No Country for Old Men (2007)

No Country for Old Men is a departure for the Coen brothers into the world of suspense, yet it is also a transcendent departure from the world of convention. This is a perfectly crafted movie. The complete absence of music, for example, contributes to the tension of the film in surprising ways. There is nothing more frightening than silence and darkness.

And there is plenty of humor, both intentional and otherwise. If you've ever pictured Willy Wonka on a killing spree... first of all, you should get help. But here you'll see it happen.

Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)

This film foreshadows Tom Hanks' career perfectly. He's got a Da Vinci Code mullet, he's lost at sea a la Cast Away, and Meg Ryan is in all the others.

Like Joe on the rim of the volcano, this movie teeters on a thin edge between charmingly quirky and really bad. Overall I'm glad I saw it. I enjoyed the setup and I liked where it was going until the plot went drifting off to sea.

Wordplay (2006)

This effective though fluffy documentary tackles the somewhat inconsequential topic of crossword puzzles. The deeper I was taken into this society of puzzle-solving, the more I realized that there isn't much that is interesting about the history or creation of crossword puzzles.

Yet somehow, I was entertained. I enjoyed the film's play-along technique, and it's fun to watch John Stewart yelling. I think this proves that with enough skill you can make an engaging movie about any subject.

The Prestige (2006)

From my hall of fame for movie tag lines: "Are you watching closely?" If you're picky about the definition of "spoiler", see this movie before reading on.

Although Christopher Nolan is not known for twist endings, I fully expected one in a movie about magic from such a solid director. The subject matter almost demands it. Although the actual outcome was a little dissatisfying, the movie works because it doesn't cheat. Tricks are tricks and magic is magic.

Beowulf (2007)

Beowulf is more of an experience than a movie. The motion capture animation and 3D are not gimmicks, but work to envelop you in sensation. When a dragon appears on screen, you don't notice a "CG" dragon. It is just a dragon. It's as real (or fake) as anything else in the film.

It's this notion of reality that I believe makes the film so intense. Which is more real: Beowulf, A Scanner Darkly, or Memento. They are all simulations of reality, images on a screen. In this light, Beowulf is one of the most violent movies I've seen. It's also one of the most expertly made fantasy movies there is, so enjoy with caution.

Strangers on a Train (1951)

Strangers on a Train is one of my favourite Hitchcock films. It's like a combination of Psycho and Rope with a perfect musical soundtrack. But how this story would have panned out differently in the present day! Paternity testing alone would have made all the difference.

The old-fashioned acting style is kind of funny, but the character exploration is genius. And you can always look to Hitchcock for awesome camera work. The great thing about his films is that the plot never goes where you'd guess.

A Scanner Darkly (2006)

Are we all addicts? Is rebellion synonymous with freedom? And who is to blame for an addicted society? A Scanner Darkly, set in a fictional time not far from our own, explores such questions with a uniquely dark comedy and style.

Every scene in this film is so loaded with philosophy and symbolism that it even becomes a distraction from the overall plot arc, which could carry the film on its own. The animation is yet another layer of complexity on a work that is engrossing, yet tries a bit too hard for its own good.

The Elephant Man (1980)

I saw this movie at a sleepover as a kid. If I remember right, we all went to bed without saying a word as the credits were rolling. The Elephant Man is the kind of movie that will end a party. Guaranteed.

Like American History X, this is a good movie. But the feeling of watching it is like killing a rabid puppy. I've only seen it once. I never really planned on seeing it again, but I just realized David Lynch is the director. Maybe I'll give it another shot for the sake of the auteur.

Touch of Evil (1958)

Ah, Touch of Evil. See it for Orson Welles as director. See it for Orson Welles in a fat suit. See it for the famous opening shot. See it for Charlton Heston as a Mexican. And see it for the ending, with its liberal interpretation of physics.

But mostly see it for the Mexican Charlton Heston.

Chicago 10 (2007)

Chicago 10 is one of the most interesting documentaries of the year. The Chicago protest/riot is retold alongside a courtroom drama which binds the action together and carries you along with a purpose.

The characters are a bit hard to identify with, regardless of your politics. They teeter between clever subversive comedy and the downright obnoxious. What makes this movie a keeper for me is the creative look of the film and the made-for-adults animation.

On the Waterfront (1954)

Marlon Brando is a cool dude. The last scene of this movie gets you so pumped.

On the Waterfront is gooood. I'll admit, sometimes I say an old movie is good, but what I mean is "it's good for an old movie." It's shameful, I know. But that's not the case here. Good means good.

Das Leben der Anderen (2006)

A very thoughtful movie, The Lives of Others has no shortage of philosophical or social themes. This was also its biggest flaw in my mind. Something about the movie didn't come together for me.

Is it about art and expression? Is it about privacy? Love? Voyeurism? I think it's about all of these things. The pacing was a bit slow for me, but The Lives of Others is more art than entertainment.

Amadeus (1984)

Although I'm told this movie isn't historically accurate, I still learned a few interesting things. First, popular musicians back in the day were famous and a little wild, just like today. Second, people wrote weak music to satisfy the desires of popular culture, also just like today. We elevate past geniuses and golden time periods sometimes without realizing just how much we have in common with them.

The Great Escape (1963)

This is one of the first great caper movies. The Great Escape is maybe a little lengthy. But that just makes the payoff that much better.

I love movies about impossible break-ins and break-outs. The characters and their quirks are awesome too.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

This movie is hard to get through. Everything is fine and dandy with the smart killer monkeys and the smart killer computer.

But then there is an hour-long acid trip through psychedelic nebulae and swirling cosmos and the like. I don't get that part. But I guess it did come out in 1968 (wink wink).

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

I love it when a sequel is better than the original!

This is the best action movie of all time. I know, The Matrix is really good, but Terminator 2 is tougher and more explodey. And dang, talk about 90s catch phrases. Hmm... I'd love to see a showdown between Neo and the Terminator.

Hotel Rwanda (2004)

I can remember two things that I've heard Bill O'Reilly say: "Cut off his mike!" and "Africa is out of control." I don't like the nihilism, but it seems pretty true to me.

Has the state of affairs in Africa gotten better or worse in my lifetime? It's sad, I don't even know. I'm glad people are still trying though.

Sin City (2005)

One of my friends described Sin City to me as "everything bad that one person can possibly do to another." This is basically true, but the greatness of the movie is in how it's done.

I wish more directors had style. Rodrigues, Dave McKean, and Baz Luhrmann put everyone else to shame in this department.

Now I want you to listen. I don't care who you are, or if you disagree with everything I've written, just do this one thing. Watch the opening scene of Sin City.

Singin' in the Rain (1952)

"I love old movies."

"Like Singin' in the Rain?"

"Yeah, that one's great..."

I imagine that thousands college students (or more) have had that conversation. A nice little irony is that Debbie Reynolds' voice was dubbed over in a couple of musical numbers.

Forrest Gump (1994)

Forrest Gump was an Academy Awards darling and follows one of the most likable characters ever. Forrest has such an epic and surprising journey that it is impossible to be bored by this movie.

I love the way this movie borders on caricature while remaining so firmly grounded that the we fully believe in the serious moments.

Aliens (1986)

This is a great name for a sequel but only a good movie. More aliens are maybe only a little more scary. You can definitely see where James Cameron is headed. I thought the giant robotic exoskeleton was very well done.

I think that being involved with an Alien movie is about the best career move a director can make. Check out the legacy:

Alien - Ridley Scott
Aliens - James Cameron
Alien 3 - David Fincher
Alien: Resurrection - Jean-Pierre Jeunet (of Amelie fame)

That's good company to be in if you ask me.

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

If you've never been exposed to Quentin Tarantino, take one look at Reservoir Dogs. He definitely exposes himself in this film - er, figuratively. And there is enough blood that you could measure it in depth (a la The Shining).

I don't know, you might not want to bother watching it. Although, it could be the Coolest film ever made. Just look:

Der Untergang (2004)

Have you ever been kicked right in the Untergang? Yeah, it smarts. That's what the last days of the Nazi empire must have felt like, as depicted in Downfall.

Mostly all I remember about this movie is a good performance from Bruno Ganz as Adolf Hitler. All of major events of the period are shown from a very personal level. It's a little slow, but a good movie.

Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (2001)

Aka Spirited Away. It's not my favourite Miyazaki film, but it's in my top 21 or so.

It's actually a beautifully drawn movie that really puts Miyazaki's creativity on display. I love the stink monster. If you enjoy peeling glue off your fingers, you'll probably experience the same feeling.

L.A. Confidential (1997)

Let me just give you a cast rundown:

Kevin Spacey
Russell Crowe
Guy Pearce
David Straithairn

And it's a noir-ish crime drama in LA. Yep, it's cool.

The Shining (1980)

Supposedly this is one of the scariest movies you'll ever see. I can't figure out why. Unless you have an innate fear of being swept away in a flood of blood. A blood flood. Whoa.

Jack Nicholson is creepy. What else is new? This is probably one of the more normal Kubrick films. It's not bad though.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

I don't think I was born equipped to appreciate Terry Gilliam. I would change that if I could, because I respect the guy, but I'm just not on the same page. These concerns notwithstanding, this movie is really funny.

I'll recommend Gilliam and his troupe to anyone. Give the Monty Python side of life a try, maybe it's for you.

Alien (1979)

I'm glad this movie was around when I was a kid. It gave me a scare I doubt I could have experienced otherwise. Just when you're getting grossed out by one image, they give you something even worse.

Still not scared? Then... Imagine living your life with the name "Sigourney."