Keeler’s Valuable Films List

As I may have mentioned in previous posts, I am a fan of the Vatican Film List. A list of 45 movies organized under three categories of "Religion" "Morality" and "Art". While there are still plenty of movies on that list that I need to see, it got me thinking of what my own 45 movies list would look like. So I made one.

Neither of these lists are "Best" or "Need-to-See" lists per se, but they are best stated as simply "Important" movies worth checking out. The Vatican Film List was actually compiled to celebrate the exact 100 year anniversary since the beginning of film making. My list is perhaps more simply just great movies that I have seen, made from early years of film making to present day. I repeat, these are simply movies that I have personally seen and may not even be the very best of their category, especially since it's just subjective personal opinion.

For my list, I decided to use three categories as well, but my labels include "Catholic", "Moral Value", and "Artistic Value". This is an attempt to separate my list from the other and to try to match my criteria for valuable movies with quality movies that represent the Catholic faith. The movies listed under each category are not in any particular order of rank, just a simple list of 15 movies that best represent each category. I tried as best I could to not repeat Vatican Film List picks, but some of these movies I put on the list BECAUSE I only watched them after seeing them on the Vatican Film List and I was impressed by their film making. Under the "Artistic Value" category, I chose 15 films to represent 15 different genres or styles of film. Also, I repeat, these are only movies that I have personally seen.

Catholic

-Of Gods and Men (2010)

-I Confess (1953)

-Roma, Citta Aperta (1945)

-The Flowers of St. Francis (1950)

-On the Waterfront (1954)

-Going My Way (1944)

-Henry V (1989)

-The Rite (2011)

-Calvary (2014)

-A Man for All Seasons (1966)

-The Song of Bernadette (1943)

-Becket (1964)

-Monsieur Vincent (1947)

-The Scarlet and the Black (1983)

-The Passion of the Christ (2004)

Talking Points: This is basically my list of 10 Highly Recommendable Catholic Movies with some extras thrown in, so I'm only going to explain just a few of my choices here.

I did not watch I Confess until after creating my previous list. I consider it to be an underrated Hitchcock classic. It’s a great examination of the Seal of the Confessional and also humanizes priests as men who know what love and romance is even before being ordained. The end goes a little goofy, but it’s the dedication that each character has toward achieving their desired goal that drives this movie's great use of tension. In a movie where you already know the answer to the mystery, it sure is thrilling.

Roma: Citta Aperta shares many similarities with The Scarlet and the Black since they both deal with the Nazi occupation of Rome during World War II and the stealthy response from the Catholics in and out of the Vatican.  What separates the two is Roma is an Italian movie made right on the heels of the end of World War II, filmed right within Rome itself, which emphasizes the realism of the movie.

The Flowers of St. Francis, the English translation of the title of this Italian film, is a series of vignettes focused on how St. Francis founded the Franciscan Order and some of the stories about him and his first monks during that time. I’m told that real monks were used in the supporting roles, which adds to the realism, and it really really makes you believe that you are watching slices of life about this saint and his companions right in the 13^th century.

Moral Value

-Babette’s Feast (1987)

Moral of the Story: Food is awesome and you never know when your simple good deeds will provide unforeseen rewards

-The Bicycle Thief (1948)

Moral of the Story: Just because someone does an evil deed to you, is it justifiable for you to also do an evil deed out of desperation?

-It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Moral of the Story: Helping people is worthwhile and bears fruit, even when you cannot see it on a regular basis.

-Schindler’s List (1993)

Moral of the Story: It is better to give than to receive and people have worth. Also, Nazis are evil.

-The Last Samurai (2003)

Moral of the Story: Redemption is possible.

-The Quiet Man (1952)

Moral of the Story: Peace is the ultimate good, but true strength and courage are required to move forward.

-The Lord of the Ring: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Moral of the Story: You don't have to be grand or big to do something heroic. Also, evil is bad and good is good.

-The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

Moral of the Story: Killing the bad guy is not always the right answer.

- Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

Moral of the Story: There's a difference between the obligation of duty and personal ambition.

-Groundhog Day (1993)

Moral of the Story: Helping people is more important than your own selfish desires.

-The Prestige (2006)

Moral of the Story: Revenge can only lead to disastrous consequences.

-Sergeant York (1941)

Moral of the Story: Killing is wrong, but sometimes you've got to step up and save people.

-The Mission (1986)

Moral of the Story: There's always a chance for forgiveness and peace is the right way to live. Also, colonialism is evil.

-Lilies of the Field (1963)

Moral of the Story: Community is vital to life and sometimes you can find a mission and purpose in places you wouldn't expect.

-Au Revoir Les Enfants (1987)

Moral of the Story:Community is vital to life and you can make friends with anyone if you give them a chance. Also, not all Nazis are evil?

Artistic Value

-Animation: Princess Mononoke (1997)

I was close to copying the Vatican Film List and putting Fantasia in this slot since it is such a piece of high quality art and the hard work has withstood the test of time, but I think that this choice showcases an entire history of animation within its runtime. Hayao Miyazaki and his Studio Ghibli are one of the most renowned animation companies today because they bring a specific artistic style, rooted in their country’s culture and history, to life. The shots of nature and the spirits that inhabit the world are gorgeous, but the animation is also not afraid to give time to the grotesque and violent. If you wanted to prove the value of hand-drawn 2D animation in the modern context, this movie is the best way to go about it.

-Western: Stagecoach (1939)

While I considered other options, including other John Wayne movies, this is the definitive Western to me. The actors portray two things: caricatures of cliché Western characters and people with heavy personal struggles based on their pasts. There’s the gun play and horse riding that Westerns are known for, the location shots are infamous in their ability to define the genre, and the people all seem like they come straight from the last couple decades of the 19^th century in Southwest United States. It's reserved in the gritty violence and anti-heroism that later defined the western genre and instead allows genuine humor and drama to create an enduring story and heartfelt characters.

-Comedy: Hot Fuzz (2007)

This movie is comedic in how serious it presents itself. It knows how to spoof a genre properly while simultaneously tell its own unique story. This movie invites multiple viewings because of the little inside jokes and clues it leaves along the way. Despite some profanity and modern mindsets, it is never vulgar and nowhere near as inappropriate as most other movies passing themselves off as "comedies". The characters are all cooky and fun, as are the action scenes in the last third of the movie. Seriously, the delivery of the lines in this movie is so dry and dramatic that you can't help but laugh at them. The reason this movie beats out the more quotable Big Lebowski is this one actually has a coherent plot and has restraint in areas that Lebowski lacks.

-Horror: Psycho (1960)

For the record, other horror movies like The Exorcist and even The Conjuring were in close contention for making this list. However, sometimes the natural is even scarier than the supernatural, and Psycho is the best popular example of something macabre happening in ordinary life. All of the most thrilling scenes are memorable because of their power of suggestive fright, including the shower scene, the basement scene, and the final shot of the movie. The black and white cinematography on top of the music score adds so much atmosphere to what may otherwise just be a melodrama with some absurd moments. This work is also one of the most accessible movies of the horror genre since it does not rely on gruesome blood effects and demonic voices.

-Science Fiction: Star Wars (1977)

I know. I’m surprised by this myself. I spend so much time acknowledging the Star Wars movies as just average movies given overrated praise by fanboys. Yet, if I had to pick one movie that encapsulated science-fiction and was a good representation of influence from the past and insight into the future of filmmaking, it would have to be the original Star Wars movie. There’s different planets, laser weapons, robots, space travel, alien creatures, and some philosophical dialogue. The ability of the filmmaking team to utilize little models and standard technology to create such life-like imagery is worth commending. 

-Documentary: It Might Get Loud (2008)

 I cannot say that I’m watched too many documentaries before and I am sure that there are others that deserve higher praise than this one. For my own part though, from the documentaries that I have seen overall, this is the one I hold as a standard to compare the quality of other documentaries I see. It tells its story of the history of the electric guitar, thereby the history of rock music, from different angles in a fun, entertaining, and engaging way. All three guitarists bring a different perspective and represent a different period in rock’n’roll. You want the movie to keeping going as it heads toward the finale and you want to rewatch because of the great music and the intriguing behind-the-scenes approach you're given into the world of rock music.

-Adventure: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

If there was one movie that had the atmosphere and fun of old school adventure movies with modern technology and respectable dialogue, it's Raiders. The introductory scene especially looks and feels like it could've been made back in the 40s, but the longer the movie goes on, not only does it get better, but it gets bolder and more spectacular, like a modern movie. You get all of the exotic locations and fight scenes that action adventures are known for, as well as the intriguing relationships that are found in love interests, sidekicks, and bad guys. And who doesn't love a movie where Nazis are the bad guys? The characters are not caricatures or cliches, but they are also allowed to be a little melodramatic in proper movie fashion. The imagery, the locations, and the quotes from this movie are all memorable.

-War: Saving Private Ryan (1998)

There are some war movies that are all about the gunplay and get you pumped up by the exciting action. There are some war movies that are more focused on the philosophies about war, violence, and peace and don't care too much about the weaponry. There are some war movies that just want to recreate for you what happened during World War II. Saving Private Ryan is all of the above. You get such gritty violent realism that it can be hard to make it past the opening scene. There are plenty of other tense and bloody action scenes that honestly depict the horrific violence involved in war. The movie also takes time to build its characters in quiet moments, giving us insight and understanding about war from regular Joes who had nothing to do with the military before the US got involved in WWII. Despite how gruesome the movie can be, it's also worth repeated viewings and pays tribute to regular but real heroes.

-Silent: Modern Times (1936)

Just like the documentary category, I can't say I've sat through many silent movies, so I don't have much to back up this choice. I saw this movie because it was on the Vatican Film List and I can see why it was chosen. There's some thematic exploration of ideas in the industrial work world of the time as well as some interestingly choreographed scenes. Charlie Chaplin has remained popular for his comedy for a reason, and he knows how to make people laugh with goofy faces, body language, and awkward situations. Even the few moments of sound and dialogue are not necessary for this movie to function well. It works because of the grand set pieces, the goofy interaction between the characters, and the physical way that the story is told.

-Black & White: Seven Samurai (1954)

Again, this is one genre that I do not have too much experience with, so out of my limited knowledge of movies that fit this category, I think Seven Samurai fits the best. Under this heading, you might think I'm also talking about modern movies that are shot in black and white, like Sin City, The Artist, or Schindler's List, but those movies are just copying an artistic style, mainly an artistic style that existed at an older time when colored movies were too experimental or too expensive to produce. What also separates this category from something like the Silent movie genre is how dialogue and sound impacts the movie experience.

I do not think this movie would work in a new, colored setting, which is why any remake of this movie has had to set their project in a different time and location. The lights and shadows in this movie leave an impact on how the viewer understands characters and their motives. You do not need to have all the color that later Kurosawa samurai movies have to appreciate the spectacle of the realistic costumes and props. The action scenes, once you get to them, are thrilling even when they're quiet. The dialogue is poetic while remaining realistic, and there's even moments where tension is built up because of a lack of dialogue so that when you do finally hear something screamed or whispered it gives you an emotional punch. The clash of the sword, the sound of horses trotting, and gruff Japanese voices all bring history to life in a way a silent movie cannot.

-Superhero: The Avengers (2012)

The Dark Knight is probably the best made movie involving a comic book hero . However, if there was one movie that you could use as the definitive superhero movie, meaning that it tells a full comic book story in a semi-realistic-mostly-fantastical way with a cast of colorful characters that gives you the whole arc of emotions within comic books, I'd argue that The Avengers is that one definitive movie. You get all of the action that's involved in comic books, including urban destruction in a major city. You get all of the special powers that superheroes are known to have as well as the futuristic high tech gadgetry. You get the good vs. evil storyline with some plot twist elements. Finally, you get the humor and character interactions that bring some lighthearted goodness into a setting that would otherwise be gritty and depressing.

-High Art: Tree of Life (2011)

Many movies that are high art "arthouse" pieces come off as arrogant, slow, and involved in too much thinking to be enjoyed by anyone other than movie snobs who live off of watching movies that the general masses despise. However, I think that Tree of Life is an accessible and worthwhile arthouse movie if the viewer is willing to let it guide them on the journey. For my full take on what makes Tree of Life so great, read my review here.

-Romantic Comedy: The Princess Bride (1987)

             
This movie is quite literally the definition of a genre. It is primarily a romance focused on two lovers fighting to be with one another amongst beautiful locations, with soft serene music in the background. It is also primarily a comedy with witty word play and sarcastic dialogue leaping from the actors’ mouths. Now, you might usually just associate this movie with adventure or comedy, but I think the romance is an important aspect of the plot as well as the characters. It also is not anywhere near as crude or modern as most movies that are usually put under this genre category. The Princess Bride is something that both women and men, kids and adults, can watch and enjoy time and again.

-Musical: Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

            
 If you are going to turn a stage musical into a film, it has to be a different experience than just watching something live on stage. These live musicals on TV are essentially just watching a stage production through the scope of a TV screen. Some musicals, like Joseph….Dreamcoat, do the same thing by introducing their movie as a show within a show. A movie version of a musical needs to transport you to physical locations, bringing the setting to real life. That’s the fault of most classic musicals, the characters are still clearly on sets and sound stages. A movie version of a musical also needs to stand on its own as a good piece of art without relying on the quality of the stage version. That’s the fault of Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera, their stage versions are so good that you’d rather see them live than watch the inferior movie versions, which also means that quality of the singing comes into play. Based on all this criteria and given my love for Catholicism in movies, you’d might think that this means that Sound of Music would fit in this slot.

However, my pick for this spot is actually Fiddler on the Roof and this is for a few different reasons. One reason is atmosphere. Fiddler on the Roof really provides some serious atmosphere and does so with reverence to the spirituality of its people as well as the place that it is set in. You truly believe that you are in a poor village in rural Russia, even in moments when they’re filming on a sound stage. The movie is not afraid to slowly roam over the landscape or quietly allow the emotions of the moment to settle in. Sound of Music has some good atmosphere and quiet moments, but its focus seems to be to travel quickly from moment to moment to tell the story at a quick pace. Sound of Music as a movie also takes some liberties with the story of the musical, moving songs and moments to places different than where they are in the stage production. Fiddler on the Roof is the exact same story in both movie and stage versions. There's also the reverence of the religion of its characters. Sound of Music has some scenes involving Catholicism, but it's not pervasive in the characters' lives, even Maria who struggles with her vocation. Fiddler puts a sharp focus on Judaism and how it impacts the lives and culture of the people in Anatevka. The songs, character movements, and set pieces are rooted in the religion of the main characters.

-Sports: The Sandlot (1993)

I dare you to find a movie that loves its sport as much as The Sandlot loves baseball. While some sports movies use the sport as a vehicle to push the theme or purpose of the story (*cough*RemembertheTitans*cough*), the characters of The Sandlot love to play baseball because of how fun it is. You see them enjoying the pitching, catching, throwing, and sweating of baseball, as well as the rivalries and camaraderie that stems from building a baseball team. The heroes and legends within the movie are surrounded in the atmosphere of baseball. The movie is incredibly quotable, just as fun to watch as a kid as an adult, and you learn some life lessons without it being too obvious and hard hitting.

Top 10 Small Movies of Summer 2017

Recently, I made my prediction for the Top 10 highest grossing movies of the 2017 summer season in the United States, ranked in order so that the #1 will earn the most money overall. It's just a fun little wager that is driven by my curiosity of which movies people are most likely to spend their hard earned money on. The list is as follows:

1. Cars 3
2. Guardians of the Galaxy 2
3. Despicable Me 3
4. Spiderman: Homecoming
5. Wonder Woman
6. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
7. Transformers: The Last Knight
8. War of the Planet of the Apes
9. The Mummy
10. Baywatch

When I posted the list on Facebook, I got a variety of comments making different guesses or saying where they thought I was guessing incorrectly. There was one comment, though, noting that there were no original movies at all in this Top 10, with a further comment noting how there is no more originality and creativity when it comes to stories in movies we see today. 

This got me thinking on the nature of summer movies. If we look at last summer's movies, it is a very similar environment to this year. All of the highest grossing summer movies were part of established franchises, with very basic stories and characters and even though they looked nice, the stories themselves just were not well written, meaning that they were average or bad movies. That's not to say all of the movies were bad, just that they were either based on a previously established story/ franchise before it or that the writing lacked any spark of imagination, or both. Meanwhile there were several "indie" movies or less talked about movies, like Kubo and the Two Strings, Swiss Army Man, and Sing Street, that hardly anyone was going to see in the movie theater even though the people that did see the movies all talked about how awesome they were.

I'm sure some of these movies on the above 2017 Top 10 list are going to be good, entertaining, quality movies worth seeing. I myself am excited to see Guardians, Spiderman, and Despicable Me even. I'm also even more certain that many of the movies on the same list are going to be trashy, surface-level, noisy, just-overall-BAD movies that I think people should stop spending their money on. 

So, in an attempt to try to balance the scales, and to prove that there are still quality stories coming out this summer to movies theaters, I've compiled another Top 10 list. This Top 10, which you'll soon find below, consists of movies that would fall under the "indie" category, with smaller movie studios with smaller budgets. You'll like not have seen much marketing or heard much word about majority of these movies unless you're a movie snob who has ingested all the information from the film festival circuit or otherwise watched the trailers like I had to do when I found these on IMDB.

Obviously I've not yet seen any of the below movies, so I cannot truly judge if they are good or bad, but their premises and trailers are intriguing enough to be worthy of interest. I will provide the ratings for each movie since these are likely to be darker and more mature than many of the other movies coming out this summer and therefore discretion is advised. I'm not going to applaud a movie for its inappropriate content (sex scenes, nudity, obscene amounts of profanity) and each movie needs to be evaluated individually before you think it is appropriate enough to see it. So this list is just a way to inform you that these movies exist and on the surface, before they're released to the general public, seem potentially more worthwhile on spending money to go see than my other list. The below list is ranked according to my interest/ perceived value of the movie in question (i.e. #1=Most Interest/ Best Value; #10= Least Interest/ Riskiest Value)

Ultimately, I'm just one man with one opinion. However, if I could cause some little bit of change for something as silly yet impactful as the choice of movies we see and support financially, I'd be mighty pleased. At the end of the day, remember that the big movie studios are only going to provide finances to movies that they think will rake in the cash, so if you want to see less blockbuster trash and more substantial storytelling, pay for movie tickets for movies like the ones below.

1. Dunkirk (Release Date: July 21)

Yes, I topped my list with a Christopher Nolan movie and I'm sure you're ready to call me out as a hypocrite for including such a big name with big money on a small, indie movies list. However, if Christopher Nolan's name wasn't attached to this movie, would you know that this was a big budget Hollywood production or even know that this movie exists? I include it on this list because I really do think it looks worth checking out and I do think that it should be in the Top 10 highest grossing list. So many good actors in a story of valor and bravery. However, since this is not a franchise movie and it's a war drama, the likelihood that people are going to purchase truckloads of tickets just because it's directed by Christopher Nolan is unlikely.

Rating: PG-13 for violence and language

2. Baby Driver (Release Date: June 28)

Okay, now Edgar Wright is on this list and I'm still not a hypocrite...right? Seriously though, the same idea with Christopher Nolan applies to Baby Driver. Not as many people would even know of this movie at this point if Edgar Wright's name wasn't attached, nor would it look so sleek and shiny with such a handsome budget. Yet, the blend of action and humor are still there, as is the quirkiness that is allowed in smaller budget movies. It looks like a fun summer action movie with some dark comedy and even a little romance thrown into the mix. Essentially this could please the action junkie crowd that loves smash-em-up summer blockbusters AND the comedy seekers who just want to have a good laugh in the summer.

Rating: The official rating hasn't been released as of yet, but the best guess is R mainly for violence and language

3. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (Release Date: July 21)

This is the last of my summer picks that may have some serious street cred to it since the director is responsible for The Professional and The Fifth Element, and the movie has the likes of Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevingne, Ethan Hawke, and Clive Owen in the lead acting roles, all well recognizable and known at this point. This is going to be the sci-fi movie experience of the summer, with the zaniness of Mad Max Fury Road mixed in with the special effects and universe setting of Star Trek. This could be a case of style over substance, where the visual eye candy overpowers a simple storyline, but at least it also looks like it's trying to shoot for a unique sci-fi experience that's both fun and adventurous. If the story it was based on and the actors involved were more popular, this might have a shot at being in the Top 10 Highest Grossing, and I will be pleasantly surprised if that actually happens (as is the case with my above two choices on this list).

Rating: PG-13 for violence, suggestive material, and brief language

4. It Comes At Night (Release Date: June 9)

Horror movies seem to have become part of the summer movie season in recent years, and last year had some memorably good ones, most especially The Conjuring 2. If you're looking to get your horror movie fix this summer, the best bet looks like this one. The trailer doesn't really give much away, nor does the description, but everything is so bizarre and intense. There's people in gas masks, dirty faces, fires, creepy doors, cramped spaces in the dark, guns being pointed at people, and everyone sounds freaked out.

Rating: R for violence, language, and disturbing images

5. The Book of Henry (Release Date: June 16)

At first this movie seems like it's going to focus on a family drama. Naomi Watts is the mother of a boy who is a super genius (like we haven't seen this kind of thing before) and they're both trying to fit in in their normal suburban life while the son tries to help his mom without dominating the relationship. THEN the rest of the trailer is this dark mystery that seems to involve rescuing a little girl from an abusive relationship, with much more suspense and action than the first half would lead us to believe. The movie totally balances the line between Oscar-bait slow indie drama and cult classic dark indie drama.

Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements and brief strong language

6. The Wall (Release Date: May 12)

A war drama that seems to actually not have too much action. Aaron Taylor Johnson and John Cena (really, John Cena in a drama?) are military guys targeted by an enemy sniper in the desert. As they attempt to take out the enemy with nothing but open desert and a small crumbling wall for cover, Johnson must deal with his injured partner as well as not let the enemy mess with his head via radio communication. Modern warfare meets character study, sounds interesting enough to me.

Rating: R for some language and violence

7. Meaghan Leavey (Release Date: June 9)

All right, you've got a quality leading lady in a movie also directed by a woman. It's even got a dog in a supporting role in a movie based on a true story. That should be enough to draw anybody in to a seat in the theater. Sure, it's another action drama movie about the modern military , but if people want there to be more lead acting jobs and directing jobs for women, going to see this movie is just one small simple action that can help. Plus it's got some solid actors that you can trust to bring good performances overall.

Rating: PG-13 for violence, language, suggestive content, and thematic elements

8. The Hero (Release Date: June 9)

Sam Elliot plays himself, or a blend of himself and Adam West, as an older man known for acting roles in the past who is blocked from further good work because everyone associates him with the past. It seems like the kind of movie made for folks of the older generation as well as anybody who is struggling with being productive in their careers in a purposeful way. I would caution that it seems like there would be some inappropriate material (the dude is having a relationship with a much younger woman), but hopefully it won't make up much of the movie.

Rating: R for drug use, language, and some sexual content

9. Maudie (Release Date: June 16)

This is the most Oscar-bait looking movie of the bunch, so if you're looking for a slow quiet drama to cool you down this summer this may be your best bet. It's about a middle aged woman, who is talented as well as handicapped, and her budding relationship with the grumpy loner middle aged man she works for. The woman character is strong and resilient, but not in a cliche way that the blockbusters make their characters to be, but she seems to overcome obstacles both by her own strength and the strength she receives from her relationships to other people. And also, it's a movie written and directed by women, which I only point out because people talk about the need for greater diversity and leadership in the movie industry and it's not going to happen if audiences don't pay to see movies when it happens (I'm sure there's other variables, but at least this is one variable that the movie viewers themselves can control).

Rating: PG-13 for thematic content and brief sexuality

10. A Ghost Story (Release Date: July 7)

If you're looking for a bizarre thinking man's movie to keep your brain active this summer, maybe look into this movie. The trailer and description are almost incomprehensible, but in a good way since they only reveal just enough to peak your curiosity. Something about Casey Affleck walking around in a ghost blanket in a house throughout history while the characters talk about love and death and life and time and all those good philosophical buzz words. But hey, Casey Affleck won an award for being in a highly acclaimed Oscar drama last year and the director was in charge of Pete's Dragon last year (as well as some other previous indie projects), so it's got some credibility to it. It doesn't seem like the kind of movie that is going to get a wide release or at least be in movie theaters for too long, so get out to your local indie joint as quick as possible.

Rating: R for brief language and A disturbing image

Post Script: You'll notice I didn't have movies like Alien: Covenant and The Dark Tower on the list (shame of me, right). Again, this is all personal opinion, so if those movies or others I missed look worth checking out to you, by all means go do it. I'm just trying to throw some support and love to smaller budget movies with bigger ideas and tons of character.

Another thing you'll notice is NONE of these movies that I mentioned in this list are PG or G. That's mainly because...families are really out of luck with movie choices this summer. SERIOUSLY, there's almost nothing for families to go see this summer that isn't rated PG-13. Aside from Cars and Despicable Me, the only other real decent movie for everyone is the Captain Underpants movie, which in my opinion looks more style over substance AND came out 10 years too late (but what do I know, maybe kids love the book series as much as my peers did back in the day). Otherwise, families will have settle for either The Emoji Movie or The Nut Job 2 and...no, just no....just don't give your money to these movies, people!

Top 15 Movies of the 2000s

After creating my Top 15 Movies list for the years spanning 2010-2016, I was immediately interested in creating a Top 15 list for the previous decade, 2000-2009. This was in part due to the fact that there were movies that I wanted to put on the previous list but could not do so because they were made before 2010. Another reason is that I've noticed my view on movies in the past changing, where some movies I thought were good have lessened over the course of time while others that I didn't originally care for have grown into some very enjoyable pieces. This change is especially noticeable if, after reading this list, you explore my 23 Favorite Movies lists from back in 2014.

I do not think I will make any similar lists for other decades, I just don't have as much interest or knowledge compared to movies made in this century. With such a long passage of time (10 years is long when it comes to movies), and especially with such a drastic change in my taste of movies during this specific time period, it's interesting to notice what has stuck with me over the years compared to what movies I think I missed out on when growing up.

Once again, after giving a brief rundown on the movie or my impression of the movie, I will include things you should be made aware of in terms of content before watching, as well as what makes the movie so worth rewatching. Also once again, I will include a list of honorable mentions of movies I enjoyed, just not enough to warrant being at the top, and then at the very end will be my Need-to-See list, which this time will be majorly comprised of suggestions I received from friends online.

15. Funny Crooks in London: Snatch (2000)

I was in a bit of a Guy Ritchie faze for a time, mainly by watching this movie and its predecessor, Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, multiple times. This is one of those kind of movies where the protagonists are not really good guys, but the characters are all interesting. A part of the charm of both of these movies is the low budget aesthetic, so that while you're watching a movie that may not necessarily look top notch, it makes up for it with funny writing and unique avenues of character development.

Snatch features a multitude of more memorable characters, including Jason Statham as the calm and witty protagonist, Brad Pitt's mushed mouth Irish rambler, Vinnie Jones as a psycho polite guy with anger issues, Benicio Del Toro's too cool for school gangster, and Alan Ford's quietly dangerous mob boss. With colorful names like Bullet-Tooth Tony, Frankie Four Fingers, Boris the Blade, and Gorgeous George, you know you're in for a goofy fun time. There's good reasons why this and Ritchie's first movie are being used and rebooted into a TV series this year.

Watch Out for: The Pikey gibberish (It ain't exactly English, not exactly Irish, it's just...Pikey). Profanities thrown about lackadaisically. Bloody violence is involved cause it's boxing and gangster business. And (though I don't really remember this) there are some images of topless women in the background from time to time.

Why It's Rewatchable: The humor works very well because of how sarcastic it is while still not relying entirely on darkness and bitterness. The quirky characters are some of the best in Guy Ritchie's career and you come to actually care for some of these grimy, crummy jerks.

14. American Odyssey the Musical: O Brother Where Art Thou (2000)

A classic Coen Brothers comedy that I did not fully appreciate when I first watched it, but has steadily grown on me over the years. This is the Coen Brothers movie I've watched the most and where you can especially make out their style for aesthetic and humorous dialogue. Pappy O'Daniel and Ulysseus Everett McGill are two of the best characters ever created by the Coens. This is an entertaining comedy with an unusual sense of humor, where even the Ku Klux Klan are funny characters. The cinematography works very well here because the sepia, grainy tones match the Depression era southern setting. What a lot of people remember from this movie is the soundtrack, which features a lot of folk, bluegrass, and blues music performed by modern day bards and groups in those genres. This is where I first really experienced appreciating this kind of music and only wish I appreciated it more when I was younger.

Watch Out for: A man loudly stating "Well we was fixin' to fornicate" in a polite public setting (I didn't get this joke when I was younger). There is some dark menace caused by the movie's antagonist, plus not to mention a Klan meeting done very realistically (to a certain point). Also, Tim Blake Nelson gets the tar beaten out of him...which actually is both fun and sad to watch.

Why It's Rewatchable: The visuals of the southern landscape, witty dialogue, the soundtrack and the goofy characters played by the main trio of George Clooney, Tim Blake Nelson, and John Turturro.

13. Backwards is Forwards:  The Mind Games Movie: Memento (2000)

The first of three Christopher Nolan movies on this list. Sometimes people think a movie is style over substance or vice versa. This one is both. It's a stylish movie because of the narrative framework, where the story is told backwards (the ending comes in the beginning and the real beginning comes at the end). It takes a lot of mental energy to focus enough to understand this movie, especially the first time through. The substance is the story and the characters involved.

The premise is simple: a man seeks revenge for his wife's murder. The way he goes about seeking revenge while battling his mental disorder is what gives the story conflict and substance. It also does some interesting character building by feeding us information in reverse order so that we can never really trust or empathize with anyone, even the main character.

Watch Out for: Bloody violence and profanity worthy of the R rating.

Why It's Rewatchable: The plot and story would ultimately make more sense the more you watch it. The plot is the most intriguing part, but the characters are interesting enough to keep you wanting to understand everything that's going  on. Also there's a little nostalgia involving the polaroid pictures.


12. Irish Culture 101 The Cartoon: The Secret of Kells (2009)

I mentioned its successor in my previous list now here is the first genuine article from Cartoon Saloon. I think I prefer this movie just because the Irish landscape gets more variety and attention and I prefer the historical setting. The illumination of the Book of Kells works spectacularly well in this movie because the animators give it an extraordinary appearance compared to the rest of the cartoon world. The art style kind of reminds me of Samurai Jack, but the angles are played with even moreso here. Celtic mythology and Catholic spirituality are blended as well as expected in this movie, not necessarily confusingly so but the line between reality and fantasy does get blurred some.

The voice over work is stellar, especially with the children actors. The legit Irish dialects may make it hard for audience members to understand everything, but I appreciate being absorbed in this foreign world in a time gone by. Again, what works best in this movie is the animation, where special things glow and sometimes a 3-D setting goes two dimensional and back.

Watch Out for: Some creepy or intimidating imagery involving the antagonists of this movie. Obviously nothing graphic, but just know that this movie is not all bright and colorful.

Why It's Rewatchable: Curious kid characters in a movie with a uniquely gorgeous artistic style.


11. So Much Better The Second Time Around: Shrek 2 (2004)

What's a Shrek movie doing on this list, and why is it not the original? Cause the sequel is funnier and improves upon the original that's why! Actually, this was one of the first DVDs my family owned and I watched it constantly. Seriously, EVERYTHING works better in this movie than the original, One improvement involves the multitude of pop culture references, some of which are definitely product of the times types but overall they make sense and are still humorous, even to a young teen who wasn't pop culture literate back then. Part of the success of the humor and references is because there's not as many bitter criticisms of Disney in these jokes as the original. All of the characters go through even more character building, so that we come to appreciate Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey and their relationships to each other even more than before. The new characters are fun additions and very fitting for this goofy world. The villainness here is so much better than the original villain because she is both melodramatic and delightfully charming, much better than just being arrogant. The animation is not all that much different from the first one, but the three years between the two definitely made it smoother.

The music can be somewhat distracting when you hear things like 'Accidentally in Love' and it transports you mentally back to 2004 but overall the soundtrack is enjoyable (and it introduced me to Tom Waits and Nick Cave music which I would not explore until many years later). The environment is pleasant to be in at all times, which is a part of what keeps me coming back to rewatch all the time.

Watch Out for: Some innuendos and other immature jokes that pop up in kids movies to appease to both kids and adults.

Why It's Rewatchable: Fun characters with funny things to say, the pleasant world we get to stay in, and the themes of love and friendship done in the least cheesy way possible.

10. So Slow It's Good Drama: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2006)

Sometimes I think I give people the impression that I dislike any slow pacing and long quiet moments in movies. Well, here's a movie that is full of slow pacing, long quiet moments, and even background narration, and I love it. A strange blend of western and documentary moviemaking, this gently paced movie gives you time to feel the uneasiness of these characters' lives. This movie introduced me to Casey Affleck and made me appreciate Sam Rockwell. Both actors, plus Brad Pitt, are tremendous forces in this film. It's a grim and tense movie, and yet you can feel sorrow and empathy for both Jesse and Bob at different points. There's not as much violence and gunplay in here as other westerns, but some of the imagery is more haunting here than any bloody shootout.

Sometimes I don't really have much more to say than just "It's really good and you should go watch it".

Watch Out for: A few moments of profanities and some bloody violence.

Why It's Rewatchable: The characters are just so absorbing. There are images and scenes that stick with you and keep drawing you back.

9. Top Swashbuckling British Navy Tutorial: Master and Commander:The Far Side of the World (2003)

The movie really makes you believe you are out at sea during 1803. Most of our time is spent on one vessel, a magnificent home for so many men and it was tough to always tell what was done in studio and what was done on the ship. The costumes and lighting adds to the authenticity of this voyage we go on. There's enough scenes of swashbuckling action to keep a teen boy interested while at the same time it provides some eloquent dialogue and fantastic character building for adult tastes.

The script allows multiple characters to get time to be developed in their own way, and the way they interact with each other, especially with the class and work differences, are part of this movie's charm. You get a real sense of history from watching this movie and it lets you sympathize with each of the characters it addresses to you.

Watch Out for: A bloody violent battle takes place periodically, and you vividly see the blood and dead bodies. This movie is also not afraid of getting up close and personal with injuries, bones, and brains. The ocean can be an intimidating factor, especially when it's stormy and dark.

Why It's Rewatchable: You get to see how a British Navy vessel was operated and lived on in 1803. Plus all of the action to be had on the high seas.

8. Top Middle Earth Movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

The best of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It relies the least on computer generated effects and the images that are there are more spectacular than the visuals we get in the next two movies (except for Gollum, of course). I like that the focus is not split on three separate storylines but for the most part is only just on one, sometimes two, which makes it easier to get invested in the movie and characters. The final battle is actually my favorite because I love how such a small group of warriors tackles an overwhelmingly large force and it's made especially epic with the redemptive last stand of Boromir. Not to mention the boss battle between Viggo Mortensen and the Uruk Hai, where Viggo literally bats away a live blade that could've injured or killed him

I will be honest and say that when I first saw this movie, I got scared. I was always frightened by Gollum as a kid (I saw the animated LOTR movies before seeing this one) and the Ringwraiths are definitely frightening. The atmosphere in this movie can get pretty dark and intimidating to young kids with crazy imaginations. I did enjoy it enough to watch the VHS multiple times when we got it, I just always skipped what I thought were the scary parts until I stopped being intimidated by them. So this was the only movie I saw in the trilogy when they were first released in theaters and it was only after they came out on home video that I began to watch them regularly.

Even after reading the books, I still find this movie to be a tremendous feat. It paces itself very well for a three hour adventure, it has both fun action and dramatic dialogue, and it is probably the best adaptation of a book that is least like its source material.

Watch Out for: Chopped off limbs and bloody violence (though not too bloody). Also, the scary parts involving Ringwraiths and Gollumses.

Why It's Rewatchable: The magnetic pull you feel for the characters. The grand battles in fantastic landscapes. The good vs. evil story done so spectacularly well.

7. Rock'n'Roll History 101: It Might Get Loud (2008)

One of the first music documentaries I've seen and the one that I hold as the standard for other rock music documentaries I watch. This movie made me appreciate Jimmy Page and The Edge more and it introduced me to Jack White, whose music and personality I obsessed over for a time. The exploration of music history and the various methods of playing various electric guitars were what gripped me and keeps me coming back again and again.

There are so many visuals of concerts throughout the years. There are so many songs and electric guitar tones that showcase the growth of rock music over the decades. We get to see how technology has influenced song writing, sounds, and creativity and how different guitarists utilize the technology at their disposal.

Each guitarist also has their personal approach and attitude towards the guitar, which is great to have such variety of character in these high profile rock'n'rollers. We get to travel to some pretty neat places , from the Heady Grange cabin that Led Zeppelin recorded in to a random rundown Tennessee farm that Jack White transforms into his personal music practice room.

Watch Out for: Footage of bombing sites in Ireland from the 70s. Jack White cuts his finger while playing the guitar and like a boss keeps playing while he bleeds all over it. Jimmy Page uses some strange vocabulary sometimes that are carnal in nature.

Why It's Rewatchable: It's a quick watch at around 90 minutes, but the stories and history of the music are the magnetic attraction for someone like me to watch over and over again.

6. Top Top Superhero Movie:  The Dark Knight (2008)

Probably the best superhero movie ever made thus far. Part of what makes this movie work is that it does not spend as much time as the first movie on describing Batman's gadgets and doodads to the audience. We just watch him move around and use whatever and we accept it because it's Batman and he's rich and smart. The times when the gadgets are described are tolerable because they become important pieces of information later on. We all know how terrifying Heath Ledger was as he portrayed The Joker and how it was probably the greatest thing about this movie, so I don't need to rehash why he's awesome.

Everything is written and shot with an extreme sense of realism. The origin of Harvey Dent and Two Face is more believable than other incarnations. The mystery of Joker's identity and origins are realistic. Even Batman's technology and crime fighting ways are all displayed in a realistic way. Another great aspect of this movie is that it is thematic. Where do you draw the line on what is good and bad when you're fighting criminals without morals or rules? How much chaos and anarchy is in our control? Are people really willing to do good even when threatened by extreme violence?

Watch Out for: Mayhem and dark images of criminal activity. Death and violence is dealt to many people in this movie, but they do not often show carnage or bloodshed. The effects for Two Face are realistic and could be too much for some people.

Why It's Rewatchable: It's Batman v. Joker done in a realistic way!

5. How Did He Do That?!: The Prestige (2006)

The third Christopher Nolan movie on my list, and some people may be surprised by the fact that I put this above The Dark Knight. I myself am somewhat surprised. When I first saw this movie in the theaters, I was not impressed. I do not know if it was all the high dramatic acting or if it was all of the twists and turns in the plot, but when the ending came around, I was just like "meh, whatever". However, since then, this is one of the few movies from this time period I've watched multiple times over the years. It gets better every time I watch it. Part of it is because there are so many secrets and hidden clues into the storyline you do not know about about upon first viewing, so seeing it again allows you to see what was hidden in plain sight before.

I like the time period and the settings. We get some nice Colorado landscapes sprinkled in along with the grungy London urban sets. The best thing about this setting though is that it really matches up with the story's connection to magic. This took place during a time where changes in technology almost baffled the average person and the changes were so new and strange that they could be manipulated to look extraordinarily like machines of magic. The actors are all dedicated to their parts, giving us a great character study in the consequences of revenge and greed.

Watch Out for: This movie is not necessarily violent, but they do have a few extremely gruesome visuals that are barely within the PG-13 range. May be a use of a profanity here and there, but I cannot recall much of it.

Why It's Rewatchable: The tense relationship between Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman. The steampunk-esque technological effects. Perhaps most importantly, once you know the full story, you begin to pick up on little hints and clues earlier in the movie every time you watch it again.

4. Top Christian Movie: The Passion of the Christ (2004)

I watch this movie every Lent, during the Triduum before Easter. There have been plenty of other movies made about the final night and day that Jesus was on this Earth before His crucifixion, but none of them were done in the languages spoken during the actual time period of the events. I applaud the filmmakers' use of Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin and only after watching it and studying some Latin have I caught some distinctions between the languages. Everyone gives this movie trouble for the utterly gruesome blood and violence on display, but I appreciate that the filmmakers did not shy away from the reality that Jesus endured intense and painful whippings, scourgings, and beatings all before he was finally nailed to the Cross. While mainly drawing on the Gospel of John, all of the Gospel narratives about the Passion come together in this moving drama. The use of time jumps to tell other parts of the Gospel, as well as the spiritual warfare on display, are done very well to tell the full story or to give weight to a particular scene.

Watch Out for: Some of the harshest and most graphically realistic blood and violence stunts and effects.

Why It's Rewatchable: For the non-believer, it at least tells a tragic story while bringing an historical time and place to life as authentically as possible. For the Christian, this movie is a visual reminder of what our Savior endured in His Passion, giving some great weight and urgency to the situation because of its approach of realism.

3. Taxidermy in Motion: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

I often debate with myself whether I consider this movie or Moonrise Kingdom to be Wes Anderson's best. This is one of the movies that made me appreciate the artistry of stop motion animation, but it was shot so stunningly well and smooth that everything really looks like it's almost happening for real. This is one of the few times and places where I enjoy the word "cuss" to describe profanities because it adds so much to the humor (I dislike using descriptive terms like 'curse words' or 'swearing' in normal circumstances). This is the kind of movie that both kids and adults can enjoy because it does not stoop low to talk down to kids nor does it involve a lot of wink wink nudge nudge jokes for adults.

It's a short movie but it is paced so well and the story is so entertaining you don't even pay attention to the time. The characters are all quirky and the adventure is zany, yet the plot has enough substance to it that it still does some character building along with the visual craziness. There's some fun relationships developed between the father and son, the son and his rivalry with his cousin, and Mr. Fox with his friends. There's also the thrill of the chase as Mr. Fox messes with his opponents in absurd and fun ways.

Watch Out for: Here and there, the puppets may look a little creepy, particularly the humans and the rat. Also, again, the word 'cuss' replaces real profanities that your kids may be able to piece together.

Why It's Rewatchable: Mr. Fox is rambunctious and gets himself into all sorts of trouble. The family dynamic allows for some good character development and some redemption to play of a part of the story. The humor is much more subtle than other comedies and doesn't rely on immature or gross comedy.

2. Two Hours of Magnetic Madness: No Country for Old Men (2008)

This movie has to be experienced all at once, in one sitting, for the initial viewing. The suspense and drama just keeps building and building as everything moves along and it grips you. I couldn't believe it when the movie suddenly ended and cut to black before the credits. Javier Bardem as Anton Chigurh is terrific, a believably realistic villain even if he is a nutball. The writing taken from McCarthy's book is wonderful to listen to and see come to life. It's actually kind of impressive how much of the book the Coen Brothers put onto the screen. This is the kind of movie that does not seem like a standard Coen Brothers movie but you're okay with it because it's just so incredible.

The scenery and backgrounds add some nice atmosphere to the piece, though they are not distractingly focused on for too long, unlike movies like The Revenant or even Hell or High Water. Javier Bardem is not the only great actor in this movie, just perhaps given the most memorable character. The other main characters, especially those played by Josh Brolin and Kelly Macdonald, are all very realistic and tragic. Fun fact, I randomly use a quote from one of the supporting characters from time to time: The deputy, played by great character actor Garrett Dillahunt, who is following the Tommy Lee Jones sheriff, looks at a troubling scene and says "Oh, Sheriff...that is agitatin' ".

Watch Out for: Gruesome scenes of dead bodies and some of the most realistic blood and injury effects in movies. Also some profanities are heard sporadically.

Why It's Rewatchable: The thrill of the chase as Javier Bardem tracks down Josh Brolin. There's actually something gripping and thought provoking about the helplessness that Tommy Lee Jones and other characters feel in their inability to stop the action.


1. So Serious It's Funny: Hot Fuzz (2007)

This is one of the movies on this list I've watched way too many times over the years (the only one on this list I'd say I've watched more is Fellowship). While some of the initial jokes in the movie have become too known to me, I still smile and chuckle throughout the piece. This is another movie that deserves repeated viewings after the first so that you can catch all of the inside jokes and clues you've missed along the way. This is an example of an homage and parody done well, where you understand how they are making fun of the buddy cop genre while at the same time it provides a story that can stand on its own.

People argue over which movie in the Cornetto Trilogy (this, Shaun of the Dead, or The World's End) is the best (most often people will say Shaun of the Dead) and obviously I consider this to be the best. They work really hard to present this as some dramatic action movie and it is because of its commitment to being serious that the comedy works so well. Timothy Dalton, while an underrated James Bond, must've been born to play villains because he is just the best in this movie. Simon Pegg is incredibly convincing in the dramatic serious lead role and this is the type of adorable nincompoop Nick Frost is best at, not like the vulgar character he is in Shaun of the Dead. The ensemble adds some British flavor to the comedy and even the cameos are memorable. The final quarter of this movie is essentially a climactic battle in the streets and it satisfactorily delivers on both the gunplay and the laughter.

Watch Out for: Slang and other R-rated profanities are utilized throughout the piece, mostly played for comedy. The blood and violence is not overly gory, but it does pop up here and there, especially at the end. And, for the briefest of five seconds, there's a scene where a woman wears plastic naked breasts.

Why It's Rewatchable: References and homages to particular movies as well as context clues hidden on the screen which revolve around the mystery. The comedy is spot on and the story is just pure entertainment.


Honorable Mentions

-Serenity (2004)

I have barely seen any episodes of the Firefly TV series only in the last few years (I know, I'm a bad geek), so I did not have any foreknowledge about the characters or storyline before going to the theater to see this movie. Yet, I still understood everything and I still enjoyed the way the story was told. The story focuses on a group of anti-heroes who actually go through some character development to turn them into likable good guys (at least, Nathan Fillon's character gets the most development), essentially giving us a prototype of Guardians of the Galaxy. The dialogue's dark sarcastic humor works very well here, as do the moral and philosophic questions that are played out in the midst of fun sci-fi action set pieces.

-The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (2002) and Return of the King (2003)

Just because I consider Fellowship to be the best does not mean I do not appreciate what great pieces of motion picture beauty both of these movies are. They help give the full story of this thrilling adventure. All of the movies work best when watching their Extended Edition DVDs. Although I may not appreciate Gollum as a character, I can appreciate the technical and acting achievements accomplished in creating Gollum. I like the development of all of the characters along the way, except for maybe Gimli, who gets turned into the comedic relief as we go further along. The strange things about these movies, and perhaps why I put them in the honorable mentions category, is that I actually prefer the plotlines revolving around the battles much more than I prefer the Frodo & Sam storyline that actually matters the most within the story

-Open Range (2003)

It has the sensibilities of real classic Westerns along with the movie making abilities of modern dramas. Kevin Costner is a great actor and plays off of the superior Robert Duvall very well in this movie, but sometimes the man just loves too much narration, quiet moments, and slow drama in a movie that should focus its attention on gritty character building and gripping action. Michael Gambon made a convincing villain and there is a cool gunfight at the end of the movie.

-Children of Men (2006)

I remember the impact this movie had because there are key scenes I can vividly remember even now. This is not exactly an uplifting movie in the usual sense, especially since this movie is set in a truly chaotic, hopeless dystopia. This was in the midst of the height of Clive Owen's movie career, where he proved what a cool, gruff anti-hero he could be. At another time, I'd consider him for the next recasting of James Bond. This movie is full of shadowy lighting and disparaging images of humanity hitting a low point. There are multiple single takes that last a long while, which adds to the feeling of tension and discomfort that you should be feeling along with the characters. What makes this movie so good is the hope that Clive Owen finds and protects in the midst of the death.

-The Last Samurai (2003)

This movie is a story of forgiveness and redemption. Tom Cruise’s Nathan Algren is haunted by evil violence he inflicted upon a tribe of Native Americans and at first becomes enslaved by alcoholism and lack of care for his life. Then, through the time spent with the samurai village, Algren finds internal peace, asks for forgiveness, and finds value in his life by protecting the lives of those who helped him. His redemption comes from a second chance opportunity. Instead of passively allowing this clan to be massacred, he stands up to fight for the clan, even if it costs his life. In a way, the Emperor Meiji also goes through forgiveness and redemption. At first, driven by a desire for a powerfully modern Japan, the Emperor allows Omura to take over governing powers (in essence), also allowing the samurai communities to be desolated. In the end, after the climactic battle, the Emperor is driven by grief over his former mentor’s death that he stands up for the first time, to drive back Omura’s ambitions and halt the cultural implosion of Japan.

Need to See (Based on Recommendations)

-The Fountain (2006)

Two fantastic actors in a movie with a complicated timeline and focused on trippy special effects.

-Wall-E (2008) & Ratatouille (2007)

I added in the second movie of my own free will because I have not seen both of these Pixar movies, both of which are usually regarded as some of the best from the company.

-Minority Report (2002)

A crazy sci-fi plot featuring Tom Cruise action and directed by Steven Spielberg.

-Gran Torino (2008)

It's not just about racial issues from what I gather, but also about values in masculinity and what it really takes to be a true man. Also, it's Clint Eastwood.

-Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000)

I know, this is like some modern classic kung fu movie or something. I know I should've seen it by now. However, I've heard of and seen clips of some great action and stuntwork. And I would add some culture by watching in the original language.

-Almost Famous (2000)

This movie is on so many lists for Best Movies of this decade. I am not entirely sure if it's my cup of tea, but I enjoy rock music and historical pieces enough to give it a shot.

-Road to Perdition (2002)

A mobster flick done by an artsy director. Seems like it has some great actors in it, plus it's got some thematic examinations based on the subject material that I think I would find fascinating.

-The Fall (2006)

Apparently one of the most gorgeous and artsy movies made so far this century. At the very least I'll be able to look at lots of nice things.

-American Psycho (2000)

Mainly on my list because my friend Steve stated interest in what I would think of this movie. I hear it's a dark piece of satire, just featuring a bloody nutball with occasional violence and sex.

Valuable Movies: The Tree of Life

No, this is not a scene from The Revenant, but I can see where you'd make that mistake.

After watching Drive and feeling underwhelmed by that movie, I decided I wanted to immediately jump into another movie that I desperately wanted to see from my Need-to-See List. So, in two sittings on two separate days, I watched The Tree of Life, directed by Terrence Malick. It has been over a week since I finished the movie and I've been digesting the experience ever since.

There's some movies I watch where I feel like I have to prepare myself ahead of time. I may not exactly know what the experience will be like, but I do know that it will be totally different from most other movies and a truly unique to the picture I'm about to witness. The Tree of Life is one of those movies I felt like I needed to prepare myself for. Get plenty of sleep the night before, be in a relaxed mood, be mentally aware, all that kind of stuff.

This is definitely an experience of a movie. It does not play by conventional filmmaking rules so you do not examine it like every other conventional movie. It plays by its own rules and you have to follow them, allowing yourself to be led on a mystery. That does not mean I still cannot analyze and critique it for its Artistic and Moral Values, just that I have to frame my critique with a different understanding of what makes a movie bad or good compared to how I critique something like Drive.

Artistic Value (Rating: 4.5)

What is it? I don't know. Welcome to this movie's experience!

Most of my critique and appreciation of this movie deals with the Artistic Value because this is mainly a piece of high visual art. This movie is filmed with tons of fast paced edits cutting to a variety of scenes throughout time and space. We get so many visuals involving water and trees, then cut back to suburban life in 1950s Texas, cut to modern urban architecture, then back to flying views of volcanoes and outer space, and in between the movie stuffs in some glowing ethereal lights like an orange Aurora Borealis.

This movie definitely tries to fit a lot of visuals into the camera shot. Often, there are nice big fishbowl lense shots where the actor is the main focus, but there's tons of scenery around them to add to the atmosphere. This is so that, even if you may not fully understand the point of the visual, you at least know where you are and what is going on around the character. It also helps to establish atmosphere and mood, keeping the audience in a calm sense of awe and wonder.

Here comes the sun (doo-duh-doo-doo)

The cinematography is gorgeous, as are whatever effects were used to create the galactic and prehistoric pieces. There were many shots where I had to wonder whether a special visual effect or a practical effect was used to achieve the image. I like that mystery because that means that at least I felt connected to the movie and felt that this image is real, whether it was created on computer or created by props.

The Tree of Life is visual poetry, which can be both good and bad. A lot of the philosophy and questions that are posed in the movie are done through what you see on screen compared to what you hear spoken. And since it does not strive to particularly answer the questions directly, that adds to the poetic aspect of the final product. The reason why it can be considered bad to be visual poetry is because it is such high art that it can feel almost arrogant or self-confident. If movies are busy trying to impress their audience and speak such lofty philosophical jargon, that can turn people off from appreciating the artistry of the movie. Thankfully, the arrogance is kept low in this movie so that the poetic aspect can still maintain integrity.

Although sometimes it does show off.

I often criticize movies for being slow and too quiet. This criticism stems from a connection with the pace of the movie in question. If I think a movie's pace is too slow, it means that I think a movie is lingering on some visual or some idea much much longer than necessary. The reason it's longer than necessary is because the movie was trying to make some point or feed the audience some sort of information, but once it has accomplished either goal, it continues to linger on the point or image without continuing to develop the story or the characters. So, because The Tree of Life is a slow movie in terms of plot and development, it had a hard task of being slow with good reason while keeping my interesting.

The editing of the movie helped to keep the pacing quick enough to the point of keeping it interesting. The pacing of Drive is one of my criticisms or negative opinions about that particular movie because it made its point and yet lingered far too long. Here in The Tree of Life, even if you do not fully understand everything being said and seen on screen, it gives you enough to grasp what's happening then moves on to continue developing its point or move on to the next point of view. This pacing, especially in the first half, is what kept me engaged and interested in moments where I scratched my head and in normal circumstances may have turned the movie off.

The first half is wonderfully enchanting, with so many various shots and angles that you do not care that you're essentially being dropped smack near the end of the story in the beginning. The characters played by Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain first appear at older stages in their characters' lives, then during the rest of the movie we see scenes of them as young lovers and then as young parents. There are different leaps back and forth in time, almost giving the movie a dream-like quality where the dream is constantly shifting or changing but your mental awareness for the story maintains focus and awareness.

Though you always wonder how your house moves itself to the salt flats.

The second half takes on a more conventional narrative, or more specifically the third quarter of the movie does, which focuses on the childhood of the Sean Penn character. Instead of such dramatic leaps in time, we are treated to a straightforward progression in time and we linger longer on moments and stories that in the first half would've been told in passing images. This is where the movie drags more and actually began to lose me because it clashed so much with the first half. When you're introduced to a unique visual and storytelling style that is full of mystery and poetry, you begin to assimilate that style into your reception of the movie. Then we get dropped back into more standard plot development, even if the cinematography and editing remains somewhat stylized. I think the movie should've stuck to what it was doing, especially since in the final quarter it returns to the highly stylized visuals.

The narrations are also one of the positive and negative attributes of this movie. The narration allows the characters to express their inner thoughts, which is made especially cool when the dialogue is phrased in a way that the character can be speaking internal thoughts about their parent, God, or both. The use of narration also allows the images to continually move in rapid fire motion while maintaining particular focus on developing the character that is narrating. The negative aspect to me, which may seem like a nitpick, is that it's essentially all done in whispers. I cannot really recall any of the narration being spoken at a normal volume level, it was all quiet and raspy. At first, you don't really notice and it keeps you calm, but after so much narration continuously being done at this pitch and volume, it eventually gets grating to listen to. I love Bob Ross, and I enjoy when he does gently whisper, but he also fluctuates his pitch and volume so that it is not constantly at one level like it seemed like this movie was going for.

Moral Value (Rating: 5)

How Brad Pitt hugs all of his children.

Much of this movie's dialogue is like prayer, where the character is alone and communicates to God. They communicate lots of great questions as well as their interpretation of their life experiences based on those questions. We examine what is true love, what is the meaning of suffering, what is the purpose of life and death, what is right and what is wrong, all through tough questions posed by characters in vulnerable moments. Again, the movie does not directly answer the questions, but explores avenues towards answering those questions through the visuals and storytelling.

I found myself relating to a lot of the struggles in the father-son relationship that gets explored in the third quarter of the movie. The son's attempt to understand a tough love father figure, and how that father figure plays into the son's relationship with God, spoke to me directly, as did the boy's struggles when puberty began and the impact that time period had on his relationship with his mother. It was true and genuine, at least in my own viewing of it.

 There are consequences to the negative things that the people do, even if those consequences are not immediate or seen on the surface level. Once people experience these consequences, there is acknowledgement of wrongdoing and repentance, so that they can change for the better. The beautiful thing about the struggles in this movie is that it does involve a happy ending. We experience reconciliation and love at the end after all of the pain and anguish that the characters go through beforehand. This makes the emotional stakes and the suffering of the characters pay off in the end, to me. This also helps to punch up a positive morality in this movie.

...I got nothing. It's just a picture of this movie's family unit.

The MPAA rating for this movie is PG 13, which is only really because of the life experiences that the characters go through. There's images of spousal abuse (mainly verbal) and scenes of the tough physical type of fatherly parenting that we either remember or imagine growing up with in the past. The Sean Penn character, as a boy, goes through puberty and does some wicked acts out of curiosity and malice that he cannot seem to control. There are some images of a man having a seizure and convicts being thrown in police cars, but nothing is explicit or graphic. I can see this movie only really being viewed and enjoyed by adults. Not that there is much that is inappropriate for kids, but only because adults will fully appreciate and grasp the life experience of the characters. Even then, the movie is so different from a standard movie viewing experience, and the quality of the high art poetry is so high, that even some adults may not enjoy sitting through this whole movie. It is strange, challenging, and definitely worth exploring and staying with til the end.

Overall Value Rating: 4.75 out of 5