco, then doubles as a shrewish character in the alternate story, and finally, a mysterious blue key.

How do all these facets of story and character add up?

That is open to interpretation.

Some details support the theory that “Betty” is a figment of Diane’s imagination. She dreams of being fresh-faced and ready to take on L.A., and the woman that Betty and Rita find dead is likely Diane.

When the plot changes direction, the cowboy utters the line “Hey, pretty girl. Time to wake up.”, which seems to support this theory, though, as mentioned before, Mulholland Dr. is meant to be enjoyed, not stressed over if the puzzle does not always come together.

Mulholland Dr. (2001) is a masterpiece, pure and simple. An odd masterpiece with plots that can be discussed and dissected for ages…..and not understanding the film is not a bad thing.

Oscar Nominations: Best Director-David Lynch

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 1 win-Best Cinematography (won)

#8 Favorite Film, 1997 Films, Alfred Molina, Anne Fletcher, Burt Reynolds, Don Cheadle, Drama, Favorite Film of the Year, Heather Graham, Independent, Independent Drama, Joanna Gleason, John C. Reilly, Julianne Moore, Luis Guzman, Mark Wahlberg, Melora Walters, Paul Thomas Anderson, Philip Baker Hall, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Top 10 Films, Top 100 Films, Top 25 Films, Top 250 Films, Top 50 Films, William H. Macy

Boogie Nights-1997

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Boogie Nights-1997

Director Paul Thomas Anderson

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds

Top 250 Films #8

Scott’s Review #312

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Reviewed December 31, 2015

Grade: A

Boogie Nights (1997) is a fantastic film about the pornography industry (The Golden Age of Porn) of the 1970s and 1980s, and does an excellent job of portraying the characters as human beings with feelings and emotions, rather than as nymphomaniacs or perverts.

They bond with one another as a family- a group of misfits striving to survive. This, and many other reasons, are why Boogie Nights is one of my all-time favorite films.

Written, produced, and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia, 1999; There Will Be Blood, 2007; Inherent Vice, 2014), he is a master at exploring the underbelly of society and flawed, desperate characters.

Boogie Nights is no different.

The dysfunctional family is the common theme of the film. Most of his characters are not happy people, but they are survivors who desperately seek a piece of happiness.

Many in his cast of Boogie Nights also appear in Magnolia. Mark Wahlberg (Eddie/Dirk Diggler), Burt Reynolds (Jack Horner), Julianne Moore (Maggie), Don Cheadle (Buck), William H. Macy (Little Bill), John C. Reilly (Reed Rothchild), Heather Graham (Rollergirl), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Scotty), Malora Walters (Jessie), and Alfred Molina (Rahad Jackson), round out the large cast.

The film is set in Los Angeles and spans the period from 1977 to 1984. Although only seven years pass, much happens to most of the characters during this time, and we experience their trials and tribulations.

The unique thing about Boogie Nights is that I care about every character, thanks to excellent writing and fantastic acting. They succeeded in obtaining my empathy for them. Boogie Nights is a highly character-driven film, which is an enormous part of its brilliance.

The cast is an ensemble one, but the main character is Eddie Adams, a high school dropout, who we meet working as a dishwasher at a nightclub. He has an abusive mother who kicks him out of the house, leading him to audition for and move in with Jack Horner.

Jack is a patriarchal figure who shares a house with Maggie, the matriarch of the household, and Roller Girl, a fellow high school dropout who is always seen wearing roller skates. Eddie’s talent is his large “manhood”.

We watch Eddie, at first shy and polite, rise to superstardom in the porn industry, becoming rich and living a lavish, drug-fueled lifestyle, where his ego gets the best of him. He, like many of the characters, hit rough times as the early 1980s shift to videotape was the death of many 1970s porn actors’ careers.

The musical soundtrack plays a crucial role in the success of Boogie Nights. Many scenes contain songs that were hits of the time or prior, including “Sister Christian”, “Jessie’s Girl”, “God Only Knows”, “Got to Give it Up”, “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now”, and countless others- so much so that the soundtrack is almost a character of the film.

We look forward to hearing what song might be featured next.

At one point later in the film, circa 1983, as things begin to spiral out of control for many of the characters, the musical score turns ominous, with low bass music, a nighttime setting, and the lighting becomes darker. Several stories begin to intersect on a late L.A. night on the streets.

Jack, filming a scene in a limousine starring Rollergirl and a young college jock they pick up off the streets, Dirk, forced to prostitute himself for $10 to a young man in a pickup truck, and Buck, who innocently stops to buy doughnuts for his very pregnant wife Jessie.

Each of these stories ends in brutal violence, and the tone is crucial to the success of the scenes. This lengthy scene bears a resemblance to a Quentin Tarantino scene in its macabre tone.

Particular favorite scenes include the heartbreaking scene when Maggie loses custody of her son, the New Year’s Eve party at Jack’s house, and the ill-fated drug sale at Rahad Jackson’s.

Each is heartbreaking, powerful, fraught with tension, or otherwise empathetic to the characters, which makes them each quite powerful in different ways.

Induced in the drug sale scene is some black comedy- Rahad’s presumed Chinese houseboy has a fetish for firecrackers, which startle Dirk, Reed, and Todd, as the fear of possible gunshots fills the air. Maggie’s sob scene elicits viewer emotion as we cry with her, and the New Year’s Eve turn of events involving Scotty and Little Bill is tragic.

Boogie Nights (1997) is one of my favorite films because it contains brilliant writing, characters who are fleshed out, damaged, and human, a killer soundtrack, and a dark, mysterious industry (porn) that is both misunderstood and categorized.

Thanks to director Anderson, we see the people within this lifestyle as real individuals, with their own issues, but also with full hearts and kindness.

Oscar Nominations: Best Supporting Actor-Burt Reynolds, Best Supporting Actress-Julianne Moore, Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

#3 Favorite Horror Film, #9 Favorite Film, 1978 Films, Charles Cyphers, Donald Pleasance, Favorite Film of the Year, Horror, Independent, Independent Horror, Jamie Lee Curtis, John Carpenter, Kyle Richards, Michael Meyers, Nancy Loomis, Nancy Stephens, Nick Castle, P. J. Soles, Slasher, Top 10 Films, Top 10 Horror Films, Top 100 Films, Top 20 Horror Films, Top 25 Films, Top 250 Films, Top 40 Horror Films, Top 50 Films

Halloween-1978

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Halloween-1978

Director John Carpenter

Starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence

Top 250 Films #9

Top 40 Horror Films #3

Scott’s Review #114

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Reviewed July 16, 2014

Grade: A

 Halloween is an iconic horror film from 1978 that set the tone for the barrage of slasher films to follow throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s.

Today, the film continues to hold up incredibly well, and I am proud to list it as not only one of my favorite horror films (which I watch religiously every Halloween) but also one of my favorite films of all time.

The focus is on style and substance over gore (the film contains little of it), and the score is one of the scariest and most effective in cinematic history.

The premise of the film is simple- a homicidal maniac is on the loose in a sleepy little town named Haddonfield, Illinois, targeting three female babysitters on a crisp Halloween night.

The audience knows that the six-year-old little boy dressed as a clown on a dark Halloween night years ago, who butchered his older sister to death, is the now grown-up culprit.

What we do not know, nor should we, is what his (Michael Meyers’) motivation is.  This confusion only adds to the impact.

Subsequent remakes have added complexities to the character, albeit unnecessarily so; however, in the original, we see a seemingly happy child with stable parents and a good life.

Similar stories have been told throughout film history. But Halloween is simply one of the greatest horror films ever made.

As simple as the story is, the way the film is made makes it a masterpiece. Everything about Halloween is mesmerizing – the lighting is perfect, the ambiance, the brilliant, scary musical score, the battle between good and evil, and the feeling of a chilly Halloween night.

Highly unusual for its time, the point of view of the killer and heavy breathing are prevalent throughout the film, which will startle and scare the viewer. The opening shot is through the eyes of a masked six-year-old kid wearing a clown mask.

The unique technical aspects continue to evolve.

Director John Carpenter had a vision for this film, and thankfully, no studio influence compromised it, as it was an independent film on a shoestring budget.

The Hitchcock influences are evident in the character names, such as Sam Loomis, and in many scenes where someone watches the action or peers around a corner or through a window, making the viewer anxious and nervous.

Set in small-town USA, a frightening element of the film is that it could happen anywhere, and the location is ingenious. There is very little blood, let alone gore. It is needless. It is the creepiness that makes the film brilliant.

The three teenagers are perfectly cast- Jamie Lee Curtis is the serious bookworm, P.J. Soles and Nancy Keyes are the flirtatious bad girls. Still, the chemistry is excellent, and the audience buys them as best friends.

The jump-out-of-your-seat moments are incredibly well-timed, and it is one of the few genuinely scary films.

Forget the horror genre alone- Halloween (1978) is one of the greatest films ever made.

#10 Favorite Film, 1968 Films, Epic, Favorite Film of the Year, Gary Lockwood, Keir Dullea, Science Fiction, Stanley Kubrick, Top 10 Films, Top 100 Films, Top 25 Films, Top 250 Films, Top 50 Films, William Sylvester

2001: A Space Odyssey-1968

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2001: A Space Odyssey-1968

Director Stanley Kubrick

Starring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood

Top 250 Films #10

Scott’s Review #314

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Reviewed December 31, 2015

Grade: A

In my opinion, 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) is a masterpiece, pure and simple, and must be seen repeatedly to allow the message and the experience to sink in.

It is one of those films comparable to a fine wine – it just gets better and better with age, and this is palpable in deep thought, allowing the viewer to experience the rich taste of film art.

The delicious quality is meant to be savored and enjoyed- the slow pace and odd elements only enrich the film. Needless to say, it is one of my favorite Stanley Kubrick films.

Simply an epic journey through space.

Made in 1968, and not 2001, the film challenges and breaks down barriers in film, as Kubrick makes a film that he wants to make, and the results are genius.

The film contains no dialogue during the first twenty or the last twenty minutes.

The film begins in the African desert millions of years ago as the evolution of man is apparent- two tribes of ape-men dispute over a watering hole. A black monolith appears, and one of the tribes is guided to use bones as weapons.

Millions of years later, we meet a team of scientists, led by Dr. David Bowman and Dr. Frank Poole, as they embark on a mission aboard the United States spacecraft, Discovery One, on a journey to Jupiter.

The ship is mainly controlled by an intelligent, talking computer named HAL 9000, nicknamed “HAL”. Hal boasts that he is “foolproof and incapable of error”. As events unfold, the film dives into a study of humans versus technology in a cerebral game of mental chess.

The film is very tough to review analytically, as it is so intelligent and visually stimulating – it must be experienced. It challenges the viewer to think and absorb the events occurring.

Visually, it is breathtaking and still holds up shockingly well from this perspective. The use of classical music throughout- especially in dramatic scenes is effective.

The stunning scene where David and Frank converse about their suspicions regarding “HAL”, as the intelligent computer system looks on, is incredibly compelling. The scene is enhanced by the simple presence of an orange light, which seemingly displays a myriad of emotions (surprise, rage) in the viewer’s mind.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) is an enduring masterpiece.

Oscar Nominations: 1 win-Best Director-Stanley Kubrick, Best Story, and Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, Best Art Direction, Best Special Visual Effects (won)