Delineating Television Greatness

Television is a horrible menagerie of mindless trash, attention deficit pandering programming, and relentless consumerist brainwashing.

Yet we are still all suckers for it, at some level or another. Television is interesting because it is a forum for so many different forms of entertainment and information. News programs, sporting events, unscripted "reality" shows, and of course the good old scripted series and made-for-t.v. movies all have their place in the television universe. Some channels are even devoted solely to trying to get people to buy shit, providing a sort of consumerist pornography while giving people an opportunity to easily order stuff they don't need. Today I want to talk about what makes great television so great. I will begin this discussion by presenting to you Empire Magazine's list of the 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time, which can be read here:

For convenience I will post the top ten here:

10. Spaced (1999-2001)
9. The X-Files (1993-2002)
8. The Wire (2002-2008)
7. Friends (1994-2004)
6. 24 (2001-PRESENT)
5. Lost (2004-PRESENT)
4. The West Wing (1999-2006)
3. The Sopranos (1999-2007)
2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
1. The Simpsons (1989-PRESENT)

The glaring omission is of course Seinfeld, which came in at number 11 on the list and probably should have swapped places with Friends or even The West Wing. However, aside from Seinfeld being too low on the list, I would call this is a pretty good ranking of television shows. I like this list because it dares to put underrated, little known gems (Spaced and The Wire, especially) among some of the true giants of television history. I also like the fact that the list does not ignore the fact that recent television shows have pushed the envelope and created narratives that have been much more compelling than shows from twenty years ago and before. To put it simply, recent television is much more complex and accomplished than older television. Recent television is also much more daring. While shows like M*A*S*H and Cheers were beloved, they can't stand up to the biting satire of a sitcom like the Simpsons. The great exception to the recent is better hypothesis may be Twin Peaks, a personal favorite of mine, which was undoubtedly way ahead of its time.

So how can these shows be justified as the greatest of all time? What common factors do they have that lend to their greatness? First and foremost, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT! Each of these ten shows makes the viewer fall in love with not just one or two characters, but a host of fascinating individuals. Think of the Simpsons universe -- Springfield is loaded with secondary and tertiary characters that have become fan favorites. Comic Book Guy, Gil the Salesman, Apu, Superintendent Chalmers, and I could go on for a very long time just name-droppin'. Buffy might be the title character of her respective show, but it's the Whedonites' love affairs with Spike, Xander, Oz, Giles, Anya, Dawn, Glory, and especially Willow that truly gave it staying power. Lost employed some of the most intense character development ever in its early goings, devoting entire episodes to fleshing out each of its characters. Love 'em or hate 'em, the six Friends were so believably developed and acted that all six actors are doomed to be typecast for the rest of their careers. When the audience truly loves the characters they tune in to see every week, then the situations they get themselves into become more exciting and "must-see". If Jack Bauer weren't such a ballsy and gritty hero then who would give half a hoot whether he detonated the nukes or saved his daughter in time? The success of The Sopranos was contingent on character development; if not for the complexity of Tony Soprano as both organized criminal and struggling family man then we would never be able to connect with him, and see him instead as simply a cold-blooded killer.

Aside from the necessity of shows being character-driven, they must also make us laugh once in a while in order to succeed. Every show on that list, from the most dramatic (The Wire, 24) to the most ridiculous (Friends, The Simpsons), incorporates some important humorous moments that can genuinely make us laugh. Likewise, the comedic entries on the list are balanced by meticulously crafted instances of human drama. One of my favorite Simpsons episodes is "One Fish, Two Fish, Blow Fish, Blue Fish" in which Homer eats some supposedly poisonous sushi and prepares for his inevitable death which is to come in twelve hours. This particular episode is loaded with bittersweet moments in which he listens to Lisa play the saxophone, tries to teach Bart how to shave, and says goodbye to Maggie via videotape, all things we can imagine a dying father doing with his children. Heartwarming moments like these make comedic shows more powerful, so much so that I would make the argument that Southpark, though it is one of the funniest shows of all time, will never achieve top ten status because of its lack of dramatic elements. Of course too many sitcoms take the drama too far with their "very special episodes", for example the overwrought Home Improvement.

So, what does everyone think about scripted television? What makes it great, what makes it suck? Why can I not sit through ten minutes of CSI, but I can watch Buffy or The X-Files for hours at a time? Obviously at some level it all depends on personal preference. I have friends that love Entourage, but I think it's a bland, boring show. I have other friends that make fun of me constantly for looking to Buffy as the gold standard for television drama. It seems that almost everyone can agree on The Simpsons though. Why is that? In fact, when you meet someone who doesn't like The Simpsons, it's sort of like meeting someone who doesn't believe in oxygen. It just doesn't make sense. Why doesn't that same level of adoration exist for some of the other t.v. shows on this list? Will any show ever be as universally beloved as The Simpsons? Can Lost present a final season so devastatingly clever that it can surpass The Sopranos and Buffy as the greatest dramatic television series ever?

Will commercials ever go away? {Hell no.}

Successful Film Endings

Perhaps the most difficult part of shaping any narrative is figuring out how to end it in a satisfying way. I am not talking about the climax of a film, but more about the denouement, the final few moments before the credits begin rolling. A great ending should keep you glued to your seat while the credits roll quietly in front of you, and your head should be lost in wonder about the incredible ending you just experienced. For your consideration, here is a spoiler free presentation of my picks for the ten best film endings I have ever seen.


10. The Thing
9. The Shawshank Redemption
8. Chinatown
7. Boogie Nights
6. There Will Be Blood
5. The Usual Suspects
4. Being There
3. Terminator 2: Judgment Day
2. Fargo
1. Magnolia

What do you think?

Angels

My last blog post was about the magic of baseball. Today the baseball world is rocked by tragedy and sadness. The game has lost a rising star.

22 year old Nick Adenhart, starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, was killed last night in a hit and run accident. Adenhart had, just earlier in the night, pitched six innings of scoreless ball, notching 5 strikeouts along the way. His team's bullpen eventually gave up 6 runs to the opposing Oakland Athletics, thereby losing the game, but Adenhart was brilliant on the mound.

This is an incredibly devastating loss.

I remember insensitively remarking about the death of John Travolta's son "people die everyday, why pay extra attention to some celebrity's kid whom I've never met". While it's true that people die everyday, there is no reason to hesitate in mourning the loss of life, especially young life. I propose we all take a minute every morning to think about the thousands of people that will die around the world during the day. I think doing so could really put our lives into perspective, as well as cause us to treasure each moment as we so often forget to do. People die everyday, and that's something we cannot let ourselves forget, or deceive ourselves about. In this age of incredible technology, vast medical and health knowledge, and increased life expectancy levels, we tend to forget about our mortality, about the inevitability of death.

Nick Adenhart was my age, 22 years old. He was a quiet, shy kid who was nervous when he got called up to the Angels as a 21 year old in May of 2008. Last night he looked poised, confident, and dominant on the mound. It's not fair to wonder what Nick might have achieved in his major league career, but rather we should celebrate the incredible pitching performance he gave last night. In just his fourth major league start he was able to completely shut down the Oakland Athletics, a lineup that included solid hitters like Eric Chavez, Jason Giambi, and Orlando Cabrera. Adenhart exited the material world while on top of it; I'm sure he was celebrating his impressive effort before tragedy struck.

The Los Angeles Angels must sublimate their sadness and mourning into on-field excellence; they must not forget their fallen teammate, but must adopt a "win-it-for Nick" attitude. With all of the adversity that has already hit the Angels this past year from losing the ALDS to losing out on Mark Teixeira to losing a majority of their starting rotation to injuries, they must be feeling very frustrated and stuck about now. Adenhart was a bright spot for this team, and now a dark shadow has fallen over his locker. The Angels must pick up the pieces and move forward by playing their best baseball. They owe it to Nick to play their best and to stay competitive, especially after the gutsy performance he gave last night.

Adenhart will not be forgotten, nor will his final performance. I find incredible wonder in the fact that a kid my age was able to dazzle and dominate on the biggest stage in America's pastime. Therein lies the magic of baseball.

My 2009 MLB Predictions

Baseball, America's tainted past time. After an offseason defined by Yankee capitalism and the best infielder of our generation being exposed as a roid-injectin' fraud who stirs HGH into his yogurt, the redemptive magic of the opening week of the Major League Baseball season has finally arrived. Baseball is far and away my favorite sport. I obsess over the glory of the game, beauty of stories like Rick Ankiel finding new life as a slugging outfielder, Travis Snider tearing up the majors at the tender age of 21, and the opportunity for the Cubs to end their 101 year losing streak in high fashion. Baseball has more subplots, mythos, and heroes/villains than any other sport in the entire world. 

I present to you, faithful reader, my predictions for the 2009 MLB season. I have chosen my informed guesses for each division winner, as well as the two wild card teams, and the Cy Young and MVP winners for each league. Batter up!

American League:

AL East

Division Winner: Boston Red Sox

This is not just regional bias, I truly believe the Sox have put together the right team to reclaim the AL East title. The Sox have far and away the deepest pitching staff in baseball, and that is an advantage that is unmatched in MLB. The bullpen, including Papelbon, Saito, Delcarmen, Ramon Ramirez, Justin Masterson, and Javier Lopez, has the ability to be historically good, especially if everyone stays healthy. The rotation of Beckett, Lester, Dice-K, Wakefield, and Penny, is lights-out good, and having Clay Bucholz ready to step in should one of these guys go down is a very good situation to be in. When Smoltz replaces Wakefield in June this rotation goes from great to amazing. The offense won't be as strong as it was in the past, with Manny gone for good and Ortiz no longer adequately protected, but Bay, Pedroia, and Youks should comprise a great nucleus for the offense. Keep your eye on Jed Lowrie, this kid could have a breakout year. 

AL Central 

Division Winner: Cleveland Indians

Fausto Carmona! Cliff Lee! Carl Pavano?! So a lot of guys have to stay healthy and return to form in order for the Indians to actually return to the playoffs, but if everything falls into place this team will be the toast of the AL Central. Travis Hafner has to get back to .300 and 30 home runs, Pavano has to stay healthy enough to put up 150 innings, and Mark Derosa has got to continue his .370 OBP streak. I think the Central is relatively weak, especially with Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer beat up, but the White Sox and Royals (yes, the Royals!) could give the Indians a run for their money. The Indians will surely get a solid year from new closer Kerry Wood, granted he stays healthy. Grady Sizemore should compete for AL MVP and may be the favorite to win it this year, especially if the Indians get back to the postseason. 

AL West

Division Winner: Seattle Mariners

I know, I know, they have been one of the worst teams in baseball the last few years, but this should be the year they show great improvement and get back to the postseason. King Felix, Bedard, Silva, Washburn comprises a solid rotation, and if they all stay relatively healthy they should be able to put up the most quality starts in the division. The bullpen should complement the rotation well: it's solid, but not extraordinary. Brandon Morrow, Miguel Batista, Mark Lowe, and David Aardsma should be formidable as the core of the pen. The success of the offense is contingent on some young players getting better, such as Wladimir Balentin and Franklin Gutierrez, as well as the return to form of some veterans, such as Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Sweeney. Ichiro should be back sooner rather than later, and he is a key piece to the success of this team. With the Angels' rotation decimated by injuries, Texas lacking a pitching staff, and Oakland essentially fielding a AAA offense, the division should be the Mariners' to lose.

AL Wildcard: Tampa Bay Rays

While I don't think they can claim the division again, I do believe the Rays will find their way into the playoffs again, pushing past the Yankees to win the AL Wildcard spot. My guess is that the Red Sox win about 98 games, the Rays win around 94 games, and the Yankees muster about 88 wins and miss the playoffs. The Rays need to bring David Price up sooner rather than later. Price is their best pitcher and a future ace, and while I agree that he should not be rushed, I also think he's ready and the Rays don't have time to play without him. The AL East is going to be a fight from start to finish, and the Rays need to have their best weapons early on. The Rays have a great pitching staff without Price though: Shields, Kazmir, Garza are a great 1-3. The offense is still the most dynamic in the American League, and it will be interesting to see how Matt Joyce and Pat Burrell fit into this very athletic group. The Rays do need Carlos Pena to put up similar numbers to last season, but even if he regresses a bit, Evan Longoria should pick up some slack and explode for at least 30 home runs. 

AL Cy Young Award Winner: John Lester

This is Lester's year to prove he's tops in the AL. I'm expecting an ERA of about 3.00, with about 23 wins and around 175 strikeouts. He and Beckett will push each other to be better, sort of like Pedro and Schilling in 2004.

AL MVP: Evan Longoria

Maybe it's too early, and maybe I'm expecting too much of the kid, but I think Evan Longoria is going to be a monster in 2009. While my brain tells me I should choose Grady Sizemore for the AL MVP, my gut is telling me Longoria. It's possible he finishes with 45 home runs, a .300 average, a .400 OBP, and 150 RBI, and if so, he's the MVP. 

National League:

NL East

Division Winner: Atlanta Braves

Thought I'd choose the Mets or Phillies? Think again. The Braves have a deep, potentially dominant rotation. Derek Lowe is the most consistent pitcher in the majors. Jair Jurrjens is primed to improve upon his 3.82 ERA and 16 wins from 2008. Javier Vazquez will be reborn into a second life as ace with a return to the NL. Kenshin Kawakami has the potential to make a huge impact with his North American debut. This rotation is what sets the Braves apart from the rest of the NL East, a division that is loaded with offensive talent, but is also defined by teams that have an ace at the top of their rotation and mediocrity in the 2-5 spots (i.e. Cole Hamels and Johan Santana). The Braves' offense should be solid, especially if Chipper Jones stays healthy and Jeff Francouer bounces back to at least a .280 average and 30 homers. Brian McCann has established himself as the best offensive catcher in the majors and he figures to continue to be great. If Kelly Johnson and Casey Kotchman improve upon their 2008 numbers, then the Braves may actually have one of the most complete offenses in the NL to complement their great pitching staff.

NL Central

Division Winner: Chicago Cubs

This division is the Cubs' to lose, simple as that. Zambrano - Harden - Dempster - Lilly - Marshall is far and away the best rotation in the Central, and the offense is tops as well. Milton Bradley is probably my favorite signing of the offseason, he is exactly the type of bat the Cubs needed in the middle of their lineup and he will surely have his temper reigned in by Lou Piniella. Aramis, Lee, and Soriano should have good years, and Geovany Soto could continue to mash his way into the role as the best all around catcher in the game. The Fukudome and Jeremy Reed platoon may be a weak point in the lineup, but having those two as the weak points is not such a bad thing. Lou may have made a mistake by choosing Kevin Gregg over Carlos Marmol to close out games, but the talent of those two represents the potential overall strength of the Chicago bullpen. This team was embarrassed in the first round of the playoffs last year and now have a lot to prove in 2009. 101 year is far too long, and this is the best team Chicago has fielded in years. It's now or never.

NL West

Division Winner: San Francisco Giants

The Dodgers' eventual signing of Manny Ramirez will amount to very little unless the Dodgers bring in some better pitching to compete with the Giants and Diamondbacks (Randy Wolf as your number 2? Yuck). So who is the best team in the West? It's totally the Giants. This team has a terrifying pitching rotation, probably the best in the majors (sorry Red Sox fans). Tim Lincecum is on a higher plane of existence when it comes to pitching. Matt Cain is going to finally win 20 games, while Randy Johnson has still got the stuff to post a 3.50 ERA and strikeout 200 batters. Barry Zito will be somewhat forgiven for the past two seasons if he can hover his ERA around 4.50 with 150 Ks. Jonathan Sanchez rounds out the rotation, which is incredible, considering the 27 year old showed great promise last year while winning 9 games and striking out 157 batters. The offense may be suspect, but I expect the Giants to acquire Matt Holliday from Oakland by the time the trade deadline rolls around. If Randy Winn, Aaron Rowand and Bengie Molina can string some hits together, this team will be a force to be reckoned with. 

NL Wildcard: Arizona Diamondbacks

Fact (or...my opinion): Brandon Webb and Dan Haren are the best one-two punch in the majors. The rest of the rotation is admittedly weak, with Doug Davis and Jon Garland expected to be mediocre at best, but Max Scherzer has the potential to have a breakout year in the rotation. The success of this team really depends upon the improvement of this young offense, including guys like Stephen Drew, Justin Upton, and Chris Young, but the veteran presence of solid competitors like Tony Clark and Felipe Lopez should help these guys along. I think the race in the NL West will be the tightest in the majors, with no team running away with it, and I think the Dodgers, Giants, and Diamondbacks will all finish with around 90 wins, perhaps with the Dodgers coming up just a game or two short of making the playoffs. 

NL Cy Young Award Winner: Dan Haren

Lincecum might be the favorite, but I have a feeling that Dan Haren is going to step up and dominate, especially when the Diamondbacks find themselves in a dogfight for the division. Haren is a lock for 220 IP, and if he can finally push his ERA below 3.00 he will certainly be in the running for the Cy Young award. His strikeout numbers went 163, 176, 192, 206 from 2005 until last season, suggesting great improvement each year. I think this year he Ks about 230 guys with electric stuff and wins 22 games. 

NL MVP: Hanley Ramirez

I think the Marlins will be runners up in the NL East and I think Hanley is going to have the best offensive year in the majors. The dude is 25 years old and he's still working towards the peak of his career. That's incredible when you consider the numbers he's put up the last few years. I'm predicting Hanley to hit .340 with 40 home runs, 60 stolen bases, a .420 OBP, 130 RBI, and 120 runs scored. Yeah, that would be an incredible line, but I truly think the dude is capable of it, especially now that he's moved from the leadoff spot to the 3rd spot. Han-Ram is going to put his team on his back and get them to at least 85 wins, maybe 90. 

AL Champion: Boston Red Sox

Again, this is not regional bias. A postseason rotation of Beckett - Lester - DiceK - Smoltz is unbelievable, especially if you have Wakefield as your spot starter/innings eater and most of that bullpen still intact (read: not decimated by injuries). The Sox have a great bench which is key in the playoffs. The Sox will sweep the Mariners in three games. They will then face off against the Rays in a rematch of last year's ALCS. This time the Sox win it in game five, with Lester claiming two victories in the series. They should get back in the World Series this year.

NL Champion: San Francisco Giants

Seriously, I'm taking them all the way to the series. If the Giants land in the playoffs the way I envision it, then they will face the Cubs or Braves, and my guess is it would be the Braves, with the Cubs winning more games in the regular season. Lincecum and Cain will outpitch Lowe and Hudson for the first two wins, then with the next two games at home the Giants would surely be able to close the series out with either Randy Johnson or Zito on the mound. In the NLCS my guess is that the Giants would face the Cubs. I think the series goes to seven games with Randy Johnson outpitching Ryan Dempster to lead the Giants to the World Series. 

World Series Champion: San Francisco Giants

I apologize to all of my fellow Sox fans, but this is what my honest prediction for 2009 is. The Giants have never won a World Series since moving to San Francisco in 1957, but this year will be the year they finally do so. I cannot stress enough how much I like this NoCal rotation. I see the Sox vs. Giants World Series definitely going to seven games, but I envision Lincecum on the mound (on very short rest) pitching a complete game shut out in game seven to propel his team to the status of champions and win himself the series MVP award. Pitching and defense wins championships, and there is no better starting rotation than the one in San Francisco this year. 

So that's what I think. What do you think? Let's watch some baseball together and enjoy the season!

The Top Ten Hottest Women in Hollywood

This one comes on an absolute whim. I just go to thinking about Mandy Moore, having seen the nearly life-size image of her that is a permanent fixture on my wall, and from there about all of the other beautiful women in Hollywood. Does the presence of a beautiful woman make you more inclined to watch a movie or television show? I know my dad will watch any film with Demi Moore in it, I think the greatest moment of his 40's may have been hearing about Striptease and finding out it was real. Like Demi's ... uhhh ... 

Anyway, in case you care, here are my choices for the top ten most attractive women in Hollywood right now. Gals lose points for plastic surgery and for dating douche bags (sorry Sarah Silverman, you may have made the list, but Jimmy Kimmel? Seriously?). Bonus points for GOOD acting. Without further bullsnot, here's that list:

Honorable Mention: Eva Mendes and Eva Longoria

Okay, so they don't really have that much in common, besides their first name, but they are both pretty attractive. Which is married to Tony Parker? The one on top I think? Either way, she's the hotter one, but the one from Training Day is smokin' too. 

10. Zooey Deschanel

Girl is quirky, lovable, and attractive. She gets huge bonus points for appearing in this decade's second best romance, All the Real Girls, and even more bonus points for having an incredible music career underway. 

9. Cate Blanchett

Okay, so she's easily the best actress on this list and I believe the oldest, but look at how lovely our Cate still looks. She just oozes natural beauty. 

8. Angelina Jolie

What, you pissed because you think she should be higher up on the list? No way, her beauty is a bit overrated, though she's still smoking hot. Those features are crazy!

7. Naomi Watts

Remember those lesbian scenes in Mulholland Dr.? They are arguably the hottest sex scenes in the last twenty years of cinema, and much of that is attributable to Naomi's charmingly innocent sexuality. 

6. Natalie Portman 

Before deciding it was creepy, I almost posted a picture of Ms. Portman from Ted Demme's masterpiece Beautiful Girls. It's always weird falling for former child actresses, but at least this one is older than me.

5. Halley Berry

Holy oversized image! But seriously, she's brilliant, brave, and beautiful.

4. Penelope Cruz

THOSE EYES! That smile! Sigh...

3. Scarlett Johansen

She gets crazy bonus points for appearing in the decade's best romance (Lost in Translation) and for marrying an underrated actor who is actually pretty cool (Ryan Reynolds). 

2. Anne Hathaway

Her stock is only going up. She's young, she's talented, she's gorgeous. 

1. Jennifer Connelly

It started when I was a kid, and the crush never subsided. Seriously, is there anyone hotter in all of Hollywood? I even saw a movie with Russell Crowe in it just to see her features.

Ten Films You Probably Aren't Aware Of (If You Belong to My Generation)

It's a beautiful thing when a film gains a following. People communally enjoy a work of art that in some way speaks truthfully about the world we exist in, about the lives we each live. Some films become absolute cultural events right away, like the brooding examination of good and evil known as The Dark Knight or that supreme celebration of romance that is Titanic. Other films don't find their huge followings until a bit later. Movies like Office Space and Half Baked were box office failures, yet found unbelievably devoted audiences once they were released on video and DVD. Movies that get critically panned and fail to succeed at the box office are usually never forgotten; we all remember Gigli, Glitter, and From Justin to Kelly. Even B movies that didn't rightfully deserve an audience found one when "Mystery Science Theater" resurrected the worst examples of movie-making for the sheer purpose of exposing and humiliating them. But what of the films that are actually really well made, but never find an audience other than perhaps a small cult following? Shouldn't we seek out these gems and revel in their awesomeness? I'm talking about films that, for whatever reason, seem to have fallen through the cracks of cinema history. There are films that my generation is completely unaware of that could easily land a place on many of our top ten or even top five lists. I will leave black and white films out of this; I love the aesthetic of a rich black and white palette, but I also recognize the fact that many people won't give a movie even five minutes of their time if it is not in color. I will also omit any sweet little known documentaries I've seen, as I know there is also a certain stigma towards that "genre" due to its perceived dryness [Ed. note: I think documentaries can be the most riveting of films, but many of my peers would disagree. I mean, is there a better movie in the history of cinema than Hoop Dreams?] Finally, this list will stay away from non-English entities. As Dane Despres once ironically stated, "subtitles can be scary". 

So, this is a list of ten films that I've seen within the last few years that never seem to come up in conversation. Films that never appear on "best of" lists nor in retrospective articles about various time periods of movie-making. Simply put, here are ten films that you probably have not heard of, but should seek out immediately and watch as soon as possible! [Ed. note: If you are familiar with any of the proceeding films, please do not think I am being pompous for including them. My own logic in putting this list together is that I was completely unaware of all of these films until I specifically set out to find obscure titles. Thus, these are likely films that would be considered far outside of the mainstream.]

10. Don't Look Now (Director: Nicolas Roeg, Starring: Donald Sutherland, Julie Christie) [1973]

This is easily one of the most terrifying horror films I have ever seen. Sutherland and Christie play a married couple whose young daughter drowns in the very beginning of the film. The couple, in order to cope with their loss, take an extended trip to Venice, Italy, where Sutherland will work on the restoration of a church and Christie will relax. While in Venice, Christie meets a blind psychic who claims to be able to communicate with the young girl. Meanwhile, Sutherland's character continually sees his young daughter running through the dark streets of Venice in her signature red coat. Nicolas Roeg, who is probably best remembered for the David Bowie film Man Who Fell to Earth, as well as the Roald Dahl adaptation The Witches, paints Venice as a foggy, mysterious city that willfully houses the supernatural. Roeg also crafts one of the classiest sex scenes in the history of cinema. However, the real reason to watch this one is the ending, which is certainly one of the greatest I've ever seen. Watch this one after midnight!

9. Picnic at Hanging Rock (Director: Peter Weir, Starring: Rachel Roberts, Vivean Gray) [1975]

This is the most atmospheric film I have ever seen. Imagine listening to Sigur Ros in a field of myst at dawn, while in the distance Halloween sound effects records are played at a low volume. You still wouldn't have nearly the same level of atmosphere that Peter Weir achieved in creating this haunting film. The premise does not sound that terrifying and the plot is essentially spoiler-proof, meaning that this film is special solely because of its style and atmosphere. Oftentimes that would mean an uneven film, but such is not the case for Hanging Rock. Entering into the world of this film is a bit like falling into a dream during a light sleep. The story revolves around a group of schoolgirls in rural Australia during the year 1900 who take a sort of field trip to a geological formation known as the Hanging Rock. As they picnic on the rock, four of the girls decide to climb higher to investigate what is above. Only one of the girls returns from the endeavor, and she is hysterical. That girl cannot remember what happened to the other three. I promise you I am not spoiling anything when I say that the mystery is never solved. The girls at the school start to suffer from intense nightmares about the rock, and we the viewers are left with a sick feeling of mystery and uneasiness. Weir would go on to direct huge box office smashes like The Dead Poet Society, Master and Commander, and The Truman Show, but this film remains his best. 

8. The Town That Dreaded Sundown (Director: Charles B. Pierce, Starring: Ben Johnson, Dawn Wells) [1977]

This film was apparently a mild drive-in success when there was still a steady market for such films, but today is not readily available on DVD. The film tells the story of the Phantom Killer, an unknown man who murdered five people and injured several others in Texarkana, Arkansas during the year 1946. That this is a true story is a bit scary, especially when one considers that the killer was never apprehended. The Phantom Killer lurks in the woods of the town's back roads, killing teenagers who happen to be "parking" there. You have to remember that this film was a full year before John Carpenter's Halloween would break open the floodgates for slasher films. Admittedly, Sundown did have its debut three years after the first slasher film, Black Christmas, it still had to have had a considerable impact on the slasher genre. In fact, in my favorite installment of the Friday the 13th series, Part 2, Jason does not wear his trademark hockey mask, but instead dons a white pillowcase. The Phantom Killer wears a white pillowcase throughout this film, suggesting a strong influence. I've always argued that Jason in a pillowcase is must scarier than Jason in a hockey mask, and so I was especially impressed with the killer in this film. 

7. A Simple Plan (Director: Sam Raimi, Starring: Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton) [1998]

I am still baffled that I never heard about this film when it debuted in '98. I suppose it may have something to do with the fact that I was mostly unaware of Sam Raimi's work between Army of Darkness and Spiderman. Whatever the case for my ignorance might be, this is an incredibly awesome psychological thriller. Paxton and Thornton play two brothers, who, along with Thornton's obnoxious best friend, discover a crashed plane in the woods one winter day. Inside the plane is a dead pilot, as well as a duffel bag containing $4.4 million. Paxton, the most conscience of the group, is at first completely unwilling to take the money and run. Slowly he unravels though, until he is only hesitant, and then finally agreeable to the idea of taking the money and splitting it three ways. At first the men's plan works out rather well, but things start to go quickly downhill as greed, distrust, alcoholism, and general ill-will drive the men against each other. This is an extremely tense film that will draw you in. Apparently the screenplay was nominated for an Oscar, along with Thornton's performance, so this film is probably more well known than I am giving it credit for. But hey, I had no idea it existed until a few months ago!

6. Big Night (Director: Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci, Starring: Stanley Tucci, Tony Shalhoub) [1996]

This is one is a delight! I love movies about food, especially ones that leave you feeling both hungry and satisfied, a rare feeling. Tony "Monk" Shalhoub plays a gifted Italian chef working at a restaurant with this co-owner brother Stanley Tucci in 1950s New York. The brothers are Italian immigrants trying to successfully sell their authentic Italian cuisine to Americans who desire spaghetti with meatballs, a travesty that neither brother will allow in their restaurant. As such, the business is failing and the men have a few weeks to make their loan payments before the bank forecloses. The proprietor of a neighboring restaurant, played by Ian "Bilbo Baggins" Holm offers to give the two men an opportunity to entertain and feed the great jazz musician Louis Prima. The men work tirelessly in preparation of their "big night", their last chance to save the business and serve a truly stellar meal. This film is sheer joy, from start to finish. It's a celebration of the culinary arts from breakfast to dinner to desert. The primary players are exquisite, while the supporting cast of Minnie Driver, Allison Janney, Isabella Rossellini, and others is just marvelous. Look for Marc "Married to Jennifer Lopez" Anthony in a superb supporting role.

5. Zero Effect (Director: Jake Kasdan, Starring: Bill Pullman, Ben Stiller) [1998]

I really was off my game in 1998, as this is another completely enjoyable film from that year that I was completely ignorant of until just recently. Bill Pullman plays Darryl Zero, the self-proclaimed best private detective in the world. The only problem is, Zero has extreme social anxiety and is an eccentric recluse, addicted to tuna, Tab, and amphetamines. That being so, Zero sends Arlo out into the world to do his fieldwork. This system yields very successful results by the way of solved mysteries, until one day when a femme fatale enters both of their worlds. Pullman never fails to impress me and he is spot-on in this movie. I'm not sure there is a role of his that I have ever found to be tedious or bland and this character might be his magnum opus. Stiller is subtle and likable, for once not playing an outlandish goon or down-on-his-luck loser. Kasdan would go on to direct the comedies Orange County and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, but this is more a character study than comedy. His soundtrack choices were perfect, plucking tracks from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Elvis Costello, and an entire original score by The Greyboy Allstars. Check this out if you like quirky characters and/or private eye stories.

4. Walkabout (Director: Nicolas Roeg, Starring: Jenny Agutter, David Gulpilil) [1971]

Another film about the untamed wilderness of Australia, and another film directed by the crafty Nicolas Roeg. This movie will haunt you for the rest of your damned life! Two young kids, a high school girl and her younger brother, are brought to the Australian outback by their geologist father for a picnic (if there's anything I've realized while writing this list it is to never picnic in Australia!). The father completely loses it and his true motives for the picnic are revealed when he procures a gun from his car and first fires shots at his children, then, having missed them completely, takes his own life. The boy does not see his father's suicide, but the girl is indeed witness to it, and withholds the stark knowledge from her innocent brother. The two are abandoned in the sweltering heat of the outback with very little food and water. However, they are able to find a small pool of water and some fruit to replenish themselves before falling asleep. The next day they awake to find the water dried up, much to their distress. Soon after though, they encounter an Aboriginal boy about the same age as the girl on his "walkabout", an Aboriginal rite of passage. The indigenous boy guides the two children and protects them from the dangers of the outback, feeding them butchered kangaroo and other tasty treats along the way. The fun does not last for long though, as more tragedy is awaiting the children. This is a simple film that is able to thoughtfully tackle issues such as death, suicide, technological innovation, the failure of human communication, and the loss of sexual innocence. It is wonderfully photographed and brilliantly edited, a true work of art that begs to be seen by anyone who has the 100 minutes to submit to it. 

3. Manhunter (Director: Michael Mann, Starring: William Petersen, Brian Cox) [1986]

Long before Mann would give us Last of the Mohicans, Heat, Collateral, or Ali, he would tackle an adaptation of the first novel in Thomas Harris' Hannibal Lecter series, Red Dragon. Yes, long before Anthony Hopkins would win an Oscar for his portrayal of Lecter, Brian Cox would bring the cannibalistic serial killer to the big screen first. Yes, long before Ed Norton and Emily Watson and the gang would star in the thriller Red Dragon, this movie would do the novel so much more justice. Mann is the master of pacing, it is popularly believed that Christopher Nolan modeled the pacing of The Dark Knight on Mann's Heat. This movie is no exception, it is a perfectly paced psychological thriller that can take your breath right away from you. This movie was a huge box office flop, probably accounting for William Petersen never making it as a household name and this film never reaching classic status. But don't be fooled, Petersen is intense as former FBI agent Will Graham, and this movie is one of the finest crime dramas available for your viewing pleasure. Picture Red Dragon, then picture it if it were ten times better. It's a shame that Red Dragon only got to be made because this movie was forgotten. This one is a far superior adaptation.

2. River's Edge (Director: Tim Hunter, Starring: Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper) [1986]

Judging by these last two entries, 1986 was an extremely good year for film. That wouldn't be reflected by the Academy Award winners that year though, while the deserving Platoon took home the big trophy, the comparatively underwhelming Hannah and Her Sisters, A Room With a View, and Children of a Lesser God took home several awards. My qualm is that River's Edge did not even garner any nominations. This movie is an eerie meditation on the apathetic state of youth culture in the late part of the twentieth century. The film opens with the shocking image of a dead teenage girl, naked and staring at us, she is humiliated even in death, and we are horrified right away. We see her oafish boyfriend sitting on the river bank near her corpse, he has killed her, but he is showing no signs of remorse. Soon after, this lug of a boyfriend brags about the killing to some of his friends. They don't believe him at first, then he takes them to the body and they are shocked, but none of them take any action. Keanu Reeves plays a conflicted friend of the killer who knows he should go to the police, yet protects the interests of his friend at the urging of the group's "leader" played magnificently by Crispin Glover. Glover, for those who are not aware, played George McFly in Back to the Future, as well as the Creepy Thin Man in the Charlie's Angels movies, along with a plethora of other oddball roles. But this turn is his greatest ever, without question. Glover is larger than life as Layne, the outrageous best friend of the killer who will stop at nothing to ensure that the police do not find out about the murder. Also in tow is Dennis Hopper, who plays a drug dealer with a history of murder and a blow-up doll as a girlfriend. Yes, this is all just as weird as sounds, but it is an absolute masterwork. Glover deserved an Oscar nomination for his work in this film, while Keanu proved he could actually turn in a serious role. I've never seen a more sordid picture of tainted youth in my life. 

1. Repo Man (Director: Alex Cox, Starring: Emilio Estevez, Harry Dean Stanton) [1984]

This one you really have to see to believe. I stumbled upon this movie one day when I was looking for lists of the greatest cult films of all time. I saw this movie pop up on nearly every list, yet I had never heard of it before. When I finally read a synopsis of the film I began to realize just how much I needed to see it. When I finally saw it, I was absolutely floored. This is one of the most entertaining pieces of cinema ever created. Estevez is a punk rock kid surviving the 80's in steamy Los Angeles. After he gets fired from his job at the grocery store, he finds work as an apprentice to slimy repossession agent Harry Dean Stanton. Stanton's character teaches him everything he needs to know about taking cars and other goods from those who couldn't muster the cash to keep the creditors at bay. Steady cash-flow, thrilling work situations, and lots of amphetamine abuse make the job an absolute dream for the young punk. Things soon turn weird though, as every repossession agency in the state is sent on the hunt for a 1964 Chevrolet Malibu. The CIA is looking for the car, and we the omniscient viewer have already seen it and know its wild secrets. Aliens, conspiracy, and punk rock begin to run amuck as this movie plunges deeper and deeper into a surreal, yet very quirky world beneath the surface of L.A. The film has countless running gags, from generic brand products, to characters (hypocritically) named after brands of beer, to L. Ron Hubbard and William S. Burroughs references, to appearances by punk rock acts The Circle Jerks, The Untouchables, and others. Oh, and remember that mysterious glowing case from that other kooky Los Angeles film known as Pulp Fiction, I'm pretty sure Tarantino swiped that device from this film. This is one of the zaniest films you could never imagine, but I guarantee you will absolutely love it. There's a ton of substance to this one too, but that part I'll let you discover for yourself. If there is one film on this list you should be sure to seek out, it's this one! 

The Ten Best Films of 2008

It's time to evaluate and celebrate the cinematic achievements of 2008. The year was a particularly gloomy one due to the economic collapse, Mumbai massacre, continued disbelief in global warming by some, the recent Gaza horror, and so on. There were of course some very bright, hopeful moments, such as Mr. Obama's rise to the presidency, but 2008 will likely be remembered as a mostly terrible year. However, 2008 was a very strong year for cinema. Now I'm no Roger Ebert, I certainly did not see every movie that made its debut this past year, but I saw a very healthy sample of films. Here are my choices for the ten best films of 2008.

10. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (Director: Nicholas Stoller, Starring: Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis)

The Judd Apatow comedy machine churned out another classic in 2008 in the form of Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Everything clicks in this outside the box romantic comedy written by and starring Jason Segel ("Freaks and Geeks", "How I Met Your Mother", Knocked Up). Segel is a hilarious actor who finally got a leading role to show off his dry, effortless comedy style. The supporting cast is filled with outrageous characters that force Segel into the straight man role: Russell Brand practically steals the show as Aldous Snow, a recovered drug addict and current pop-superstar who believes that two people should "get lost in fuck"; Jonah Hill is an obsessive waiter with aspirations to be the next Aldous Snow; Paul Rudd is a stoner/surfer who seems to have burnt out 98% of his brain; and look for Jason Bateman in the cameo of the year. You'll bust up laughing when Brand serenades a Hawaiian restaurant with his hit "Inside of You". 

9. Religulous (Director: Larry Charles, Starring: Bill Maher)

The director of Borat shoots Bill Maher talking to some of the most interesting religious figures around the world. Bill Maher is a guy I had always been indifferent to. He's never cracked me up with his comedy, but he's certainly no slouch either. After seeing Religulous I developed a whole new appreciation for the man. He is fair with his questioning throughout, even though he makes it quite clear from the beginning that he thinks religion is pretty much the cause of most of the world's greatest problems. His end product is thus less biased than say a Michael Moore documentary. He lets people talk and what they have to say is often quite ridiculous. Maher talks to some very intelligent people throughout the film and he is never able to grasp how they can be so smart and yet still believe in a guy in the sky pulling all the strings. I think Religulous is a bold, important documentary that exposes some of the horrible exploitation that results from organized religion. 

8. Milk (Director: Gus Van Sant, Starring: Sean Penn, James Franco, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin)

I knew very little about Harvey Milk before I watched this film. This man's life is an extraordinary story and carries an unbelievably hopeful message of being yourself no matter the consequences. I think that with Milk, Gus Van Sant has finally created the masterpiece that he has been promising his entire career. This movie is more complete than even Good Will Hunting. The performances are extremely memorable and I would put this film as the favorite to win the cast award at this years Screen Actors Guild Awards. Penn is charismatic and brilliant, his range as an actor is only increasing with his age. It is evident that he is one of the best actors Hollywood has, a force of character creation that rivals the best out there. Hirsch and Franco redefine themselves yet again as the flamboyant architects of Harvey Milk's political campaigns. Brolin has yet to turn in a lousy performance in his career and his depiction of Dan White, the assassin of Harvey Milk, is frustratingly great. Brolin's Dan White is a man we don't immediately hate; because of this he is a truthful and layered villain. Milk gave me incredible goosebumps from start to finish. It is a film that everyone should see if only to remind us all of the importance of equality for all people and the absurdity of homophobia. 

7. Role Models (Director: David Wain, Starring: Paul Rudd, Sean William Scott, Elizabeth Banks)

This is my choice for the best comedy of 2008. Role Models is a true achievement for writer/director David Wain, because I believe that this is without a doubt his most accessible work. Leaving behind most of the surreal humor that drove "Stella" and Wet Hot American Summer, Wain elects instead to go for laughs with meticulously envisioned dialogue. This film is built around a screenplay that was written by Wain, Rudd, "Reno 911" star Ken marino, and a handful of others. What truly sets this film apart from its comedic rivals are the performances. Rudd is spot-on for the entire film and his interactions with his "little" (played by Superbad's 

Christopher Mintz-Plasse aka McLovin) are hilarious, especially the LAIRE scenes. But it's Scott and his little who steal the show. Little Ronnie Shields (Bobb'e J. Thompson) is a firecracker of a kid, getting Scott's Wheeler in trouble early on by telling the big brother agency director that "Honky wanted a fistful of my balls!" This is a movie that cracked me up constantly when I saw it in theaters and is sure to be a classic by the time it hits DVD.

6. Iron Man (Director: Jon Favreau, Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jeff Bridges, Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow) 

2008 will be remembered as the year two careers were fully resurrected from the dead: Mickey Rourke returned to leading man status with The Wrestler and Robert Downey Jr. gave two of the most entertaining performances of the year in two of the year's top-grossing films. While Tropic Thunder was okay and Downey Jr. did steal the show in that one, Iron Man is a tour de force of a superhero film and Tony Starks is a career-defining character for Downey Jr. We've always known that Downey Jr. has more charisma than pretty much any other actor in the world (apologies to Mark Wahlberg, pick some better roles though dude) but for years we had to wait for him to get out of rehab -- or jail -- and then get his agent to convince some director or producer that he was worth the risk for a small role. Jon Favreau changed all that when he went against his studio's wishes and cast Downey Jr. as Tony Starks. Now Robert Downey Jr. is the part of what could potentially be a huge movie franchise in the tradition of Sam Raimi's Spiderman films. Like Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, Downey Jr. has so much as Tony Starks that we can't help but have fun watching him. Every minute of this movie is entertaining whether it be a well-choreographed action scene or Tony Starks arrogantly rambling on about whatever. It's great to see Jon Favreau enter the next tier of directing and here's hoping that he still finds time to make hilarious buddy flicks alongside these blockbuster superhero flicks. 

5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Director: David Fincher, Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett) 

This is one of the most gorgeous films you'll ever see. Eric Rother, the writer of Forrest Gump, wrote this screenplay as an adaptation of a short F. Scott Fitzgerald story. I've never read the Fitzgerald story, but from what I've gathered it has much less substance than the tail that Roth created and Fincher committed to film. This film does have a sort of Forrest Gump fairy tale feel to it, especially in the way in which it celebrates life as narrative. Blanchett deserves the best female actor Oscar for her work in this. She is as always, stunning, as she gives a heartbreakingly beautiful performance as a woman that falls in love with a man who is aging backwards. Blanchett glows on the screen like the leading ladies of yesteryear and her performance is a true treat. Brad Pitt is subtle and extremely likable as Benjamin Button. Fincher does not force us to feel what he wants us to feel with big, dramatic moments, instead he lets the movie meander on at its pace with small moments of emotional catharsis intertwined throughout. The score is my pick for the best soundtrack of the year and hopefully will be awarded as such at this year's Oscars. The final few minutes of the film should make you weep if you are a weeper, but will surely bring everyone goosebumps and a warm, warm heart. 

4. The Dark Knight (Director: Christopher Nolan, Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhall, Aaron Eckhart)

The summer blockbuster season was atypically awesome this year as we got two superhero movies for the ages. So much has been written about The Dark Knight already that it feels a bit tired to laud Ledger's legendary performance (which will win him the Best Supporting Actor Oscar without any doubt) or Nolan's masterful pacing or even the action scenes which rank among the greatest ever put to film. This movie was simply a cultural phenomenon, a true experience that transcends the schema of movie-going. I drove down with my girlfriend and friends to see this movie the weekend it came out at a sold-out IMAX showing in Natick, Massachusetts. That event is something I will never, ever forget. As Ebert wrote, every movie should ideally be seen on the big screen with a larger audience to experience the film along with you. That's the beauty of cinema, seeing something extraordinary with loved ones and total strangers all at once. You collectively etch images and sound bites into your memory that may never retreat. The Dark Knight was the epitome of the movie going experience and its box-office success reflects that. Who will soon forget the late Heath Ledger barking "WHY SO SERIOUS?!" or screaming with absolute terror for the fake Batman to look at him. How can anyone forget the first time you see Aaron Eckhart's face tastefully CG'ed to look like the film Two Face we comic book fans have been waiting for all of our lives. I bet you remember quite well how good it felt to get adrenaline rush after adrenaline rush during each of the successive intertwined action scenes. The Dark Knight set the bar very, very high for future comic book films. Studios may want to consider hiring Francis Ford Coppola for their next try at the Incredible Hulk or perhaps Martin Scorsese for a stab at a Green Lantern film. Nolan changed the game with this movie and it will stand as his opus -- for now. 

3. The Wrestler (Darron Aronofsky, Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood)

"I'm an old broken down piece of meat and I deserve to be all alone..." Mickey Rourke will sweep the awards shows this award season and deservedly. This is one of the greatest performances in the history of cinema. There are characters that are sometimes created that belong solely to the actors that crafted them. Think of Ron Burgundy as portrayed by Will Ferrell. Think of Marge Gunderson, the pregnant cop that Frances McDormand played with precision in Fargo. Think of Daniel Day Lewis as Daniel Plainview. Now try to imagine any other actor playing any of those roles. It's impossible. Rourke replaced Nicolas Cage in The Wrestler and a million hallelujahs should be sung for that fact. Randy "The Ram" Robinson belongs to Mickey Rourke. The story is a simple one about a wrestler who knows nothing but his sport, and with his body failing him that becomes a very sad reality. "The Ram" is scheduled to wrestle "The Ayatollah" in a nostalgic rematch, a foe he defeated twenty years prior in what is remembered as one of the great matches of all time. When he addresses his audience and says "A lot of people told me I would never wrestle again" it could just as easily have been Rourke telling a reporter that a lot of people told him he would never act again. We should all be thankful that he did manage this comeback and a million praises should be given to Darren Aronofsky, the heart-wrenching director that had the vision to cast Rourke. This film reminds me a bit of Raging Bull in its treatment of violence and also in its lead actor's ability to transform completely. Watch Rourke as he tosses his hair, as he cuts his forehead with a bit of razor blade during a match, as he stands hopefully outside of his estranged daughter's house. Every mannerism, every line he speaks is absolutely perfect. The advertising campaign for this film welcomes us to "witness the resurrection of Mickey Rourke". No better tag line could have been envisioned. This is the most emotionally involving film of the year and perhaps a launching pad for a prolific and award-filled later career for Rourke. 

2. Wall-E (Director: Andrew Stanton)

I never knew that Disney-Pixar had a film like this in them. Wall-E is a masterpiece that deserves to be the first animated film since Beauty and the Beast to get a Best Picture Nomination at the Academy Awards. After my girlfriend took a group of kids she nannies for to see Wall-E, one of the kids, an eleven year old boy, asked "how is this movie for kids?" Well, that's the best part about Disney's greatest achievement ever, it's not for kids. Sure, Wall-E will be completely appealing to kids because he's damn cute and extremely lovable, but the messages of this film are aimed squarely at the adult supervision carting them to the theater to see it. The great misconception about this movie is that it had a political agenda first and foremost; that seems very incorrect to me. Wall-E is a story of loneliness and finding true love. It's about devotion, altruism, and perseverance. The social commentary that is woven into the film is not partisan. Instead, the images of skyscrapers built from trash are a warning against the continuance of the materialism and disregard for the environment that partially defines Western culture. Funny to have such a viewpoint being pushed forward by a Disney film. Aside from the political content that makes the movie so unique as a Disney entity is the fact that it joyously celebrates science-fiction film history throughout. The film is an homage to a century of sci-fi, and it makes references to Blade Runner, Star Wars, E.T., 2001: A Space Odyssey, Star Trek, and many others. Sigourney Weaver even voices the spaceship's computer! Wall-E's haunting vision of the future will hopefully get through to children and plant a seed in them that could perhaps cause them to live more responsibly than previous generations of humans. The interactions between Wall-E and Eve are priceless, they recall Charlie Chaplin in City Lights. The entire first half of the movie is barren of dialogue, yet there is no way to stop watching it, it is entertainment at its finest. There is so much joy in watching this film that it had to be in my top five, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it was truly one of the great achievements in filmmaking this past year. Second only in my mind to one other masterwork. 

1. Slumdog Millionaire (Director: Danny Boyle, Starring: Dev Patel)

This is it, the best of the best from 2008. A heart-stopping, edge-of-the-seat drama that will leave you breathless and spellbound. Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, The Beach, 28 Days Later) has been working towards this magnitude of filmmaking his entire career, and he has finally reached the ultimate peak: he has made the film which will win Best Picture at the Oscars. It's always an interesting experience to watch a movie in which you are unfamiliar with the entire cast, this was true of City of God and Pan's Labyrinth for me, both masterpieces which I would rank among the great films I've seen in my lifetime. However, it's even more interesting when you are unfamiliar with the cast and also the setting in which the movie takes place. I knew of Mumbai going into the film, but I was not anticipating the depth in which the film delves into the city. You choke on the acrid dust, you wince at the sight of hundreds of young beggars, you feel the dirty lukewarm water of the river. Boyle gives us Mumbai completely, we are surrounded by it and it is overwhelming for most of the film. This is perhaps an even more accurate portrayal of the city than any documentary could hope to give. Beyond the extraordinary atmosphere of the film is the plot which is both clever and compelling. Jamal Malik is a tea-server at a telemarketing agency who grew up in the slums of Mumbai and he is one question away from winning the biggest prize on the Indian version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire". The only problem is, the show's executives think he's cheating, so Jamal is imprisoned and tortured by police officers. He explains to one officer how he came to know the answers to each of the questions leading up to the 20 Million Rupee final question in what is essentially a flashback biography narrative. This film is an unbelievable achievement for everyone involved with it. Danny Boyle's pacing is perfect, we are given brief moments to breathe between intense scenes with lightning-quick pulses. The cast is brilliant, Dev Patel is sure to become an international star thanks to his assured portrayal of Jamal Malik. Here's an old cliche for you: if you only saw one film this year (for whatever horrible reason) this is the one I hope you saw. I was floored the first time I saw it and I wasn't exactly sure how to react. It stuck with me for days though, and never left my thoughts. The more it haunted me, the more perfect of a film I realized I had seen. This is a unique cinematic experience that will jilt you until you feel like you can't take anymore. But that experience is both rewarding and beautiful. Slumdog Millionaire is the rare type of film that is so packed with excitement you won't fidget once, and you may forget to breathe. 

10 Best Films Since 2000

Today I start a new blog endeavor. This is my third blog in three years, but this one should be a updated more often and keep the interest o f myself at least for a while. Maybe my personal interest in the blog will translate into reader interest also, but that's only a secondary goal. Mainly this is to vent my thoughts on various aspects of popular culture. The blog will have a primary focus on film (as you may have gathered from the blog title), but will certainly not be limited to discussions of the cinematic sort. I intend to articulate my ideas on music, television, sports, the internet, politics, and whatever else may come to mind.

I will kick this blog off with a top ten list, always my favorite article format to write with, so here goes. I've been debating for a few weeks now just which films will be looked back on from this current decade as true masterpieces. Certainly the cinematic experience in the last nine years or so has been defined by big blockbusters, exceedingly impressive special effects usage (to the point that the most memorable character of the decade so far may be the computer-generated Gollum from the Lord of the Rings trilogy), and film series that capture audiences and deliver huge pocketfuls of cash to studio executives who will continue to back sequels with funding so long as the audience is captivated.

Can we expect these epic film series to truly be considered the legends of the cinema once this decade has ended and film historians begin to reflect on the era from an adequate distance? My argument is that the best films of the new millennium thus far are those that have relied not on huge funding or massive amounts of special effects, but the projects that have insisted on preserving the old values of film making: savvy direction, compelling acting, thoughtful cinematography, meticulous writing, and all the little frills that make films so beloved. My list is of course not 100% complete, I'm sure there are hundreds of films from the current era that are deserving to be on such a list which I have not seen yet. Thus, I open this topic up to discussion. Tell me what I'm missing and why, perhaps we can all point each other in the direction of some great movies.

Here are my picks for the top ten best films since the year 2000:

10. Mulholland Dr. (Director: David Lynch, Starring: Naomi Watts, Laura Elena Harring) [2001]
Mulholland Dr. is the greatest anti-Hollywood film since Billy Wilder's Sunset Boulevard taught us just how nasty tinsel-town can be to those naive enough to put faith in it. Naomi Watts' career really took off after her haunting performance as bright-eyed, bushy-tailed Betty Elms in this dreamy noir by veteran director David Lynch. Lynch gave us his most compelling film since Blue Velvet and earned a best director nomination at the 2001 Academy Awards for it. There is no doubt that this movie represents the world of dreaming better than any film in existence, as it operates according to dream "logic" for more than three quarters of its running time. Lynch used a handful of long-forgotten Hollywood has-beens to fill out his supporting cast and in doing so added authenticity to his nightmarish depiction of Hollywood. It might take a few repeated viewings to understand exactly what Lynch has achieved here, but it's worth your patience; the payoff that Mulholland Dr. delivers rivals any great mystery denouement, including the best that Hitchcock ever gave us.

9. Knocked Up (Director: Judd Apatow, Starring: Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl) [2007]
2007 was a knockout year for film, perhaps the strongest of this decade, but also the year of the biggest Academy Award and Golden Globe mistake: paying more attention to the overrated Juno rather than the nearly-perfect Knocked Up. This movie is the culmination of Judd Apatow's impressive career and a star-making vehicle for the genuinely hilarious Seth Rogen. I dare you to find a comedy with more heart; the acting is top-notch and the fact that Apatow uses the same loose cast for nearly all of his projects helps to make the interactions in this film almost eerily believable. While Juno won hearts with its PG-13 spunk, Knocked Up rides its R-rating so hard that the line gets crossed several times, most memorably with a "crowning" scene that will give you high school health class deja vu. Jason Segel, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, and Martin Starr are brilliant and believable as the group of weed-smoking devoted friends, while Apatow's wife Leslie Mann and his two adorable daughters pair well with Paul Rudd to make up the supporting cast for Heigl's Alison Scott. Add a cameo by Harold Ramis as Rogen's dad and this movie transcends modern comedy. A classic tale of unexpected gifts and unexpected love.

8. Brokeback Mountain (Director: Ang Lee, Starring: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhall) [2005]
Put aside your homophobia for a few moments (or forever!) and accept this movie for what it is: one of the most overwhelming romances ever committed to film. One cannot say enough about the performance by Heath Ledger in this movie, one that was described by current acting laureate Daniel Day Lewis as "perfect". Gyllenhall and Ledger endured months of being spit on, yelled at, and generally harassed for having the balls to put themselves into career-elevating roles that are hardly found in mainstream cinema. In the long wake that followed the death of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming, America waited for a piece of art to sublimate our frustrations with homophobia into something beautiful and affecting, some statement that homophobia is a poison of our times, an ignorance that we must no longer withstand. Brokeback Mountain is that statement. More than that, though, it is a love story that transcends sexual orientation and gets right to your heart. Ang Lee's best film, apologies to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

7. The Departed (Director: Martin Scorsese, Starring: Leonardo Dicaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg) [2006]
By 2006, Martin Scorsese probably had lost all interest in finally winning a Best Director Oscar; the award had eluded for longer than three decades and must have seemed an impossible feat, especially considering he had not been given one for Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, or Goodfellas, all films that deserve a spot among the greatest in the history of cinema. However, his Best Director statue did finally come in 2006 for the thrilling crime saga The Departed. Using an ensemble cast in a way that Scorsese never really has before, The Departed explores betrayal, loyalty, and deception, while delivering some of the best performances of these actors' careers. Hands down this Leo is at his best in this movie, making his Titanic performance look like child's play. His vulnerability and slow-breakdown should have earned him a best actor nod. Supporting players Alec Baldwin and Martin Sheen are spot-on, while Wahlberg has us drawn in to hear every word he fires off as we cheer for his loose-cannon attitude. In a decade where great crime dramas took place in Boston and not New York, The Departed is head and shoulders above most other crime flicks. It's a slick movie that keeps you guessing until the very, very end.

6. There Will Be Blood (Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, Starring: Daniel Day Lewis, Paul Dano) [2007]
"Did you think your song and dance and your superstition would help you, Eli? I am the Third Revelation! I am who the Lord has chosen!!" In this timely throwback to John Ford era filmmaking Paul Thomas Anderson explores the roots of oil greed as California real estate at the turn of the century becomes a hot commodity in the eyes of "oil men". Released during a winter when gas prices had reached an all time high, There Will Be Blood is biblical, mythical, and enormous. The cinemotography captures the American West as if has not changed since the century turned and the dawn of the automobile revolutionized America forever. Anderson's exploration of themes such as religiosity and greed find that the two are never very far apart, while man's search for meaning can be completed neither by spirituality nor economic prosperity lest the heart of that man is the right place. The ultimate cold-hearted villain, Daniel Plainview, is portrayed by Daniel Day Lewis in a performance that is enormous and unforgettable. Daniel Day Lewis, famous for his transformations into film characters, crafted a man here that is the absolute embodiment of oil greed and the belief that you must step on whoever you can to get to the top of the economic food chain. Capitalism, baby. With an impending financial crisis, war raging over oil in the Middle East, and ever growing salaries for corporate CEOs, There Will Be Blood was a perfectly timed historical drama, a sign o' the times that just happens to take place in the years leading to the great depression.

5. Dancer in the Dark (Director: Lars Von Trier, Starring: Bjork, Peter Stormare) [2000]
While the 2000s will undoubtebly be remembered for the musical contributions of Chicago and Moulin Rouge, there is no doubt in my mind that the true musical masterpiece of the decade is Dancer in the Dark, the story of a Czech immigrant factory worker in 1964 trying to earn money so that her son can get an operation to keep him from going blind, while she herself slowly loses her vision to the point of complete blindness. Bjork's performance is stunning; she sings, dances, and portrays Selma as the innocent, loving mother that we hope against all hope can just succeed in saving the eyesight of her young son. The first musical number, in which the sounds of the factory are incorporated into an industrial showtune that doubles as a showstopper, is one the audience is likely to never forget. Von Trier, famous for co-authoring the Dogme 95 manifesto, sees his dream of realistic aesthetics in cinema realized with this film. This film is overachieving with being overreaching; when we sit through the overture at the beginning (the first film to have an overture since 1979), we do not feel like this is a pretentious piece of work, but a well crafted, authentic one. That the Academy found Ridley Scott's overwrought Gladiator to be a superior film in 2000 is a travesty; Dancer in the Dark broke with convention and traversed genres to win a cult following that is ever growing. I dare you to watch this for the first time without choking up.

4. Mystic River (Director: Clint Eastwood, Starring: Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Marcia Gay Harden) [2003]
Mystic River is an emotional tour de force that will crush you every time you watch it, and the movie that started Clint Eastwood's run as the greatest director of the 2000s (no apologies to Peter Jackson). It is my humble opinion that this film was robbed of the 2003 Academy Award for best picture, an award that went to the over-wrought, over-produced Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. Sean Penn, who won the best actor award at the 2003 Oscars, plays Jimmy Markum, a south-end Bostonian who has just lost his daughter to an anonymous murderer in a heinous crime. Kevin Bacon plays homicide detective Sean Divine, a childhood friend of Markum's who, along with his partner Whitey Powers (Laurence Fishburne), is assigned to track down the killer of Markum's daughter. Tim Robbins plays the haunted Dave Boyle, a second childhood friend of Markum who returns home to his wife (Marcia Gay Harden) the night of the murder covered in someone else's blood, explaining to his wife that he may have killed a man that tried to mug him. As the film digresses, we learn more about each of the three childhood friends, two of whom watched as their buddy Dave Boyle was driven away by two child rapists, kidnapping him in plain daylight. This movie is multi-layered, rich with powerful performances, timeless dialogue, and a haunting score. By the time we finally see characters interact with the Mystic River and Jimmy Markum explains that "we bury our sins here ... we wash them clean", our breath has been taken away countless times. Perhaps the greatest Boston film ever.

3. Pan's Labyrinth (Director: Guillermo del Toro, Starring: Ivana Baquero, Doug Jones) [2006]
"Innocence has a power evil cannot imagine." The tagline sums up what makes Pan's Labyrinth so beautiful, and yet comes no where near an explanation of what this film achieves. Set during the time just after the Spanish civil war in 1944, the movie begins with the important words "Once upon a time...", words which set the viewer up for the spine-tingling experience of true magic realism. We follow young Ofelia as she travels with her pregnant mother to a fascist outpost in the Spanish wilderness where her new stepfather the fascist Captain Vidal is awaiting. The outpost is filled with soldiers who are fighting off a small remaining faction of dedicated anarchist fighters hidden among the wooded hills. The historical setting, like in any good work of magic realism, is second in importance to the fantastic events that befall the innocent Ofelia. Everything about this movie is perfect. Del Toro uses color wonderfully, blending dark blues and greens and then juxtaposing them with red or brown creatures. The makeup work won the film a deserved Academy Award, as did the cinematography and art direction. Like most great works of historical fiction and fantasy, there is a tragedy that we almost cannot fathom lying at the very emotional core of the film. However, this is movie of hope, of the vast power of childhood innocence, and of love, true love for family. Unlike The Lord of the Rings, this fantasy is never far from the harsh realities of the twisted world we live in, making it not an escapist piece, but a rumination on the nature of man and the corruptions that destroy his goodness. Like Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl, Pan's Labyrinth is the story of a child thrust into a horrible situation where the odds are against her, and yet who triumphs over adversity like a true hero. Incredible, in a word.

2. Lost in Translation (Director: Sofia Coppola, Starring: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson) [2003]
Gorgeous. Hilarious. Relentlessly Romantic. Everything clicks in this movie about culture shock and the longing for companionship. Bill Murray gives the performance of his career, while Scarlett Johansson ups her status from little known to leading lady. Coppola's screenplay won an Oscar, while her direction was robbed by Mr. Peter Jackson (damn those Lord of the Rings movies) but completely deserving of every accolade it was given. When Bob Harris whispers into Charlotte's ear, her eyes welling up with tears -- her head nodding as if to agree, Coppola withholds whatever it is he says to her from the viewers. We are left wondering forever whether the two have decided to meet up somewhere in America, whether they have agreed to never see each other again, whether Bob simply told her to carry on with her marriage, the possibilities are literally endless. Moments like these are the very magic of cinema and are few and far between these days. Coppola forces us to use our imaginations to fill in the open-ended conclusion she has given us. Take note of the little nuances and subtleties that make this movie so great: the Japanese commercial director gives Bob very descript directions in Japanese, "You are sitting quietly in your study. And then there is a bottle of Suntory whiskey on top of the table. You understand, right? With wholehearted feeling, slowly, look at the camera, tenderly, and as if you are meeting old friends, say the words. As if you are Bogie in Casablanca, saying, "Here's looking at you, kid," -- Suntory time!", and yet the interpreter simply tells Bob "He wants you to turn, look in camera. O.K.?". It's a great example of things easily being "lost in translation". The most stylish movie of the past decade and my pick for the best romance, Lost in Translation is likely to be remembered as one of the true masterpieces of the 2000s, even if it did have to compete for attention with Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and Mystic River when it premiered in 2003.

1. Million Dollar Baby (Director: Clint Eastwood, Starring: Hillary Swank, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman) [2004]
The movie that led to the reification of the "spoiler alert" and led me to cry every single time I saw it. Even now, I cannot get through this incredibly moving film without shedding at least a few tears, and I've seen it at least twenty times. This movie is every aspect we love about cinema wrapped into one perfect feature, the only glaring omission is perhaps the romance story which would have no place in this stark film. It's a sports underdog story on the surface, but it's done just as well as Rocky, or any other film from the genre for that matter. The boxing scenes are shot with precision and accuracy as Maggie Fitzgerald (Swank, in one of the greatest female performances ever) blows her way through each level of female professional boxing like a nasty hurricane. This film is a great example of several Hollywood stars convening at the height of their talent for a true opus; Eastwood's direction, action, and subtle musical score establish him as one of the true artists of the past hundred years, while Morgan Freeman narrates and acts his way to an Oscar winning performance. There's not much I can say about this movie without absolutely ruining it, except that it really is in my opinion the best film of the 2000s, and one of the five or so greatest films of my lifetime.

"If there's magic in boxing, it's the magic of fighting battles beyond endurance, beyond cracked ribs, ruptured kidneys and detached retinas. It's the magic of risking everything for a dream that nobody sees but you." -Eddie Dupris (Freeman)

"Frankie likes to say that boxing is an unnatural act, that everything in boxing is backwards: sometimes the best way to deliver a punch is to step back... But step back too far and you ain't fighting at all." -Eddie Dupris

"Frankie, I've seen you at Mass almost every day for 23 years. The only person comes to church that much is the kind who can't forgive himself for something." -Father Horvak


Until next time...