Movies 101: 40-31

#40 - Goodfellas
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci
Released on September 19, 1990
Plot: Henry Hill and his friends work their way up through the mob hierarchy.
My thoughts: I don't know about you, but I found this movie terrifying. I had no clue who to trust in this film, and anyone could be an enemy. I don't know if Pulp Fiction counts as a mob movie, but if it doesn't, than this is the single greatest mafia film of all time. Ray Liotta and Robert De Niro are great in this movie, but Joe Pesci is the one who steals the show. He won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for this movie, and he sure deserved it. Easily my favorite Scorsese movie. If you enjoyed this, make sure to check out Taxi Driver. Another great De Niro/Scorsese collaboration.
Robby014’s thoughts: Good story, great actors and really popular movie. Who hasn’t seen this? Everyone did a good job in this movie and a few stood out because of their incredible performances. Also really quotable. “How am I funny? Do I fuckin’ amuse you?”

#39 - A Beautiful Mind
Directed by Ron Howard
Starring Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, and Jennifer Connelly
Released on January 4, 2002
Plot: After a brilliant but asocial mathematician accepts secret work in cryptography, his life takes a turn to the nightmarish.
My thoughts: I often enjoy the films of Ron Howard. I loved The Grinch, Cocoon was great, and Ransom was a decent action film, but this is a great movie. I don't think highly of Russell Crowe, but he plays Nash perfectly. An intense and thematic story, with an awesome twist about half-way through the film, make this a great drama/mystery.

#38 - The Karate Kid
Directed by John G. Avildsen
Starring Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, and Elisabeth Shue
Released on June 22, 1984
Plot: A handyman/martial arts master agrees to teach a bullied boy karate and shows him that there is more to the martial arts than fighting.
My thoughts: Part after-school special, part inspiring sports movie, The Karate Kid is one of the greatest sports movies and one of the finest 80s films I've ever seen. I used to get stoned and watch this movie all the time. It's corny, funny, and inspiring, and it has a fantastic soundtrack, such as You're the Best Around by Joe Esposito. The Will Smith produced/Jackie Chan starring remake sounds pretty risky, but the trailer looks promising.
Robby014’s thoughts: Incredible! A great film. This is an experience not to be missed. Pat Morita is awesome as hell and it’s a pretty inspiring movie. Oh, and the music is GODGASMIC! There’s not a single person who hasn’t heard of this movie. Not too excited about the remake, though...

#37 - Where the Wild Things Are
Directed by Spike Jonze
Starring Max Records, James Gandolfini, and Lauren Ambrose
Released on October 16, 2009
Plot: An adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story, where Max, a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper, creates his own world--a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler.
My thoughts: When I came out of this movie, I felt the same way I do when I come out of a great Pixar movie. A sense of childhood innocence comes over me, and I feel like a kid again. I think that's what these kind of movies are for. They entertain children and adults alike. Still, they chose a strange director for this movie. Prior to this, Spike Jonze directed the R-rated dark comedy Adaptation, and is the creator of Jackass. Wow. Regardless, this was one of the best films of 2009, and everyone should see it.
Robby 014’s thoughts: I didn’t see this, nor did I read the book. It didn’t look very good to me, so I didn’t see it.

#36 - Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Directed by John Hughes
Starring Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, and Mia Sara
Released on June 11, 1986
Plot: A high school wise guy is determined to have a day off from school, despite of what the principal thinks of that.
My thoughts: John Hughes and Judd Apatow are the Quentin Tarantino of comedies. Hughes' and Apatow's movies are so well-written, that you feel like you're watching people talk on the spot, right in front of you. This is John Hughes best film, and not only is the script unbelievabely awesome, but the performances are amazing as well. Most notably Matthew Broderick and Jeffrey Jones. John Hughes connected with teens, and his films are proof of that.
Robby014’s thoughts: “Bueller..... Bueller..... Bueller.....” Awesome. This was cool movie and a friend of ours got a T-shirt about it. Quotable and a good time. Watch it.

#35 - Dog Soldiers
Directed by Neil Marshall
Starring Sean Pertwee, Kevin McKidd, and Emma Cleasby
Released on May 10, 2002
Plot: A routine military exercise turns into a nightmare in the Scotland wilderness.
My thoughts: There is no doubt in my mind that Neil Marshall and Eli Roth are the future of modern horror. Marshall has Dog Soldiers, The Descent, and Doomsday, and Roth has Cabin Fever, and the Hostel films. All of these movies are incredible, and are a testament to the horror genre. Dog Soldiers is a straight-up werewolf movie. No cut-aways, no PG-13 rating, just pure-blooded guts and gore. The acting is fantastic, the cinematography and the music are awesome, and the movie doesn't take itself seriously at all. For instance, a guy is about to get eaten by a werewolf, and just before he dies, he exclaims "I hope I give you the shits.". Awesome. Fuck An American Werewolf in London! This is the best werewolf movie.

#34 - American Pie 2
Directed by J.B. Rogers
Starring Jason Biggs, Shannon Elizabeth, and Alyson Hannigan
Released on August 10, 2001
Plot: The continuing bawdy adventures of a group of friends reuniting after their first year of college.
My thoughts: I typically hate these kind of movies. While I did enjoy the first three Pie movies, the direct-to-video films were okay at best. This is the best of the seven films. The soundtrack is great, there's some great nudity, and the film is overall, just outrageous. Can you name any other movie where a guy superglues his hand to his cock?

#33 - Wedding Crashers
Directed by David Dobkin
Starring Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, and Christopher Walken
Released on July 15, 2005
Plot: John Beckwith and Jeremy Grey, a pair of committed womanizers who sneak into weddings to take advantage of the romantic tinge in the air, find themselves at odds with one another when John meets and falls for Claire Cleary.
My thoughts: I remember this movie fondly, because it was the first R-rated movie I saw in the theaters. Seriously, when you're 13 and you see tits on the screen the size of your upper torso, it's magical. Seriously, though. This movie is hilarious and has a good soundtrack. Vince Vaughn is a comedic genius, and Christopher Walken always kicks ass.
Robby014’s thoughts: I couldn’t agree more, Retro. This is a fun movie. I mean, who can resist the ‘Shout’ scene (drools). Fun stuff. Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn are great together in this movie.

#32 - Se7en
Directed by David Fincher
Starring Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, and Gwyneth Paltrow
Released on September 22, 1995
Plot: Police drama about two cops, one new and one about to retire, after a serial killer using the seven deadly sins as his MO.
My thoughts: This is one of the creepiest movies I've ever seen. I like to compare this film to Frank Darabont's The Mist. They set up the characters so that you care for them, and then BANG! Not unlike The Mist, this movie has a devistating ending, so much that it's almost vomitous.... in a good way.

#31 - Cloverfield
Directed by Matt Reeves
Starring Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, and T.J. Miller
Released on January 18, 2008
Plot: Revolves around a monster attack in New York as told from the point of view of a small group of people.
My thoughts: This movie is fucking scary! I mean it! The found footage motife works wonders for these sorts of films. You literally feel like a character in the movie. I was so excited for this movie when it came out, and it exceeded my expectations. An absolute must-see. Can't wait for the equally secretive Super 8.
Robby014’s thoughts: FUCK YES! Screw all of you who threw up at this movie because the camera was ‘too shaky’. TOUGHEN THE HELL UP! This was an incredible movie and the camera filming was great too, it really immersed you in the movie. Hud is a great character and provides a bit of comedic relief. There was a lot more to this story than just the movie, though. Me and Retro played this viral puzzle game on the interent that unlocks a bunch of secret footage about pretty much nothing to do with the movie. I enjoyed this movie a HELL of a lot, though, and I am also excited for J.J. Abrams upcoming Super 8.