Tag: Favorite Films

Luke’s Favorite Films Take Two: #68

On By Luke FlorenceIn Favorite Films, Lists, Movies, Space Jam1 Comment

#68: Space Jam (1996)

Space Jam

Director: Joe Pytka
Starring: Michael Jordan, Wayne Knight and Bill Murray
Plot: “Michael Jordan agrees to help the Looney Toons play a basketball game vs. alien slavers to determine their freedom.”
Stock: Holding
Previous Ranking: #64

“Larry’s not white. Larry’s clear.”

Some of you will look at this selection and simply credit it to Michael Jordan starring in it. You will say the only reason it’s here is because MJ is around. And to all of you out there who are saying these things here is my response …

You are absolutely correct.

One of my favorite what-if scenarios is to play the “alien game.” The alien game is when you hypothetically assume aliens are about to take over Earth but they give you an opportunity to play them in some sort of game. Whether it be basketball, golf, tennis, etc. If you got to pick anyone from Planet Earth to defend the world, who would you take?? A couple years ago you would have picked Tiger Woods in golf and Roger Federer in tennis. Well, twenty years ago you would have taken Michael Jordan in basketball, which is exactly what Bugs Bunny did.

This is a good – not great – film. It’s kind of funny, has a solid soundtrack and is relatively fast-paced. But if Michael Jordan wasn’t in it, it’s definitely not near this list.

One last thing, big props to Bill Murray for an excellent cameo appearance. He has without a doubt the funniest lines in the entire film.

UPDATE

Not much to update here. That original posting from 2011 perfectly encapsulates my thoughts and feelings on Space Jam.

Good luck following that LeBron.

Fun Fact: The movie’s original promotional website can still be found online, exactly as it appeared in 1996.

Hint for #67: The best time of the year to view this movie is right before Spring Training begins.

Peace Be The Journey

Luke’s Favorite Films Take Two: #69

On By Luke FlorenceIn Argo, Favorite Films, Lists, Movies1 Comment

#69 Argo (2012)

Argo

Director: Ben Affleck
Starring: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston and Alan Arkin
Academy Awards (3): Won for Best Picture, Best Writing and Best Editing. Nominated four more times. Alan Arkin for Best Supporting Actor, Best Music, Best Sound Mixing and Editing.
Plot: “Acting under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran in 1980.”
Stock: Holding
Previous Ranking: NR

“This is the best bad idea we have, sir. By far.”

There’s not one particular thing that stands out about Argo.

It’s not that there’s a solid cast of acting performances. It’s not that it tells a true story about the Iranian hostage crisis. It’s not that it takes time to be humorous despite the tense circumstances.

It’s a combination of those aforementioned items that makes Argo a truly memorable movie.

Let’s begin with the story – this actually happened. Tony Mendez, portrayed by Ben Affleck goes to Iran under the guise of a film producer to rescue a group of Americans. Crazy, but true.

Speaking of Affleck, I’ve never thought too much of his acting chops, but have applauded his directing capabilities. He comes through on both levels, although it is his directing that stands out the most. While playing the main character, Affleck is able to stay out of the film’s way, which required delicacy both in front and behind the camera.

The film benefits tremendously from the supporting performances of Alan Arkin and John Goodman. They give Argo a much needed comedic boost. While the film is full of tense sequences, laughter is found whenever Arkin and Goodman are involved.

Argo shocked Hollywood when it won the Academy Award for Best Picture. I was pleasantly surprised and felt strangely vindicated for Affleck, who was snubbed a nomination for Best Director.

And if you didn’t like Argo, well, all I can really say is, “Argo f*** yourself.”

Fun Fact: According to Tony Mendez, the fake production office known as Studio Six was so convincing in the real-life Argo plan that even several weeks after it folded and the Iranian rescue was complete, “we had received twenty-six scripts, one was from Steven Spielberg.”

Hint for #68: #23 probably would have made more sense … or #45.

Peace Be The Journey

Luke’s Favorite Films Take Two: #70

On By Luke FlorenceIn Ali, Favorite Films, Lists, Movies1 Comment

#70: Ali (2001)

Ali

Director: Michael Mann
Starring: Will Smith, Jamie Foxx and Jon Voight
Academy Awards: Nominated twice. Will Smith for Best Actor and Jon Voight for Best Supporting Actor.
Plot: “A biography of sports legend, Muhammad Ali, from his early days to his days in the ring.”
Stock: Down
Previous Ranking: #36

“Man, without me, you’d just be a mouth and a microphone.” – Ali
“And without me, you’d just be a mouth.” – Howard Cosell

For as long as I’ve known my good friend Matt Barnes I’ve been begging him to go and see Ali. He loves Will Smith and loves Jamie Foxx but has never seen Ali which stars them both. Still not sure what he’s waiting for. He’s missing an extremely powerful movie.

First off you have the acting, which is quite good for such a challenging film. Everyone knows Muhammad Ali and I can’t imagine the pressure Will Smith was under to master Ali’s speech. Despite that pressure, Smith shines as Ali. He did an excellent job playing “the greatest of all-time.” Throw in an outstanding job by Jon Voight portraying the late Howard Cosell and you have two memorable performances.

Second, you have the actual story. Ali was much more than just an athlete, and this movie sheds some light on his back-ground, his religion, and his family. He certainly did not lead a perfect life, and his trials and tribulations are well documented in this movie. I learned a lot about Ali through this film.

The boxing in this flick is actually fairly good, which adds substance to this already great movie. It looks and feels like a real boxing match, something The Fighter struggled with.

Lastly, this isn’t just a movie about glorifying Ali. It’s about his struggle, the cast of characters surrounding him, and human psychology. It has so much going for it that it continues to boggle my mind that Barnes won’t see it.

UPDATE

Despite my constant pestering, Barnes has STILL not seen this film. He owns the DVD and has assured me it’s sitting right next to his TV. Why hasn’t he watched it yet? Your guess is as good as mine.

Two things will always hold throughout the test of time in Ali. Jon Voight and Will Smith. If you hate everything else about this film, you cannot question how magnificent they were. That, will never change.

Fun Fact: Charles Shufford, a real-life 235 pound heavyweight boxer with a 17-2 record who plays George Foreman, was given license to make his punches as real as possible, short of incapacitating the film’s star.

Hint for #69: True story that ended in the USA congratulating Canada, not blaming them for once.

Peace Be The Journey

Luke’s Favorite Films Take Two: #71

On By Luke FlorenceIn Blood Diamond, Favorite Films, Lists, Movies1 Comment

#71: Blood Diamond (2006)

Blood Diamond
Director: Edward Zwick
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou and Jennifer Connelly
Academy Awards: Nominated five times. Leonardo DiCaprio for Best Actor, Djimon Hounsou for Best Supporting Actor, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing.
Plot: “A fisherman, a smuggler, and a syndicate of businessmen match wits over the possession of a priceless diamond.”
Stock: Holding
Previous Ranking: #55

“Sometimes I wonder … will God ever forgive us for what we’ve done to each other? Then I look around and I realize … God left this place a long time ago.”

Leonardo DiCaprio is the actor of my generation. He’s had an amazing career showcasing an incredible range. It continues to annoy the hell out of me that he’s only been nominated for four Oscars and – more importantly – hasn’t won one.

The third of his four nominations took place when he was up for his portrayal of Danny Archer in Blood Diamond. Not taking anything away from Forrest Whitaker who won the Oscar that year, but Leo was just as good.

DiCaprio sums up this movie in an interview better than I ever could, “I’ve never been a part of a movie that has a social message like this on such a grand scale … it tells us something about the world we live in.”

He’s exactly right. Blood Diamond’s social message concerns our pursuit of the rarest diamonds, and the bloodbath that takes part in their recovery. It certainly opened my eyes and if you haven’t seen it, I’m sure it will do the same.

Not only is Leo outstanding in this movie, but so is his partner-in-crime, Djimon Hounsou. Their partnership turns into a friendship and you feel lucky to witness that slow transformation.

If I had to sum up this film in one word it would be this … captivating.

UPDATE

Without question, my love affair for Leonardo Dicaprio has a lot to do with Blood Diamond showing up here. And you know what, I’m completely okay with that. It’s important to have favorites, and Leo certainly fits that bill. Replace Leo with a Brad Pitt or a Johnny Depp and this movie doesn’t come close to cracking this list.

As Chris Connelly so eloquently put it, “Leo makes your dreams come true.”

Fun Fact: When Danny Archer arrives in South Africa, there are two women standing in front of the airport and he walks by them. These women are Leonardo DiCaprio’s mother and grandmother.

Hint for #70: Combine #75 (The Fighter) and #85 (The Pursuit of Happyness) and you get this film.

Peace Be The Journey.

Luke’s Favorite Films Take Two: #72

On By Luke FlorenceIn Favorite Films, Lists, Movies, Training Day1 Comment

#72: Training Day (2001)

Training Day
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Starring: Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke and Scott Glenn
Academy Awards (1): Denzel Washington for Best Actor. Nominated one more time. Ethan Hawke for Best Supporting Actor.
Plot: “On his first day on the job as a Los Angeles narcotics officer, a rookie cop goes on a 24-hour training course with a rogue detective who isn’t what he appears.”
Stock: Down
Previous Ranking: #30

“King Kong ain’t got shit on me!”

I hardly ever use Michael Jordan as a comparison because it’s damn near impossible to compare MJ to anything or anyone. But, I will use it here because it’s the ONLY thing I can think of when describing Denzel’s role of Alonzo Harris. If Training Day was Game 6 of the NBA Finals, then Denzel was vintage Michael Jordan.

There really isn’t any other way to describe how perfect Denzel is as Alonzo Harris. His charisma, his language, his laugh … they all play a part in crafting one of the most “perfect” characters I’ve ever had the privilege of watching. He steals every scene he’s in and wholeheartedly deserved the Oscar he took home.

I was a late addition to Training Day and didn’t get around to finally seeing it until a couple years ago. I knew Denzel was superb and I had seen bits-and-pieces of it but never watched it all the way through. If you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favor and take it in. It’s too good of a film for you not to see it.

UPDATE

While Denzel isn’t going anywhere in my personal pantheon of best acting performances, the movie does takes a bit of a drop. Truth be told, I’m not too sure how it fell this far. I can say that #30 was a bit high for it four years ago, and that #72 may be a bit low for it now. Maybe in four more years I’ll finally get it right.

Fun Fact: Bruce Willis was offered the role of Alonzo.

Hint for #71: I had to buy one of these recently, and all I could think about was Leo.

Peace Be The Journey.