68 - Black Snake Moan

Let's face it. Christina Ricci was smoking hot in this movie! I had to light up a cigarette after watching it (lol). Seriously though, I liked the way this movie unfolded. There clearly was a connection between Laz and Rae, but the beauty of it was that in the end you realize that it was, in its true form, fatherly love.

67 - Breach

There are lots of stories (and movies) on espionage, but Breach takes a "Donnie Brasco" approach in telling it from the counterintelligence angle. Chris Cooper absolutely delivers on this film, as well as a strong supporting cast that includes Laura Linney, Denis Haysbert, and Kathleen Quinlan.

66 - Smokin Aces

This movie has potential....but I just couldn't appreciate it enough. It had a lot of interesing characters, but maybe too much for the creators...too many storylines...I think a director who is used to his type of treatment could have done it differently....like perhaps Steven Soderbergh or Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu....

65 - The Osterman Weekend

This is one of those "residual movies" in my mind......movies I remember watching several times a long time ago....but never the whole thing. I never did understand what it was about....all that staying in my memory were Rutger Hauer and John Hurt in that last scene (which happened to be the only scene I always saw when I landed on a channel that was showing this movie). So when it finally came up in one my searches, I just had to get to finally put to rest my lingering curiosity.

It seemed like Peckinpah was too fond of slow motion...sometimes it worked...and sometimes it just looked odd, but amusing altogether. Meg Foster's eyes are really scary :)

64 - Champion

This documentary is not as bad as some have described it to be, though a lot of the feedback is mainly for the production...and rightfully so....Danny Trejo is a subject that can really stand by itself. In fact, even without the fancy production, just following Danny, ala reality show, and letting him speak would probably have worked as well.

Danny has always been fun to watch on film. And hearing more about the person behind the actor is very interesting and admirable.

Steve Buscemi, Val Kilmer, and Robert Rodriguez offer funny stories and remarks.

63 - The Good German

I enjoyed watching this movie in its black and white format, but honestly, the only person who really blended in or was clearly fit for the medium was Cate Blanchett. I know I'm biased, but her scenes were the only ones that transported me to that era.

62 - The Good Shepherd

It's the stillness that makes Matt Damon's character so cold. You just can't tell what he's feeling or what's on his mind...pretty much like a great poker player. His performance reminds me of Gene Hackman in The Conversation.

As expected, great supporting roles by John Turturro and Alec Baldwin.

61 - Children of Men

This is a scary proposition on what the decay of human society can bring upon all of us. And this really goes beyond the story. The dvd inlcudes a documentary with several statements by historians, sociologists, and other experts on how close to reality we are to the dangers pointed out in the movie. This is a really crucial time for the human race.

One has to note Michael Caine's terrific performance as a hippie......pull my finger :)

60 - A Scanner Darkly

Paranoia.
It takes all shapes and forms.
The mind is a powerful thing.
Use it well, and it serves you well.
Abuse it, and it abuses you.
Reality?
Be careful.

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.