Mis Peliculas Favoritas Parte 2

Well, it's the second part to my list of favorite movies. I feel like I do not really scratch the surface at describing why I enjoy these movies and yet it takes a lot longer to put together a list of ten movies than I thought it would. I hope these lists shows my enjoyment for a variety of movie genres and types and that while not all of them uphold my faith that there is something that I can enjoy about them as a Catholic man. 

Just a quick note about the Downsides section of my movie descriptions. I decided to write those as a way to ask myself 'Why would I not recommend this movie to someone?'. I know that not everyone is into violent action movies and I myself do not care for coarse language or sexuality in movies.

Since I am writing this blog for a variety of people with a variety of tastes, I want to make everyone aware of the good and the bad of my favorite movies to increase interest in these movies but also increase awareness about what fault or negative material in these movies as well. Now, onward with today's list.

• The Dark Knight

Why is it a Favorite?: We all know this is the best of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy. It's suspenseful, thrilling, and it stays within realistic boundaries of the world. It questions the morality of the battle between good and evil and whether stopping chaos demands sacrificing rules. Heath Ledger is terrifying as The Joker and Christian Bale shows a Batman who is desperate yet willful.

Downsides: Maybe that it could be frightening a couple of times? Honestly, I cannot think of anything too bad in this. There's hardly any actual bloodshed, no cursing, and no sexuality. It's just not the kind of movie I would show to very young children.

Notable Performances: Heath Ledger blew me away as The Joker. Aaron Eckhart's take on Harvey Dent was charming and powerful. Michael Caine did another splendid job as wise fatherly Alfred and Christian Bale, while his Batman voice takes some getting used to, did splendidly balancing between Bruce Wayne and Batman.

• Taken

Why is it a Favorite?: The movie's plot is simple which makes it easy to get close to Liam Neeson's character and his conflict. I like that Liam Neeson's character works hard to redeem himself and reconnect with his family. His greatest desire is his daughter's safety and he uses all of the strength and skills he has to rescue his daughter. It is a nice display of love and it's fun to see Liam Neeson taking names and beating the bad guys.

Downsides: This movie has a realistic approach to the underground world of sex trafficking and drugs, which can be tough to watch at times. Also, Liam Neeson's rescue method involves torturing a man to death and threatening another man's wife and kids.

Notable Performances: Liam Neeson has the most stand out performance and carries most of the weight of the film by himself. The only other side character that stood out to me was Famke Jannsen as his ex-wife Lenore because I was astonished at how different she was and how much her character bothered me than her role as Jean Grey in the X-Men movies.

• Snatch

Why is it a Favorite?: It's a funny crime caper. There are multiple storylines happening that do not seem interconnected at first, yet all are intriguing and end up together in the end. The script is a strong part of the movie because of how witty the dialogue is. It's interesting to see some famous faces before they were big or famous people in the midst of their popularity. Also, watching a British crime comedy as an American is pretty entertaining and Brad Pitt makes a pretty great Pikey (not exactly Irish, not exactly British, just...Pikey).

Downsides: Plenty of coarse language throughout the movie. This movie is not super violent, although there is plenty of shooting and the boxing matches can look intense.

Notable Performances: Brad Pitt, as mentioned earlier, plays the off-the-wall charismatic gypsy Mickey O'Neill. Jason Statham also stands out for his narration and his bitter humor as down-on-his-luck criminal Turkish. Vinnie Jones has a small yet hilarious supporting role as Bullet-Tooth Tony. The other strongest supporting roles for me were Rade Sherbedgia as psychopath Russian criminal Boris the Blade and Alan Ford as maniacal crime lord Brick Top.

• Saving Private Ryan

Why is it a Favorite?: It's one of the most intense war movies I have seen. All of the actors give outstanding performances. The movie does a great job of showing heroes who are authentic and have struggles and faults. The battle scenes are all captivating and suspenseful. The main characters exemplify brave, masculine man and the difficulty of being so during horrifying combat.

Downsides: The realism of the violence is intense, especially the battle at Normandy on D-Day, and it can be tough to stomach sometimes. Also, the soldiers swap coarse language and stories about ladies back home.

Notable Performances: Tom Hanks commands the movie as group leader Captain Miller. Jeremy Davies' role as skiddish Corporal Upham stands out, especially his act of bravery in the end. Ed Burns as Private Reiben also stands out of his cocky rebellious attitude. Barry Pepper as Private Jackson brings some southern charm and warrior-like faith in God to the screen. Tom Sizemore also stands out as Captain Miller's wisecracking second-in-command Sergeant Horvath.

• The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Why is it a Favorite?: It's not a documentary and yet it has that aesthetic narrative feel to it throughout parts of the movie as it examines the relationships between the last bandits in the Jesse James gang. Brad Pitt's characterization of Jesse James demonstrates the madness of the man near the end of his life and I would almost be sorry for Jesse if I didn't already sympathize with Robert Ford. You never know when Jesse is genuinely nice or when he's getting ready to strike, which makes for suspenseful moments. The danger that the Ford brothers feel also feels real for the audience.

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Downsides: There are just a few instances of cursing or sexual dialogue. The slow pace can sometimes make the movie drag on if the viewer isn't paying close attention to what's going on.

Notable Performances: Casey Affleck is the star and most powerful actor as Robert Ford. Sam Rockwell also stands out for his role as protective older brother Charley Ford. Brad Pitt as Jesse James is charismatic and simultaneously psychotic. The strongest supporting role for me is Garrett Dillahunt as the naively innocent Ed Miller.

• Kingdom of Heaven

Why is it a Favorite?: The locations, costumes, weapons, and even the dust of the movie gives it a feel of authenticity. It's like watching portraits and paintings of the Crusades come to life. I also enjoy the examination of morality and redemption. Is a man noble because of who his family is? Is it right to kill a man and take his wife as your own if it means lives are saved and peace is maintained? Can a man seek forgiveness for his sins by helping the needy in war-torn areas? The battles are grand and gritty.

Downsides: This movie seems to villainize the Christian warriors moreso than the Muslim warriors. Also, it involves a Hollywood forbidden romance which while it may add to the political struggle in the film, it kind of slows the movie down for me. The violence occurs throughout the movie and is bloody.

Notable Performances:Orlando Bloom is the main lead as Balian and delivers a strong performance. Liam Neeson has an almost cameo-like supporting role as Balian's noble father Godfrey. Edward Norton does such an awesome job as Baldwin, the Christian King of Jerusalem, that I didn't even know it was him at first (granted the character wears a mask the whole time). Marton Csokas is dastardly and villainous as knight and future king Guy. Brendan Gleeson also brings a strong performance as egotistical and greedy villain Reynauld de Chatleon.

• Henry V

Why is it a Favorite?: Another Branagh adaptation of Shakespeare, though this time edited to make the story faster and more thrilling. It almost feels like Shakespeare's script was meant to be filmed as the Chorus strolls in and out providing background information and use his words to paint the picture of the setting, even though the audience can see it all happening. Branagh's interpretation of the St. Crispin's Day speech is one of the most inspiring moments of cinema. Also, King Henry is a great role model for men in leadership because he seeks forgiveness for his past mistakes, acts out of justice, and gives all glory to God. I would follow this king into battle.

Downsides: Though the battle scene is not necessarily intense, it can be gritty violent from time to time. As is the case with most Shakespeare movies that utilize the original script, sometimes the actors can speak so fast that it's hard to fully understand all that they're saying. Also, the scenes focused on Falstaff, Bardolph, Pistol, and Nym are so boring and they don't make too much sense without knowing the story from both parts of Shakespeare's Henry IV plays.

Notable Performances: Kenneth Branagh is fantastic as King Henry V. Brian Blessed is a strong supporting actor as the Duke of Exeter. Ian Holm is funny and witty as Welsh Captain Fluellen. Derek Jacobi is also a noteworthy role for his passion as The Chorus.

• No Country for Old Men

Why is it a Favorite?: I know I have been putting a lot of suspenseful or thrilling movies on this list, but this one tops them all. A viewer must sit through the whole two hour movie straight in order to receive the full effect of the creeping suspense that continues to build as the movie progresses. Javier Bardem's villain is almost mythical and monstrous. When the end scene just suddenly cut to the credits, I jumped in my seat saying 'This can't be the end! Where is the rest?'

Downsides: This film doesn't exactly go for realism when its main villain uses an air tank and a shotgun with an absurd silencer for his weaponry. Also, I get why Tommy Lee Jones' character is in the movie (hint: it's related to the title), but his moments on screen are dull in comparison to the cat & mouse chase between Bardem and Josh Brolin. Also, there is some bloodshed throughout the movie, but it adds to the suspense.

Notable Performances: Like I said earlier, Bardem's characterization of Anton Chigurh is mythical. Josh Brolin's chill take on Llewelyn Moss is wonderful and Scottish actress Kelley MacDonald does a great Texas accent as she portrays frightened wife Carla Jean Moss.

• Seven Samurai

Why is it a Favorite?: Kurosawa's epic has been incredibly influential in so much media, including Japanese anime and American westerns. The slow pace in the beginning of the movie allows the viewer to get to know the characters better as well as understand the culture during this time. The fast, action-focused pace of the second half makes the viewer more joyful when the heroes triumph and sad when disaster strikes. The costumes and set pieces makes this movie feel authentic and the hunger and misery that the characters feel are intensified because of how carefully historical accuracy was established. 

Downsides: It took me two tries before I could sit through the entire movie. The classic style of pace and drama is prevalent in this movie, so sometimes it can be a snooze fest if you aren't interested in the characters. You have to be willing to read subtitles if you're an English speaking viewer.

Notable Performance: The star of the picture is not the main lead, but rather it is Toshiro Mifune as the energetic outcast member of the samurai Kikuchiyo. The leader of the samurai Kambei Shimada is played by Takashi Shimura and he brings a sense of wisdom and humor to the role. The other stand-out samurai of the group is grumpy introvert yet most skilled warrior Kyuzo portrayed by Seiji Miyaguchi.

• Children of Men

Why is it a Favorite?: It's the cinematography that makes this film as powerful as it is. There are plenty of single takes that last for several minutes and adds tension and conflict to the moment. Even though this movie is set in a near dystopian future, it looks and feels like it could be happening in the present. The action is intense. Clive Owen is a charming man who reluctantly takes on a monumental task and his sacrifice is huge. In the end, the characters learn more about the value of life only after becoming numb to the wasteful amount of death around them.

Downsides: It's a dystopian nightmare, which viewers may find to be too depressing. There is a variety of language, bloody violence, and drug use throughout the movie. 

Notable Performances: Clive Owen as Theo Faron and Clare-Hope Ashitey as Kee are the main characters and the strongest actors in the movie. Their sense of anxiety or their moments of brief happiness are the strongest emotions in the movie. Michael Caine as the pot-head Jasper brings some calmness and humor to this dramatic movie. Also, Pam Ferris as the dominating mother-like figure Miriam gives a wonderful performance.