59 - The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys

Jodie Foster and Vincent D'Onofrio took some rather odd turns as members of the clergy in this coming-of-age movie. Kieran Culkin has really done a better job with his career (compared to Macaulay). He is able to channel emotions really well, showing a range that will no doubt be developed in time.

The fascination with comics and superheroes is a dominant part of adolescent life and cleverly used in this film to present all the mixed emotions and experiences that come with the age. It was explained convincingly in the dvd documentaries, where the animation was intended to not give life to drawings but the thoughts left unexpressed in real life.

58 - Notes on a Scandal

Judi Dench was terrifyingly effective. Her performance reminds me of Ellen Burstyn's performance in Requiem for a Dream. I confess that I was as infatuated as her character as she narrated through the early parts of the story, admiring Sheba. Cate Blanchett is intoxicating and Bill Nighy's supporting character was impressive.

57 - Sleeping Dogs Lie

Bobcat Goldthwait wrote and directly a really honest and insightful film. Everyone's got secrets. And a lot of them really will stay hidden because they are probably the most outrageous and embarassing acts or thoughts known to...well, you :). And what about all the typical advice people give 'ya?...Honesty is the best policy, true relationships are build on complete trust, the truth shall set you free...? This film will make you ponder about it. Want some music to help you out? How about Hall and Oats' "Some things are better left unsaid"?

56 - Fast Food Nation

I'm not sure I can ever look at a fast food burger the same way again. This film exposes the industry for what it is, and I think that's what makes it very effective. It gives you enough to think about, and the life stories certainly give you a lot of points for reflection. Catalina Moreno, Wilmer Valderrama, and Ana Talancon really delivered.

The bit parts by Luis Guzman and Bruce Willis were equaly as good. Kris Kristofferson's narrative voice is just plain respectable and solid.

It's a film that's also filled with transformation. Following Greg Kinnear's character from the upbeat executive to the defeated trasient in the end is perhaps the end goal for this movie. It will make you reconsider, and be affected by it.

In one of the films most powerful moments, Catalina Moreno is forced to work in the kill floor of the meat plant. What she witnesses is terrifying and I would definitely have reacted the same way...tear up uncontrollably, trying to come to grips with all the different emotions and realizations of the moment.

55 - Prozac Nation

The story is predictable, but the abrasive character Christina Ricci brings to the picture is impressive, with the exception of the scenes where she had to shed a tear. It really looks like she's trying hard to be a normal person and cry just like everyone else, when she really doesn't have to...hopefully in the future she learns to let go and express the sadness in her own way.

54 - Female Prisoner 701

Knowing that this film was part of Quentin's list of inspirations for Kill Bill, I was on the lookout for familiar elements (other than revenge, of course). The use of the glass floor and the color changes in the faces of the victims (once the revenge started) were clear reminders.

Meiko Kaji has really piercing eyes...a true lady snowblood :)

The film was probably done during a softcore-porn era as there were lots of gratuitous sexuality. Lotsa tits, panties, and even a lesbian sexual encounter. Hey.....I ain't complainin' :) One thing that was funny though, during the prison riot when a number of guards were kept hostage, they were terrified when confronted by a gang of naked women who were prepared to rape them.....kinda hard to believe....if you were a man....this wouldn't necessarily terrify you, right? :)

53 - Casino Royale

Daniel Craig has successfully brought to the franchise what Pierce Brosnan did when he first took over with Goldeneye: a spark. The selection of Eva Green was a good one. The dialogue between Bond and Lynd in the plane...now that's a conversation!

52 - Babel

Like Amores Perros, this movie has nicely interwoven stories. It's a great lesson on what is true and honest in what's both good and bad altogether.

It doesn't matter if you're a victim of a tragedy, compelled to fulfill a promise, or be limited physically, emotionally, or otherwise. We are all responsible for our actions. We are accountable. We are all left to deal with loss, gain, understanding, compassion, love, prejudice, or hate.

51 - Shortbus

All the sex in this film can really distract you, but if you can just be patient enough to finish the film it reveals the metaphors that represent the different levels of survival in human interaction and identity.

One name that really stood out in my opinion was Severin...a name (according to the web ;) ) based on a story of a man infatuated with a woman he requests to be treated as her slave. How do you see this character's symbolism?

50 - Havoc

This movie really had a history with all the different production people and actors switching but when it finally came out it was casted with a number of young ones that at first you just get a little annoyed at the overacting and attempts at character, when suddenly you begin to rationalize that the characters are supposed to be teenagers right smack in the middle of adolesence, trying to find their identity, making impressions on everyone around them...and then you wonder if this was intentionally brought forth by the creators...if so, smart move.

And like so many lessons in teenage life, it really takes an incident to shake you up.

Ain't that the truth?

49 - The Science of Sleep

It took me a couple of days to finish watching this movie. I don't know if I was just so busy and exhausted or just plain lost in Michel Gondry's twisted story. There were moments when the dialogue felt boring, and you try to rationalize the meaning behind the alternate universe, but still get confused in distinguishing dream, reality, or character. But maybe that's how it was supposed to be.

48 - Blood Simple

I picked this one not only because of the Coen brothers, but because of Dan Hedaya. He, along with M. Emett Walsh shine in this movie.

It's the perfect story of miscommunication and false assumptions. But when you're in a world of betrayal, confrontation, frame-ups, and an incinerator...well, what do you expect? :) :)

Also, I've never seen Frances McDormand so young ;).

47 - Running with Scissors

What an outstanding cast!

• Brian Cox played the looney psychiatrist perfectly.
  
• Jill Clayburgh reminded me of Allison Janney's character in American Beauty (though a more vocal one in this movie).
  
• Alec Baldwin had a small role but he came through with such precision that it's one of his many short but memorable performances (like his turn in Glengary Glen Ross).
  
• Evan Rachel Wood, Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Cross, and Joseph Fiennes make up such a crazy bunch and yet clearly represent what I really believe is normal.
  
• Oh, and let's not forget Annette Bening. Damn, she really knows how to breakdown in front of a camera...(but Ellen Burstyn's performance in Requiem for a Dream is still the performance to beat when it comes to self-destruction).
  

It's a dark comedy that really delivers the realities of life and I think there's a lot to agree to in this film.

46 - Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

It's happened to most of us, having our heart broken by a relationship we'd rather forget. But really, as time goes on we really don't intend to want to forget everything. All relationships have good and bad memories, and even though we all deny it most of the time, we do indulge ourselves sometimes of the good memories. And why not? It's just like picking a tape or disc from your shelf and playing it for a while...to relive a scene. And once you've had your fill, you place it back in the shelf and go on with your life. Sadly, some people are unable to do that, and the scene continues to play in their head...and soon enough their life is consumed by it. Can you imagine how it would be if the chosen memory was a bad one?

I really hated Elijah Wood's character in the first few scenes that revealed he was capitalizing on Jim Carrey's character and memories to woo Clementine. But alas, life will set things right, and the effort turns out to be a losing one. We have the ability to play other people, but we are only as good as who we are...so as Fi would say...keep with yourself.

Jim Carrey's performance was really good and it's sad to see him be continuously underrated despite his efforts in this film (though some critics have finally taken notice).

The premise of this movie reminds me of a scene from one of the Star Trek movies where Captain Kirk (William Shatner) confronts Spock's half-brother-turned-charismatic-cult-leader who has the ability to release people from their emotional pains. Being the next target for his cause, Kirk fights back, "No! Pain is what makes us who we are! I need my pain!"

The pressure of pain. How does it affect us? Remember in The Devil's Advocate, where Al Pacino's character stressed the effect on Keanu Reeves, "...pressure...some people fold...some focus...."

How does the pressure of pain affect you?

Would you really pay to get some memories removed? Isn't your brain already capable of doing a similar task? I enjoyed Tom Wilkinson's explanation of the procedure when Jim Carrey's Joel Barish asked if it might give him brain damage."Well, the procedure really is some form of brain damage, but rather similar to the effects of a heavy dose of drinking."

45 - Sherrybaby

Sherrybaby is one of those films that you hate to watch because you truly agree with its reality. Maggie Gyllenhaal projected the same intensity she brought to Secretary. She can be frail and emotional on one end and then suddenly burst out like Ellen Ripley when she has to, clearly molded to some extent by the justice system. Danny Trejo played a really good role for a change as somewhat of a cross between a friend and lover to Maggie's character.

44 - Factotum

Midway through this movie I started to recognize the story and sure enough I realized that it was the same story done a long time ago by Mickey Rourke in Barfly. Matt Dillon and Lili Taylor play having a hangover really well....but if you really want to see a drunk....Barfly, my friend :).

43 - The Black Dahlia

As far as I'm concerned, the unsung hero of this movie was Mia Kirshner. I really admired her portrayal of Elizabeth Short.

42 - Ice Age: The Meltdown

Possums Rule!

If the penguins in Madagascar had the penguins, Ice Age (2) has the possums. Like the first one, a great script complemented the excellent animation and effects.

41 - The Descent

Shoot me now. I ain't goin' down that cave! Hahahha! It was really good I have to say. While it may have been a suspense-horror, it also exposed a lot about what such an extreme event brings out in people. I had memories of first blood with John Rambo pushing through the cave, using fire to find an air vent :) Once the creatures were exposed, the strength of the story moved to the characters and I think that attributed to the success of this film. Still. I ain't goin' in that friggin' cave. Go ahead, shoot me.

40 - Prime Suspect (ep. 1 & 2)

Don't you just hate it when you enter a room knowing everyone pretty much hates you? Such is the predicament of DCI Jane Tennison as a lone female lead investigator during a male-dominant time of law enforcement.

While Helen Mirren's character is as tough as nails, Prime Suspect doesn't hide the human side of her momentary bouts of weakness or confusion. But alas, she is always able to regroup and move forward. Just watch Helen's eyes and see how easily she switches from despair to tenacity.

It wouldn't surprise me if a lot of today's shows in criminology took notes from this series.