welcome/intro

Hello all! I have always been an avid watcher of all kinds of films whether they be new or old, independent or major,tragedy or comedy. However, I've felt a recent urge to document my findings in both good and bad (but mostly good) films for both my own sake of rememberance and for others potential enjoyment or viewing. I tend to lean towards movies that I find to be more nuanced and artistic rather than your average Hollywood "rainy day" action or comedy, but I do this becuase I believe people (including myself) would be more inclined to read about something they haven't seen or is worth multiple viewings. I am not trying to be a pompous ass who thinks he knows more than anyone else, but rather a critic who is trying to find out which films have substance rather than "sizzle". I will usually do not do films that are currently in the box office since I don't make my ways to the theaters often and I will typically award a letter grade to each film at the end of my post. I take any suggestions for movies worth watching and I hope you can take something away from me too. thanks!

I'll get to actually reviewing next week, but for now I'll leave this list of my top ten favorites with some description for each.

Here is a current list of my top ten favorites (as always, this is very subject to change)

1.Memento (Christopher Nolan is incredible, the most mind blowing concept ever put into play. The meaning of time and memory changes after seeing this.Why have I never seen Guy Pierce in anything else?)

2.No Country for Old Men (I left the theater with my jaw dropped after this, I thought the Coens could never beat Millers Crossing. sounds of silence, unbelievable cinematography, great acting. They exceeded the limits of Cormac McCarthy's book)

3.School of Rock (A personal favorite that changed me from being non-musical to now calling my music one of my passions. Mostly fun, but communicates a strong message for not only the art of "rock", but music in general that is so rarely seen these days.)

4.Little Miss Sunshine(Great ensemble cast with a message that tightropes down the line between comedy and family tragedy. captures what it means to be a dysfunctional family in the truest way I ever seen.)

5.Donnie Darko (Ahh, the pop movie of dark, independent films. Every time I watch this, I always end up with more questions than the time before. still, ed kelly (with great acting from jake g.)brings philosophy and angst into a film that communicates to the dark side of all of us.)

6.Big Fish (A Tim Burton that is oftentimes forgotten, but which I think conveys the essence of what it means to tell a story and be a storyteller. In an age where the oral tradition of stories is lost and replaced with video games and the internet, this movie captures just that.)

7.Adaptation (Wow, could there be any more inventive, yet quirky screenwriter that Charlie Kaufman? He really takes it to the next level here by inserting himself into the plot of a story that is so complex you'll just have to watch to understand. Trust me, this film hurts to think about sometimes.)

8.There Will Be Blood (A very recent movie, but it is almost timeless in it's John steinbeck-esque tale of a father and son in a land where greed rules over humility. The portrayal of religion with Paul Dano as the minister is very interesting. The scope of this movie is just stunning, P.T. Anderson is great.

9.American Beauty(I had not seen this movie until after it won best picture, but it really did live up to all of the critical acclaim it recieved. Kevin Spacey is phenominal and the sam mendes doesn't try to be too clever or emotional. He just shows what life and beauty is. Scene with the plastic garbage bag and the wind gives me chills everytime I see it.)

10.Almost Famous (This film truly made me want to get out and make something of my young life. The coming of age story of both the boy and the band blends perfectly and touches a nostalgic chord. Acting isn't incredible, but the story is perfect.)