# 21 Chinatown

This is such a good movie! But I knew it would be as soon as I saw that good ol' Jack Nicholson starred in it. This movie was full of twists and had everything- sex, murder, intrique....and Faye Dunaway's pencilled on eyebrows....ugh. It was kinda hard for me to really pay attention to her because I kept looking at those damn pencilled on eyebrows wondering who the hell told her they looked good? Seriously?! Her big eyebrows in Mommy Dearest were much better then those hideous things! Crap, now I'm being super catty, my bad. So I love that it took place in during the 30's and that our hero is a rough and tumble P.I.......Also...the movies opens with pictures of people having sex. Great way to start a film, huh? This was my second Polanski film that I had seen (the first was Rosemary's Baby...which BTW don't watch if you are pregnant) and I have to say that I am impressed with his style...doesn't make me like him any though....pervert.

# 98 Yankee Doodle Dandy

Well no one can deny that James Cagney was a helluva performer. The man could dance, sing and act but the movie just seemed like a two hour long concert. Number after number which was really entertaining but it seemed like there wasn't much in between the numbers, it was just like the boring little transitional chit chat crap they do during shows when they are changing scenery. It could be just be me, but as a movie, I couldn't really enjoy it. If they cut out the dialogue in between and simply had it as number after number (like sketches perhaps) I probably would've liked it, but I can't really grasp it as a movie.

# 3 Casablanca

We have all heard of this movie and the quotes from it ("Here's looking at you kid..."), but you really have to see it. The movie is beautiful and heartbreaking. To truly love someone is to love them so much that you place their happiness above your own, even if it means they are with someone else. You can tells that Ilsa and Rick still have a strong connection and that they love each other but you also know that Ilsa loves her husband very much and that he is the man she is supposed to be with. It's passionate and beautiful and I know that Kiel probably would've hated it because of the lack of violence. LOL. But still Humphrey Bogart was such a man's man in this movie wasn't he? Even with his wrinkley forehead he was still pretty sexy.

#30 Apocalypse Now

"You can kill me, but don't judge me."

Holy shit this movie totally blew my mind. The insanity and chaos of it all and nothing being as it seems. Holy effin shit! I wonder if there are times where it is like that for Kiel (not right now, though...he is too busy being bored. YAY!). This movie really showcases what an incredible director Coppola is because he is able to create movies that don't just stick him into one specific style or genre. I knew Brando would be amazing and Martin Sheen just floored me. You can tell that he really pushed himself to accurately portray Capt. Willard's journey to the depths of insanity and uncertainty while remaining a man that was relatable to in that situation. Great fucking movie! But I probably would've liked it more if Kiel was there to reassure me that things aren't that crazy for him. I miss him so much.

#63 Cabaret

While I found the movie to be adorable (Liza Minelli is wonderful as Sally Bowles, you can certainly tell Judy Garland is her mother because she immersed herself in the role and was able to capture Sally's sexuality, naivety and vulnerability ) it wasn't as good as I expected it to be from all the hype I have heard about it over the years. The soundtrack is wonderful, there is no denying it and Fosse does a great job depicting the ambiguity of Brian and Sally towards the Nazi uprising and impending World War 2 in Berlin because they are so distracted by their love affair and the night life of the Kit Kat Club, which is so true. (I can't tell you the exact date of when our troops first landed in Afghanistan or Irag.....some time after 9/11 right? But I CAN tell you all about the retard I was dating at the time and how for some stupid reason....young and clueless....I thought he was the one). Ahhhh to be young and in love and have the whole world ahead of you. I remember when Kiel and I were dating and when we first got married how we felt like the world existed just to give us a play place. Nothing else mattered, nothing else existed. But then the world shoved itself into our lives and now our world is dictated by politics and war. But.....right when he first gets back from a deployment, before the dust has settled, and before there is any indication that he has to do anything other than be with me, we have a bit of that beautiful ambiguity as well.

#9 Vertigo

Well I love James Stewart....so thats a perk. I love Alfred Hitchcock...so that's a perk. I love movies with a twist...so that's a perk. This movie was great! It was certainly better than Psycho but probably because of the wonderful leading cast of James Stewart and Kim Novak. They were both amazing and able to give their characters all the complexities and dimensions they needed in order for this movie to be believable and as successful as it was/is. The audience is really able to feel Scottie's sense of paranoia as he unravels a case of murder, love, deception and betrayal. I'm glad it was able to show the love between Madeline/Judy and Scottie without being overt or cheesy because I just wouldn't be able to take it. Yesterday, I said goodbye as my husband left for a trip that would eventually place him in Afghanistan (I'm assuming he is almost there or perhaps somewhere in Europe on a layover). Thankfully I was able to avoid that horrible first night of crying hysterically and being lost in my own negtive thoughts by going out with my girlfriend Krissi and getting ridiculously smashed (I even did a couple shots for my husband and the other spouses that are in my position).

Well fuck me sideways. I am getting ready to enter the last month and have only viewed 44 movies. I had to take a break because over the past week I was in Norfolk, VA, spending time with Kiel. I am so thankful that I was able to have that week with him but now he is gone, it is over and I gotta get back to all the chores and tasks I eft behind (which will also keep me so busy I won't think about how lonely the holidays are without my husband). I really gotta get cracking. Well I am watching Cabaret right now. I have Bonnie and Clyde and Yankee Doodle Dandy at my house and The Lord of the Rings, Apocalypse Now and Intolerance (*shudder*) on my instant queue and I'm going to borrow Schindler's List  from my Dad and closer to Christmas will borrow It's a Wonderful Life from my in laws. I'm going to finish this list dammit!!!!!!!

#14 Psycho

I can't say that the movie surprised me. Of course I had seen the Gus Van Sant  remake that came out in the late 90's. Although it was interesting to see just how much Gus Van Sant had taken from the Hitchcock classic. The scripts are exactly the same, the music, even a lot of the cinematography was super identical. But....the shower scene is much scarier in the Hitchcock vision because it is left up to the viewer's imagination. And Anthony Perkins was a much better Norman Bates that Vince Vaughn (although I do love him) because Perkins was able to demonstrate how Norman first seemed to be this innocent naive boy and then the audience gets to slowly descend into his madness. Amazing performance.

I'm sure that if I had never seen the 1998 version of Psycho, I would be able to enjoy and appreciate the original much better, but since I have seen the 1998 version and I saw it first, I wasn't surprised with the ending, I knew what was going to happen, I could even quote the script. So if you want to truly appreciate Psycho- see the Hitchcock version first!!!!!!!!!!! Seeing the Van Sant version and then seeing the Hictchcock version will only ruin it for you!

# 91 Sophie's Choice

The credits are rolling. Tears (and in effect, my mascara) are running down my face and I wish so badly that a) Kiel was here to snuggle with me and b) Loki wasn't napping so I could snuggle with him. I have never had a movie make me cry hysterically and uncontrollably like this before. It was painful and beautiful at the same time. Meryl Steep did an incredible performance playing the vulnerable and tormented Sophie. Peter MacNicol also did a great job showing the innocence and naivety of Stingo and Kevin Kline was easily able to play the role of Nathan, a mentally ill, but charismatic man.


To watch the flash backs of what Sophie had to endure in Auschwitz was heartbreaking and then to see how she is never able to find peace and continues to gravitate to Nathan (whom we learn is mad). It makes one wonder if their was any other option for Sophie at the end of the movie. Would any of us be able to keep on living and be able to find happiness in life after what she had to endure? Ugh....Loki needs to wake up. I need to give him lots and lots of kisses.

# 52 Taxi Driver

This movies really perplexed me because it didn't have straightforward answers to it. Was Travis Bickle really a hero or was he just fucked in the head? How different would the movie have ended if he had succeeded in what appeared to be an assassination attempt? If this movie doesn't show what PTSD can do to someone....wow. Insomnia, narcissism, murder. And Jodie Foster's portrayal of a pre-pubescent prostitute was incredible. Cybil Shepard didn't really impress me, but maybe because I still thought of her as the ho from The Last Picture Show. Still it was a very good movie, really showcasing De Niro in his younger days as an incredible actor.

#51 West Side Story

Ok......I have to admit the opening number had me wondering if maybe there really was a Gay Mafia out there, but other than that I really liked the movie. The songs were wonderful, the actors are great (aside from how many of the "Puerto Ricans" were just white people with brown makeup...."brown face" if you will) and the story was timeless. The movie didn't drag and I can't believe that it was 2 1/2 hours long! Plus it's no shocker that I am a sucker for a love story/ tragedy. I just love a good cry!

# 12 The Searchers

Ok so I can understand how The Searchers is considered to be such a great movie. It's a great story- a man's returns from war to his family out west, family is slaughtered by Indians, aside from his nephew and his young niece (she was abducted by the Indians). So Man takes his nephew and searches all over to find his niece. Great idea for a story and the characters were very complex and real (Ethan's conflicting emotions due to his racism was very well played. Laurie was a great example of a woman walking the line of feminine independence as much as she could for the late 1800's, but didn't overdo it and displayed that she was still a girl that wanted the traditional get married have a family bru-ha-ha). But I just didn't like it. I personally think that John Wayne is grossly over-rated as an actor, the movie dragged horribly at times and I've stated before that I really am not a fan of westerns. It doesn't mean that I don't respect The Searchers as a movie, I can totally see how it got a top 20 spot on the list....it's just not my thing.

So as soon as my sister gets her ass back in the room, we are going to watch West Side Story with Natalie Wood (who played the older Debbie in The Searchers). And my car finally arrives today in a few hours!!!! Then later tonight I am totally indulging and making Goodwitch's (Kiel's grandmother's) peanut butter fudge. Hopefully there will be some left over after the weekend because I want to go visit my in-laws either Sunday or Monday.

# 46 It Happened One Night

Oh how I love Clark Gable! This movie was great! It was romantic and funny- how could I have not seen this before?!?! It really is a classic!! A runaway socialite, an unemployed reporter who just found the story of his career and "the walls of Jericho," (very cute joke throughout the movie for us grown ups *wink wink*). Made me wish I had Kiel here to snuggle up to, but I should be seeing him next week. I hope I get to, I miss him so much and it has only been a couple of weeks! Of course, where ever he goes (given that my car is here) I will load up the car and go see him. The east coast isn't THAT big HAHAHAHA!

#40 The Sound of Music

Ya know, I'm really surprised this movie wasn't higher on the list! This was a great movie (I don't mean a great musical or a great musical movie, I mean a great movie. PERIOD!). Julie Andrews was absolutely stunning (of course she is still stunning today so it's not like that was much of a surprise). This was just a great movie! Romance, music, family, Nazis....LOVED IT! And I was able to watch it with Loki and he loved it too (he loves music).

So this movie puts me at 37, meaning that I have 63 more movies to watch before January 1st. I'm starting to get worried if I will be able to do it all .That's a lot of freaking movies! It means that I will have to try to watch about 2 every day. And no more skipping days. Next week Loki and I may be driving to Norfolk to see off Kiel before he leaves the country for Crap-ghanistan. I suppose I will have to resort to watching movies on my computer, but I'm running out of movies on the instant queue to watch. Hopefully there will either be more movies added to instant queue or I will be able to find some titles in the DVD libraries of my parents and in laws. Grrrr.... It's not over until it's over dammit!

# 35 Annie Hall

This movie was so cute!!!!!! Woody Allen was cute, Diane Keaton was cute and together it was just a huge ball of cuteness for 1 hr 32 min! The story of just a regular couple living in New York, their ups and downs, their beginnings and their end. It was just great! It was funny, romantic, and quirky. To see this couple that is having difficulties and you want them to stay together so badly but then realize that they had their time together and they love each other but aren't supposed to be with each other any more. Don't we all have exes like that? Someone that gets under your skin and you love them but know that you are better off as friends? No?....huh maybe it's just me.

Tomorrow I think I will knock out The Sound of Music.  It's one of my mom's favorite movies and I do love Julie Andrews so hopefully I won't be disappointed.

# 95 The Last Picture Show

Holy crap.....this movie was boring as all hell. I watched this last night with my sister and we just weren't very impressed overall (plus I was interrupted every so often trying to get Loki to go to sleep). The actors were great but it was just so effin boring. The nudity and sex was the only saving grace. Jacey (Cybil Shepard) was a total ho......fo' sho. Although Cloris Leachman was phenomenal. It was interesting to see her in a dramatic role. And she really was beautiful when she was younger! Timothy Bottoms was adorable and so naive (but that just made him more adorable) and easily overshadowed Jeff Bridges. I could have done without the black and white, but sure that was probably just an artistic stance as a metaphor for the "good ol' days" of the 50's and the innocence of youth and such. I grasp that it is a coming of age movie and such, but the nudity and sex seemed to take an almost gratuitous role instead of complimenting the movie further and just took away from the movie. Seriously. When the movie got going we could have gone without seeing Jacey try to fuck anything that moved every five minutes.

So maybe tonight I will tackle The Sound of Music of maybe It Happened One Night or maybe Annie Hall or The Searchers. My Instant queue has a few movies to tide me over while I wait for Cabaret  and Psycho  to arrive in the mail. 

#17 The Graduate

I loved this movie! It was sexy, funny, romantic and dramatic! Who knew Dustin Hoffman could be sexy? I've always known him as old! And who the hell knew Anne Bancroft could be so freaking fierce?!? The way she seduced Benjamin and looked amazing throughout the entire film was almost inspiring! Just a great story- young man graduates college and is pressure to fall into line and be a grown up- go to graduate school or get a job or get married. Instead he rebels and has an affair with the totally sexy, totally fierce Mrs. Robinson. Then he falls in love with Mrs. Robinson's daughter and has to prove his love to her after she is heartbroken to learn that her boyfriend banged her mom. Together they rebel against everyone and run away together! LOVE IT! Great movie! Definitely one of my favorites! And who doesn't love the Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack?!

#81 Spartacus

So as the credits were rolling and I saw that Spartacus was directed by Stanley Kubrick, my initial thought was that perhaps this would be like Marie Antoinette with a sort of funky twist to a historical tale. But it is an epic movie by any definition and seemed to be more an early Gladiator than anything else. I wish Kiel had been here to watch it with me, because he would've loved it (I miss him so much already and it has only been two weeks!). And the ending really had me in tears (Spartacus crucified, but still alive, looking down at his wife and child, knowing it is the last time he will ever see them but also knowing that his child was born free) Kirk Douglas was so powerful in that moment because he was kept his face hard and strong but with his eyes you could see so much emotion- pain, pride, happiness, it was so beautiful. Not to mention the battle scenes were pretty boss considering it was done without the use of all the modern effects that we take for granted in our movies today. It was also refreshing to see that Kubrick made a movie that wasn't a total mind fuck (like Eyes Wide Shut, Full Metal Jacket or A Clockwork Orange).


So my car isn't here yet and locked in the trunk of my car is my x-box which is my main source for watching instant queue movies. I know I could watch them on my computer but...ehhhh.... According to the netflix website, The Graduate should be waiting for me in my mailbox. I have to admit, I am super psyched about watching this movie. I saw a special about it on AMC a few months ago calling it one of the "movies that changed the world." Plus, in a few months, I should hopefully be a graduate.

# 70 A Clockwork Orange

I found the book to be fascinating when I read it two summers ago. When I first saw the movie at 18, I couldn't get through that scene (that has repeatedly been praised as a display of Kubrick's brilliance) where Alex is joyously crooning "Singing in the Rain," while a woman is being gang raped in front of her husband by Alex and his gang. Perhaps now that it has been 6 years I have either grown darker, more accustomed or numb to all the bad shit in this world or maybe I'm better at recognizing themes and how the shock value of certain things can better show those themes than simply talking about it. Is Alex psychologically ill, a lost cause or a promotion of anarchy? Is he curable? Was the government right in trying to make bad deeds repulsive to him or were they taking away his free will? When he "recovered" will he be able to control his urges and simply suppress them like we all do when we have bad thoughts? Or will he go back to his own ways? Is Alex a reflection of the "young people" of the world or how the young people will become as this planet evolves into a place where freedom has grown to become a blessing but also a curse in some instances? Something that is able to raise this many questions is a winner in my book because then it has become more than a book or a movie, it has become a real work of art. While I doubt I would be able to sit a watch A Clockwork Orange again, because the rape and violence was a little unsettling. I am glad that I was able to watch this movie and feel as though I really understand the message. This movie is as good as the book and Kubrick is probably the only person who could've made it so.

# 32 The Godfather Part II

While Part II doesn't compare to the original, it was OK. That's right. I said The Godfather Part II was simply ok. It just couldn't hold my attention the way the first was able to and the saving grace of the movie was easily Robert De Niro as the young Vito Corleone. I love the type of sequels where you learn "the roots" of a .
character. But the whole thing with "present day" Michael just wasn't very attention grabbing. I understand the whole theme of "heavy is the head that wears the crown," and the parallels between father and son (how both were fueled by vengeance and did what they felt was best for those around them ) but I suppose the problem was that I held Part II to the same standards as the original, when if I were to appreciate Part II in singularity and apart from the original, I would be able to say that it's a great mafia movie. But I didn't, so I can't.

Early yesterday morning, Kiel left. He is in Florida for training now and is due in the crappy Middle East in about a month. So I have to finish getting the house ready for the packers and movers and our moving out (which is official one week from today). Grrrr.... I just have to keep myself busy and hopefully the next seven months will pass quickly.

#84 Easy Rider

Holy crap!!! This movie was amazing! It's very easy to do a hippie movie showing hippies as peace and love and blah blah blah but to show hippies living in a conformist world and seeing how that world reacts them....WOW! Billy and Wyatt have just made a lot of money because of a cocaine deal, so they decide to load up their motorcycles and go to New Orleans to experience Mardi Gras. On the way they meet George (Jack Nicholson) who decides to tag along and basically sums up the movie with an epic quote:


"I mean, it's real hard to be free when you are bought and sold in the marketplace. Of course, don't ever tell anybody that they're not free, 'cause then they're gonna get real busy killin' and maimin' to prove to you that they are. Oh, yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom. But they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em."

People ARE scared of what they don't understand and people who live in a conformist society and love to spout of rules of society and the ideals of America seem to get really pissed off when people want to exercise that freedom and not live life in a conformist society. Eventually George is murdered by some square hicks in Louisiana and when Wyatt and Billy leave New Orleans to go "retire" in Florida, they are shot off their bikes by some redneck hicks, proving how dangerous intolerance and ignorance can be.

I loved this movie (the soundtrack was pretty bomb too, but it's no secret that I love 60's stoner music). Kiel...not so much. He thought the movie was boring, even though it had a hippie commune, a whore house, Jack Nicholson and an acid trip in a cemetery! Oh well. Hopefully Kiel goes out and get's me some beer. The next couple nights are the last nights I have to get tispy with my sweetie for the next 7 months.

# 28 All About Eve

I did like this. The story is classic, but I have to wonder if the story is a classic because of THIS story? The story of a older actress who befriends a young fan....turns out this fan is a wolf in sheep's clothing who is using her friend with the goal of taking her place. Margot seems paranoid about her jealous feelings towards the sweet young Eve, but it turns out her paranoia is validated. Through in Marilyn Monroe in one of her first films and you have a movie with comedy and drama. Not to mention we all have to chuckle when the ending rolls around and hope that Eve gets her one- upings. Kiel and I watched this while we started packing up all of our clothes and linens. Two weeks from now Loki and I will be back in Maryland. Three days from now, Kiel will be on a plane to Florida. I may be able to see him at Thanksgiving, but I have learned as a military wife to not put much stock into anything until it has already happened.

I have my next goal for 2011 lined up. Some of you have heard of it...some of you haven't. But it's going to be big. And it's going to take a lot more commitment than watching some movies. I will sort of announce it it soon, but I have to admit part of me is very scared to actually announce what I plan to do because once I tell everyone what I am doing, I can't back out of it.  But here's a hint- it involves religion. And don't just limit your thinking of religion to Christianity- think larger than that.

My First Attempt at Intolerance (#49)

A three hour silent film.....Grrrr what a challenge. The General was only 75 minutes! I could only get through a little more than a hour before my mind gave up and my attention started wandering to everything else going on around me. The message is good. The central conflict is intriguing (Intolerance vs. love and compassion). And I like how they use four mini movies inside a larger movie to show intolerance throughout history. I also love how the director used color in the movie. It wasn't black and white, instead it used other colors so it was sepia or green. I just couldn't focus on it! I will try again once I get back to Maryland. Perhaps after things settle a bit and I'm running around like a chicken with her head cut off (at least not all the time), I will be able to sit though such a long movie.

#18 The General

So this was another first for me. I had never seen a silent film before watching The General today. I LOVED IT! How adorable is Buster Keaton?! I just wanted to give that little goofball a hug! Silent movies really show off an actor's mastery of their craft. Anyone can say a line, but silent film actors were able to convey their lines with their faces, bodies and actions in ways that just aren't done anymore! It was nice to curl up with Kiel and watch this wonderful movie about a Southern Train Engineer turned soldier and hero for the woman he loves during the Civil War. LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT!!!


In crappy news. Kiel is leaving a day earlier than we were initially told (yet again proving that saying "Military wives write things in pencil because they always change.") You know what is worse than a deployment, though? Anticipation. We are waiting for the deployment and that sucks and makes everything tense. Once it happens, I will be sad and depressed for a few days (probably to a much less dramatic extent than before...can't be a total weepy nutcase/shut in with a baby to care for...that's just ig-nant) and then I will just sort of go on auto pilot and do what I need to do. Then when it gets closer to Kiel coming home, that crappy anticipation will kick and turn every minute between then and Kiel coming home into weeks. But then he will be home and all will be right in the world. I'm just trying to focus on everything that needs to be done and when my mind turns to the fact that in 9 days my husband, best friend and father of my son will be gone.... I just focus on June, when he will back.

#89 The Sixth Sense

I know, I know, I know! I'm probably the last 20-something American to see The Sixth Sense. You know why it took me so long? Being that this was the first M. Night Shyamalan movie, so it was the first to really introduce the world to his crazy twist endings, I already knew the ending. I knew about the freaky kid seeing dead people (seriously, how many times has that been spoofed?), and I already knew that Bruce Willis was a ghost! Still....it was on the list. I did enjoy the movie. I was watching extra hard to see how Bruce Willis could be walking around with his family and other people and think he was interacting with them (that was pretty crazy, but pulled off nicely) and I did cry a bit when Bruce was saying his goodbyes to his wife while she slept. So it was a good movie, can't deny it. I enjoyed watching it (I do love a movie that makes me jump) and it was a nice break from how hectic my reality has gotten. My journalism class is the most confusing fucking class in the world. Just when I was feeling so confident about my skills as a writer and how after I graduate I will possess the capabilities to type my way to a nice paycheck....I take this fucking class. This class is the exact reason why I will never be a journalist. So many AP rules contradict the writing rules I have learned since middle school!!! I try to make sure I do everything correctly and then get a fucking D on my paper!!! WTF?!?! Not to mention Kiel deploys in 10 days, making me more emotional than usual, we have a memorial service tomorrow for a fallen EOD Warrior/ American hero/ Badass (making me weary of Kiel leaving) and I have to try to get the house straight, do a paper for an English class and keep an eye on my son who has now discovered the joys of walking and falling on his face.

At times like this, one may think that this goal of mine is just too much. But being able to slip into a movie that has been considered great for a couple of hours....can give me a much needed break from my hectic reality.

# 67 Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

I've never actually seen a movie with Elizabeth Taylor (aside from her cameo in the Flintstones movies). So I have to say I have committed the folly of underestimating someone before actually seeing their work. She is a phenomenal actress!!!! Richard Burton was incredible as well! I may have to rent Cleopatra just to see them in action together again! Aside from that....that's where the majority of my praise for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? ends. The movie is complex, confusing and I found myself googling the movie after it ended because I just could not understand what happened. Did they have a son? Did they not? Did they and was he dead? Was it all just a game? Then I googled it for some better perspective and it just left me even more confused but all the more certain of Burton and Taylor's acting because the characters George and Martha were off their freaking rocker! George Segal was impressive as well (and very good looking...just saying....the first movie I ever saw him in was Look Who's Talking and he was middle aged by then). Sandy Dennis was wonderful as well, she really was able to pull of the vulnerability and naivety of the character Honey. But seriously. All of these characters were some crazy drunks! If I were there, my drunk ass would've left well before dawn because all that drama and fighting would've been killing my buzz.

# 26 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Absolutely beautiful!!!! If there wasn't a better movie to display why our Senators and Congressmen need term limits! Young and idealistic versus Washington Politics. The story hasn't changed even 70-something years later! I felt the urge to watch this movie, being that in a few weeks "Mrs. Anderson goes to Washington," (as well as "Mr. Loki goes to Washington") and because I am currently applying for a internship at the Democratic National Committee for while I am home. The story is about the ideals that we learn in the innocence of our childhood. How our age and our own desires corrupt those views. We are taught as children that we should do good things for our fellow man. Be charitable. Share (although views of "sharing" and helping those less fortunate would go against our Capitalist society, and I'm sure the fact that the children in the movie were pooling their money together for their camp would probably be deemed Socialist nowadays, huh?). But we need to stop letting our own wants and needs and greed cloud our mind and simply do what is right and what is best for our fellow man. Amazing movie. I certainly have a new movie to add to my list of favorites. And might I add that Mr. Smith was sitting on the left side (meaning that our hero was a Democrat!).

# 73 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

I'm really not a fan of Westerns. They just have never been my favorite genre. I like the movies The Quick and the Dead and Bad Girls  (I know they aren't the best movies in the world, but one of them has Sharon Stone as a cowgirl, and Leonardo DiCaprio before he started taking himself too seriously and the other one is about gun toting whores! What's not to love?!) but that's about it for me and Westerns. They just seem so serious, macho and in many ways cliched. But I LOVED Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid! I never picture Robert Redford to really be one for comedy but he and Paul Newman were hysterical! The movie was funny without trying the jam the aspect of being funny down the audience's throat (When you have two cowboys trying to rob a bank in Bolivia and neither of them can speak Spanish, you don't have to try very hard). Newman and Redford were a great duo and there weren't any parts where I had to basically force myself to pay attention.

With this movie- I have viewed 25 of the the AFI 100 Greatest Movies of All Time!! I'm on my way, but with the move back to Maryland steadily approaching and the fall semester in full swing, it's only going to get tougher and tougher. But I'm going to bust my ass to get the remaining 75 films viewed before January 1, 2011. I have a huge goal for next year and if I can accomplish this year's goal, my confidence will be boosted and I will feel (more) ready to tackle my goal for 2011, but if I can't do it...how in the world will I ever be able to tackle the huge goal I have for next year?

#77 All the President's Men

People tend to love movies that take place near their homes. I love movies that take place in D.C. and that involve politics and All the President's Men  covered both of those topics splendidly. I have been a long time fan of the Washington Post and Bob Woodward is one of my heroes, so to be able to watch a movie about him and Carl Bernstein and Watergate and such was great! The movie was so suspenseful! You could feel the fear and apprehension! And being that I saw the movie Dick with Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams when it came out, it made me giggle because there are scenes from All the President's Men that Dick parodied (like the opening scene with the typewriter, or when Carl asks his source to "stay on the line" if his lead is accurate). And it was nice to see a true story that didn't involve people dying and leave me crying in the end.

# 96 Do the Right Thing

This movie completely floored me being that it had me confused as hell after it ended, and I actually had to sit down for a minute, think about what I just saw and discuss it while Kiel. The theme of Do the Right Thing is complex and complicated, like much of the characters (which is very refreshing, most characters seem to be very one sided and easily predictable). All of the characters seemed to have their own racial demons and those demons came out in the last bit of the movie in a violent and confusing explosion of events. The only character that seemed to make any sense during that chaotic time was the homeless drunk, DA Mayor. Even the quotes at the end of the movie were conflicting, the first one being from Dr. King (who was known to be extremely opposed to violence) and the second quote being from Malcolm X, advocating the use of violence to promote social change. When one takes the movie and both of those ending quotes into account, a complex and multi- faceted theme emerges: Fight for social change, but don't fight each other. Vote (which Samuel L. Jackson's character urges people to do in his final monologue) and "Do the right thing" (A-HA!!! I said it! I used the movie title in a description of the movie!!!).


Wonderful movie. Not to be viewed by the close minded or ignorant, though (they won't know what to make of it). And a great movie to discuss after it ends.

# 19 On the Waterfront

While I definitely prefer this Marlon Brando to Godfather Marlon Brando (of course nothing beats A Streetcar Named Desire Brando....can we say DAAAAMMMMNNNN???!!!!). I have to admit I was a bit disappointed by this movie. The story was great (decide between doing what is good and doing what is "right," man vs. man type of inner conflict mob story), Brando was gorgeous...oh yeah and great, but I found it really hard for me to keep my eyes on the screen as opposed to sorting stuff for the move back home and the yard sale and all that. Perhaps because this story has been done so many times and considering the mob movies I am more accustomed to (more violence and in color), this movie just doesn't hold water. If it weren't for Marlon Brando...I probably would've fallen asleep. I don't see how this movie made # 19 while A Streetcar Named Desire was # 47. Seriously, much better Brando film and you have him and Vivien Leigh doing this whole fiery sexual dance with each other throughout the entire movie....Anywho....trying to narrow down what my next showing will be: either The Sixth Sense (#89), All About Eve (#28), Do The Right Thing (#96), or All the President's Men (#77). Thought about watching Taxi Driver (#52), but I need a break from drama...I watched Boys Don't Cry yesterday and the ending where Brandon and Candace get shot (Candace right in front of her toddler son to make it even better) disturbed me more than a little bit and I had to go snuggle with Loki even more than usual. But that being said, it was an amazing movie and I see why Hillary Swank won an Oscar for it.

#33 One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

For starters, how yummy was Jack Nicholson in this movie? Dude was hot (not that he's ugly now, he is very good looking, but...old). I'm probably going to have to go read the book now. I remember my Dad telling me what a great movie this was, and it's not like I would doubt that Jack Nicholson could ever have a crappy movie. It really just made me think of kind of a "Boy Interrupted," ya know, a not crazy guy in a looney bin. Except add electroshock, an evil bitch of a nurse and a huge American Indian. I did get a bit teary eyed towards the end, but it seemed...right. Once ol' Jack had been lobotomized and was simply a shell of the vivacious man he was, it was like he was already dead, and to see Chief walking and talking and finally running towards the horizon was simply beautiful. It really makes you appreciate life and all the craziness that comes with it and makes you want to shy away from social norms and conformity (at least that is the gist I got from it).

Loving the list so far! Can't wait to see what else AFI has in store for me!!!!

#2 The Godfather

Wow! I am blown away. I know people always rave about how great The Godfather is and everything, but until you see it, words simply cannot do it justice. When the movie first started, Kiel and I had to go online and check the cast because we simply could not believe that there was a point in time when Robert Duvall, James Caan and Diane Keaton looked so young. And Al Pacino not looking like a Coach bag with a voice reflecting years of scotch and smokes? WOW!!! Pacino does an amazing job transforming Michael from this young soldier who wishes to have nothing to do with the family business, to the next Don Corleone...Again....Wow. The only thing I could possibly complain about was how long the movie is (177 minutes) but it's not like the movie was being drawn out or anything, the movie was long but the story wouldn't have been as good if it had been shortened.


Considering how amazing this movie was, I really just cannot wait to see Citizen Kane (#1).

#60 Duck Soup

So I just finished watching the Marx Brothers in Duck Soup, and while I can't say I fully grasped the plot (something about Groucho becoming the leader of Freedonia and then declaring war on Sylvania because of a woman...and because the leader of Sylvania kept calling Groucho an upstart)...it was kind of all over the place, I was laughing every couple of minutes. This movie IS slap stick! I couldn't stop laughing and may have to look for some more Marx Brothers movies after seeing this movie. The ending (which involves Freedonia going to war) had Kiel and I cracking up. And I think that Teller (from Penn and Teller) is definitely drawing on Harpo Marx.

Now Kiel and I are going to pick up some Buffalo Wild Wings and bring it home. I have quite a few movies in my instant queue, but if I'm going to get Kiel to sit through anything, it will be have to be a more violent type of movie. Perhaps The Godfather (1 and 2) or maybe Taxi Driver?

Stay Tuned!

The Beginning

I love movies. I love just about all movies (except Wild Wild West....that movie annoys me to no freaking end). But when I caught a glimpse at the American Film Institute's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time, and saw how little of those movies I have seen, I thought that perhaps it was time to push myself to see all of these movies and really open myself up to them. I have heard of most of these movies (like who hasn't heard of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington or The Godfather?), and sometimes they have been on tv but simply been background noise while I did other things and then there were some that I just couldn't allow myself to sit through (A Clockwork Orange....ehh...watching that and the rape scene in it will be no easy feat for me, even though I've read the book!). But some of these movies are movies that have impacted society and pushed boundaries as far as social norms and censorship (Easy Rider, or The Graduate, anybody?) and some are just so beautiful that one has to sit down and give them the proper respect for the beautiful art that is on the screen (Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz).

So I have a goal: I am going to see all of the movies on this list. And I am going to do it before 2011. Yes. In the midst of finishing up my bachelors, packing up my home in Las Vegas, raising a child and relocating back to DC while Kiel deploys I am going to watch movies. A LOT of movies. Maybe I'm a sadist.

So I already have seen 17 movies on the list (mind you, I am using the 2007 AFI list):

6. Gone With the Wind, 1939.

10. The Wizard of Oz, 1939.

13. Star Wars, 1977.

22. Some Like It Hot, 1959.

24. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, 1982.
25. To Kill a Mockingbird, 1962.

34. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 1937.

47. A Streetcar Named Desire, 1951.

56. Jaws, 1975.
57. Rocky, 1976.

66. Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1981.

72. The Shawshank Redemption, 1994.

74. The Silence of the Lambs, 1991.

76. Forrest Gump, 1994.

83. Titanic, 1997.

94. Pulp Fiction, 1994.

99. Toy Story, 1995.

I have my Netflix instant queue loaded up with 8 movies to get me started (Godfather Part 1/2, Fargo, Intolerance,Duck Soup, It Happened One Night,One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and Taxi Driver). I will post what I think of each movie and hopefully I won't go crazy.

TIME FOR A CINEMATIC ADVENTURE!!!!!