Try saying that five times fast. Alright, I've had my fun. I want to try something different to day, spurred on by a conversation I had the other day. My top five movies. Everybody has them, well, anyone who's seen fifteen movies. I Have, too. I grew up in the 90's. Things ran different here. People were trying new things, media was being made more accessible to kids, and envelopes were being pushed. I doubt my list will compose of many of those, but It's time I came out and just listed, from least to most, my favourite pieces of cinema.
5. - Transformers: The Movie (2007)
This movie was huge for me. Transformers is my life. It's nearly as crucial to my survival as my own blood. Ever since I was little Transformers has remained a constant in my life, from the acclaimed Beast Wars series to the highly criticized "Unicron Trilogy," I've been there. So naturally, I was amazed that a big part of my life would become a household name in 2007. Many people were unhappy with the choice of director and early designs of the robots, but eventually most people grew into it and accepted it for what it was: A new take on Transformers. That said I think the movie sort of gets a free pass because it's the first Live-action Transformers movie, which is why it's sequel; Revenge of the Fallen, is not on this list. Consider it number 6.
4. - Back to the Future
I missed this (obviously) when if first came out in theatres, but nonetheless, my parents owned the VHS tape and it quickly became one of my favourite films. It's funny, engaging but takes itself seriously when it has too. I would've put the sequels on this list. Back to the Future 2 is considered by some to be superior to the original, while Back to the Future 3 is regarded well on it's own, but I enjoy them all the same. The level of cleverness in dialogue and staging is brilliant, but the leads really make the performances timeless, while the movies themselves are still somewhat dated.
3. Iron Man
This movie was just, cool. Everything about it was stylish and hardcore in visuals and presentation. I've never been a big Iron Man fan, in fact a barely knew about him before the film. I vaguely recall a so-so TV series from my childhood, but not enough to compare. The casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark is brilliant. Industrial Lights and Magic set the bar time and again with this movie and Transformers, and the movie, to me, is absolutely flawless... until the climax, which, in my humble opinion, is the most anti-climactic climax in recent film history. The story clogs, the acting evaporates, and the visuals look impressively unrealistic compared to everything before. Amazingly everything recovers for the falling action, which is still good enough to get me in a good mood for the kickass credits.
2. - The Dark Knight
If you didn't see this coming, then you obviously don't read the blog, in which case, Hi, I'm Nigel! Now it may seem unfair to list such a highly regarded movie so high on my list, but I really do like this movie a lot, but it has it's flwas. The storyline is unfairly depressing, in a movie about a guy dressed up as a flying rat. The third act freaks out and doesn't put on the brakes until the credits roll, and God dammit I never thought I'd miss Katie Holmes. Christian Bale continues to be a good Bruce Wayne if only an acceptable Batman, while Heath Ledger delivers a solid Joker performance. Though I must say, I didn't find Heath Ledger's Joker to be all that astounding. He was good at being scary, but I felt I should've been laughing a lot more around him. That's the best part of the character, he's sick, devious and disturbing, but also strangely humorous. But that's what I don't like, so consider everything I didn't mention to be aces. (Thanks for getting rid of Rachael, too)
1. - Batman Begins
Some of you may be rolling your eyes, but seriously, look at this. They took a concept of a dude who beats up crooks wearing long underwear and a bed sheet around his neck, and made it not only plausible, but understandable. Batman himself didn't even show up until about halfway through the movie. But more than that, while it took itself seriously, but it wasn't off it's anti-depressants like TDK was. The bland performance from Katie Holmes was easily outmatched by the always enjoyable Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman. (in fact, almost suspiciously so) Liam Neeson as Ra's Al Ghul was probably the best casting decision since Robert Downey Jr. for Tony Stark. The visuals were astounding, and even though between the two films, BB's oranges and browns against TDK's blues and greys I must prefer the cooler blue, every scene looked stylized and could be presented as a still image and be admired. And on a less artsy-fartsy note, how friggin' cool was the Tumbler chase scene? I know, it kicked ass!
