Category: Favorite Films

Luke’s Favorite Films Take Two: #78

On By Luke FlorenceIn Favorite Films, Lists, Movies, This Is The End1 Comment

#78: This Is The End (2013)

This Is The End
Directors: Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen
Starring: James Franco, Jonah Hill and Seth Rogen
Plot: “While attending a party at James Franco’s house, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel and many other celebrities are faced with the apocalypse.”
Stock: Up
Previous Ranking: NR

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Franco? You have iPad’s all over the goddamn walls in your house, but you jack off like a fuckin’ pilgrim!”

If you’ve seen This Is The End, then you know why it’s here. If you haven’t, let me try to explain.

Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, James Franco and a bunch of their friends (Danny McBride, Michael Cera, Rihanna, and Emma Watson to name a few) all play themselves. During a party at Franco’s house, the apocalypse takes place. Earthquakes, fires, raging demons, the whole nine. A select few who happen to survive, bunker down in Franco’s house, where hilarity ensues. Absolute hilarity. Nothing but hilarity.

It’s a ridiculous plot and the acting is even more ridiculous, but the comedy just keeps coming. You could tell that this film was just an excuse for these actors to get together and make fun of each other, because that’s what shows up on screen. You could also tell the actors enjoyed playing some of the stereotypes of themselves (see: Franco’s art pieces or Hill’s flamboyant side). As for me, I just kept on laughing.

The star of the show turned out to be McBride, who despite the impressive line-up of actors, stole every scene. His fight with Franco over the porn magazine is one of the funniest scenes in any movie, period.

Fun Fact: Most of the paintings that can be seen hanging in the background were actually painted by James Franco.

Hint for #77: Based on a Daniel Lehane book.

Peace Be The Journey.

Luke’s Favorite Films Take Two: #79

On By Luke FlorenceIn Favorite Films, Lists, Movies, O Brother Where Art Thou?1 Comment

#79: O Brother Where Art Thou? (2000)

O Brother Where Art Thou?
Directors: Joel and Ethan Coen
Starring: George Clooney, John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson
Academy Awards: Nominated twice. Best Writing and Best Cinematography.
Plot: “In the deep south during the 1930s, three escaped convicts search for hidden treasure while a relentless lawman pursues them.”
Stock: Up
Previous Ranking: #91

“Damn! We’re in a tight spot!”

It’s wildly entertaining, quick-funny, and has a slew of one-liners. It is one of those films where you will spot a new favorite catch-phrase each time you watch it.

I’m not the biggest George Clooney fan, but he was terrific as Ulysses Everett McGill. His quirky mannerisms, ability to bull-shit, and his obsession with Dapper Dan all add to a classic character. Throw in a superb movie soundtrack and you have the makings of an excellent film.

UPDATE

Despite claiming to not be a huge Clooney fan, I’ve certainly made plenty of room for his films, as this is his fourth appearance already. But of all the Clooney roles we’ve talked about already, this is my favorite performance of his. He absolutely makes this movie. Well that and the outstanding music of course.

Fun Fact: George Clooney had a relative in Kentucky (his native state) record himself reading the script so that Clooney could work on his accent. When Clooney received the recording, he discovered that his relative had removed all of the curse words and replaced them with something else.

Hint for #78: It’s the apocalypse, yet I can’t stop laughing.

Peace Be The Journey.

Luke’s Favorite Films Take Two: #80

On By Luke FlorenceIn Favorite Films, Lists, Movies, Tommy Boy1 Comment

#80: Tommy Boy (1995)

Tommy Boy
Director: Peter Segal
Starring: Chris Farley, David Spade and Rob Lowe
Plot: “An incompetent, immature, and dimwitted heir to an auto parts factory must save the business to keep it out of the hands of his new, con-artist relatives and big business.”
Stock: Up
Previous Ranking: NR

“Brothers don’t shake hands. Brothers gotta hug.”

After completing the first edition of this list in 2011 I felt pretty good. I was especially satisfied with my top ten, felt my favorite actors/directors were validated and didn’t think I forgot a single movie.

Two out of three ain’t bad.

Tommy Boy was – at least to this point – the only film I forgot to include the first time around. There really isn’t any explanation other than it simply got lost in the shuffle. I even went back to review my notes from four years ago to see if I had wrote it down at all, but I couldn’t find a single trace of it.

While Tommy Boy may have been forgotten it has found its home now.

Chris Farley shows why he was the funniest guy on SNL in the 90s, and on the short-list of funniest SNL cast-member of all-time with his leading-man performance. He dominates every single scene with his sheer physicality, his relentless fearlessness and his unparalleled sense of humor.

Despite his shortcomings, David Spade is the perfect compliment to Farley. They play off each other beautifully and with the fluidity of a seasoned comedic duo.

While Tommy Boy was a long ways off from a blockbuster hit at the movie theaters, it has developed into a cult hit due to Farley’s tragic death and the multitude of re-runs on TBS. Unfortunately that happens too often in life, we don’t recognize greatness until it has passed.

Fun Fact: On the list showing the exam grades of the students at the beginning of the movie, look at the bottom. One of the names is Helen Keller, who scored an F.

Fun Fact #2: Rob Lowe played the supporting role of Tommy’s stepbrother and is uncredited. The reason for this is because Rob was contractually obligated to Stephen King’s The Stand (1994) at the time, so he took the part simply as a favor for friend Chris Farley.

Hint for #79: Film based on the poem “The Odyssey.”

Peace Be The Journey.

Luke’s Favorite Films Take Two: #81

On By Luke FlorenceIn Favorite Films, Lists, Movies, Saw1 Comment

#81: Saw I (2004)

Saw
Director: James Wan
Starring: Cary Elwes, Leigh Whannell and Danny Glover
Plot: “Would you kill to live? When a madman tries to teach how much life is worth, two men find themselves in a room with no idea how they got there or why they’re there.”
Stock: Holding
Previous Ranking: #40

“Live or die, make your choice.”

Typical “horror” films usually result in me laughing. I never seem to get too scared or frightened by scary movies. It’s one of the reasons why you haven’t seen too many “scary” flicks on my list.

Saw I is not a typical horror film by any stretch of the imagination. It’s not predictable at all and actually puts the viewer on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

I’ve actually seen this movie in the theatre twice mainly because the ending comes completely out of nowhere and I wanted to watch it again. I was utterly shocked at the finale, didn’t see it coming at all, and had me leaving the theatre with a huge smile on my face.

Another compelling element of Saw are the complex traps that “Jigsaw” sets up. It forces you to put yourself in the traps and ask how you would escape. It’s not a movie for the faint of heart.

Saw continued to pump out movies once a year for the next seven and I viewed the first couple before finally giving up on the series. I was tired of trying to keep up with the plot lines which were getting more and more confusing as the series went on. But the first one was simple and so great it lands a spot here.

UPDATE

Saw is a psychological thriller powerhouse of a film. The sequels went further away from that aspect and relied on grossing the audience out. But the original – while gruesome in certain aspects – is set apart with its simple, yet deep story-line. Throw in an outstanding ending, and you get a great way to spend 90 minutes.

Fun Fact: The entire movie was filmed in 18 days.

Hint for #80: Sandusky, Ohio is the setting for this comedy.

Peace Be The Journey.

Luke’s Favorite Films Take Two: #82

On By Luke FlorenceIn Favorite Films, Lists, Movies, The Wrestler1 Comment

#82: The Wrestler (2008)

The Wrestler
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood
Academy Awards: Nominated twice. Mickey Rourke for Best Actor and Marisa Tomei for Best Supporting Actress.
Plot: “A faded professional wrestler must retire, but finds his quest for a new life outside the ring a dispiriting struggle.”
Stock: Down
Previous Ranking: #58

“The only place I get hurt is out there. The world don’t give a shit about me.”

Sometimes a movie can be decently written and tell an okay story yet still be a great film because of the acting. The Wrestler fits that description. It centers around Mickey Rourke who gives one of the best acting performances of my lifetime.

It comes off as a documentary because of how good Mickey portrays Randy “The Ram” Robinson. I had never heard of Rourke prior to The Wrestler but it’s been labeled as a “comeback” for Mickey. Make no mistake, after watching The Wrestler, Rourke became one of my favorite actors and had me very excited for his Iron Man debut the following summer. He was that good as Randy.

Besides Rourke’s spectacular job, the ending of this film is perfect, there’s just no other way to describe it. Randy is dealing with several issues, both mental and physical, and the ending magnificently chronicles all of his decisions with one single shot.

Was I rooting for Rourke to win the Academy Award he was up for?? You better believe it. Was I bitter when Sean Penn won for Milk?? None whatsoever. That’s a great aspect of the Oscars, sometimes it’s just as important that you get nominated as it is that you win.

UPDATE

Yes, Rourke is excellent, but the rest of the movie isn’t outstanding in any particular way. The cinematography is well done, but the script leaves a lot to be desired. Because of the poor writing, it drops The Wrestler a couple of spots and will make it interesting to see if Rourke can continue to carry this film to a top-100 spot moving forward.

Fun Fact: The film reportedly moved wrestler Roddy Piper so much, he broke down and cried after a screening.

Hint for #81: The actor who got sucked up by a tornado in #83 loses a foot in #81.

Peace Be The Journey.