Top Five Favorite Actors

Here are some of my personal favorite actors that never cease to impress.

5) Tim Roth

I wish he wasn't going so mainstream lately with Hulk and Lie to Me. But in general he is a tremendously talented actor with a wide variety of talents. Plus his work with Tarantino is phenomenal (Reservoir Dogs is my favorite).

4) James Franco

This is a recent addition to my list. But Pineapple Express was hilarious and it was mostly thanks to this man. Then I saw Milk and I have to say, there may be nothing Franco can't do as an actor.

3) River Phoenix

One of the most promising actors of the early 90s. At the age of 18 he was nominated for an Oscar for best supporting actor in Running on Empty. His role in My Own Private Idaho was equally impressive. Tragically River died at the age of 23 in Los Angeles. But I'm sure if he had been given the opportunity, River would have become one the biggest actors in the world today.

2) Emile Hirsch

Another up and comer, Hirsch has shown a wide range of talents from his films like Lords of Dogtown, to The Girl Next Door, to Milk. Any film Hirsch is in seems to be entertaining. Even some bad movies he is in become bearable with his presence.

1) Kevin Spacey

Possible one of the most versatile actors today. Spacey is in a countless number of countless classics, many of which are classics thanks in large part to his performance. There isn't much more I can say about him besides he is possible my favorite actor. Plus he plays the best villains ever! "Look in the box"

Avatar

Director James Cameron's next film is possibly one of the most secretive projects in recent history. The anticipation for Avatar among film geeks is immeasurable since we've been waiting for years. Avatar will supposedly revolutionize 3D and has as estimated of around $250 million. Cameron hasn't done a major motion picture since Titanic, but this seems to be a huge passion project of his and is a main reason why it has taken so long to get this going. Avatar comes up in December and I'd expect a trailer in the next month or two.

12-18-09

Public Enemies

Michael Mann's new film Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale finally released the movie poster and still images!

Let's Try Something Different

Here are some suggestions for some films that you may never have heard of or given a shot. These are movies that are great and haven't received the praise they deserve, or they're new and still relatively new. Very few people I know have seen them for one reason or another, and if you're looking for something new to see...

Brick

This is a compelling noir style murder/mystery set in a California high school setting. One of the most unique films I've seen with amazing acting and a layered plot. Writer/director Rian Johnson does a fabulous job in his first film, and I hope he gets the chance to direct again in the near future.

Sukiyaki Western Django

This is a spaghetti western Japanese style. Epic action sequences, over-the-top violence, corky characters, and simple, hero driven plot. The movie is an homage piece to Italian western directors, from famous Japanese director Takashi Miike.

Lords of Dogtown

This is a film about the Z-boys of the 1970s, basically the founders of skateboarding as we know it today. It was made shortly after Stacy Peralta's documentary Dogtown and Z-Boys. The script is great and true to Dogtown lifestyle (as the director had Stacy on set through production). The soundtrack is supurb and Heath Ledger gives one of his best performances.

Arlington Road

I'm actually really surprised that this is not a more popular movie. Its stars Jeff Bridges, Tim Robbins, and Joan Cusack with an incredible script. The movie isn't amazing until the end though. I thought I knew the end of the movie the whole time, and because of that I didn't enjoy it that much until the end simply slapped me across the face. Brilliant writing as well as good acting. I promise you won't be disappointed in this one.

Watchmen

If you have not had the thrill of reading the incredible graphic novel Watchmen you are truly missing out on some great reading. Also if you have not read the book the trailer for the upcoming film Watchmen may seem a little farfetched and over-the-top. But as a fan of the book let me tell you, you could not be further from the truth. From what I've read and seen from the trailer, the movie seems to follow a nearly frame for frame replica of the book. Director Zach Snyder remained as true to the book as he possible could. And why wouldn't you? With such a compelling plot, unique art, and dynamic characters there is no reason to stray from the formula.

In case you are not familiar with the plot of Watchmen, it will be difficult to summarize it for you. But it is not your average superhero story. Watchmen tries to capture the realism of an alternate 1986 reality that includes a victory in Vietnam for America, a popular President Nixon, and a society with superheros. Except these superheros are more vigilantes than heros. They have publicists, personal lives, and dark secrets. In face only one of them actually has superpowers.

I will be in line like every other fan at 12:01AM on March 6 to see this much anticipated homage to the greatest graphic novel of all time (Time Magazine's Top 100 Novels of the 20th Century). I strongly suggest you do the same.

Lights, Camera, Action...

Since my lists of movie suggestions could go on forever, here is a short list of some of my favorite directors; dead or alive. Basically if a movie comes out from this director I rush to the theaters to see it opening night. If you find you like some of my taste in movies, or you see a movie you recognize and love, check out the director and see what else he/she has done.

Sergio Leone

Sergio is the man that influenced all my favorite directors. He's the man that gave birth to the spaghetti western. I mean movies like, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, A Fistfull of Dollars, A Few Dollars More, and my personal favorite, Once Upon A Time In The West. I'll be the first to admit, these films aren't for everyone. They're often slow paced and extremely long. But the style is unmatchable, and the mythology behind his characters is mysterious and powerful.

Guy Ritchie

Ritchie is a little bitter-sweet for me. His first two movies are simply incredible. Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is proof that a terrific plot, unique characters, visionary directing, and hilarious dialogue can take a small budget big places. Ritchie fine-tuned his talents with the enormously popular Snatch. Then he married Madonna and something went wrong. I did like Revolver, but it's definitely abstract and unusual. I was supremely disappointed with his most recent film, RockN'Rolla. Hopefully his next will be much better; Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law.

Christopher Nolan

Clearly I must the man that brought the dark side of Batman to mainstream popularity, changing what we come to expect from studio superhero movies. But Nolan has shown he can do more than big budget studio blockbusters. He directed the cult classic Memento as well as Insomnia and The Prestige. Nolan has shown that he does not need a $150 million budget to tell a suspensful story. It's encouraging to know that his next film will be an original screenplay that will not revolve around Batman.

Gus Van Sant

Like Sergio Leone, Van Sant is not afraid to tell a story through stunning and stylistic visuals. This director has an impressive independent resume that includes: My Own Private Idaho, Elephant, Last Days, the recent Milk, and of course Good Will Hunting. Van Sant is fearless in his content and messages, taking on any subject matter that is considered, dark, taboo, or difficult (suicide, high school shootouts, gay rights, etc.).

Quentin Tarantino

Of course my favorite director of all time. Fearless, saturated with style, and raw as hell. The best way to describe Tarantio is: film geek turned director. He was a starving actor, high school drop out, and a video shop clerk before becoming one of the most influential directors in recent history. My favorite Tarantino film is his first, Reservoir Dogs. But he has also made classics like Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill. I must also reccomend True Romance. While he did not direct the film, it is his first original screenplay turned major motion picture. I could go on forever, but if you love indiscribeably witty dialogue, badass action, suspense, and orginal plotlines, then Tarantino films are for you.

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

"Each and every man under my command owes me me 100 Nazi scalps, and I want my scalps" I don't know what else needs to be said about this film. The buzz around it has been going since Pulp Fiction was released, and now 15 years later it's finally coming this summer. The anticipation has been building, the tension excruciating, but now the end of the long wait for Quentin Tarantino's next film is in sight.

Inglorious Basterds revolves around multiple plotlines, but the title comes from the main storyline. A small squad of eight Jewish-American soldiers in WWII led by Lt. Aldo Raine (Pitt) as they are dropped behind enemy lines in Nazi Occupied France with one mission: to spread terror among the Third Reich by brutally slaughtering German soldiers. A quintessential Tarantino plot to say the least.

Today the teaser trailer was released and it seems that Tarantino will be offering a fresh look at the WWII movie genre. The film just finished filming in Germany and will be rushed into post production with the hope of being finished in time for the Cannes Film Festival in May. Hopefully Tarantino and his editor Sally Menke won't be too rushed. But I wouldn't worry about it too much since Tarantino isn't one to compromise quality for quantity. Be ready to rush to theaters on August 21 to see a WWII epic 15 years in the making delivered by the one and only Quentin Tarantino.

Kenny's Top Five Movies

Now I love way too many movies to come up with a list of only five favorites, but let's just say if Icould only watch the same five movies for the rest of my life, what would they be?

5. So I Married An Axe Murderer

Clearly this is not an all time classic, but this one has special meaning to me. This movie is one of my family's favorites in a genre I love, 90s romantic comedies. This one stars Mike Myers and Nancy Travis in an underrated comedy/mystery/horror classic. There are many films that I feel are better than this one, in terms of quality and depth. But this hilarious who-dun-it film is one I will never get tired of and can watch again and again.

4.The Usual Suspects

You know those movies where you catch something new the third and forth times you see them? Well Usual Suspects provides surprises in the tenth viewing. In one of the best plot twisting-stylistic-murder mystery ever created, I guarantee a breathtaking viewing experience every time; and that's why I take this to my desert island. (It doesn't hurt that this is another 90s film)

3.The Dark Knight

I know, I know, EVERYONE loves this film. But I like to think it has special meaning to me since I was dressing up like Batman since before I could talk. Now Christopher Nolan comes along and captures the true side of Batman that no director had captured in my opinion, giving mass audiences everywhere a look at the REAL Dark Knight. The film challenges what average viewers expect from superhero films, and blew the genre out of the water. Now average audiences will demand much more high quality films from the hero movie genre, not just us geeks out there.

2.Good Will Hunting

One of the best scripts written in the past 25 years, with the Oscar to prove it, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck bring a fantasy idea into the harsh neighborhoods of South Boston. "Are you fahkin' retahded?" Gus Van Sant combines his tremendous directing talents with beautiful writing and brilliant acting to create a unique and moving film. This one's got it all, romance, drama, comedy, and a little bit of action in there. It's also proof that Ben Affleck does have talent, and needs to get back to doing real films. I know you still got it Ben! (And yet again...90s)

1. Reservoir Dogs

This is my all-time, without a doubt, favorite movie of all time. I don't know even where to start. Well actually I do... Quentin Tarantino. My favorite director, making his first film, funded with money earned by selling two other brilliant scripts (True Romance & Natural Born Killers). The ability to create a dialogue-driven movie about a jewel-heist gone wrong without ever showing the heist; and making it heart-stopping entertainment is talent not held by many. This film is saturated with Tarantino style that continues to blow me away even though I've seen it more than 15 times probably. I could go on forever about this one, but I'll end with, it's another 90s movie:)

Honorable Mention: Kill Bill Vol I & II, Dazed & Confused, L.A. Confidential, Snatch, Fletch, Major League, and Almost Famous

Welcome to Film Fan

The purpose of this blog is to give movie lovers a guide of films to watch and what to look for in them. Why listen to me? I am a passionate fan of film, nothing more. I like to be entertained and hope these movies entertain you.