War Movies Series Post 4: The Caine Mutiny

I'm finally doing some more war movie posts everybody!  Right now I'll be reviewing the Caine Mutiny, which, like From Here to Eternity, is not REALLY a war movie.  There are very few, if any, battle scenes.  However, the entire film circles around a plot about a captain named Queeg, played brilliantly by Humphrey Bogart.  Queeg is slowly going crazy, and his crew does nothing. To keep his sanity, he rolls metal balls around his hand.  The members of the crew are played by an all star cast, including Van Johnson, Fred MacMurray, and E.G. Marshall.  When the ship is caught in a storm, and Queeg is planning on doing something that will clearly result in sinking, the crew takes over, and it results in a trial.  That is when the film really picks up.

During the trial, you are rooting for the crew to win.  However, after the trial, during a party, when the defense lawyer makes a speech, your opinion might just be changed.

This is a great film.  It has 2 parts.  The first half is a great war movie, and the second half is an excellent courtroom thriller.  Unlike in many war movies, all of the characters in this movie actually contribute to the plot, and, unlike in many war movies, the characters aren't all completely static with no changes taking place whatsoever.  It also has a great and compelling story that you actually care about (once again, unlike most war movies).

I have no problem recommending this film.  It is not as well known as some of the other films I have made posts about, but it is worth seeking out.

The Caine Mutiny - 4 out of 4

-Ben

Ben's Best Performances of 2008!

First the male performances.....

1. Mickey Rourke in the Wrestler - Yes, my number one is the same as Zach's.  What I want to know is why anyone wouldn't choose this as their number one.

2. Heath Ledger in the Dark Knight - No explanation needed.  Just watch the Dark Knight, which you probably already have.

3. Colin Farrell/Brendan Gleeson in In Bruges - The only tie on my list.  "If I grew up on a farm, and was retarded, Bruges might impress me.  But I didn't, so it doesn't." My favorite line of the year, delivered brilliantly by Farrell.  Just like everything he does in this movie.  Gleeson is also hilarious as his partner in crime.

4. Dev Patel in Slumdog Millionaire - A fantastic performance in Patel's first feature film role.

5. Richard Jenkins in The Visitor - Completely understated and not over the top.  A great performance.

Now the Ladies.....

1. Marisa Tomei in The Wrestler - My favorite performance of the year by an Oscar winner. She does great in this film as the "stripper with a heart of gold," Cassidy.

2. Amy Adams in Doubt - The most underrated performance of the year.  Even though she is nominated for an Oscar, barely anyone has her on their performances list, and I think she belongs on all of them.

3. Penelope Cruz in Vicky Cristina Barcelona - A great, funny performance in her best role. Yes, believe it or not, it is better than her performance in Sahara ;).

4. Angelina Jolie in Changeling - Although she most likely will not win the Oscar, she does great job in this film.

5. Cate Blanchett in the Curious Case of Benjamin Button - I think this is the best performance in the movie.

-Ben

Zach's Best Performances of 2008

1. Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler (I have nothing to say about this performance besides how much it blew me away in every aspect)
   
2. Colin Farrell - In Bruges (Farrell's first amazing performance of his career as a neurotic hit-man with a conscious)
   
3. Sally Hawkins - Happy-Go-Lucky (Wow this is another performance that will sweep you off your feet)
   
4. Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight (Do I have to explain?)
   
5. Clint Eastwood - Gran Torino (Get off my lawn!)
   
6. Kate Winslet - The Reader (Just see this movie, she is amazing in it)
   
7. Brendan Gleeson - In Bruges (See #2)
   
8. Sean Penn - Milk (I don't have to explain, he is on pretty much every critic's list for best performance)
   
9. Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married (Who thought Anne Hathaway could give such an amazing performance... by the way she doesn't play Rachel)
   
10. Penélope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Another neurotic character)
    

There were many great performances last year.

-Zach

Ben's Top Ten Movies of 2008!

1. Slumdog Millionaire - This is quite simply the movie that I thought was the best movie of the year, the most entertaining movie of the year, and the movie that made me feel the best after seeing it.  Just fantastic.  I wanted to see it again the minute it was over.  This is my choice for Best Picture this year.
2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - What a great movie.  I have seen all but two of David Fincher's movies, and this is my favorite.  I think Fincher should win for Best Director of the year at the Oscars.

3. The Visitor - A great movie.  This is a movie that really changed my outlook on the state of the world today.  Also, Richard Jenkins gives a great performance.
4. The Wrestler - Mickey Rourke is outstanding in this movie.  As is Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, and everyone else.  This is probably the most gut-wrenching movie of the year, and one that really makes you think.
5. Wall-E - This is the best animated film of the year, and my favorite animated film since Finding Nemo.
6. In Bruges - This is one of the best comedies of the year, and all of the performances are great.
7. Frost/Nixon - One of Ron Howard's best films, Frank Langella and Michael Sheen both give outstanding performances and it is intense, dramatic, and funny ("as opposed to what, Nixon the horse?") all at the same time.

8. Young @ Heart - The most heartwarming movie of the year.  Also, this is the only movie I can remember that throughout my entire viewing, I never stopped smiling.

9. Gran Torino - Clint Eastwood gives a great performance.  The drama, which tugs at your heart, and the comedy really make this movie worth seeing.

10. The Dark Knight - My favorite superhero movie ever.  And yes, Heath Ledger deserves to win the Oscar.

Honorable Mentions: Changeling, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, The Bank Job, Transsiberian

Despite what many people are saying, this was actually a GREAT year for film.  This year has so many fantastic films, and hopefully 2009 will be just as great.

-Ben

Zach's Best Movies of 2008!

1. The Wrestler (Wow... this movie blew me away!)
   
2. WALL-E (The best science fiction movie in ages)
   
3. In Bruges (In f%^#ing Bruges?)
   
4. My Winnipeg (A true masterpiece in every sense)
   
5. Slumdog Millionare (Another masterpiece)
   
6. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (David Fincher is one of the best directors working today)
   
7. The Dark Knight (Do I really have to explain?)
   
8. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (The funniest movie of the year)
   
9. Happy Go Lucky (The feel good movie of the year)
   
10. Man on Wire (The most inspiring movie of the year)
    
11. Rachel Getting Married (A hard view, but worth the pain)
    
12. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (A real great time)
    
13. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Woody Allen does it again!)
    
14. Iron Man (Tons of fun!)
    
15. Changeling (Depressing and dark, but great.)
    
16. Tropic Thunder (Downey Jr. sells this laugh-fest)
    
17. Burn After Reading (Another great performance by Brad Pitt)
    
18. Role Models (Another laugh-fest)
    
19. Gran Torino (Another Eastwood pick)
    
20. Zach and Miri Make a Porno (Kevin Smith is a true genius)
    

Honorable Mentions: Milk and The Reader

-Zach

*Also, make sure to check out the Oscar nominations

http://www.oscars.org/awards/81academyawards/nominees.html

Zach's Worst Movies of 2008

1. Bolt (I simply hated this movie, it was just so extremely stupid.)
   
2. Disaster Movie (What is the point of making and/or seeing this movie.)
   
3. 10,000 BC (This movie seemed fine when it opened, the more I think about it the worse it gets.)
   
4. Meet the Spartans/Fool's Gold (These movies would have probably tied for my worst movies of the year... if I had finished them.  They were so bad I couldn't sit through them.)
   
5. Mamma Mia (Do I have to explain?)
   

-Zach

My Bloody Blog Post in the Third Dimension

Holy cow. Tonight I saw My Bloody Valentine in 3-D. This movie is the most cutting edge movie possibly ever to come out. The special cameras used in the making of this movie are second only to Imax cameras. Gore is blissful in 3-D. Also, this movie is not supernatural it is pure slasher, reminiscent of Friday the 13th and Halloween. To tell you the truth, I absolutely loved this movie. This movie is not goofy or cheezy, it looks totally realistic. The jokes are funny, but don't diminish the scare factor. The performances are not nearly as bad as they are in other horror films. If you want to see this movie I would reccomend to see The Wrestler first and also to see it in 3-D. It won't be the same without the 3-D effects.

My Bloody Valentine 3-D - 3 out of 4

-Zach

Coming Soon: Top 10 of The Year

It's Moviequest's turn.  By next week Ben and I should have our 10 ten lists up.  I'm thinking 10 films and performances (both lead and supporting in one list... or two if I can think of that many)  I'll try to do male and female.  Also, about this holiday weekend I'm not sure if I'm going to see a movie.  If I do I'll see My Bloody Valentine 3-D or Paul Blart: Mall Cop.  My Bloody Valentine looks like campy fun and all four reviews on rottentomatoes.com so far are positive.  Also, I know Entertainment Weekly and Roger Ebert liked Paul Blart.  I don't particularly want to see Notorious, but I never know what I'll end up seeing.  I know Ben is going to try to see The Wrestler this weekend.

Just wanted to keep you posted.

-Zach

The Wrestler A.K.A If You Don't See This Movie You Are Dis-Servicing Yourself

(Note the rest of this post will be in red and large to get your attetntion and to assure you see this movie)

Wow... I am still recovering from a movie called The Wrestler.  I can't remember ever seeing a movie in the theatres and walking out as moved as I was after The Wrestler.  Mickey Rourke give a performance that is undoubtedly one of the best performances in any movie ever.  The way Rourke moves his body and his facial expressions tell just as much as his dialogue.  The way this movie is made keeps you emotionally involved with Randy "The Ram" every step of the way.  I have not screamed out for you readers to see a movie like this since Happy-Go-Lucky.  I'm going to very be frank with you, YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS MOVIE.  I believe it is one of the best movies I've ever seen.  Every aspect of this movie is perfect.  I don't know if I've ever seen a movie in theatres and liked it as much as I liked this.  Take my advise, next weekend The Wrestler is expanding to many more theatres, don't go see My Bloody Valentine 3-D, Notorious, Hotel For Dogs, Gran Torino (which Ben overrated), Bride Wars, or the dreaded Paul Blart: Mall Cop, go see a little independent movie called The Wrestler (you'll thank me after).  One more thing I want to mention is how powerful the last shot of this movie is.  It's so powerful it is blog-worthy.The Wrestler is in limited release and it expands Friday January 16th

The Wrestler - 4 out of 4 (The best movie I've ever reviewed)

-Zach

Get Off MovieQuest's Lawn!

Clint Eastwood is a master.  Apart from his great acting in films such as The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly and Dirty Harry, his directing efforts have been, in my opinion, even more fantastic. His great direction is showcased in films such as Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, Flags of Our Fathers, Letters From Iwo Jima, and, from earlier this year, Changeling.  I loved Changeling, and it was a gripping and emotional filmgoing experience.  However, I think this film is even more masterful.

The film begins with Clint Eastwood as Walt Kowalski at his wife's funeral, extremely perturbed about the behavior of his grandchildren.  He growls, and then he growls, and then he goes home, drinks a beer, growls, says a racial slur, etc.  In anyone else's hands this movie would have become tedious after 15 minutes.

But it's not.

It's in Clint Eastwood's hands.

Walt Kowalski's treasured 1972 Ford Gran Torino is almost stolen by Thao, the next door neighbor who did so because of peer pressure by his cousins, who belong to a very, very violent gang.  Thao is, of course, caught by Walt.  Walt threatens to kill him, and Thao runs away. Afterward, the gang starts to beat up Thao, almost killing him, but they do so on Walt's lawn, and Walt wants them to get off of his lawn.  What is the line he uses to get them off?  Take a guess.

Anyway, after that, Thao's family is happy that Walt saved him and they make Thao do jobs for Walt, and they end up bonding.

There are countless memorable scenes in this movie, and a ton of great performances. Surprisingly, the film is hilarious at a lot of times.

One of my favorite scenes is a scene in which Walt takes Thao to a barber shop to teach him how to talk like a man.  The barber, Martin, is played by John Carroll Lynch, who played Norm in Fargo!

The ending is a great change of pace, and you don't see it coming.  I would also like to add that the theme song (sung by jazz singer Jamie Cullum and Eastwood himself) is fantastic and should win the Oscar for Best Original Song (even though I love Bruce Springsteen's song for the Wrestler).

I really loved this film, and it is one of the best of the year.  It will definitely get a spot on my top ten of the year.

Gran Torino - 4 out of 4

-Ben

There's no DOUBT in my mind...

...that DOUBT is a great film. I haven't seen many films about nuns or priests or nuns fighting with priests, but as far as I know, this is one of the best around. Although the film is about the investigation of whether or not Father Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) has sexually abused a young altar boy in the rectory, there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING shown on screen. It is only implied.

As you would expect, Academy Award Winner Philip Seymour Hoffman and 2 time Oscar winner - and arguably the greatest actress of all time - Meryl Streep are both excellent. However, I believe that the two best performances are by Viola Davis and Amy Adams. Although Viola Davis is getting all of the Oscar buzz, I personally think that Amy Adams gives a better performance. However, if Viola Davis won the Oscar, I would not be disappointed.

Many critics are saying that the film was fantastic until the last line which was awful to the extent of ruining the movie for them. I disliked the last line and thought that Meryl Streep's delivery was not very good, but it was not nearly extreme enough to ruin the entire film. Although the line doesn't really work on screen, I can see the line working extremely well on the stage in the Pulitzer Prize winning play. Even though I have not seen the play, I do understand why the line would have been included.

This is a movie with great performances and wonderful writing, and although it probably won't make it into my top ten, it comes pretty close.
Doubt- 3.5 out of 4

-Ben

Read This Post Out Loud

The Reader is a new movie starring Kate Winslet from Titanic.  No, it is not the one with Leonardo DiCaprio, its the one that takes place in Germany.  Note, this movie is very emotional and contains tons of sex and nudity.  As anyone who's seen one of the other eight movies Kate Winslet is nude in knows Kate Winslet is no stranger to being nude on screen.  To stop all you sick-minded readers from thinking this is a porno I give a (very rare for this blog) summery of the film.  A 15 year old kid, Michael, is helped one day on his way home from school by a lady, Hanna, twice his age.  Very soon the two begin an affair.  Very soon after, Hannah asked Michael to read to her (before the sex).  Apparently she loved being read to.  Very soon something unexpected happens and then the film makes another shift and becomes about the Holocaust (I'm not joking).  Kate Winslet gives the standout performance (one of the best of the year).  There are many other good performances as well.  The movie is paced very well which is surprising for a movie that changes around as much as it does.  Still The Reader is a very solid movie.  If you don't like watching sex in movies then DON'T DON'T DON'T see this movie, you will want to leave within the first twenty minutes.  The Reader opens tomorrow 1/9 in wide release.

The Reader 3.5 out of 4

-Zach

Coming Soon From The Moviequest Blog

I'll review the Wrestler staring Micky Rourke.

I'll try to see Gran Torino by Clint Eastwood and Revolutionary Road starring Kate Winslet.

I'll post more James Bond reviews followed by our Hitchcock series.

I'll get my top lists of the year up when I finish seeing all the movies I think look good so I can take all into account.

All this and more are coming soon from The Moviequest Blog.

-Zach