Martial Arts
Hero
– One of the best and most effervescent martial arts films I’ve ever seen. The choreography, colors, cinematography, plot and dialogue (even with it being subtitled) are all top notch. This wins over Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon any day in my book.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0299977/
5 Deadly Venoms
– Old Skool Kung Fu Classic. WuTang got their inspiration from this movie (as well as Shogun Assassin). If you ever wanted to know more about the Toad, Lizard, Snake, Centipede and Scorpion styles, this is your movie. It just so happens that centipede and snake are in the mood to steal the fortune from the neighborhood rich chap only to have Toad stand in their way of success. Regrettably, Toad is framed for murder and eventually killed by the corrupt local police after his friend Lizard leaves town. Ultimately, a mysterious 6th student comes to the aid of Lizard to defeat Snake, Centipede and Scorpion in this martial arts flick.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077559/
Anime/Animation
Princess Mononoke
– Magical Film about a boy who gets infected by ‘demons’ who discovers, in his journey for a cure, a ‘princess’ of the forest who dares fight against the encroaching industrial age, with the help of the last of the huge forest creatures. In the end, there must be balance between the new and old ways.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119698/
Final Fantasy – Spirits Within
– Honestly I initially rented this only because of the title and wanted to know more about it simply because of the awesome Final Fantasy games I’ve played over the years. The story, characters and plot are fantastic and follow perfectly with the animation. Basically the story goes like this…the ‘ghosts or phantoms’ are the previous inhabitants of another destroyed planet who are blasted into space on an asteroid and crash land on Earth. The ensuing war against the ‘ghosts’ pretty much destroys the civilization of mankind until they figure out a way to fight against the ‘phantoms’. It boils down to Gaya…the spirit of the Earth.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0173840/
Animatrix
– A great accompaniment to the Matrix trilogy. It tells the definitive story of how the ‘machines’ came to destroy and eventually control humanity on Earth. It’s also is a great movie to sample.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0328832/
Clone Wars 1 & 2
– Not really sure if George Lucas had a hand in directing these (I do know that the guy who made Samurai Jack did), but they are a wonderful complement to the original Star Wars films. The timeline of these animated features falls into place between Episode II and III (the recently released series). The comedic and battle sequences within this 2-disc series is a must see if you love the original movies.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361243/
Ninja Scroll
– One of the best anime films I’ve seen to date, frankly. Its story revolves around the 8 Devils of Kimon and Jubei’s, a highly skilled wandering ninja, fight against them and their master.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107692/
Fantastic Planet
– A psychedelic animated piece about a dream-like place, which focuses on the degradation of the Oms, human-like creatures on the futuristic planet Yagam. The Oms are kept as pets and beasts of burden by the Draggs, 39-foot beings who comprise Yagam’s ruling class. The status quo is upset when Terr, one of the Oms, accidentally receives an education, whereupon he organizes the other Oms to demand equality with the Draggs.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070544/
Comedy
Office Space
– If anyone has ever worked within a corporate environment, this movie is a must see. The movie explores the everyday revolting life of the corporate world. BTW, where the fuck is my stapler!!!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0151804/
Drama/Action
Falling Down
– A movie about an average Joe who finally grows sick of the habitual bullshit we all deal with on a daily basis and decides to take the law and retorts into his own hands. The custody battle is an added touch that should have been delved into a little more deeply though.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106856/
Reservoir Dogs
– A film about an almost anonymous cast of strangers who rob a bank and the ensuing bloody aftermath. Their aliases are all colors. It’s not the greatest of all films, but almost the entire movie takes places in a single garage, so the dialogue supports the movie alongside the acting performed by the cast of characters.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105236/
Fight Club
– Methinks this movie needs no introduction or summary. Name me one person who hasn’t seen this movie and loved it and I’ll kiss my own ass. Sure wish some of the events in this movie could mimic reality. This country needs it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0137523/
Killing Zoe
– Along the lines of Reservoir Dogs, French style. This is one of the original movies I believe Quentin Tarantino was involved in. The movie’s plot is primarily about a gang of drug addicts who are unsuccessful at robbing a bank after a drug binge party the night before, a formula for disaster.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110265/
Dances with Wolves
– Cheese in a way, but good cheese. I’m particularly partial to this movie because it gives us a glimpse at the Sioux way of life just before the fall of this great Indian civilization to colonial rule. This movie, set in a time just a few years after the civil war, reveals to us the Lakota way of life just before the end of the ‘frontier’, as they knew it and one white man’s struggle to understand it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099348/
What Dreams May Come
– Probably one of the finest depictions of Heaven and Hell I’ve seen within a film. Imagine Robin Williams in something less than comedic?!?! After Robin is killed in a car accident and goes to heaven, his wife in despair kills herself. Suicides typically go to hell and Robin Williams is determined to save her from this hell even if it cost him his own soul. If I believed in Heaven or Hell, this movie would be exactly how I would imagine it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120889/
Scarface
– Another one of those movies we know you’ve seen. “Say hello to my little friend!†This flick is pretty much about a vagrant bum kid who rises through the ranks to sit atop the drug lord chain and his subsequent violent end.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086250/
Human Traffic
– IMO, the best EDM related film to date. It’s set in Britain and tells the story of a group of party kids who run rampant on the weekend after enduring their drab regular 9-5 during the week.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0188674/
Memento
– Ever wondered what would happen if you had anterograde amnesia? This type of amnesia occurs when you cannot remember anything past the first few moments after a memory transpires. Talk about short-term memory loss, eh? This movie is about a guy with such an ailment who vehemently attempts to piece together his life as it spirals downhill. This movie is not for the apprehensive as its structure actually goes in reverse rather than forward. It’s a mind fuck of a movie and will need to be watched twice for those who are slow in picking shit up.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0209144/
War Movies
Full Metal Jacket
– Another classic Vietnam War film, by Stanley Kubrick, that details the vigorous training that came before a stint in Vietnam and a somber look at what the Vietnam War wrought on the troops. If anything this movie is a masterpiece because of the hilarious actor they played as the drill instructor during a large section of the movie. The same guy who played the ‘father’ in the new Texas Chainsaw movie is the drill instructor. The guy is a fucking riot. A must see.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093058/
The Killing Fields
– Another movie about the Vietnam/Cambodian War from the view of the media people involved. This movie isn’t for the faint at heart. It takes us into the swirling hell of Southeast Asia just as the US is secretly leaving the Cambodian jungle (choppering out with our tails between our legs) and the subsequent aftermath. It tells the story of a Cambodian media specialist who gets trapped behind enemy lines after Pol Pot’s takeover of Cambodia and his struggle to get free of his captors. This movie gives us a glimpse into the extreme side of human nature and the horror and chaos that took place after we left Vietnam/Cambodia in the 70s.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087553/
Apocalypse Now
– Another classic Vietnam War story. Can you tell I have an affliction with this war? If you haven’t seen it, it is a must see. It tells the story of a captain, Martin Sheen, (and his long trip up the Daedong River in Vietnam) who’s given the assignment to assassinate a colonel who’s gone lost in the field, who has lost his mind and is commanding an army of renegade Cambodians against the North Vietnamese.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078788/
Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Alien 3
– Best flick from the ‘Alien’ series IMO. Best ‘alien’ film IMO. Sigourney Weaver at her best. Basically, after the whole Marines squad got their ass kicked in the 2nd aliens flick the remaining few survivors eventually ended up in space sleeping in hyperbolic freeze chambers only to crash land on a prison planet because a single mother alien egg was left on the ship by the mother from the previous movie. Unfortunately there aren’t any weapons on this prison planet, only hardened criminals. Talk about a bad luck, eh?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103644/
Dune
– Not sure what the underlying significance of this film is supposed to be, but I swear it’s a reflection of modern times. There exist a planet in deep space that is the root of all commerce in the known universe because of ‘spice’, the planets treasure. (Think oil) The ‘house’ that rules the planet gets deposed by a rival ‘house’ under the secret blessing of the ruling government administration of the known universe, primarily because of the fear of who controls the production and shipment of ‘spice’. The son of the deposed ‘house’ father eventually becomes a sort of messiah, rises in the ranks and eventually leads the desert people of the planet in a rebellion against the government and rival house in all out war. Anyone think this movie sort of resembles modern times? Middle East…Desert People…Oil…endless war… I guess you have to see it to know what I’m talking about.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0142032/
Equilibrium
– After WWIII, the ‘world’ government decides that human nature is the sole cause of our tendency to want to destroy one another and decides to absolutely outlaw anything that gives rise to such emotions….paintings, books, movies, music, marriage, everything. Furthermore, everyone is also required to inject a serum that causes everyone to become docile and completely impassive. The leading government rules with an iron fist in regards to the above law. One of the leading fighters/commanders who leads soldiers against the ‘resistance’, which fights against this submissive existence, forgets to take his own medication one day and becomes aware of how wonderful (and painful) the sensations of emotions are and decides to change sides and fight against the oppression.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0238380/
Gattaca
– This movie makes evident what would happen if we utilized our DNA as the basis of most all decisions within our ‘unknown’ future and lives. It’s also a realistic look at what would happen if we continue on the path of mapping our lives according to our DNA. The leading character in the movie cheats his way past the DNA analysis, which is consistently used in all aspects of the environment, to prove that this method of existence is not only wrong, but also purely fictional. He is destined to become a space pilot and we are not always destined to follow in our DNA’s footprints.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119177/
THX 1138
– George Lucas debut film. The story is a little divergent, but it’s good nonetheless. The movie is hard to explain, but basically sexuality and individual thought are outlawed in the future and 2 lovers decide to fight against the status quo.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066434/
Primer
– This is an indie film that will most certainly have to be watched twice. Two engineers create a time machine quite by accident and discover that time is not something to be messed with, as the more you attempt to alter, the more screwed up things become. The patchwork back and forth time-line will have you questioning your own sanity.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390384/
Mirror Mask
– Many people would simply call this an ‘art fag’ movie, but it is exceedingly creative in its plot and digital ‘Alice in Wonderland’ animation, molding animation with live actors. This movie is primarily about a circus teenager who attempts to bring balance back to her world. This is primarily a kid’s movie, but I find it to be extremely unique in its design.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0366780/
Dark Crystal
– Kids fantasy classic from my younger years. A lone Gelfling, one of the last of his race, goes on a journey to free his race and the planet from the evil Skeksis and to locate the missing shard and return it to the dark crystal and bring balance back to the universe. This is a Jim Henson production so expect Muppet-type action.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083791/
Legend
– Kids fantasy classic from my younger years as well. Tom Cruise’s debut film. Voted the best illustration of the devil and the best ‘unicorn’ film IMO. The devil has taken the horn of one of the last unicorns and has kidnapped the other and plans to sacrifice him. Cruise is destined to free the captive princess and the unicorn before darkness takes over all goodness and light in this world.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089469/
Willow
– Kids fantasy classic from my younger years and still watched from time to time. Willow, from a ‘half-ling midget village’, leaves his village to deliver an extraordinary child (a small baby) to a good sorceress so that they, together, may finally defeat the evil Queen Madmorda and cast her ass out of their land which she is obliterating.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089469/
Dragon Slayer
– Another classic from when I was younger. Best movie involving a dragon to date IMO. A local dragon consistently devastates the people, land and property of a community and their only recourse is to offer a virgin sacrifice every year at a certain time by the use of a lottery. A wizard’s apprentice sets out to destroy the dragon and end his destructive and blood thirsty rampages.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082288/
Merlin
– This fantasy film is set in the time of King Arthur, but is primarily about the wizard Merlin. Anyone who has ever read any ‘medieval times’ book about King Arthur, Camelot, Excalibur or Merlin will be familiar with this story. Merlin fights against the dark and magical Queen Mab as she attempts to destroy Camelot and all Merlin has helped build.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0130414/
Horror/Suspense
Devil’s Advocate
– Maybe it’s just me but I love Al Pacino and he plays the devil like a fucking genius. I love his over the top tirades in the films he plays in and this movie delivers the best one yet. Keanu Reeves plays a lawyer who is seduced by the shady side of the attorney life…working for blatantly guilty criminals and getting them off by bending the laws to suit his own vanity. He’s a good lawyer, but will his deeds liberate his soul and his lonely and depressed wife, especially when he finds out that he is the son of the devil? Satan, Al Pacino, selects him as the most appropriate choice to bring about a son that will bring about the end of all things? Wait…is this a dream or my consciousness? This movie is great not only because of the superb acting, but because it demonstrates why 99% of judicial cronies and lawyers are scum-sucking fucters.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118971/
Blair Witch Project
– Forget all of you Asses out there who made fun of me. When I first watched this indie flick I honestly believed it to be real footage, only edited. This is a horror classic and extremely creative to boot. To date I don’t know who the actors are, but IMO they were some of the best I’ve seen presenting the deteriorating mind of someone who is slowly losing their marbles, largely because of fear. Classic handheld film-making and poorly filmed, but that’s what makes it utterly unique.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0185937/
The Last Broadcast
– Many say that the Blair Witch bit off of this film and vice versa, and though they are similar, this one leads a different course. The narrator tells the story with ‘actual footage’, only for you to discover a shocking truth at the end. If you were fond of the Blair Witch, go ahead and watch this one too.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0122143/
Oldboy
– Imagine being imprisoned for 15 years within a single room (that looks like a hotel room no less) for no apparent reason and suddenly being set free. Revenge is sweet, especially when you discover who your captors are. This is a subtitled movie, but IMO it is a must see. This movie demonstrates how far someone will go to get revenge. The ending sequences are very revealing and suspenseful. Definitely watch it until the very end.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364569/
Mothman Prophecies
– A chiller that gives radiance to a mysterious creature that brings nightmares along with its ability to help its possessee prophesize. These visions are telling him something, but will Richard Gere find out the answer before it’s too late?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0265349/
Butterfly Effect
– Imagine if you discovered that you could travel back and forth through time by simply reading your old journal books and being transported back to the time of the entry. What things would you wish to change in a vain attempt at devising a way to make everything better for yourself and for those you cared about. Sometimes it’s better to leave fate alone, as the next one you create could be far worse than the one you leave. This is a must see for anyone who hasn’t seen it. The time-line is a bit tricky, but ingenious.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289879/
Ginger Snaps
– This is a series, but IMO this is the best film. It’s an indie film about a girl who gets bitten by a werewolf and her sister’s attempt to cure her. How far will you go to support a family member who’s slowly turning into a savage murdering animal? Werewolf=Puberty?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0210070/
Silent Hill
– Voted best movie adaptation from the gaming world to the motion picture world. They recreated some of the games chief elements quite adequately and the effects are top notch. Pyramid head kicks motherfucking ass, I don’t care what any of yaz says.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384537/
The Descent (Unrated Version)
– Not the greatest film in its genre, but the horror and dependable suspense in this film more than makes up for anything it lacks. Several active women ‘cavers’ go into the WVa mtns only to discover that they aren’t the only ones within the dark caverns deep within the earth. They are trapped and are being hunted by creatures living deep within. This movie will scare those easily frightened and gross those who easily succumb to the ewwwwssss.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435625/
Identity
– What if you possessed multiple personalities and couldn’t distinguish between them when you transformed into one? What if one of those personalities was a deranged serial killer? This film is about a determined psychiatrist who brings forth evidence that he may be able to psychologically aid in destroying the other detrimental personalities within his death row inmate, which will permit him to live within a mental institution rather than be committed to death. The problem then lies with how will you determine which one of the personalities is the serial killer? This film takes place almost entirely within the mind of a schizophrenic. This is a must see film for those who love psychological thrillers.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0309698/
Undead
– One of the most bizarre, bloody and hilarious zombie movies to date. This is destined to be a classic so go watch it. Who knew that aliens and zombies could invade at the same time?!?! You can run, but how far do you think you actually get?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0339840/
Old Skool/Classics
They Live
– Rowdy Roddy Piper discovers that an alien race is slowly taking over the world disguised as human looking Republicans. Those damn sunglasses are the only way you can spot them and their incessant subliminal messages. This was definitely a stab at Republicrats back in the 80s. Rowdy is determined to stop them all in their tracks. A+ for the longest fight scene of any movie EVER!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096256/
Zardoz
– An old demented classic. Sean Connery finds out that the flying stone figure that his barbarians worship is not what it seems. The highly civilized society has fooled them into believing in the stone GOD Zardoz. Sean Connery eventually conquers the high and mighty civilized (gay as hell) society and wrecks havoc on its population. This movie is funny as hell, even if it wasn’t meant to be. Score one for the cavemen days.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070948/
Altered States
– Before there was digital animation, there were optical effects. This movie is about a scientist who conducts experiments on himself with a substance that is most closely associated with mushrooms and his journey to the beginning of the most basic elements of cell life and his research within. This old skool movie is plum full of optical efx so be prepared with your 3D glasses.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080360/
Short Circuit
– An old classic of mine. No. 5 is alive!!!! A robot gets hit by lightning and comes alive and spends the movie convincing others that he is ALIVE and shouldn’t be turned over to the authorities. However, the military has other plans for him.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091949/
Special Interest/Etc.
Baraka
– This is a visual journey that concentrates on the relationships between humans and their environments. Think National Geographic with a bit of a psychedelic approach.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103767/
What the Bleep Do We Know?
– Quantum physics and its altering effects on the human condition are explored in this film. Hopefully this movie will transfix you and motivate you to develop a new perception of the world around you.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0399877/
Kids
– Not really a Special Interest film as much as it is an indie film depicting a common group of teenagers (and specifically a HIV infected hoodlum player) in urban NYC. The camera and mic follow the characters around much like in a documentary, giving us an intimate look into the extracurricular lives of kids in the 90s. Disturbing film and somewhat relevant to the ‘underground culture’.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113540/
1984
– Movie based off George Orwell’s book, 1984. If you think ‘it’ cannot happen here, I ask that you consider taking another look around and reevaluate your perception of the current state of affairs.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087803/
Pink Floyd – Pulse
– Pink Floyd’s stellar 1994 performance recorded live at London’s Earls Court. A must see for Pink Floyd fans. Sure wish I could have been there. It would have been a wonderful 18th Birthday present. Oops, shouldn’t be giving away my age like that!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110758/
TV Series
Battlestar Gallactica
– After being betrayed and falling victim to a devastating attack by the robotic Cylon hordes, the remaining few inhabitants from the colonies of Kobol race to escape the Cylon fleet who chase the survivors into the depths of space. The antiquated ship Battlestar Gallactica leads a ragtag fleet of human survivors (from the destroyed colonies of Kobol) in search of a mythical planet called Earth. Season 1 and 2 are by far the best.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314979/
Lost
– Stranded on a tropical island after their plane crashes 1,000 of miles off-course, a group of castaways must learn to survive in their new island home. Unfortunately for them, they aren’t the only inhabitants of the island as one mystery after another are discovered and uncovered. Will they all survive?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0411008/
Of course there are far more that deserve honorable mention, but I’ll leave this not all inclusive list as it stands right now…..that is until I change my mind.
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