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Fight Club --- Undeniable classic. All three acts.
Donnie Darko --- Lame, pseudo-metaphysical musing + "ironic" 80's setting = overheated garbage.
Pulp Fiction --- Undeniable classic. Arguably the most influential, relevant, and entertaining "independent" movie of the 90's. Note the "ironic" use of the quotes around the word "independent."
Star Wars episodes I - III --- A project that was doomed from the start. Anytime you hear the word "prequel," run, because that means nothing more than "backstory." And George had the nerve to make it a *political* prequel, which was just a bad idea. That said, I loved Episode III, and firmly believe that we'll look back at these films 10 years from now, take into consideration the political climate we live(d) in, look at all three movies again, then declare George Lucas a goddamn genius. I mean, how prophetic can a title like "The Phantom Menace" get?
Crash --- See Mynoriti's comments on Donnie Darko. Wasn't that bad, but it wasn't great, either. Maybe I'll watch it again, now that I have received an official screener.
War of the Worlds --- The epitome of a popcorn movie. Didn't hate it at all. It was okay. Nothing more, nothing less. Spielberg can crank these out in his sleep. Gotta give him credit for that. And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention your boy and mine, CROOZE!
Napoleon Dynamite --- Very funny movie. To say anything else is putting way extra on it.
Lord of the Rings trilogy --- The greatest trilogy in motion picture history. Period. Epic in scope, intimate in detail. Super performances, great action. Supposed homoeroticism aside (no homo), and 475 endings in Return of the King notwithstanding, this is what epic movies are supposed to be all about.
Sin City --- Good, but not as hyperventilating-ly good as many, many, MANY, PTPers made it out to be. Rodriguez' stubborn insistence on remaining faithful to the graphic novel inadvertently revealed the narrative flaws of said graphic novel.
Matrix series --- The original was fun because it didn't take itself too seriously. Then once it was a hit, the Wachowskis decided to try to add depth to a surface-level concept (no matter how many web pages and papers are devoted to the films), Larry Fishburne started eating off of the profits, then Reloaded hit and was such a narrative mess that no one gave a shit by the time Revolutions hit and the "shocking" decision was made to kill off Neo and Trinity. And don't forget, if you hadn't played (and defeated) the tie-in videogame, you would have had no idea who these random characters were who just showed up. Ironically, I actually liked Reloaded (and defended it to the death on here against Wonder33t), because I thought we were being prepared for the Mother of All Payoffs. Well, we got a big battle inside a dirty, minority-filled city, but it looked like a really bad 40's war picture. And Neo disappeared halfway through and didn't reappear until 20 minutes before the end, before he was killed off. Word is on the new Matrix videogame there is an audio message where the Wachowski's say they regret the way they ended the trilogy, thus justifying this new game's existence. Keep shilling, guys.
Memento --- Introduced Christopher Nolan to the world. The world is grateful.
City of God --- The last great "time-shifting period gangster" picture. As poignant as it is exciting.
Lost in Translation --- A meditation on communication. Beautifully acted and shot. GREAT use of music. Not everyone's cup of tea.
Scarface --- Undeniable hood classic. Not really supposed to be a "great" or even "good" film. It's all attitude and gangster iconography. And damn if it ain't still fun to watch.
Training Day --- Great Denzel performance, but the narrative slips during the last third.
Family Guy --- Smart ass, "look how 'edgy' we're being" humor that best plays to those under 28. There are some good jokes, though.
Simpsons --- Still going strong. God bless 'em. Can't wait for the movie.
Aqua Teen Hunger Force --- Haven't seen. I just know that they're funny on that Danger Doom joint.
Arrested Development --- Unjustly martryred show. Let's face it, people, the "quirky and darkly funny" sitcom formula only works for one show, and that's pay cable's "Curb Your Enthusiasm." The difference between this show and My Name is Earl is that Earl has heart in spades, and has a hot secret weapon in Jamie Pressly.
Lost --- Super television. Stop trying to out-guess each other, sit back and admire the things this show's doing.
The Office, American and British --- The British version is better. Ignore it at your own peril. I enjoy the American version, though, but the fact that things are being stretched out over 22 episodes only speaks to the brilliance of Gervais and Merchant, in how they were able to get across so many themes and ideas in 14 episodes.
CSI (original and spinoffs) --- Still watch from time to time. They're all enjoyable for what they are.
Sopranos --- The greatest dramatic series in television history. Period. End of discussion.
Wonderfalls --- Didn't see.
Freaks and Geeks --- Justly martyred show. When I finally get around to finishing my dramatic pilot I want it to turn out something like the pilot for this show. And if my pilot somehow gets magically picked up, I want the stories to all be told in the same manner as these were.
Undeclared --- Didn't see.
Marvel vs DC --- Next.
Batman and prep time --- Next.
Harry Potter (books and/or movies) --- The three movies I've seen have been great. Haven't seen the fourth yet. Am waiting until all 7 books are out before I read them all in one sitting. It's weird, I know.
George W. Bush (just curious) --- That 1995 movie with Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd.
MORE:
The Wire --- The best-written dramatic show in television history.
Six Feet Under --- Great show that lost its way in the middle but somehow found a way to regain its footing, ironically enough during the season in which Alan Ball had the, um, balls to kill off one of his main characters. And that series-ending montage still kicks ass, despite the "fake-looking" makeup. ________________________________________________________________________________________ <------ Thanks for putting on a great show over the years, man.
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