"Ach! Das ist ein 'nuisance-phone!'"
Der Untergang (Downfall)
(2004) Oliver Hirschbiegel
You've most likely seen footage of this film, featuring a wildy angry and finger-flailing Bruno Ganz as Adolph Hitler, being informed about some sort of bad news. Usually Adolph's pissed about his favorite sports teams not making it, or about some sort of political problem. It's all very cute and ironic. But, did you know that there's a mesmerizing movie behind all those spoofs? Seriously! It's called "Downfall," and it's Oliver Hirschbiegel's now classic realist observation of Hitler's last days in World War II in his bunker, as told from the point-of-view of his secretary. Think "Das Boot" in terms of scope, interior locations and objective war story-telling. "Downfall" is an amazing look at a historical evil, crumbling right before your eyes. Now, if only we could get beyond those spoof videos...
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com
"It's not fair! No one told me Gaga was coming to Lolla!'"
Mystic River
(2003) Clint Eastwood
Tonight, Dustin (brother-in-law) asked me what exactly makes this super-drama so special. Fair enough. By all accounts, this is just an above average melodrama that's made maybe too many rounds on AMC of late. But I'd argue that Eastwood's "Mystic River" is a culmination of many efforts (straight direction, brilliant acting, arguably perfect writing) that creates a tone far superior to many dramatic efforts of late, making "Mystic River" go beyond its trappings as a drama to become something greater: classical, rapturous tragedy on film. Clint Eastwood had a soulful, thoughtful return to form this past decade. "Million Dollar Baby" and "Gran Torino" just go to show that he was a director of considerable moral talents that go beyond his gun-wielding heydays, and "Mystic River" was his arguably his straight, American masterpiece.
Time to take the above photo serioussly. http://www.youtube.com
"!!!'"
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
(2004) Adam McKay
In my attempts to be fair to comedy, this topic has been discussed by me and friends of late, lot: What's going to be the great comedy of the last decade? What makes a film deserve classical, comedic status the likes of "Animal House?" Well, there were a lot of great films to pick from: "40-Year-Old Virgin," "Borat," "Hot Fuzz," "Old School." All greatly funny movies. But, it's "Anchorman," the wholly, oddly original concept from the dynamic duo of director Adam McKay and star Will Ferrell that deserves props for the simple reasons that it's arguably the funniest, and easily the most memorable film with a sense of humor of late. "Come see how good I look!" "It smells like bigfoot's dick!" "I love lamp." "I stabbed a man in the heart." "Don't act like you're not impressed!" "You pooped in the refrigerator?" I could go on, but the thing of it is, you probably know what each and every one of those quotes refers to. "Anchorman" was unique, and it's already aging all too well.
"I'm ... kinduva big deal." http://www.youtube.com
"Look behind you!'"
Finding Nemo
(2003) Andrew Stanton
In terms of animation, nothing comes close to "Finding Nemo." It has visual innovation (you want the dreamy, beautiful underwater imagery to take up your entire vision). It was fun, fast and funny (and it made stoner turtles more endearing than Keanu Reeves). It's story is deceptively simple, yet resonant and deep (I mean, who hasn't had to come to terms with parents in terms of 'letting go?'). And, above all, it's still probably the finest thing to come out of Pixar, that brilliant wheelhouse of pitch-perfect cartoon movies. "Nemo" just goes to show how you can really make movies for everyone, which seems so damn hard to do.
Got a tissue and minute? http://www.youtube.com
"Mark Wahlberg talks to animals ... oh shit."
The Departed
(2006) Martin Scorsese
Perhaps the biggest shocker about this movie — beyond the ending, and the fact that Leo and Marky Mark sure as hell could act — was the fact that this was a remake, of all things! Based on the lean 2002 crime thriller "Infernal Affairs," "The Departed" took the concept and morphed that film into a (shockingly) superior crime epic of Catholicism, confusing allegiances and first-class thrills. With movie-maestro Martin Scorsese at the helm, working in the kind of salacious material that made him great, "The Departed" goes beyond its simple gangster movie roots to become something immensely entertaining and rewarding. One of the finest compliments this film ever received was from my buddy Eric, claiming that this made him understand what good films were, how they're put together, and why they deserve an audience and/or closer scrutiny. So big, so brutal, so brilliant.
Best of a bad song: http://www.youtube.com
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