tháng 1 2010 ~ The Larsen Film Review

Surrogates (2009)

Bruce Willis stars in a film very similar to two others that came out this year: Avatar & Gamer. The underlying central theme in all of these is controlling a robot through a machine.

So you strap yourself in to become that person. You feel what they feel, and can live your life through them. So why was Gamer a 1, Surrogates a 4, and Avatar a 9? Well Gamer was just an awful story line, bad acting, and you controlled actual people making them do awful things like killing people and doing drugs. Surrogates was controlling robots while your body withered away in your room at home because you aren't pretty enough. Avatar is controlling a different species and the story line made some sense. In Avatar when you came back to your real person you had to shave, eat, go to the bathroom, stay in shape. In Surrogates you just let yourself go... you just didn't turn into a bed ridden mess somewho?

The plot holes and some bad acting from the cast around Bruce Willis made this incredibly bad. There were a few redeeming qualities, nothing really worth mentioning. I'm sure he will be ready to forget this film pretty soon.

Vote: 4/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0986263/

James Cameron's project that took him years to complete and depleted his savings. The biggest film since Titanic and the one that might just make 3D movies stick. Winner of this years Golden Globe, nominated for 9 Oscars, and sitting in the top 50 on the imdb's all-time top 250. Wow.

My expectations were high for this film. It was the first time I've been to the theater to see a 3D movie and I was prepared to be critical. The reviews have been mixed, mainly the negative reviews have been that the story is too simple, you would think that would mean that it would considered too long if the story was so simple, right? I mean it is over 2 1/2 hours long...

So what did I think? I was thoroughly impressed, I sure wanted to find reason to not like it and think that The Hurt Locker was much better. This movie had something for everyone. The Sci-Fi didn't have holes or discontinuity. The romance was predictable but keeps people in their comfort zone of understanding what is going on. The acting was average, which is fine, no one was bad and it was believable enough. The run time was not an issue, it kept my attention throughout. Did I think it had to be in 3D to enjoy it? Not at all. I could have seen this at home and rated it the same. All films have a simple underlying story if you want to break them down. This was FernGully: The Last Rainforest means "Smurfs" meets 2nd Life [interesting article in the LA Times].

I don't want to delve into the story itself because I just don't want to ruin the film. It is a must see film of the year. I will just say one thing, there is a scene very similar to the Titanic snapping and falling on people in the ocean. I found this very very funny that Cameron dropped a tree on the Na'vi people, really? You are going there again? Go see this film though, it wasn't perfect, but it will be remembered, and it will win some Oscars.

Vote: 9/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0499549/

With an Oscar nomination this week it is pretty easy to see why this is one of the front runners for winning Best Documentary Feature. With The Cove as its main competition, expect a review for that film later this month.

This documentary takes a look at America's corporate food industry and the issues that have surrounded the fast food mindset. The information is well prepared, the argument is sound, and they provide what they think are solutions. These are the main proponents of a good documentary with the solutions being something most lack.

If you watch a documentary this year this is the one to see. You really need to see where your food is coming from.

Vote: 9/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1286537/

Starring Jennifer Jones (born in Tulsa, OK... just like me) and William Holden (The Wild Bunch). This is one of those Oscar nominated films I dread to watch. It won Oscars for Costume Design and Music and was nominated for Acting and Picture.

So why did I watch it? Well it is on the AFI 100 Passions and came on TMC last Valentines Day. I have not been looking forward to watching it, but since we will be changing DVR's in a month I was forced to watch it or delete it...

This is a very cheesy romance that takes place in Hong Kong. A married American man falls in love with a widowed Chinese doctor. His wife won't give him a divorce and she is torn between returning to China to become a doctor for her people or stay in Hong Kong with someone she can't marry.

What do you expect a guy to get a cheesy romance? 5 out of 10 is very generous, it just wasn't for me.

Vote: 5/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048316/

After several weeks of work we are finally here, the top 20 of the decade! These are the 20 films you should definitely take the time to watch.

20. 21 Grams (2003) [10/10]
Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, and Benicio Del Toro in a fantastic yet sad film. They say you lose 21 grams of moisture when you die, hence the title.

19. The Jacket (2005) [10/10]
Adrien Brody and Keira Knightley in a film about a Vietnam veteran wrongly sent to a mental institute who is then subjected to experimental treatment. Strange and interesting film.

18. Antwone Fisher (2002) [10/10]
Based on a true story about a young Navy man with a troubled past, starring the unknown Derek Luke in the title role and with Denzel Washington playing the psychiatrist. An emotional film. Definitely worth checking out.

17. Frailty (2001) [10/10]
Starring and directed by Bill Paxton and including Matthew McConaughey in his only really good performance of the decade. This is a very good thriller and was highly praised by Stephen King, don't miss this one.

16. Star Trek (2009) [10/10]
One of the best TV series of the last decade was "Lost", directed by J.J. Abrams. This is Abrams best production of the decade, making a star out of Chris Pine. Also full of other young talent including Zachary Quinto from "Heroes", Eric Bana, Simon Pegg, and Zoe Saldana. Expect a sequel in 2012.

15. Ratatouille (2007) [10/10]
Pixar's best film yet. A great family film about a young chef who is helped by his rat friend.

14. Green Street Hooligans (2005) [10/10]
Elijah Wood plays a kid who is wrongfully expelled from college in the US and moves to London to live with his sister. Her boyfriend gets him involved in a British Football gang, this is the Fight Club of the decade.

13. The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000) [10/10]
The love for Will Smith ends here, on this list. This film is about a golfer that gets a mysterious caddy who turns out to help his game immensely. Golfer Matt Damon, Caddy Will Smith, and leading lady Charlize Theron round out a fun cast and a great film. Great for all ages also.

12. Taken (2008) [10/10]
What? What? Liam Neeson as an action hero? You have to see it to believe it. Fast paced and exciting throughout, slightly plausible which makes it even more fun.

11. The Great Debaters (2007) [10/10]
Denzel Washington plays a professor at a small college in Texas who battles racism as he tries to take his debate team around the country in 1935 in an effort to win the Collegiate Debate National Championship. Great film.

10. Blow (2001) [10/10]
Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz in a film about cocaine smuggling in the 1970s. Great cast, great plot, great editing. This was Depp's first film of a great decade for him.

9. The Life of David Gale (2003) [10/10]
Kevin Spacey and Kate Winslet in a film about the problems with capital punishment. With several twists and some challenging social issues this is a must watch.

8. Collateral (2004) [10/10]
Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise in a great thriller. We all had to start taking Foxx seriously as an actor after this one. Great movie, not much more to say than watch it... no seriously.

7. The Blind Side (2009) [10/10]
My favorite movie of 2009, Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, and Quinton Aaron in a movie based on a true story about a football player with a rough childhood. A little bit "cookie cutter" but I really liked the acting.

6. Bowling for Columbine (2002) [10/10]
I would have been ok with Michael Moore just fading away after this film. It is his best film, and probably avoided by people because of his strong feelings on other political issues. Unlike Fahrenheit 9/11 this was not just thrown together, and Moore has been hypocritical a lot in his film making. All of that does not take away from the fantastic content of this film. I have seen this at least 5 times, which is why it is so high on the list, if you know me you know I don't watch very many movies even twice.

5. Snatch. (2000) [10/10]
Guy Ritchie's sequel to 1998's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and starring Brad Pitt, Benicio Del Toro, and Jason Statham in a very violent action film. Like all Ritchie films you will need subtitles for the heavy British accents. Don't let that be the reason you don't enjoy this film.

4. Finding Neverland (2004) [10/10]
A fantastic biography about the author of Peter Pan starring Johnny Depp. With Kate Winslet, Julie Christie, and Dustin Hoffman filling out the stars of the cast. This film shows J.M. Barrie's [Depp] relationship to the Llewelyn Davies family and how he used the family kids as inspiration for George, John, Peter, Michael, and Nicholas. A fantastic and emotional film.

3. The Dark Knight (2008) [10/10]
This is what you get when you combine great directing, great acting, and a great formula for a story. Heath Ledger will always be remembered for this performance. Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Aaron Eckhart roundup the fantastic cast.

2. Mr. Brooks (2007) [10/10]
I've never been a big fan of Kevin Costner but this film about a cold blooded serial killer made me happy that I gave him a chance. Not an award winner and not a perfect film by any means but I could watch it again and again.

1. 300 (2006) [10/10]
The only movie I saw twice in the theaters. A bloody action fantasy about the 300 Spartans who fought the entire Persians army in 480 B.C. knowing they were headed for certain death but holding back the army and protecting their families. Gerard Butler does an excellent job as the King in this Zack Snyder action film. My favorite of the decade.

With dozens of films from 2009 left to watch there is always room for shuffling. A great decade for action blockbusters and comics turned into film. Will the next decade see more 3D movies? Maybe less dramas as America goes through a recession? I look forward to the discussion about this list!

-Keith

This movie is exactly what the title says... a movie starring Funny People. The movie itself is really not all that funny. Sure there are some very funny parts, which are mostly the stand-up comedy portions of the film, but it is the people themselves are are funny, not the story, or the scenarios, it all just stems from a lot of dialogue most of which is very dirty.

Judd Apatow has made some great films lately... great might be a little far... but Knocked Up, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and The 40 Year Old Virgin were really good. The problem is he has made a lot of crap as well Talladega Nights, Walk Hard, Step Brothers, and Year One to name a few. Which means he is willing to to just about anything, which is a good thing, but the problem is he tries to do too much here. The story lacks direction, changes direction, and feels like there is just a lot of unneeded filler. Clocking in at almost two and a half hours is really unnecessary for a story that has a very small plot.

There are a lot of cameos though, most of which are pretty funny and the only real good part of this film... so you can't cut those. Andy Dick, Norm MacDonald, Dave Attell, Sarah Silverman, Eminem, and Ray Romano to name a few.

Adam Sandler was just ok, Seth Rogen is starting to bore me, Leslie Mann was just ok, Eric Bana was pretty annoying, and Jonah Hill & Jason Schwartzman were pretty funny in their minor roles. A 7 is probably a pretty generous rating, but there were still come pretty good things about this film.

Vote: 7/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1201167/

It is pretty hard to convince people to watch a silent film. Cinema has evolved a lot over the last 100 years so why would you want to watch something so slow, black & white, and with no dialogue.

So to be worth watching in this day and age you really have to have some qualities that can still be appreciated today. This was considered one of the first feature length documentary films, following an Eskimo family through their daily routines. It is amazing to see what these people go through. You really have to use your imagination with the lack of dialogue and grainy black and white, but it is not hard to appreciate the work that went into making this film.

Watching it I couldn't help but wonder what happened to the kids in the movie, do they have grandchildren now? Did the family survive at all? All real questions when you learn that Nanook himself died before this film was released from starvation. If there is a non-slapstick comedy silent film worth watching than this one is it.

Vote: 9/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0013427/

This film is directed by Guy Ritchie, who's last film was RocknRolla, which should have told me that this would be a British movie that is hard to understand. Don't get me wrong, I really liked RocknRolla, but you have to accept that you aren't going to be able to understand everything the characters are saying.

Ritchie modeled this movie as a "bromance", Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law play Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, respectively. The strange thing about this movie is they play doctors with the typical Sherlock Holmes ability to detect clues from minute details, and they are also bad-ass fighters. So brain and brawn, in a strange mix. Holmes is basically a bum for a good part of the movie, making money from fighting. His "bromance" with the clean cut Dr. Watson is an unnecessary spin on the film, distracting from the case they are trying to solve, and not the chemistry that really fit this film.

It was pretty good, probably fun on a big screen since it has some nice explosions and action sequences around the construction of a ship and bridge. I just doubt I will want to see it again, but I'm sure they will plan a sequel.

Vote: 7/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0988045/

The US National Film Preservation Board established a National Film Preservation Act in 1988. Each year 25 films are selected to be included in the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress. Each 25 films are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant films from America's history and the National Film Preservation Foundation is the non-profit organization established to restore many of these films.

The following are some short films I have watched over the last week, all can be found doing a search at the Internet Archive, a complete listing of films can be found on wikipedia here. Also, the full list is at listofbests as well.

Gertie the Dinosaur (1914) [left]
Winsor McCay's animated short film. Thought by some to be the first animated film, it was not. It was however the first character in animation, and more than just a camera trick. 8/10

Cops (1922) [right]
An 18 minute Buster Keaton short film that has some excellent stunts. Very much worth a watch. 8/10

Manhatta (1921) [left]
An 11 minute silent film showing different parts of Manhattan, very very boring. 5/10

Hindenburg Disaster Newsreel Footage (1937) [right]
Amazing footage of the Hindenburg going down. At only 5 minutes this is historical footage worth watching if you haven't seen in history class already. 8/10

Snow-White (1933) [left]
The Betty Boop version, a fun watch, cool animation. 9/10

San Francisco: Aftermath of Earthquake (1906 ) [right]
This doesn't even capture the earthquake, it is just the aftermath, so really really boring. At only 1 minute, its not worth watching. 4/10

White Fawn's Devotion (1910) [left]
A play about Indians, at 11 minutes it is just long enough to tell the story. Just ok. 6/10

Princess Nicotine (1909) [right]
The smoke fairy, this is a strange film. The fantasy and optical illusion is probably the reason for the inclusion. 6/10

Westinghouse Works (1904) [left]
A 6 minute film showing the working of a factory. Not really much here, just a historic piece. 6/10

Star Theatre (1901)

[right]
Probably the first time lapse film, a really cool watch. Shows the theatre from completely build to just a small pile, really good watch, especially in fast forward. 8/10

President McKinley Inauguration (1901) [left]
With no audio this is really boring, the first filmed presidential inauguration, not much more. 6/10

Rip Van Winkle (1903)

[right]
A compilation of 6 different films, probably one of the first stories captured on him, not sure why this is so special though... 5/10

The Kiss (1896) [left]
The Mary Irwin kiss, the first kiss captured on film. 6/10

A Corner in Wheat (1909) [right]
I would be lying if I said I looked at all D.W. Griffith films objectively after seeing The Birth of a Nation. Before he made racist epic films he made countless short films... over 500! This is one... and it isn't very good. 4/10

The Fall of the House of Usher (1928) [left]
An early horror film based on the Edgar Allen Poe story. 6/10

Blacksmith Scene (1893)

[right]
The oldest film in the registry, just a minute long. 6/10

Dickson Experimental Sound Film (1894) [left]
The first film with live sound, pretty boring. 5/10

Reading about some of these is better than watching them, worth looking around on archive.org in your free time instead of youtube, you might find some pretty cool videos.

The best of some minor genres start to pop-up here, some surprises, and some that would be expected. Let's get started with part 4.

40. Hotel Rwanda (2004) [9/10]

Don Cheadle's incredible performance as a hotel owner who saved many many people during a brutal civil war in Rwanda. This film reminded me of Schindler's List in a few ways. Reluctant to help, comes to a realization he can help many innocent people, does everything he can he protect them. A very powerful film.

39. Iron Man (2008) [9/10]

There have been a number of Marvel Comic superhero's that have hit the big screen this decade. With X-Men, Batman, Spider-man, and the Hulk to name just a few. I never knew Iron Man growing up, no one really expected this to be great. Robert Downey Jr. made this film though, with a unique take on what a superhero is, and a well crafted film, look for the sequel this summer.

38. The Illusionist (2006) [9/10]

Ever since Fight Club I have been a big Edward Norton fan. Struggling through Down in the Valley, The Painted Veil, and the remake The Italian Job, I was really excited to see him finally make another good film. Alongside Paul Giamatti this made for an excellent film about a magician. This came out the same year as The Prestige, another magician film that was regarded to be better... sorry I like Norton better than Hugh Jackman.

37. City of God: Cidade de Deus (2002) [9/10]

The Brazilian film about crime in Rio. One of the best foreign films of the decade and maybe the best Brazilian film ever. A lot of violence and bad language, definitely deserved it's R rating.

36. Batman Begins (2005) [9/10]

Christopher Nolan is starting to be added to the list of great directors, thanks largely to jump starting the Batman series, starting over from his childhood and through becoming Batman in an overall excellent film. Starring Christian Bale who before this was only really known as the freaky guy from American Psycho. A must watch.

35. The Pianist (2002) [9/10]

An emotionally difficult film to sit through, Adrien Brody plays a musician trying to survive in the Warsaw ghetto during World War II. I'm not a fan of Roman Polanski as a person, and this is the only film of his I have really liked...

34. Amelie: Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (2001) [9/10]

A cute French film about a naive girl in Paris. Fun for all ages [that can read the subtitles] and starring Audrey Tautou who I'm looking forward to watching in this years Coco avant Chanel.

33. A Beautiful Mind (2001) [9/10]

Russell Crowe turns in his best performance of the decade as a college mathematician who starts doing secret work for the CIA. Jennifer Connelly plays one of her many roles as a girl who can't stop crying, which isn't annoying yet (see Hulk, House of Sand and Fog, Dark Water, Little Children, Blood Diamond, or He's Just Not That Into You... all films where she is sure to shed many many tears).

32. The Last Samurai (2003) [9/10]

Also known as the decade Tom Cruise went crazy, this is one of just two films of his worth watching... ok maybe War of the Worlds is the 3rd. Cruise likes to play the bad boy [or bad guy] in a reformed character... or at least that is what usually works for him. Here he is an American military officer who embraces the Samurai way after trying to destroy it. I really liked this one, but I'm sure it won't be remembered as Cruise's best ever.

31. After the Wedding: Efter brylluppet (2006) [9/10]

It is because of gems like this film I subject myself to all of the Oscar and Golden Globe Foreign Nominations year after year. In a stunningly brilliant performance by Mads Mikkelsen, this Danish film has some surprise twists that made this film one of my favorites of the 2006 and deservedly on this list.

30. Memento (2000) [9/10]

Christopher Nolan's first big hit of his career. This cult film is filmed in reverse and follows a man [Guy Pearce] who suffers from short term memory loss. Hard to follow, you find yourself in the main characters shoes, trying to piece together was it going on. A brilliant piece of film... pay attention and you will really really like this one.

29. There Will Be Blood (2007) [9/10]

Daniel Day-Lewis is amazing in this film about an oil prospector with an insatiable lust for money and power. A true epic of our time, my favorite part is the opening sequence, which is silent other than the sound of breaking ground. Long but great!

28. The Butterfly Effect (2004) [10/10]

What a film... I don't like Ashton Kutcher nor do I really like Amy Smart, they both haven't made a film close to this one in their career. And the director Eric Bress is responsible for Final Destination 2, so where did this come from. How I came to love this film I just don't know, it is unique interesting and makes you think. I expect criticism for this one.

27. Street Fight (2005) [10/10]

A documentary gem about corruption in a Newark, N.J. election. Mayor Sharpe James is a crook and this documentary brings light to hope accepting people are of this corruption. A hard film to find, will make you political juices boil.

26. Primer (2004) [10/10]

This thriller sci-fi film was a complete suprise for me. A film about four entrepreneurs working in their garage that invent a solution for time travel. Things get quickly out of control as they experiment with the how to control how far back they travel and when they start seeing several of each other running around things get really complicated. If you don't like confusing movies, avoid this one, if you like to think and want a challenge check this out.

25. Gran Torino (2008) [10/10]

Clint Eastwood stars and directs this film about a Korean War veteran who becomes friends with the asian neighbor boy and tries to reform the neighborhood. A great film.

24. Enemy at the Gates (2001) [10/10]
Jude Law vs. Ed Harris in a Russians vs. Nazi sharpshooter dual. A movie I considered my favorite just after it came out... I've since seen a lot more movies, but this one was a favorite of mine for a long time.

23. The Beach (2000) [10/10]
Wow I expect to get some [more] heat for liking this movie so much. Leonardo DiCaprio stars in a movie about taking a vacation, not your typical vacation where you stay in a hotel and look at museums, but one where you go were no one else has been, a true escape. I also love the techno soundtrack, probably the reason I started listening to Orbital.

22. Big Fish (2003) [10/10]
I would go as far as to say this was Tim Burton's only good film of the decade. This fantasy starring Ewan McGregor was one of the best of the decade. Fun for all ages.

21. Reign Over Me (2007) [10/10]
Any time I ask someone if they liked this film they say, "Which one?" Remember the one with Adam Sandler coping with the loss of his family from the 9/11 attacks. They say "oh yeah... that one... I guess it was good." So I might be alone when I say that I loved this film. Go ahead call me crazy.

I fully expect that not everyone out there would pick Street Fight, Butterfly Effect, Enemy at the Gates, The Beach, or Reign Over Me...well that is because this is my list. I stand by my opinion and am ready to be judged, expect some more surprises from the top 20. If my list looked like the imdb top 250 or other "best of" lists there would be no reason to make it in the first place. Top 20 to come next week....

This 20 minute film meant a lot for American history. Selected to the Library of Congress' Nation Film Registry in 1998 this is the film that got Charles Chaplin deported in 1952. They used the footage of him kicking an immigration officer as evidence of anti-Americanism.

It is also interesting that he uses a lot of sound effects in this. I've always known Chaplin to use a soundtrack that does not try and coincide with the actions on the screen, e.g. people falling or getting hit.

At just over 20 minutes there is not much to this film. The cool thing is that this is now open source so you can watch it for free online. www.archive.org has a large collection of films that are now available for free, watch is one at:
http://www.archive.org/details/CC_1917_06_17_TheImmigrant

Vote: 7/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0008133/

The thing about the older films I have been watching is that they were excellent when they came out. most I find good or at least average. So when I come across one I just don't like at all it makes me wonder how it has lasted so long. This film was just not good, Barbara Stanwyck annoyed me and Henry Fonda as a push over wasn't much fun to watch.

The film is about a a rich kid who just spent a year in the Amazon studying snakes. He is a scientist fresh out of college and plays the dumb rich kid who gets swindled by some card sharks on the ship back to America.

The plot is bad, the acting is bad, and the jokes aren't funny. Maybe they were funny 70 years ago but they aren't now. I think a few scenes were pretty racy for their time... but they aren't anymore so I don't see the appeal.

Fonda is just better at dramas.

Vote: 5/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033804/

I went into this film knowing that it is a collection of short films. Not just short films, but really short films, we are talking about 18 films in 120 minutes, so when you discount opening and closing credits we at about 5 minutes a story.

The part I didn't know is that it has multiple directors, and good ones. Gus Van Sant, Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Wes Craven, and a number of other directors come together to express a small love story based in Paris. The thing about it is you get a feeling like you are at a short film festival with a central theme of romance in Paris. the problem is that some of the stories are really bad... some are really bad at festivals also... but some are incomplete... which isn't good.

Since I have to judge this festival of a film as a whole then it was very very average, where else can I go? A couple might warrant an 8 or 9 [namely the Natalie Portman one and the mail lady on vacation] a couple get a 2 or 3 [namely the mime one and the Maggie Gyllenhaal one]. So it all evens out. Not really worth your time.

Vote: 6/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401711/

This was the most anticipated film of the awards season for me. With a buzz that Peter Jackson was making a film based on this best selling book it was favored to be in Oscar contention (that was before people actually saw the thing). I will use this as a rule of thumb in the future, if a director is not taking his film to film festivals and making everyone think it is amazing... then it probably isn't.

So I'm going to ruin the film for you now... so skip this paragraph if you don't want to know what happens... now that you've been warned... she dies. Not only does the main character die... but she dies in the first 20 minutes of the film. The idea behind the book, and one that no one knew is just how well it would translate to film. The story is of a dead girl looking down from heaven as her family struggles to cope with their loss and the killer who still lives on their block.

The problem with this film is that there is some very adult content, and themes/scenes that kids don't need to be watching. It has a PG-13 rating, yet there are scenes that are geared for a PG audience, then ones that should be R. There isn't an audience that will like this film. It was just awful, things didn't come together, the fantasy of what heaven is like just didn't work either. I feel bad for Mark Wahlberg and Saoirse Ronan for wasting their time on this film, they are more talented than this. Most of all I'm sorry for Stanley Tucci who turned in an Oscar worthy performance on a film that was just awful. People are taking notice and he should get some good parts in the near future. I see that he is already working on 4 more films right now, so we'll see.

Vote: 3/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0380510/
P.S. - Sorry honey for asking you to read this book, thanks for your comparisons throughout the film.

The American Film Institute picked this film as part of its top 10 from 2009 and ESPN nominated it for the ESPY for Best Sports Film of the Year. It lost to The Express a film I intend to watch later this year, but fully expect this only lost because no one knew much about it.

It strikes me as odd that this was selected as an American film, the majority of the film is in Spanish. This is a technical issue though, the majority of the run time was in Spanish, but the majority of the dialogue was in English.

So the film is about a young man in a Dominican Republic training camp where MLB scouts look for young talent to bring to the States. The camp teaches them discipline, fundamentals, and baseball terms in English. So several boys are called up to the Kansas City training camp in Phoenix, after the training camp our main character is called up to single "A" ball. As a young pitcher in the middle of nowhere Iowa with very limited English and far from home he struggles to get along with the coaching staff and the family he is staying with.

I was very surprised at how good this film was, there are no star characters, and the film is not exactly quickly paced. Nonetheless, it is a film worth watching, then again I like a good sports film.

Vote: 8/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0990413/

As we start part 3 of the top 100 of the decade, you will notice that from here on out we are down to 9/10 and 10/10 films. What is the difference from this point? Personal opinion. As I have said before... a 10/10 is something I would like to own, a 9/10 is a great movie... you might not be happy with the order, but I trust you can't find to many problems with the collection as a whole. Lets get going:

60. Fearless: Huo Yuan Jia (2006) [9/10]

A biography of the Chinese Martial Arts Master Huo Yuan Jia starring Jet Li. This to me was a more enjoyable film that Hero which is probably considered by many to be the best film he has been in. This however features more martial arts and a biography rather than a fantasy such as Hero is more entertaining to me.

59. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009) [9/10]

Probably a surprise to see on this list, this was the most fun kids movie since Ratatouille. Run with the fantasy and laugh at the kids jokes. I loved it because any age can watch this film. There isn't a villain that will scare the really young ones. Plus there is no talking dog tangent, just a really fun watch.

58. Man on Wire (2008) [9/10]

A fascinating documentary about a tightrope walker, Frenchman Philippe Petit, who made it his goal to walk between the Twin Towers in NYC. The documentary reflects on how he went about deciding to do it, and the steps it took to prepare and illegally climb to the top to set up. The documentary answers all the questions about how they did it about as fast as I could think them up. Great story, great filming and editing.

57. Pitch Black (2000) [9/10]

The first film with Vin Diesel as the main character. One of the... if not the only... films by Diesel that is really worth watching. The sequel is crap, but this Sci-Fi film about a group of marooned space travelers is action packed and scary. Watch it in the dark...

56. Million Dollar Baby (2004) [9/10]

The sports movie that was more than a sports movie. A female boxer, her trainer, and the difficult decision he has to make when she is seriously injured. Clint Eastwood proved he can both Direct and Act at the same time with this Oscar Best Picture winner.

55. Sicko (2007) [9/10]

With all the talk about health care these days and the actions congress is going through, all naysayers to a public option need to watch this film. Real people with real problems. Sure they glorify other countries plans, but the fact that this country is so screwed up makes this a must watch. Michael Moore is over the top, so take some thing with a grain of salt...

54. Elf (2003) [9/10]

Ok, Will Ferrell I'll give you one film on my list... with almost 30 films this decade I had to pick one, it was either this or Old School. And since there are plenty of drunken college movies already out there, I went with a genre that is lacking for good films... Christmas! This is a cute story about a boy that is adopted by elves and enters the real world as a very confused young adult. Might be a little high on this list... but I liked it none the less.

53. Super Size Me (2004) [9/10]

What is a good film? I have spent a lot of time thinking about that when I rate films. Two things, does it make you change how you live? Do you relate to a scene multiple times in your life well after watching it? This film changed how I live. I have had McDonald's twice in 6 years since watching this... both were situations were it was it is or eat nothing... A documentary that shows you just how bad fast food is. Is it fair to single out McDonald's and not other fast food restaurants... well no, but I rarely eat any fast food now either.

52. The Lookout (2007) [9/10]

A film I just watched last month starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jeff Daniels about a young man dealing with a tragic event he is fully responsible costing two of his their lives. This was a surprisingly good film.

51. Ray (2004) [9/10]

The biography of Ray Charles starring Jamie Foxx is his best role to date. This one two Oscars and has to power to be remembered for years to come. Excellent film all around.

50. Requiem for a Dream (2000) [9/10]

Director Darren Aronofsky has not made many films, but this one Pi and The Wrestler were all good films. It follows the lives of 4 different people all struggling with different drug problems. Ellen Burstyn is fantastic as the mother. Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, and Marlon Wayans all turned in their best performances in a movie that is quite a downer.

49. Seven Pounds (2008) [9/10]

Director Gabriele Muccino and Will Smith teamed up on the successful The Pursuit of Happyness, this follow-up two years later was considered a flop by many. The story is of an IRS agent set to make up for some mistakes earlier in his life in a very unique way. You might find it depressing, I love it though...

48. Munich (2005) [9/10]

Steven Spielberg made this action/drama of the events that followed the 1972 Olympics were 11 Israeli athletes were murdered at the Munich Olympics. Basically a small group of Israeli's seek out and kill the ones responsible, showing how violence perpetuates more violence.

47. I, Robot (2004) [9/10]

This Will Smith action film is not one I expected to get so much criticism for. A fun futuristic cop film with some great special effects. Easy to follow storyline and fun for all ages, not sure what is to dislike about this one.

46. In Bruges (2008) [9/10]

When I saw the movie trailer I though, "This looks like crap." When I watched it I didn't think it would amount to much. This little film starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, and Ralph Fiennes turned out to be one of the best dark comedies of the decade. Farrell is excellent and his interaction with Gleeson and the midget is hysterical. The British slang can be hard to understand and this is definitely rated R for a reason.

45. I Am Legend (2007) [9/10]

Will Smith goes almost an hour as the only person in this film. A horror film about a plague, Smith plays a doctor desperately trying to find the cure for the human race. Scarry at parts, I think I like the alternate ending better...

44. Heist (2001) [9/10]

I love a good bank heist movie, I like one even more when the viewing audience has everything spelled out for them, yet the plan is complicated enough to be interesting. Starring Gene Hackman and Danny DeVito, this film is worth a watch.

43. Walk the Line (2005) [9/10]

One of the best Biographies of all time. Starring Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter. A little long, but an excellent film about a historical music legend. Might have been slightly overshadowed by the previous years Ray.

42. The Bourne Trilogy (2002-2007) [9/10]

Just like the Lord of the Rings, i'm cheating and putting the entire trilogy on here. Also, just like LotR if you were going to watch one and only one, then watch the first one The Bourne Identity. Matt Damon's 5 year project that might even have a 4th film eventually.

41. Across the Universe (2007) [9/10]

A musical that uses all the popular Beatles songs with amazing sets, excellent voices, and a great pace. You won't see a lot of musicals on my list, this is the one to see.

Part 4 coming soon....!!

Written, Directed, and Starring Jerry Lewis. If there is one Lewis film to see, I've been told this is the one to watch. Just barely making it on the AFI 100 Laughs of All-Time at #99, the inclusion seems like they wanted Lewis himself on their list more than this particular film.

This film was remade in 1996 by Eddie Murphy, which had marginally more success due to him playing an overweight character that transforms into a skinny and sexy character. The original is more of a nerd to cool guy spin, when the potion wears off in this version his voice changes back, in the remake he starts getting fatter in different places.

Lewis is creative, funny, and annoying as both characters, and very skilled to do a "transformation" without the use of computers [take this for what you will, I liked it...]. Stella Stevens plays Stella [big stretch on picking a character name here] a student of Lewis's who he hits on as his alter ego. She likes the professor for who he is so it has its cute romantic comedy moments as well. I guess if you have never seen Lewis this would be the one to watch, I'll have to see a few more of his before basing an opinion though.

Vote: 7/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057372/

Disney returns to its classic animation style. They aren't seeing the profit margins they were hoping for, and the time and effort was much more expensive than a quick CGI Animation. I just hope they realize that these are the animations that will last forever. This is the first Disnet Princess movie in 11 years! Mulan was the last one, and it is great to know that Rapunzel will be out next November.

So what did I think of the movie? Fantastic! Best animation of the year... well maybe... Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs was also very good. They out did Pixar this year whether they beat them at the box office or not [more like or not... Avatar kicked their butts, and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel took some money from them as well].

The film centers on an African American family in New Orleans. A prince comes to town and has a run-in with a voodoo doctor, after he becomes a frog the classic story unfolds... or does it?

Disney did a great job putting a spin on the original story, they added a Princess [Tiana] to their collection, and did it without making her friend Charlotte a bad person. Which was nice to see. I really liked this film, thank you Disney for going back to your roots. Be aware that the voodoo doctor scenes might be a little much for really small children, I'll hold out showing this to my daughter until she is at least 5.

Vote: 8/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780521/

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