199-175

Today we have one insert, which means there will actually be 26 movies. Yay!

199. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) D: Chris Columbus

Briefly: A sequel is planned...MD2. Terrible idea. An excellence confluence of script and acting talent. Give Robin Williams a decent excuse to run wild (Aladdin) and magic can happen. Of course, disaster can happen as well...but Columbus avoids that.

Peformance to Savor: Robin Williams
Memorable Moment: None

198. Jerry Maguire (1996) D: Cameron Crowe

One of Tom Cruise's most mature performances, which was rightfully recognized by the academy. No need to rely on elaborate productions and costumes...simple charisma and charm, as well as frailty and weakness, go a long way here. I know Cuba was given an Oscar...but I wasn't too impressed.

Performance to Savor: Tom Cruise
Memorable Moment: Show me the money!

197. Mulholland Drive (2001) D: David Lynch

Predictably enough, Lynch plays around with chronology and atmosphere in an attempt to generate a picture lacking in coherence, but stuffed with mood. An attempt to understand the events logically is to completely miss the point of Lynch's motives. He's not trying to tell us a linear story, but to rather share a feeling. A disturbing, upsetting feeling...but a feeling nonetheless.

Performance to Savor: Naomi Watts
Memorable Moment: None

196. The Man Who Wasn't There (2001) D: Joel Coen

I am convinced that this movie is based on "The Stranger" by Albert Camus, but I haven't met anyone who has seen this and read that. So...if anyone has done both, please verify my claim! For those of you who care, the girl who tries to blow Billy Bob in the car is played by none other than Scarlett Johansson

Performance to Savor: Billy Bob Thornton
Memorable Moment: None

195. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) D: Kevin Smith

Yeah, this movie was fun, and pretty funny at times...but I didn't feel that it had any artistic necessity. Smith pretty much gave in to the fans. Jay and Silent Bob were the best parts of his other movies, and people wanted more. So KS caved, filled it with stars, secured a decent budget...and this is the result. So, while its good, it doesn't seem to have much intrinsic value.

Peformance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

194. Rookie of the Year (1993) D: David Stern

Funky butt-lovin'!

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

**INSERT** Goodbye Lenin (2003) D: Wolfgang Becker

E-town and I tried to rent Napoleon Dynamite, but our little video store didn't have it in stock. So, we got this instead. I had seen advertisements for it in Hungary, but it never really piqued my interest. Don't know why...this movie was great. Basically, its the story of a family whose matriarch has a heart and attack and whose subsequent coma spans the fall of communism in Deutschland. When she wakes up, to spare her of the shock (and probable second heart attack) her son schemes to hide the truth of capitalism from her. This means transferring "western" groceries into "communist" packaging, to say the least. Is it better to know the shocking truth, or to live a lie and be happy?

Performance to Savor: Daniel Bruhl
Memorable Moment: Half Lenin

193. The Sound of Music (1965) D: Robert Wise

The gold standard of Hollywood musicals.

Performance to Savor: Julie Andrews
Memorable Moment: None

192. Amores Perros (2001) D: Alejandro Inarritu

Four lives intersect around a car wreck. Dirty, gritty, and unforgettable.

Performance to Savor: Gael Garcia Bernal
Memorable Moment: None

191. Superman (1978) D: Richard Donner

As usual, the original is the best. Enough back story to help us understand the Man of Steel, but not so much that the movie feels divided. Clever set up for villains in later films. Suprisingly good special FX. I thought Lex Luthor was supposed to be bald. (Kevin Spacey is gonna play Lex in the Superman remake.)

Performance to Savor: Gene Hackman
Memorable Moment: Back in time

190. Rosemary's Baby (1968) D: John Cassevetes

A true horror. No need to rely on a crazed masked murderer slashing horny co-eds here. Back to the basics. What has every society been scared of since the dawn of time? The Devil, or some manifestation of such. Cassevetes relies on creeping and mounting terror, rather than visceral schlock-fests. To what lengths will you go for success?

Performance to Savor: Mia Farrow
Memorable Moment: Conception

189. Darkstar (1974) D: John Carpenter

I saw this in 1997 at S.E.P -- Summer Enrichment Program, and I haven't been able to find a copy since. One of Carpenter's first movies, and in my opinion, one of his most enjoyable. He doesn't try to hid his small-budget, he exalts it. Irreverant and rediculous.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: Space surfing

188. Jackie Brown (1997) D: Quentin Tarantino

That this is the lowest ranking QT movie on my list is an enormous compliment to his talent.

Performance to Savor: Pam Grier
Memorable Moment: None

187. A Boy and His Dog (1975) D: L.Q. Jones

In a bleak and nuclear-wasted future, a young man and his dog roam the landscape in search of...anything. Such is the set up for this striking flick. One of Don Johnson's first movies, and probably his best, A Boy constantly questions the of technology, social custom, and relationships in one's personal life. The conclusion is a bit out of left-field, but suprisingly effective.

Perfomance to Sovor: Don Johnson
Memorable Moment: Underground

186. Sneakers (1992) D: Phil Alden Robinson

A tight, taut caper movie...with a bit of revenge thrown in.

Performance to Savor: Dan Aykroyd
Memorable Moment :none

185. Blazing Saddles (1974) D: Gene Wilder

Laugh out loud hilarious. Offensive and racist, but in a Doty 3 kind of way. I watched this with Firuz and he didn't like it because the said n*g**r too much. Firuz! The filthiest guy I know! Anyway, I think Mel Brooks had an aneurysm or something at the end, because its insane, but the movie is just funny.

Performance to Savor: Marlene Dietrich
Memorable Moment: In quicksand

184. Fistful of Dollars (1964) D: Sergio Leone

I don't claim to like Westerns, and I didn't even really like this when I first saw it. But, I can't seem to get it out of my mind. I keep retelling the story over and over in my mind, and imagining the further adventures of the Man With No Name. Fortunately, they exist, as this is the first part of a trilogy!

Performance to Savor: Clint Eastwood
Memorable Moment: Final showdown

183. Jacob's Ladder (1990) D: Adrian Lyne

A disturbing and chaotic interpretation of the trials of a vietnam vet.

Performance to Savor: Tim Robbins
Memorable Moment: None

182. The Name of the Rose (1986) D: Jean-Jacques Annaud

A murder mystery set in a monastary, with Sean Connery as a sort of Catholic Sherlock Holmes. An interesting sideplot involves his side kick, Christian Slater. The fact that I even cared about whodunnit is a testament to the script and story-telling.

Performance to Savor: Ron Perlman
Memorable Moment: Monastic sex

181. X2: X-Men United (2003) D: Bryan Singer

Even as someone who didn't read the comics, I can still appreciate the relatively "unclutteredness" of this sequel to its predecessor. The characters are fairly established, and there's even some time leftover to introduce some new ones. Singer doesn't answer all the questions, and he evens raises some new ones. Hopefully Matthew Vaughn can keep up the momentum with X3. Oh yeah, who wouldn't want to date Mystique...she can look like anyone you want! How sweet would that be? Its like..hmm, well, see that cover of Maxim? Look like her!

Performance to Savor: Brian Cox
Memorable Moment: None

180. The Rocketeer (1991) D: Joe Johnston

You know how after a movie you se with friends you always end up talking about it? Not even necessarily immediately afterwards, but there's time spent recalling your favorite scenes, etc...Well, when we were younger Kit and I, would set time aside for this. One of us would be like "Hey, what're you doin?" "Nothin" "wanna come over and talk about the Rocketeer?" "Sure!".

Performance to Savor: Jennifer Connelly
Memorable Moment: On the blimp

179. Of Mice and Men (1992) D: Gary Sinise

There's a reason you are made to read this as a high school freshman. Its good.

Performance to Savor: John Malcovich
Memorable Moment: None

178. Tremors (1990) D: Ron Underwood

I love this movie. Everytime its on USA or TNT or something, I watch it. I think I've only seen the unedited version once, but it doesn't really matter. The sense of isolation is so complete, you know these characters can only rely on themselves and each other. Amazing.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: Gun wall

177. Beavis and Butthead Do America (1996) D: Mike Judge

My Dad and I drove to Bend (the nearest town with a theater to Madras) to see this because we both loved B&B. When we saw someone from our church, we had to lie and say we were going to see The Cable Guy. My Dad is a pastor.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: Hallucination sequence

176. Forever Young (1992) D: Steve Miner

Speaking of going to movies with your parents, the only time my mother condoned me playing hookey was win she pulled me out of school to go see this movie and then out to lunch. I was only 10, and this was a romantic comedy...but there was enough adventure involved for me to like it. Only not all the kissy stuff at the end.

Peformance to Savor: Mel Gibson
Memorable Moment: Reunion

175. The Cooler (2003) D: Wayne Kramer

A high-concept movie held in place by excellent performances. Alec Baldwin is terrific as an old-lion holding on to the old ways. W.H. Macy is lovable as a loser whose luck changes when he finds a woman who likes him. Amusing, sad, but ultimately uplifting...a must-see.

Performance to Savor: Alec Baldwin
Memorable Moment: None

224-200

I'm getting kinda excited. We're approaching the end of T-Biggs. Well, the end is in sight at least.

224. Ken Park (2003) D: Larry Clark

Better than Kids though not by much. I saw this in Hungary, where the advertising campaign made the movie out to be a bit of a romantic comedy. Knowing Clark, I knew better, but the hungarians didn't. Imagine their suprise when we got to watch a kid strangle himself and masturbate (from start to finish!), a father fellate his son, and a young man get naked crawl on his grandparents, and butcher them with a kitchen knife. Very touching.

Performance to Savor: Tiffany Limos
Memorable Moment: Strangulation

223. Groundhog Day (1993) D: Harold Ramis

I wanted to rank this one higher, but among comedies, it doesn't quite have that transcendent feel. Still, a great movie.

Performance to Savor: Bill Murray
Memorable Moment: None

222. CB4 (1993) D: Tamra Davis

After Rock left Saturday Night Live, he was on a bit of a cold streak. This movie brought him back and gave him the confidence he needed.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

221. Pitch Black (2000) D: David Twohy

Like Neo for Keanu Reeves, the character of Riddick is custom built for Vin Diesel. Be big and menacing, show little emotion, say very little. He got lobbed a sitter here, and unsuprisingly, he knocked it out of the park. Otherwise, a refreshingly taut script that doesn't rely on action or FX to prove a point.

Performance to Savor: Vin Diesel
Memorable Moment: None

220. From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) D: Robert Rodriguez

This movie completely took me by suprise. The line between Tarantino's half of the movie and Rodriguez's half is so completely defined...its unbelievable. Pointless...but in a good way.

Performance to Savor: Harvey Keitel
Memorable Moment: Salma=Vampire

219. Back to the Future (1985) D: Robert Zemeckis

Haven't we already discussed this?

Performance to Savor: Crispin Glover
Memorable Moment: None

218. Ghostbusters (1984) D: Ivan Reitman

Only better than Back to the Future because of Bill Murray.

Performance to Savor: Bill Murray
Memorable Moment: Stay-Puft attacks

217. Independence Day (1996) D: Roland Emmerich

The first of my true "Guily Pleasures". I'll identify the top "GP" when it comes, but you probably won't need my assistance. These movies have no business being this high, but I just can't say that I don't like them. Sure they're bad, but, they're fun. And Will Smith's character's name is Hiller.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: White House blows up

216. Air Force One (1997) D: Wolfgang Peterson

More of a temporary joy than a lasting one. Won't be ahead of Back to the Future or Ghostbusters when I get older.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: Sacrifice

215. Gangs of New York (2002) D: Martin Scorsese

Martin bit off a little more than he could chew. A tighter vision and screenplay could've bumped this up and least 50 spots. When I saw this in the theatre, some thugs came in, and left after the first 10 minutes. I think they thought it was actually about current Gangs in New York.

Performance to Savor: Daniel Day-Lewis
Memorable Moment: None

214. Sideways (2004) D: Alexander Payne

I wish I knew more about wine, but otherwise this is a solid little flick. Rock solid pic which will age (like its subjects) quite well. I see this moving up the list. Who knew Lowell could be so funny? Now he's the next Spider-Man villain.

Performance to Savor: Thomas Haden Church
Memorable Moment: Naked man running

213. A League of Their Own (1992) D: Penny Marshall

Does Bill Raimbeer coaching the WNBA remind any one else of Jimmy Dugan?

Performance to Savor: Tom Hanks
Memorable Moment: Splits catch

212. James and the Giant Peach (1996) D: Henry Selick

Claymation. Really the only appropriate way to adapt Roald Dahl's childish sense of surrealism.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

211. Heathers (1989) D: Michael Lehmann

Grace accused me of not liking movies she likes. Of course that's not true, and this is just the first of several to come.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

210. A Fish Called Wanda (1988) D: Charles Chrichton

The Monty Python group forays into comedy which is a bit more mainstream, but every bit as funny. Quirky and intelligent, the dialogue is sharp, and the pace brisk...that poor woman and her dog!

Performance to Savor: Kevin Kline
Memorable Moment: None

209. Manhunter (1986) D: Michael Mann

I watched a bit of Red Dragon last night with Grace. This is the original flick. Our first glimpse of Hannibal Lecter is provided by Brian Cox (Troy, The Bourne Identity, X-Men 2, L.I.E, etc...). He does a super job, though I wish I hadn't been tainted by Hopkins' bravado performance. I can't divorce my image of Lecter from Hopkins' delivery. Besides that, this movie wisely leaves a bit more of Lecter a mystery, which adds to his horror. Overall, a smarter film.

Performance to Savor: Brian Cox
Memorable Moment: None

208. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) D: Lewis Milestone

Much like "Gallipoli", a scathing indictment of war time attitudes. We open with a group of young men, filled with a passionate urge to fight, only to find that the realities of war are far removed from romantic heroism. The final image is memorable.

Performance to Savor: John Wray
Memorable Moment: None

207. Crimson Tide (1995) D: Tony Scott

One of the things I remember about seeing this was that I had to pee basically for the whole thing, but at no point could I turn away. Excellent, muscular direction by Scott, and top notch performances by the leads yield a stirring film.

Performance to Savor: Gene Hackman
Memorable Moment: None

206. The Thin Red Line (1998) D: Terence Malick

Malick wisely uses ambiguity and a semi-dreamlike state to convey his attitudes about WWII.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

205. Ed Wood (1994) D: Tim Burton

A rare assembly of acting, directing, and photographic talent. Burton paints Wood with a familiar brush, without resorting to pot-shots and jabs.

Performance to Savor: Johnny Depp
Memorable Moment: None

204. Bound (1996) D: The Wachowski Brothers

Lust and sweat practically drip out of this movie. Full of atmosphere and mood, Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly are perfectly cast as pseudo-lesbian mobster scheming women.

Performance to Savor: Gena Gershon
Memorable Moment: None

203. The Limey (1999) D: Steven Soderbergh

Writer's block.

Performance to Savor: Luis Guzman
Memorable Moment: None

202. The Last Samurai (2003) D: Edward Zwick

I feel that this movie would have been better recieved (what am I talking about, the critics loved it...lets say by our generation), had it not starred Tom Cruise. And that's a shame, because what we have here is a finely crafted, well acted movie. I would call out the ending a little bit for ultimately being a "happy" one, though there is the requisite amount of loss.

Performance to Savor: Ken Watanabe
Memorable Moment: Swordfight in the rain

201. Face/Off (1997) D: John Woo

John Woo makes a big splash across the pond with this rediculous, ludicrous, silly, overblown, loud, unbelievable...masterpiece. Maybe that was a bit strong, but this is a great movie and a great time.

Performance to Savor: Nicholas Cage/John Travolta
Memorable Moment: None

200. The Prince of Egypt (1998) D: Brenda Chapman

Let's just say the songs are still stuck in my head.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: The burning bush

Jake says we're going to Costello's tonight.

249-225

I'm on a roll, why stop now.

My tutors for this morning have both cancelled, which means I have nothing to do until 10am. If you're just returning to my blog, realize that I have two blogs already this week, so check them out.

249. Gallipoli (1981) D: Peter Weir

Great more for its comments regarding our attitudes about war than for its actual war-scenes themselves. Great use of the stark Australian interior.

Performance to Savor: Mel Gibson
Memorable Moment: Diving for bullets

248. Ace Ventura (1994) D: Tom Shadyac

When I was younger, my friend Kit, some of you know him, decided that it would be a good idea to watch The Exorcist alone, in the dark, late at night. He was scared to death, and even had to see a therapist. As a form of therapy, the doctor advised him not to focus on the horrors he had just seen, but to concrentrate on something which made him happy. At the time, it was Ace Ventura. So, he memorized the movie, and took to typing the screenplay from memory. What a guy.

Performance to Savor: Jim Carrey
Memorable Moment: Finkle is Einhorn

247. Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995) D: John McTiernen

Bruce Willis returns as John McLane in this suprisingly effective third movie in the series. Not quite as iconic as the original, but some interesting sequences keep the character fresh. And hungover, of course.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: In Harlem

246. Coming To America (1988) D: John Landis

Back when Eddie Murphey cared.

Performance to Savor: Eddie Murphey
Memorable Moment: None

245. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) D: Kevin Reynolds

Granted, Kevin Costner's accent is borderline unforgivable, but this telling of the classic tale is the best in recent memory. Maybe not quite up to the swashbuckling pirate of yesteryear, Errol Flynn, but definitely more suitable for a modern audience.

Performance to Savor: Alan Rickman
Memorable Moment: None

244. Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002) D: George Lucas

I think I like this one more in anticipation of what's to come than for its actual merits. We're finally starting to see some links to Episode IV (Jango and Boba, Clone/Storm Troopers, Anakin's hand, etc...), and that's what this new trilogy should be about. Only 2 months until Revenge of the Sith!

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

**Alright, this is it...we've gotten to the three star movies. Movies that I definitely like. Enjoy.***

243. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) D: Chris Columbus

What's up with all the Alan Rickman love? Anyway, this is probably the worst of the three released movies, but its the one that got me hooked. I saw this before I had read any books, and now I'm addicted.

Performance to Savor: Alan Rickman
Memorable Moment: None

242. Life is Beautiful (1997) D: Roberto Benigni

Well, he wsan't annoying in the movie.

Performance to Savor: Roberto Benigni
Memorable Moment: None

241. Odishon (1999) D: Takashi Miike

From Japan, this is one of the truly horrifying movies I have scene. Miike wisely follows the golden rule of true horror: Make us care about the characters. Once care has been established, even a tiny needle can be terrifying. There is also a sense of ambiguity and chronological mystery, which enables the viewer to fill in the blanks about what might be happening. The torture sequence towards the end is almost unwatchable. Rent this movie. Its known as "Audition" in the US.

Performance to Savor: Eihi Shiina
Memorable Moment: Torture

240. Chicken Run (2000) D: Peter Lord

The makers of Wallace and Grommit give us this delightful little tale of chickens trying to flee the coop. Great voicework by all involved. Some suprisingly tense times.

Performance to Savor: Mel Gibson
Memorable Moment: None

239. Unbreakable (2000) D: M. Night Shyamalan

It was really hard to place this one. At first I had it in the 400s, mostly because I though Night was trying to out-Night himself with the "twist" ending. Then, I considered his excellent use of lighting and mood...but the script is ultimately so-so. I dunno. But, I can't say that I don't like it, and its definitely better than average...so here it is. This was one of the hardest.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: Bench Press

238. Rudy (1993) D: David Anspaugh

I always end up watching this whenever its on TV. Yeah, its cheesy. Yeah, its melodramatic. But you just can't beat watching little Rudy get carried off the field.

Performance to Savor: Sean Astin
Memorable Moment: Carried off the field

237. Swingers (1996) D: Doug Liman

So money!

Performance to Savor: Vince Vaughn
Memorable Moment: Leaving too many mesages

236. Saving Grace (2000) D: Nigel Cole

A sweet gem of a flick. A recently widowed woman uses her green thumb to make money by growing tons of marijuana! Light yet touching, a must-see.

Performance to Savor: Brenda Blethlyn
Memorable Moment: Town gets high

235. Enemy of the State (1998) D: Tony Scott

For once it was nice to see Will Smith play someone who wasn't cocksure and arrogant. Yeah, he was a lawyer, but a scared one. Silly "happy" ending dropped this at least 50 spots.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

234. A Time to Kill (1996) D: Joel Schumacher

You can just feel the sweat. Set in the humid south, and featuring a murder's row of acting talent, A Time to Kill feels more like a play than a film, which is a testament to the script and dialogue delivery. The best of John Grisham's book adaptations.

Performance to Savor: Samuel L. Jackson
Memorable Moment: None

233. Ronin (1998) D: John Frankenhiemer

With the Bourne series, this movie is a spy/thief movie for those of you sick of extravagent hollywood-ish spectacles. Excellent car chases.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

232. Alive (1993) D: Frank Marshall

Due to its grisly nature, my mom said that I could only see this if I read the book first. She feared that the movie would be to sensational, and not capture the human drama which is the heart of this astonishing tale. She was right. But, the story is so compelling and unforgettable, that even at its mediocre-ist, Alive still outshines many a film.

Performance to Savor: Vincent Spano
Memorable Moment: First taste

231. Cube (1998) D: Vincenzo Natali

Like Mulholland Drive and Odishon there is an overriding sense of ambiguity and meaninglessness which permeates the film. Wisely so, as any attempt to explain these events would be unsatisfactory.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

230. Mary Poppins (1964) D: Robert Stevens

I never realized this when I was growing up, but Julie Andrews is hot as a nanny!

Performance to Savor: Julie Andrews
Memorable Moment: Chim chimeree

229. Red Dragon (2002) D: Bret Ratner

I feel this would have been better recieved had it not been a remake of Michael Mann's classic Manhunter. It's not as good as that movie, but consider the acting talent involved: Anthony Hopkins, Ralph Fiennes, Ed Norton, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Emily Watson, Harvey Keitel....that's unbelievable.

Performance to Savor: Anthony Hopkins
Memorable Moment: None

228. Get Shorty (1995) D: Barry Sonnenfeld

Travolta cashes in on his post-Pulp Fiction appeal, and is relatively charming in this amusing story of a gangster turned movie-mogul.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

227. Cool Hand Luke (1967) D: Stuart Rosenberg

Grace is right: Paul Newman is a stud. Many signature pieces here: eating the eggs, "failure to communicate", the mysterious man...well done.

Performance to Savor: George Kennedy
Memorable Moment: eating the eggs

226. Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) D: Francis Ford Coppola

A fine adaption of Stoker's book. Not an easy task either, given that it was written in the form of various character's diaries. But, Coppola nails the overall level of eeriness, without resorting to camp or unneeded gore.

Performance to Savor: Gary Oldman
Memorable Moment: Stabbing the cross

225. The Matrix Revolutions (2003) D: The Wachowski Brothers

Probably the weakest of the three, though that's mostly because of the poor set-up given by the third movie. I did like the trilogy, and a lot of shit that's been piled on to the last two is mostly a result of failed expectations. Sure, the Wachowskis had a chance to become forever entrenched in cinematic history, and while they fell short of that goal, they did successfully craft a unique exciting trilogy.

Performance to Savor: Hugo Weaving
Memorable Moment: The sky is blue

Have a nice day everyone.

274-250

Two blogs in two days? Can it be?

274. Stargate (1994) D: Roland Emmerich

Trashy action pic which raises some interesting points about the origins of the pyramids. I won't lie and say that Egypt has always fascinated me, but I will say that I am intrigued by extra-terrestrial theories regarding the sophistication of ancient cultures.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

273. Garden State (2004) D: Zach Braff

The movie for "our" generation. "Our" meaning disaffected, drugged out, psychologically damaged, and emotionally unengaged youths. A fine first effort for young director Mr. Braff, and some genuinely touching scenes. I look forward to his maturation as an auteur with the hope that he will embue his future characters with some distinguishing qualities.

Performance to Savor: Peter Sarsgaard
Memorable Moment: None

272. He Got Game (1998) D: Spike Lee

Nowadays Jesus would just go pro.

Performance to Savor: Ray Allen
Memorable Moment: None

271. Erin Brockovich (2000) D: Steven Soderbergh

I feel that if I applaud Julia Roberts' performance, it will be percieved that I am only doing so because she displayed her *ahem* assets. Whatever, she did win an Acadamy Award (nomination deserved, award not...should've gone to Ellen Burstyn), and Albert Finney is his usual solid self.

Performance to Savor: Julia Roberts
Memorable Moment: None

270. Point Break (1991) D: Kathryn Bigelow

This movie is so underrated. Its got Patrick Swayze in his prime, Keanu Reeves just starting to get popular, and a super-grizzled Gary Busey. Set in the world of surfing bank-robbers, why don't more people talk about it? Pure adreneline and fun. Johnny Utah.

Performance to Savor: Patrick Swayze
Memorable Moment: Skydiving

269. Election (1999) D: Alexander Payne

Payne's best quality as a director is his ability to direct dialogue. He's able to make conversations seem as real as possible, without approaching documentary hyper-realism. That's pretty much all I wanted to say. Too bad he decided to cast Oz.

Performance to Savor: Reese Witherspoon
Memorable Moment: None

268. Kids (1995) D: Larry Clark

Not quite shock-for-shock's-sake...but close. Brian tells me this isn't how kids for jersey act. Thank God.

Performance to Savor: Leo Fitzpatrick
Memorable Moment: None

267. Office Space (1999) D: Mike Judge

A hated this movie when I first saw it. Mostly because I was an enormouse fan of Beavis and Butthead, and that's what I was expecting from Judge. When I didn't get it, I rebelled. But, this movie has a strong re-watchability factor, and once I stepped out from under B&B's large shadow, I enjoyed this comedy for what it is: A searing look at dreams, happiness, relationships, and work. That was vague and general.

Performance to Savor: David Herman
Memorable Moment: Beating up the printer

266. eXistenZ (1999) D: David Cronenberg

This was billed as "the next Matrix!", which obviously its not. I don't recall it having much of a theatrical run, and I myself only saw it on video. Nonetheless, it is quite the clever tale with a bit of a good twist. Check it out if you're in the mood for some a good sci-fi.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

265. Rob Roy (1995) D: Michael Caton-Jones

Worthy of the drink! (wait, is that good or bad?)

Performance to Savor: Tim Roth
Memorable Moment: The final duel

264. The Naked Gun (1991) D: David Zucker

Far and away the best of the Naked Gun series, long before Leslie Nielson wore out his spoofical welcome.

Performance to Savor: Leslie Nielson
Memorable Moment: None

263. Carrie (1976) D: Brian De Palma

The way that a Stephen King book adaption should be done. Most of the time, movies get too obsessed with including too much of King's books (which is easy to do), that they ultimately lose King's sense of impending horror. Here, De Palma rightly decides to strip the book to its bare bones, and sets the viewer on a collision course with its shocking finale. Truly disturbing...especially for anyone in high school who ever felt picked on.

Performance to Savor: Sissy Spacek
Memorable Moment: Covered in blood

262. Batman (1989) D: Tim Burton

Before Burton decided to out-Burton himself by making the hyper Burton-y "Batman Returns", there was this flick, where Burton amplified the atmosphere, rather than suffocating it. It remains to be seen what Christian Bale does with "Batman Begins", but so far, Keaton has done the best job with balancing Batman/Bruce Wayne, and keeping them seperate characters.

Performance to Savor: Jack Nicholson
Memorable Moment: None

261. Pleasantville (1998) D: Gary Ross

A truly unique idea, beatifully shot by Ross and gorgeously brought to the silver screen. Excellent use of visuals to communicate some social commentary about censorship and values.

Performance to Savor: Joan Allen
Memorable Moment: With the Ice Cream Man

260. Basic Instinct (1992) D: Paul Verhoeven

Before I start: they're making a sequel. So dumb. This movie is infamous for its interrogation scene, and for Verhoeven's filmography. But, it actually is quite the thriller, with enough pacing and suspense to keep you interested in the story, not just looking at Sharon Stone. Which is saying something. Kind of pusses out at the end.

Performance to Savor: Sharon Stone
Memorable Moment: The interrogation

259. The Goonies (1985) D: Richard Donner

They're making a sequel to this as well. So dumb. Filmed in Oregon. One of my friends in high school had a band named "The Fertellies".

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

258. Nell (1994) D: Michael Apted

Shah-nay. Nay-sh-sh-sh-hay-a-nay-hay. Nay-a-shnay-sh-nay.

Performance to Savor: Jodie Foster
Memorable Moment: None

257. Say Anything (1989) D: Cameron Crowe

Ione Skye. Damn.

Performance to Savor: John Cusack

256. Shine (1996) D: Scott Hicks

You may not know it from looking at me, but I was once a serious piano student. And pretty good too. But, as with most males that age, I didn't think it was important, and gave it up in favor of more fleeting interests ( student government, parties, etc...) I wish I hadn't, and would like to some day continue my studies. That said, I have studied some Rachmaninoff, and his musical genius is surpassed only by his necessity to make everything he writes as hard to play as possible. The Rach 4 truly is the hardest piano piece ever written. Only 4 or 5 pianists have ever played it in concert. Others can play it, of course, but not consistantly well enough to do so on stage. Remarkable story about a man driven crazy by his obsession with this piece, and his ultimate redemption by it.

Performance to Savor: Geoffrey Rush
Memorable Moment: Conquering the Rach 4

255. The People v. Larry Flynt (1996) D: Milos Forman

Nothin' really to say. Its a good movie.

Performance to Savor: Woody Harrelson
Memorable Moment: None

254. Shadow of the Vampire (2000) D. E. Elias Merhige

When Grace came to Madras the summer after freshman year, we were, one night, looking to rent a movie. Usually this is a long and drawn out process ending only when one of us concedes. Remarkably, we stumbled upon this, which we both wanted to see, and were both happy to see right then. It was like the planets aligning.

Performance to Savor: Willem Dafoe
Memorable Moment: None

253. The Arrival (1996) D: David Twohy

Another diamond in the rough. Inexplicably starring an inexplicably good Charlie Sheen wearing an inexplicable goatee.

Performance to Savor: Charlie Sheen
Memorable Moment: None

252. Billy Budd (1962) D: Peter Ustinov

Terrence Stamp's first movie as the young angelic Billy Budd. I once wrote an entire paper analyzing this movie, but I won't bore you with that now. Mostly its about the loss of innocence and role of corporeal punishment.

Performance to Savor: Robert Ryan
Memorable Moment: None

251. The Secret of Roan Inish (1994) D: John Sayles

Magical.

Performance to Savor: Jeni Courteny
Memorable Moment: None

250. Waterworld (1995) D: Kevin Reynolds

Not all that great, mostly relative to budget and Costner's inability to succesfully execute an epic not called "Dances With Wolves". But, everytime its on TV I find myself watching it, and can't, in good faith deny that I enjoy it.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: Bungee jump

299-275

I'm an idiot. Just so you know.

We've finally gotten to movies that are 2.5 stars, which means they are better than average, which means I "like" them. This'll make them a bit easier to discuss, though I'm putting a bit more on the line by labeling movies that I like...I'm more open to criticism. That's ok, I totally understand how people react to different movies in different ways. Thanks, Captain Obvious. What do y'all think? Is it ballsier to say you don't like a movie that everyone likes, or to say you like a movie that everyone dislikes. I'm gonna go with like a movie that everyone dislikes.

299. The Negotiator (1998) D: F. Gary Gray

Gray coaxes virtuoso performances out of Kevin Spacey and Sam Jackson, though S-Jax could have used a bit more subtlety. A solid little pic, which uses its action sparingly, and mostly only to advance the complex, yet followable, plotline.

Performance to Savor: Kevin Spacey
Memorable Moment: None

298. Pretty Woman (1990) D: Garry Marshall

I didn't realized how much I liked this movie until I watched it post-pubescence. At a young age, this seems so mind-bendingly girly that even mentioning it as a good movie would result in a noogie or a wedgie. Fortunately, I've grown past that phase (barely), and I'm now able to recognize "Pretty Woman" for what it is. A well-written character study of how love and personality can overcome place and position in society.

Performance to Savor: Julia Roberts
Memorable Moment: Trying on new clothes

297. Traffic (2000) D: Steven Soderbergh

Well, here we go. I've ventured in to the arena of someone else's favorites (Jake(s)). I knew this would happen. I could put this higher, but I just can't accept the different places, different characters, different plot style. I've mentioned this before, and I'll say it again. Pick something and go with it. I appreciate the style and tone of each individual piece, but I just wish Soderbergh had focused his scope a bit tighter.

Performance to Savor: Benicio Del Toro
Memorable Moment: None

296. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) D: Chris Columbus

Jake'll probably tackle me for ranking this above his beloved Traffic. And I would totally understand. But...I've read all the books so far, and it is quite a compelling story. The movie adaptions have been decent, with only the third being a great stand-alone. Emma Watson is a little gem. I like kids movie, remember?

Performance to Savor: Jason Isaacs
Memorable Moment: None

295. The Doctor (1991) D: Randa Haines

Like "Pretty Woman" this is another one of those movies that requires a certain level of maturity and life experience to appreciate. Not that I have either of those, but enough to glean some small level of enjoyment.

Performance to Savor: William Hurt
Memorable Moment: None

294. Spaceballs (1987) D: Mel Brooks

May the "Schwarz" be with you! A suprisingly effective use of Rick Moranis in comedy, without resorting to his cliched nerditude. Utilizing it, not amplifying it.

Performance to Savor: John Candy
Memorable Moment: With Yogurt

293. Scream (1996) D: Wes Craven

Before the franchise becamse self-referential about itself being self-referential, there was the original, which spawned numerous cheap imitations. Witty and clever (it was, you know it), the horror movies we see today are a direct result of the success of this movie.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

292. The Italian Job (2003) D: F. Gary Gray

Wow, FGG gettin' it done. No one really expected this remake to be any good, but Gray wisely kept it light and fun, while infusing a bit of humanity into the potentially cardboard cutout leads. Marky-Mark continues to play essentially the same guy, but he does it well here.

Performance to Savor: Jason Statham
Memorable Moment: None

291. Lord of the Flies (1990) D: Harry Hook

Poorly shot. Poorly acted. Poorly written. Why so high then? As a young man, and other formerly young men would agree with, I often fantasized about the prospect of being trapped on an island with no adults, and no responsiblities. My fantasies always ended in success. "Lord of the Flies" changed all of that.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

290. Almost Famous (2000) D: Cameron Crowe

I got more out of the "Young-man-in-life-changing-experience" then I did out of the musical setting.

Performance to Savor: Billy Crudup
Memorable Moment: None

289. Mission: Impossible (1996) D: Brian DePalma

What can I say? I love Tom Cruise.

Performance to Savor: Tom Cruise
Memorable Moment: In the Chunnel

288. Eraser (1996) D: Chuck Russell

A middle of the road Schwarzenegger flick. Definitely not in the Pantheon (T2, Commando, Total Recall), but better than shit like Junior and the 6th Day.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

287. Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)

Whenever people say Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, they jump Sleepless in Seattle, or You've Got Mail. Really, they should come here, because this is by far the best pairing of the two. Meg Ryan is truly outstanding in this flick.

Performance to Savor: Meg Ryan
Memorable Moment: None

286. Ghostbusters II (1989)

Thankfully the gang stopped at two movies, because the with a third they definitely would have worn themselves thin. There are some rehashed gags here, and the social commentary is a bit ham-handed. But, its all in good fun, and Bill Murray is a comedic god.

Performance to Savor: Bill Murray
Memorable Moment: None

285. A Bug's Life (1998) D: John Lasseter

Pixar get's its legs underneath itself.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

284. What About Bob? (1991) D: Frank Oz

Bill Murray is absolutely perfect in this tale about a phobic loser who "baby steps" his way into his psychiatrists life. Richard Dreyfuss is in fine form as well as the asshole doctor whose life is turned miserable. The doc is tormented, but he mostly deserves it. The end kind of goes of the deep end, but, whatever.

Performance to Savor: Bill Murray
Memorable Moment: None

283. Don't Be A Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in The Hood (1995) D: Paris Barclay

Some genuinely funny moments, though no deep belly laughs which are required for a higher ranking. Satire is best done subtley, which would've gone a long way here.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

282. Billy Madison (1995) D: Tamra Davis

My criteria for liking movies are completely arbitrary. Its hard to mathematically describe what will make a movie good, and what won't. For example, I could laud a movie for its lightness and fun (umm...Billy Madison), then in another instance condescend one for it (Don't Be a Menace). I guess I'm saying that I don't really know what I'm talking about. I just like watching Billy Madison. I think it is funny.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: Kid under water hose

281. Wet Hot American Summer (2001) D: David Wain

Huge diamond in the rough. From the guys who made "The State", which I vaguely remember watching in anticipation of Beavis and Butt-head. I excpected next to nothing from this comedy, and was rewarded with two hours of genuine amusement. Check it out.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: Trip to town

280. A Christmas Story (1983) D: Bob Clark

The christmas movie that is on every year. Y'know, the one where the kid wants the BB gun. When and how did this become such a cult classic? Probably because pretty much everyone can identify with young Ralphie. What a weird little flick.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

279. It's A Wonderful Life (1946) D: Frank Capra

Ahh, a true classic. I guess. Its not really as good as you remember it. Sure, its been imitated countless time, so I give it props for originality. Solid, but not that rewatchable.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

278. Moulin Rouge! (2001) D: Baz Luhrman

The most suprising thing for me to learn about this movie was that Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman sang all of their own songs. Very impressive. I especially liked the showy show-show versions of modern pop songs, like "Smells Like Teen Spirit".

Performance to Savor: Nicole Kidman
Memorable Moment: None

277. Beetlejuice (1988) D: Tim Burton

Quirky and original, this movie reminds us what kind of actor Michael Keaton could be. Compare that to what he actually is. Great.

Performance to Savor: Michael Keaton
Memorable Moment: None

276. Last Man Standing (1996) D: Walter Hill

A remake of a Kirosawa flick which I haven't seen, this is nonetheless worthy on its own merit. Bruce Willis is at his Bruce Williest (acting hungover), but the direction is top notch. Who the hell is Walter Hill? Christopher Walken also turns in a bravado performance. Of course he does.

Performance to Savor: Christopher Walken
Memorable Moment: None

275. Meet the Parents (2000) D: Jay Roach

This movie came out at the perfect time in Ben Stiller's career. He had built up some cult popularity, his comedic timing was coming around, then blam! he scores Robert DeNiro, and all of a sudden we have a hit. Now, he's everywhere and he sucks.

Performance to Savor: Robert DeNiro
Memorable Moment: Take you down to chinatown

399-300

Yeah, you read the title right. I'm gonna bust out a hundred of these bad boys today. I've decided to take multiple pieces of advice, and just create an enormous list, without all the comments. I'll comment if something particularly strikes me, but otherwise, it won't be quite as in depth.

399. No Escape (1994) D: Martin Cambell
398. Thinner (1996) D: Tom Holland
Stephen King book. Didn't quite work. Good ending
397. The Birdcage (1996) D: Mike Nichols
Marks for Robin Williams as straight man. Well, gay.
396. Out of Sight (1998) D: Steven Soderbergh
This and Selenda are the only watchable J. Lo movies.
395. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) D: Anthony Minghella
Overrated.
394. Witness (1985) D: Peter Weir
393. Hook (1991) D: Steven Spielberg
Not as good as you remember it.
392. U-571 (2000) D: Jonathan Mostow
391. Jaws 2 (1978) D: Jeannot Szwarc
Not as bad as you'd expect.
390. A Beautiful Mind (2001) D: Ron Howard
Only this high because its about a mathematician. Otherwise boring.
389. The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) D: John McTiernen
388. The Blair Witch Project (1999) D: Daniel Myrick
The best advertising campaign ever.
387. Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) D: Mel Brooks
386. Airplane II (1982) D: Ken Finkleman
385. The Others (2001) D: Alejandro Amenabar
The Sixth Sense wannabe.
384. Scary Movie (2000) D: Keenan Ivory Wayans
383. Back to the Future Part III (1990) D: Robert Zemeckis
382. Armageddon (1998) D: Michael Bay
381. Twister (1996) D: Jan De Bont
380. Turner and Hooch (1989) D: Roger Spottiswoode
379. Jurassic Park: The Lost World (1997) D: Steven Spielberg
Only by association.
378. The Wizard (1989) D: Todd Holland
How pumped were you when they unleashed Mario 3?
377. The Peacemaker (1997) D: Mimi Leder
376. Executive Decision (1996) D: Stuard Baird
375. Primal Fear (1996) D: Gregory Hoblit
374. Contact (1997) D: Robert Zemeckis
373. Cold Mountain (2003) D: Anthony Minghella
Dull.
372. Innerspace (1987) D: Joe Dante
Martin Short.
371. The Prince of Tides (1991) D: Barbara Streisand
370. Tin Cup (1996) D: Ron Shelton
369. Unfaithful (2002) D: Adrian Lyne
Diane Lane is a walking wet dream.
368. The Good Son (1993) D: Joseph Ruben
Compelling. Kinda.
367. Jackass: The Movie (2002) D: Jeff Tremaine
The hardest I've laughed since Dumb and Dumber. But I was stoned.
366. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) D: Jay Roach
365. Cliffhanger (1993) D: Renny Harlin
364. The Fifth Element (1997) D: Luc Besson
Higher if not for Chris Tucker.
363. The Searchers (1956) D: John Ford
A Classic.
362. The Game (1997) D: David Fincher
361. The American President (1995) D: Aaron Sorkin
360. The Fully Monty (1997) D: Peter Cattaneo
359. Dead Calm (1989) D: Phillip Noyce
358. The Devil's Own (1997) D: Alan J. Pakula
357. Men Don't Leave (1990) D: Paul Brickman
356. Mean Girls (2004) D: Mark S. Waters

Well, that's the end of the 2 star movies. Now, (TRUMPET) on to the 2 and a half stars!

355. Hit! (1973) D: Sidney J. Furie
Just look at the cover.
354. Hamlet (1990) D: Franco Zeffirelli
Overacted.
353. October Sky (1999) D: Joe Johnston
352. Chicago (2003) D: Rob Marshall
351. National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon (1993) D: Gene Quintano
350. Varsity Blues (1999) D: Brian Robbins
349. Funny Bones (1995) D: Peter Chelsom
348. Austin Powers (1997) D: Jay Roach
347. Preadator (1987) D: John McTiernen
346. Kingpin (1996) D: The Farrelly Brothers
345. X-Files (1998) D: Rob Bowman
344. A.I. (2001) D: Steven Spielberg
Wish Kubrick was still alive to make this.
343. Labyrinth (1986) D: Jim Henson
Sorry, Matty.
342. Mission: Impossible II (2000) D: John Woo
John Woo imitates American Directors imitating American John Woo imitating Hong Kong John Woo.
341. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (1990) D: Tom Stoppard
340. Karate Kid, Part II (1986) D: John G. Avildsen
339. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) D: George Seaton
Maureen O'Hara is so hot.
338. Benny Joon (1993) D: Jeremiah Chechick
337. Above the Rim (1994) D: Jeff Pollack
336. Grosse Point Blank (1997) D: George Armitage
335. Magnolia (1999) P.T. Anderson
Anderson hits us over the head with subtleties.
334. Novocaine (2001) D: David Atkins
A diamond in the rough.
333. Igby Goes Down (2002) D: Burr Steers
Likewise.
332. Bad Boys (1995) D: Michael Bay
331. The Running Man (1987) D: Paul Michael Glaser
330. The Brotherhood of the Wolf (2002) D: Christophe Gans
329. The Perfect Storm (2000) D: Wolfgang Peterson
328. The Naked Gun 2 1/2 (1991) D: David Zucker
327. Mallrats (1995) D: Kevin Smith
326. Saw (2004) D: James Wan
A lot of people didn't like. I liked the end.
325. Saved! (2004) D: Brian Dannelly
A really well made movie. I can't give it much higher, simply because it has Mandy Moore, but an excellent satire, skewering fundamental christians, as well as agnosticism, athiesm, and secularity. A lot for everyone, with an ultimate message I can agree with.
324. The Truman Show (1998) D: Peter Weir
323. Monsters, Inc. (2001) D: Peter Doctor
I only saw this when I was drunk, so this spot is flexible.
322. American Pie (1999) D: Paul Weitz
321. Pumpkin (2002) D: Anthony Abrams
A perky cheerleader falls for a wheelchair-bound retard. Excellent.
320. Troy (2004) D: Wolfgang Peterson
Overblown.
319. Phone Booth (2003) D: Joel Schumacher
318. Finding Forrester (2000) D: Gus Van Sant
317. E.T (1982) D: Steven Spielberg
316. Rush Hour (1998) D: Bruce Ratner
That's not a misprint. I liked Rush Hour more than E.T. In spite of Chris Tucker.
315. The Good Girl (2002) D: Miguel Arteta
314. My Cousin Vinny (1992) D: Jonathan Lynn
313. Wonder Boys (2000) D: Curtis Hanson
312. Eyes Wide Shut (1999) D: Stanley Kubrick
311. Awakenings (1990) D: Penny Marshall
310. Vanilla Sky (2001) D: Cameron Crowe
309. Master and Commander (2003) D: Peter Weir
308. X-Men (2000) D: Bryan Singer
307. Sleepers (1996) D: Bryan Levinson
306. Signs (2002) D: M. Night Shyamalan
305. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) D: Jonathan Mostow
304. Old School (2003) D: Todd Phillips
I'm with Aaron on this one.
303. Galaxy Quest (1999) D: Dean Parisot
302. Matinee (1993) D: Joe Dante
301. Elf (2004) D: Jon Favreau
300. Bachelor Party (1984) D: Neal Israel

Wow. That was a lot easier.

424-400

Asking someone to their face, "When are you going to blog?". Also hilarious is Larry Lee Ned stealing a laptop from a fellow airline passenger and then hiding in the bathroom. And being immediately cut from the Cardinals. Way to go. Tice scalping SB tickets.

Its been more than 2 weeks since I've posted from T-Biggs. Its not that I'm running out of steam...I really want to get to the good ones. The movies right now are just so dull, but not awful, that I can't trash 'em, and I can't praise 'em. Oh well, gotta keep chuggin.

424. Twins (1988) D: Ivan Reitman

Danny DeVito and the Governator are twins.

How do Brian and Aaron talk about movies so intelligently? That's awesome.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

423. Private Parts (1997) D: Betty Thomas

A movie with a suprising amount of heart. I don't know if I can give much props to Stern, since he's playing himself, but he definitely didn't take the approach that I though he would (i.e: tons of fart jokes). Some genuinely funny, as well as endearing, moments.

Performance to Savor: Howard Stern
Memorable Moment: None

422. I, Robot (2004) D: Alex Proyas

Has Will Smith ever played anything other than a cocky, somewhat rebellious, young man? This is a wierd book-to-movie adaptation. Not at all like the book, though what they put on screen is probably better than following Asimov's text verbatim. Have to take off marks for making the villainous robots so easy to spot. And they look iPods on iRoids.

Performance to Savor: Alan Tudyk
Memorable Moment: None

421. The Jackal (1997) D: Michael Caton-Jones

Richard Gere sports the worst Irish accent since Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future, Part III.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

420. Anchorman (2004) D: Adam McKay

As previously discussed, the joy of this movie isn't the viewing of it. Its the cannabalizing of the lines for your own life. I laughed much harder and deeper saying the lines and recalling the moments with a group of friends then I did at the theater. Maybe that's because I watched this on a rainy day with Jake "Pay for my ATM charge" Finkler.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: Street brawl

419. The Santa Clause (1994) D: John Pasquin

I got nothin.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

418. BASEketball (1998) D: David Zucker

Enormous potential. This one easily could've cracked the 200s. Unfortunately, despite the belly laughs, it kept me emotionally at bay. The two main guys are losers. Sure. But, they aren't assholes enough to make me hate them, and they aren't good-hearted enough to make me love them. Perhaps actual ACTORS would've served the purpose. Trey Parker and Matt Stone need to stay behind the camera.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

417. Me, Myself, and Irene (2000) D: The Farrelly Brothers

Renee Zellweger sucks.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

416. Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003) D: McG

Ok ok. Not the peak of western civilization, duh. But...but, well, its just fun to watch. You get the sense that everyone enjoyed making the film. And dammit, them girls er purdy!

Performance to Savor: Bernie Mac
Memorable Moment: None

415. The Mask (1994) D: Chuck Russell

I like Jim Carrey, and I try to see his movies, but this one just doesn't stick with me. Sure, he's in full Carrey-form, but he didn't really try anything new here, like in "The Truman Show", or "Eternal Sunshine". Of course, experimenation isn't always good..."The Majestic".

414. The Wedding Singer (1998) D: Frank Coraci

Adam Sandler can be a solid and engaging actor when not being directed by Dennis Dugan. Unfortunately, I don't go to see Adam Sandler for a solid and engaging performance. I want him acting retarded.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

413. Clear and Present Danger (1994) D: Phillip Noyce

I saw this in Grass Valley, CA, with my aunt.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

412. Back to the Future Part II (1989) D: Robert Zemeckis

'nuff said

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

411. The Count of Monte Christo (2002) D: Kevin Reynolds

I'm not sure if I actually saw this movie. I watched it on Grace's old TV, and the screen was so busted that the dark cinematography barely showed through. It was basically like listening to a radio broadcast. I think we watched this while there was an enormous party going on at 1604. That's depressing.

Performance to Savor: Guy Pearce
Memorable Moment: Escape

410. The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001) D: Woody Allen

what?

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

409. XXX (2002) D: Rob Cohen

After my semester abroad, I bummed around europe for a few weeks with E-town. He decided to leave early, so I had to bum around by myself. Somehow I found my way to a hostel in London which only showed this movie in their rec room.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

408. Maverick (1994) D: Richard Donner

Grace loves this movie. I can't believe Jodie Foster would do this, but then turn down Hannibal.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

407. Love Actually (2003) D: Richard Curtis

Shit, Grace loves this movie too. I'll just shut up.

(multiple story lines and not Pulp Fiction...you know what that means.)

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

406. Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995) D: Steve Oedekerk

The first was a classic. The second...well, we know how these things go. Obviously they were going to make a second based on the Box Office reciepts of the first, and obviously I was going to see the second one, and obviously it wasn't going to be as good. Obviously.

Performance to Savor: Tommy Davidson
Memorable Moment: None

405. My Girl (1991) D: Howard Zieff

My first real experience with true tragedy in a movie. And for that I harbor a bit of an (unfair) grudge. Otherwise, a solid little pic.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

404. As Good As It Gets (1997) D: James L. Brooks

Jack Nicholson won an Acadamy Award, though he was just coasting.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

403. Lady and the Tramp (1955) D: Clyde Geronimi

Ok, its a classic. When's the last time you sat down and watched it? That's what I thought.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

402. Under Seige 2: Dark Territory (1995) D: Geoff Murphy

Perfect for a 1pm Saturday afternoon movie on TBS. Awful otherwise.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

401. Mask (1985) D: Peter Bogdanovich

Anyone expecting Jim Carrey will be in for a big suprise. Cher wows us all, though this is Eric Stoltz' show. You'll never see that again.

Performance to Savor: Eric Stoltz
Memorable Moment: None

400. Hot Shots! (1991) D: Jim Abrahams

I should get back to work. Students depend on me.

Performance to Savor: None
Memorable Moment: None

Frustrated Oregonians

Alright, a non-T-Biggs entry. Mostly about sports.

I've just eliminated everyone from my readership except Jake(s).

The Blazers announced today that they will be firing Maurice Cheeks. I don't disagree with this move, as a concept, but the timing is lousy. Portland was featured in almost every trade rumor all season, and they let the trade deadline come and go without making a move. You're telling me that no one wants Shareef's salary coming off the books? Sure, the Blazers are loaded with overpaid undesirables, but the management has to do something. This team is going nowhere, and fast. They should gamble on their young guns (Telfair) and do their best to absolve themselves of elaphantine contracts (Stoudamire, Darius). They had that playoff streak for way too long. There is no way to win an NBA title without going through the lottery. Unless you're the Lakers, in which case you just spend for it. Think about it, other than the post-millenial Lakers, every NBA champion of the last umpteenth years has featured a superstar that they've drafted. Um...oh yeah, except the Pistons, but they're an anomaly. Jordan, Hakeem, TD, Bird, etc...

An enormous playoff run...and I'm talking 15 plus years (not 8,9,10) only inhibits the future growth of your team. The veterans get older, lose their trade value, the team becomes maxed out trying to support their contracts, and there is no one to pick up the torch, because they haven't had any quality draft picks....due to the damn streak. The Blazers and the Jazz of the two longest playoff runs in recent NBA memory...and how many titles did they win? None. None. None.

I know the Blazers are an impossible team to root for. I find it impossible to root for them 90% of the time. But every once in awhile, they put a game together that makes me remember why it is I became a sports fan. The "good ol' days" of Drexler, Porter, Kersey, Duckworth, Williams, Robinson, Young, Ainge, etc...aren't coming back, and I doubt Randolph, Miles, and Pryzbviflaa will fill those shoes, but, they're the only team I have to root for. I'm not into football and baseball as much, not because I don't like those sports, but because I don't have a "team" that I can get behind. E and Jake(s) always complain about the Vikings and the Twins and being a small market and this and that and this and that, but they would never wish that those clubs had never existed. If the Vikings are down, they have hope for the Twins or Wolves, or vice versa...if the Blazers are down, well, I have all summer to think about how they'll probably be down again next year.

I wish the team was different, I wish I had something to cheer for, but I don't with that they never existed.

Anyway, Mo's firing stinks. Let him finish the year. We're clearly not making the playoffs. Dump some contracts. Pick up some likable guys. Build fan support. Create a positive game experience. Draft some horses. Sign a marquee free agent. Start winning again.