Tag: Favorite Films

Luke’s Favorite Films Take Two: #63

On By Luke FlorenceIn Favorite Films, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Lists, Movies1 Comment

#63: Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Director: Nicholas Stoller
Starring: Kristen Bell, Jason Segel and Mila Kunis
Plot: “Devastated Peter takes a Hawaiian vacation in order to deal with the recent break-up with his TV star girlfriend, Sarah. Little does he know, Sarah’s traveling to the same resort as her ex – and she’s bringing along her new boyfriend.”
Stock: Holding
Previous Ranking: #60

“When life gives you lemons, just say ‘Fuck the lemons,’ and bail.”

While I’ve seen all of the films on this list multiple times, repeat showings at the movie theatre are rare. It happened with Saw, and again with Forgetting Sarah Marshall. The second trip was highlighted by my first time sneaking beer into the theatre. My buddy waited until there was lots of laughter to crack open his cans while I waited until it was dead silent to open mine. Needless to say, it was a great evening.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall tells a story about a girl breaking up with a guy who cannot accept the heartbreaking news. He goes on vacation to try and forget about her only to discover she is at the same hotel with her new boyfriend. Hilarity ensues.

There’s something about Jason Segel playing a vulnerable guy that really resonates with me. Some of his one-liners were absolutely perfect. “I came here to murder you.” Paul Rudd does an excellent job as the wacky-surfer guy, “You sound like you’re from London,” and Russell Brand is terrific as the new boy-toy.

It is one of those movies where you will find a new one-line everytime you watch it, and it’s also one of those films where if you don’t enjoy it then we are going to have some problems getting along.

UPDATE

While the “sneaking beer” experience really cemented Forgetting Sarah Marshall as a top-100 film, there’s also a reason I paid eight dollars to go see it a second time. It’s a really funny movie, one that will continually get me laughing even as the years go by.

Fun Fact: In a panel at San Diego Comic-Con on July 19, 2013, Kristen Bell told the audience that she learned Veronica Mars (2004) was canceled the day before she shot the scene in Forgetting Sarah Marshall where her character learns her show was canceled.

Hint for #62: I’ll give you three actors that are in it, but I bet that you’ll have to use Google to get the answer. Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich and Amy Ryan. Good luck!

Peace Be The Journey

Luke’s Favorite Films Take Two: #64

On By Luke FlorenceIn Favorite Films, Lists, Movies, The Terminal1 Comment

#64: The Terminal (2004)

The Terminal

Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Stanley Tucci
Plot: “An eastern immigrant finds himself stranded in JFK airport, and must take up temporary residence there.”
Stock: Up
Previous Rating: #83

“I can’t ask him what he’s doing. I’m supposed to tell him what he’s doing. I ask him what he’s doing and I’m gonna look like an idiot.”

Score another one for Tom Hanks. You want an astronaut? How about a mentally challenged shrimp fisherman? A kidnapped ship captain? He can do it all, and do it all very well.

In The Terminal, Hanks played Viktor Navorski, an immigrant who gets stuck in a NYC airport terminal when his country back home begins a civil war while he is on his plane-ride to the USA. America doesn’t recognize his country as an actual country, so Viktor is basically stuck.

It’s a great concept and Hanks does an excellent job of portraying Viktor. You actually stop thinking it’s Tom Hanks at a certain point in the film. You also find yourself rooting for Viktor as he makes friends, a couple enemies, and even a romantic interest (a part I could have done without).

While Spielberg is normally known for his big productions, people forget he directed this relatively “simple” film. It’s a good thing I didn’t.

UPDATE

Last time around Tom Hanks took home the vaulted prize for my favorite actor. It was based on a point-system surrounding this list. Hanks will actually be a long-shot to repeat even though The Terminal has risen on the second version of this list.

And that’s not to take anything away from how talented an actor Tom Hanks is. There really isn’t anyone who could have pulled off Viktor Navorski other than Hanks. It’s my all-time “under-rated” performance, because it was never nominated for any awards and most people are quick to name other films like Apollo 13 or Forrest Gump when mentioning their favorite Hank roles.

Fun Fact: Each failed application for entry to the USA counts against your chances of eventually being allowed in, so Viktor was actually hurting his cause by applying every day.

Hint for #63: One of the last scenes involves vampires, muppets and a musical.

Peace Be The Journey

Luke’s Favorite Films Take Two: #65

On By Luke FlorenceIn A Christmas Story, Favorite Films, Lists, MoviesLeave a comment

#65: A Christmas Story (1983)

A Christmas Story

Director: Bob Clark
Starring: Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin
Plot: “Ralphie has to convince his parents, his teacher, and Santa that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect gift for the 1940s.”
Stock: Down
Previous Rating: #16

“Fra-gee-lay. That must be Italian.”

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. The snow, the carols, the presents, and the family all combine to form the most memorable moments. There’s one movie out there that completely encapsulates the entire Christmas feeling, and that movie is appropriately titled, A Christmas Story.

Ralphie, the main character, is a young boy who wants nothing more than a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas. The narrator of the film is grown-up Ralphie, looking back on what he calls, “the greatest Christmas ever.”

But this movie isn’t about a riveting plot line, and it’s not about generating lengthy discussion afterwards. It’s mainly about family. A goofy, messed-up one full of outlandish characters and moments, but a family just the same.

I always relate to this family whenever I watch A Christmas Story. It’s the exact same size as mine (four) and is constructed the same way (two sons). The Old Man reminds me of my father all the time, and there’s even a little bit of my mom in Ralphie’s mother. The relationship that Ralphie has with his younger brother also resembles the one I had with mine.

It’s a movie that not always just makes me laugh, but my entire family as well. You can better believe that we will sit down and watch it at least once during the holidays. I mean it is on for 24 straight hours on TBS every Christmas. It has a bunch of memorable moments (tongue sticking to a pole, “you’ll shoot your eye out kid,” and the leg lamp are just a few) and never seems to age.

It wouldn’t feel like Christmas without it.

UPDATE

Dropping nearly 50 spots requires some explanation. The best I can come up with is that it’s a film deserving of a permanent spot in my top 100. But that as I continually compared it to other films on this list, it just kept dropping.

Who knows, maybe when I start to have my own kids and they fall in love with this movie, it’ll go shooting back towards the top twenty.

Fun Fact: According to Peter Billingsley (young Ralphie) in the DVD Commentary, the nonsensical ramblings that Ralphie exclaims while beating up Scott Farkas were scripted, word for word.

Hint for #64: You find these in airports. And if you’re late for a flight, you’re often running towards them.

Peace Be The Journey

Luke’s Favorite Films Take Two: #66

On By Luke FlorenceIn Favorite Films, Lists, Movies, The Patriot1 Comment

#66: The Patriot (2000)

The Patriot

Director: Roland Emmerich
Starring: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger and Joely Richardson
Academy Awards: Nominated three times. Best Cinematography, Best Sound, and Best Music.
Plot: “Peaceful farmer Benjamin Martin is driven to lead the Colonial Militia during the American Revolution when a sadistic British officer murders his son.”
Stock: Up
Previous Rating: #72

“Aim small, miss small.”

Some scenes in movies never leave you. They stay in your memory forever. The Patriot has not one – but two – of those scenes, and they play a rather large role for its’ inclusion.

Without giving too much away, both scenes deal with the death of a main character, and they are executed flawlessly.

Say what you will about Mel Gibson’s personal life, but as an actor he’s not too bad. I’d have a very difficult time imagining anyone else except Mel portraying Benjamin Martin. Gibson does an excellent job showcasing Martin’s compassion for his family, his love for his country, and his desire to revoke revenge.

The late Heath Ledger, as usual, was outstanding as Gibson’s oldest child. The way they play off each other you almost feel as if they are father-son.

The Patriot has great fight scenes, memorable moments, and top-notch acting. It’s a tad long (165 minutes), but if you got the time, the pay-off will be worth it.

UPDATE

Some movies get worse every time you watch them, some stay the same, and some manage to improve with every viewing. The Patriot belongs in the latter group.

And yet, it’s a difficult film for me to watch due to Heath Ledger. He’s absolutely terrific and knowing that he is no longer with us always makes me sad.

It has great action sequences, tells an important story about the inner-struggle of a man with demons (Gibson), and reminds us of how important family is.

Fun Fact: Aunt Charlotte’s house is the same one used in Forrest Gump (1994), with slightly different interior paneling. The stone hedge visible in Forrest Gump is camouflaged with bushes in this film.

Fun Fact #2: Kevin Spacey was the first choice to play Tavington (the bad guy), but after paying Mel Gibson his $25 million there was not enough in the budget to pay Kevin too.

Hint for #65: You’ll never look at a box marked “fragile” the same.

Peace Be The Journey

Luke’s Favorite Films Take Two: #67

On By Luke FlorenceIn Favorite Films, Lists, Major League, Movies1 Comment

#67: Major League (1989)

Major League

Director: David S. Ward
Starring: Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen and Corbin Bernsen
Plot: “The new owner of the Cleveland Indians puts together a purposely horrible team so they’ll lose and she can move the team. But when the plot is uncovered, they start winning just to spite her.”
Stock: Holding
Previous Ranking: #62

“I play for the Indians.”
“Here in Cleveland? I didn’t know they still had a team!”
“Yep, we’ve got uniforms and everything, it’s really great.”

A movie that will never leave this list. It defines who I am in a way no other film has ever come close to.

My good friend Kevin and I watch this movie every spring before the Indians season starts. Why?? I have no idea. Maybe to remind us of where we’ve come from. Maybe to give us hope for the future. Maybe to give us a few laughs before the real Indians make us cry. Who knows.

Roger Dorn, Pedro Cerrano, Ricky Vaughn and Lou Brown. These names never actually played or managed for the Indians, but it feels like they have. Every time I see someone fail to get in front of a ground ball I usually make a Dorn “ole” reference. Every time I see a pitcher miss badly I usually give a “just a bit outside” line. Every time the Indians lose to the Yankees I refer back to the “one of these days we’re going to figure out how to beat those guys” moment.

I laugh every time I watch Major League … thanks largely to Bob Uecker’s performance as Harry Doyle. He has so many one-liners it’s ridiculous. The way he commentates is where a large part of my sense-of-humor originates. It’s based on sarcasm and observation.

“Just a reminder, fans, comin’ up is our “Die-hard Night” here at the stadium. Free admission to anyone who was actually alive the last time the Indians won a pennant.”

UPDATE

Even after all these years of watching Major League I’m still learning new things about it. Recently, I discovered that there is an alternate ending to the movie, where despite portraying the villain throughout, the “bad” owner turns out to be “good” the entire time. She pretends to want to move the team to Florida in hopes of motivating the team to play well.

I was blown away by this, but eventually started to think it would have made for a better ending. Unfortunately, audiences preferred the villainous owner, which just goes to show you – the public doesn’t know what’s good for them.

Fun Fact: When Cerrano hits the homerun in the final game against the Yankees, it was not in the script for him to run around the bases with the bat in his hand. What actually happened was that Dennis Haysbert actually did hit a homerun during the take and was so shocked that he forgot to drop the bat before he started running.

Hint for #66: Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, Rob Gronkowski, etc.

Peace Be The Journey