Movie #104 - Charlotte's Web

Charlotte's Web
Hanna-Barbera Pictures
1973 - Rated G - 1 hr 34 min
Directors: Charles A. Nichols, Iwao Takamoto
Starring: Debbie Reynolds, Harry Gibson, Paul Lynde, Danny Bonaduce

As a kid, this was always one of my favorites.  As an adult, I have no explanation for that... I'm arachnophobic.  I shouldn't want to have anything to do with a spider, even if she is voiced by the illustrious Debbie Reynolds.  And still, I loved the book and the movie, read and watched them over and over. I think I even wrote a book report on this E.B. White classic story at some point.

Anyway, watching it again for the first time since puberty, it was nice to know that I remembered it much as it was.  None of those weird "Well, this is lame" moments that have ruined most of the other favorites from my childhood.  The one observation I did make is how much of a giant baby Wilbur is... and how they seem to be using him to make a gay joke throughout the entire movie.  But it was the 70's so who knows.

Long story short, it was nice to see this again and share it with Ellie, who was mesmerized and danced with me to the songs.  Watching childhood favorites with your own children really makes them seem special again.

Movie #103 - Catch Me If You Can

Catch Me If You Can
DreamWorks
2002 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 21 min
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, Amy Adams, James Brolin

Want to watch Leo play with people's hearts, minds, and money for two hours? Want to see what it would be like if Christopher Walken were his dad?  How about if Tom Hanks were a fast-acting FBI agent, just one step behind a masterful con artist?

This movie's just fun to watch, given that it's based on an actual true story.  Adapted from the book by con artist Frank Abagnale Jr. - who led federal agencies on a wild goose chase across the country before he turned 19 - these stories seem delightfully farcical.  When you stop and remember that they actually happened, it's even more interesting.  Of course, none of these tricks would work today, but it's still funny to see how easily this kid manipulates and cons.

Then you realize it's a good thing he was a fairly good-natured guy...

Movie #102 - Casino Royale

Casino Royale
Metro Goldwyn Meyer
2006 - Rated R - 2 hr 24 min
Director: Martin Campbell
Starring: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright

I know there was some upheaval over this Bond re-boot, but in my opinion, it was a very much needed one.  Craig's grittier, edgier, kill-you-in-the-men's-room James Bond is fun and refreshing. In fact, I think the franchise was getting a bit stuffy before this revamp came to town.  This is the Bond of today.

And even the intro song rocks.

Anyway, Judi Dench is awesome as always and the Vesper chick, even though she comes in surprisingly late for a Bond Girl, is a worthy claimant to that title.  I especially love the way this movie ties neatly into its sequel, but I have until Q before I get to see that one again.  But this is one Bond movie I'm happy to watch again and again, because even the poker scenes seem like supressed action sequences.  On the whole, very well done.

Movie #101 - Casablanca

Casablanca
Warner Bros. Pictures
1942 - Not Rated - 1 hr 42 min
Director: Michael Curtiz
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid

It's tough to switch gears from dark action films and modern comedies, and find the attention span for one of the great classics.  Not saying it's hard to follow this movie, although I consider the plot a tad more complicated than most modern movie-goers can handle, just that this movie moves at a different pace.  You need time to adjust, you know?

I watched this one with a fresh pair of eyes, for the first time in about two decades when I first dubbed the movie as "boring."  I was eight, people.  And it's not boring. Maybe for an eight-year-old, but not for someone who gets genuinely sucked in to this piece of cinematic history.  Movies were different back then, with much more focus placed on actors and the subtleties in performance, the delivery of text, the richness of the dialogue.  More like plays, less like CGI parties. And watching the subtext that bubbles between Bogart and Bergman is a sheer joy.

If you haven't seen this one, it's a must.

Movie #100 - Bubble Boy

Bubble Boy
Touchstone Pictures
2001 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 24 min
Director: Blair Hayes
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Swoosie Kurtz, Marley Shelton, Danny Trejo, Fabio, Zach Galifianakis

Let this movie stand as proof that Fabio can do more than pose for romance novel covers and peddle un-butter via TV.  He can also lead cults and strike the fear of God into innocent, brain-washed followers... right?

As stupid as this movie is, it still remains one of my goofy favorites.  Honestly, it just makes me laugh, even if I'm in a bad mood.  Jake Gyllenhaal is supremely adorable, even trapped inside that bubble, and Swoosie Kurtz is spot-on overcontrolling, battle axe mother.  In addition to Fabio, there are lots of other great cameos and a whole cast of wacky characters that make this movie fun.  Even the 'bad guy' is fun to laugh at.

Don't watch this for its intellectual content; just watch it when you need a good laugh.

Oh and by the way, Zack Galifinakis is in it... before The Hangover, he was a tiny bit-part actor.  See if you can find him :)

Movie #99 - Bruce Almighty

Bruce Almighty
Universal Pictures
2003 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 41 min
Director: Tom Shadyac
Starring: Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston, Morgan Freeman, Steve Carell

Whoever decided that Jim Carrey could play God for a day was a genius... I love this movie.  Alright, so there's nothing epic or life-changing about it.  But it's a sweet story about one man's personal redemption... under very unique circumstances.

Of course, he has to use his powers for the things that any man would, at least at the beginning.  You know, making his girlfriend's boobs bigger and sabotaging the competition to get ahead at work (bravo, Steve Carell, on acting completely insane in that scene).  Trying to skip out on the responsibility by saying 'yes' to everyone? Rookie mistake.  Sure this movie is a 'gimmick,' but it's definitely a gimmick that's well done and fun to watch evolve.  Also Jennifer Aniston is highly underrated, but very good as Bruce's unlucky girlfriend.

PS - Morgan Freeman is probably the best 'God' since George Burns in 'Oh, God!'

Movie #98 - The Brothers Grimm

The Brothers Grimm
Miramax
2005 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 53 min
Director: Terry Gilliam
Starring: Matt Damon, Heath Ledger, Monica Bellucci

I just learned that Terry Gilliam directed this, but I can't say that I'm surprised.  This is just the kind of warped, dark fairytale that he would love.  Luckily, I love it too.

I also love Matt Damon and Heath Ledger.  This movie actually makes me miss Heath Ledger, a lot.  Sigh.  Anyway, they are perfect together, although I'm always surprised that Damon is the bully brother and Ledger is the nerdy one.  It's like Gilliam swapped their usual roles, just for kicks.  But they do so well, you forget after about five minutes that it wasn't what you expected.

The Monica Bellucci character is a bit over the top, but the whole movie is 'fantastical' in nature so you go along with it.  And it is fun to see where this movie claims their stories have originated.  This one's just fun to watch.

Movie #97 - Brotherhood of the Wolf

The Brotherhood of the Wolf (Le Pacte des Loups)
Universal Pictures
2001 - Rated R - 2 hr 22 min
Director: Christophe Gans
Starring: Samuel Le Bihan, Mark Dacascos, Vincent Cassel

This is probably one of the lesser-known titles on our wall, so I'll explain.  It's a French movie (hence the title) and it's dubbed into English and it's based on an old French myth about a werewolf.  Apparently, over 100 people were "eaten" by a mysterious animal.  This movie posits there's a werewolf and a conspiracy of townsfolk who know it.

Not one of my favorites - though Mike raves about this movie - I find it kind of distracting that it's dubbed.  And I also find it's a bit too slow.  The special effects are middle grade and every shot of this film is dark, dark, dark.  Great suspense and atmosphere, a good plot with lots of intrigue, just not a favorite.  Hey. We like what we like, right?

Movie #96 - Bring It On

Bring It On
Universal Pictures
2000 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 38 min
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, Jesse Bradford, Gabrielle Union

Between slaying vampires on Buffy, Eliza Dushku was practicing cheers with Kirsten Dunst.  And as odd as it is to picture Faith in a cheerleading uniform, she makes it work :)

I love this movie and I don't care what anyone says.  I'm not a big fan of all the sequels that have resulted... Bring It On Again...etc.  Haven't seen them, but I'm pretty sure they're crap.  But the original is actually funny and enjoyable to watch.  This movie knows how ridiculous its premise is, and it embraces it.  That's the only reason it works.

Oh, and Kirsten Dunst rocks.

Movie #95 - Bridge Jones: The Edge of Reason

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
Miramax
2004 - Rated R - 1 hr 48 min
Director: Beeban Kindron
Starring: Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent

In case you didn't get enough Bridget the first time, she's back!  I know Renee Zellweger annoys some people, but I just think she's adorable in this role.  Watching her try to ski? Priceless.

Anyway, most chick lit novels will stop once boy and girl get together.  But in this sequel, it clearly becomes evident that Bridget will 'foul up' just about anything she touches, so it's worth a second look at her and her budding romance with Mark Darcy.  Fielding writes lots more awkward scenarios into which she thrusts this lovable character, including a great scene where Bridget tries to buy a pregnancy test in Germany...without knowing any German. 

I'm glad that the sequel ends... and that's it... because dragging this on any further would have been overkill.  But this sequel is almost as fun as the first, so its worth a watch.

Movie #94 - Bridget Jones's Diary

Bridget Jones's Diary
Miramax Films
2001 - Rated R - 1 hr 37 min
Director: Sharon Maguire
Starring: Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent, Shirley Henderson

Oh God, I love this movie.  I was so happy to see something so fun and light after the last few movies on the wall.  Go, Bridget, go!

Helen Fielding (author of the book) is a goddess, the 'mother' of modern chick lit, and a personal hero.  This book is hysterical, the movie is even better.  Renee Zellweger is the perfect blend of hopeless and lovable, cuddly and awkward.  When you watch this movie, you love her so much, it's easy to see why two hotties like Colin Firth and Hugh Grant would be so smitten with her charming, blundering ways.

Zellweger's total committment to this role, from the horrible wardrobe to her mishaps with a fireman's pole, are what makes this movie so enjoyable.  This is definitely one of the best book-to-movie transitions I've seen yet, and all because she does so well interpreting this character.

Movie #93 - Brick

Brick
Focus Features
2005 - Rated R - 1 hr 50 min
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Nora Zehetner, Lukas Haas, Noah Fleiss, Emilie de Ravin

Okay... where to start with this one?  If you haven't seen it, it's certainly an interesting watch.  If you have seen it, you probably can see how difficult it is for me to find something to say.

It's a mystery/thriller/drama with a little bit of action, a teensy bit of romance, and a whole lotta drugs.  I watch this movie, getting really into the plot of who's who and why is this chick dead, and then I have to remind myself... THIS IS HIGH SCHOOL.

I'm glad I did not go to this high school.  But I'm also glad that they made a movie like this.

Movie #92 - The Break-Up

The Break-Up
Universal Pictures
2006 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 46 min
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Aniston, Joey Lauren Adams, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, Justin Long, John Michael Higgins, Vincent D'Onofrio

The best part about this movie is the end.  Not because it's over... but because it doesn't end the way you expect.  A Hollywood rom-com always has a happy ending right?  Well, despite the movie trailer that would have you believe this is your standard rom-com, it so isn't.  Instead, it's like a study in communication breakdown, romantic dysfunction, the differences between men and women and how they manage conflict.  And even with its cutesy back-and-forth between this couple - expertly protrayed by Vaughn and Aniston, by the way - this movie is full of sorrow, regret, and doubt.  It's well done and highly underrated.  Calling this a rom-com just doesn't make sense.

Anyway, I really do like this movie, although it's not one I could pick up and watch every weekend.  There are laughs, here and there, but mostly it's just a reminder to appreciate the one you're with and not take anything for granted.  But the open-ended last scene also reminds us of all the things possible in the future.

Movie #91 - The Bourne Ultimatum

The Bourne Ultimatum
Universal Pictures
2007 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 55 min
Director: Paul Greengrass
Starring: Matt Damon, Joan Allen, Julia Stiles, David Strathairn, Albert Finney, Edgar Ramirez

The thrilling conclusion to the action-packed trilogy... and it's pretty good, too!  Matt Damon - still awesome.  Now that Bourne's got a plan, and he's the one keeping everyone else on their toes, this last installment takes on a different tone.  Damon is fierce and relentless... two words I did not think I would use in a sentence with his name.  Yet, there it is.

I really like this whole trilogy from beginning to end and it was nice to have a reason to watch them all.  Seeing Bourne go from amnesia patient to bad-ass ex-operative with a vendetta is pretty sweet.  This whole trilogy is just fun to watch.