Movie #282 - From Dusk Til Dawn

From Dusk Til Dawn
1996 - Rated R - 1 hr 58 min
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Starring: George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, Salma Hayek, Cheech Marin, Danny Trejo

So two bad brothers are making big bad deals and just happen to pick the one vampire hangout in town. Could happen. In fact, it's that randomness about this movie that makes it so much fun to watch.  It's completely implausible, and a little bit of ridiculous, but Robert Rodriguez says, "Hey, let's kill some vampires in the middle of this movie. Why not?"  And you say, "Yes sir!"

You gotta love it.  Plus, any time Quentin Tarantino gets to be a sick bastard on screen is pretty awesome. And surprisingly, George Clooney can indeed kick ass.

Movie #167 - Dogma

Dogma
1999 - Rated R - 2 hr 10 min
Director: Kevin Smith
Starring: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Linda Fiorentino, Chris Rock, George Carlin, Salma Hayek, Alan Rickman, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Jason Lee

Who isn't in this movie?  It's like a Who's Who of Kevin Smith films.  Even Brian O'Halloran makes an appearance. Impressive.

Believe it or not, this was the first Kevin Smith movie I ever saw.  But I knew afterwards that I was a fan and I needed to see more.  That lead to Clerks, Chasing Amy, Mallrats... and I even went to see Jersey Girl.  That's dedication.

What makes this movie even greater than his others is the seamless way he blends his usual comedy with Catholic dogma.  Alan Rickman as the angel Gabriel? Only Kevin Smith would think of this.  George Carlin as a cardinal? Ditto.  And of course, adding Jay and Silent Bob elevates this to a whole new level... and ranks them as the greatest "prophets" the world has ever known.

Only watch this movie if you can laugh at religion, or else you're going to hate it.  The humor isn't mean-spirited or disrespectful in anyway, but you have to have a sense of humor about it.  It isn't meant to be taken seriously, but it's message is: don't believe blindly, just have a good idea.

Movie #158 - Desperado

Desperado
1995 - Rated R - 1 hr 44 min
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Cheech Marin, Steve Buscemi, Danny Trejo

Want to watch Antonio Banderas play some killer guitar? Check!

Want to watch him kill men with guitars? Check!

Want to watch him and Salma Hayek make sweet love then play guitar? Check!

So this movie is what it is: a story of revenge, a story of a bad-ass musician who doubles as an expert gun-slinger.  And also a story of drug busting, kinda.  There's lots of sweat and dirt, many bullets, and a fantastic body count...also some fantastic bodies. Just sayin'.

It's fun, easy to follow, and has lots of action.  It's a guy movie, which is not surprising since Robert Rodriguez directed it.  And oh hey, Quentin Tarrantino's in it too!