Rapid Fire Review (#11-16)

...in which tears were shed, and a birthday was had...

That's right, last tuesday, the 11th, was my 24th birthday, which ushers me into my...ugh...

...MID-TWENTIES...

So, I decided--fuck it--I was going to spend the day doing exactly what I wanted. All day. 

Instead of going to an amusement park, spending the day with loved ones, or having a nice dinner, I fulfilled my dream of sitting alone with a bottle of Scotch and watching my favorite movies. I would have nothing less for my birthday marathon. So, let's get started. I've even included an extra review, #16, for the happy occasion.

#11. Brokeback Mountain

            Source: Netflix Instant - Whim

            Released: 2005

            MPAA Rating: R

            Running Time: 134 min

            My Rating: 5/5

            Comments: This film tells the story of two men who have the misfortune of falling in love. These shepherds turned lovers are trapped in a place and time that is hostile and fearful of homosexual relationships. The two leads (Ledger and Gyllenhaal) express the anguish of loving someone more than anything else, but being completely unable (or unwilling) to express that love in any kind of outward way. It really is a beautiful movie, told in very efficient visual shorthand that keeps the audience perfectly aware of the setting in a movie that spans thousands of miles and tens of years.

#12. Best In Show

            Source: Netflix Instant - Whim

            Released: 2000

            MPAA Rating: PG-13

            Running Time: 90 min

            My Rating: 4/5

            Comments: Another great Christopher Guest mockumentary. Love them or hate them, underneath, these movies really are masterful (and silly) character studies. Best in Show is quite a bit slower than other examples of the genre (Spinal Tap, Mighty Wind, et al.) but it's still a great flick. Oh, and filmmakers be warned: if you put Fred Willard in your movie, he will steal the show. Every time.

#13. Die Hard

            Source: Netflix Instant - Whim

            Released: 1988

            MPAA Rating: R

            Running Time: 131 min

            My Rating: 5/5

            Comments: I know what you're thinking. "Oh, Die Hard," you say, "It's just another action movie with a silly, manly-sounding title." You're wrong. Yes, it is an action movie, and it does have a very manly-sounding title, but it's so much more than that. The story is tight and the telling is extremely efficient, the film is shot very well, considering what could have been a very cramped setting, and the characters are phenomenally well written and acted. I really can't say enough good things about this movie, it's a testament to really solid filmmaking. Oh, and Alan Rickman, a british actor playing a german terrorist? Genius. Scene-stealing. Amazing.

#14. The Stupids

            Source: DVD - Owned

            Released: 1996

            MPAA Rating: PG

            Running Time: 94 min           

            My Rating: 4.5/5

            Comments: I don't care what anybody says—I love this movie. It's phenomenally silly, yet cleverly written enough to pull it off. The actors and direction really sell the absurdity here, and it serves the movie well. The movie is based on a series of children's books, but the movie works for all audiences, especially fans of absurdist comedy.

#15. Rent

            Source : DVD - Owned

            Released: 2005

            MPAA Rating: PG-13

            Running Time: 135 min

            My Rating: 5/5

            Comments: One of the most emotionally moving and engaging musicals, adapted into an engaging and emotionally moving film. This was a lossless transfer to film, especially with most of the original broadway cast reprising their roles. There's a good mix here between the musical numbers and conventional dialogue. The two new actresses, Rosario Dawson and Tracie Thoms, are welcome (and, in my opinion, superior to the original) additions to the cast. One of my all-time favorite films; it makes me cry, several times throughout the film, every time. Thank you, Jonathan Larson. 

#16. Dune

            Source: DVD - Owned

            Released: 1984

            MPAA Rating: PG-13

            Running Time: 137 min

            My Rating: 5/5

            Comments: This is my favorite movie of all time. Hands down. Now, that's not to say that I think this is the best movie of all time. It has its flaws: too exposition heavy (especially for a lynch film), the wierding modules (uggh.), and the film didn't follow the book in many important ways. However, what the movie gets right, it gets right perfectly. The casting is spot-on, the sets and costumes are intricately designed, practical, and expansive, and David Lynch's directing puts this film on the top of my list. I watch this movie at least once a month, often more, and I think that you should too.


[As always, thanks to GentlemanBeggar]