Top 100 Movies of All Time, 91-100

Jennie and I are releasing our Top 100 Movies of All Time. The best, our favorites, in all genres from every time period. Every Monday and Thursday we will release 10, so this will be a five week extravaganza! Here are 100 to 91:

100. Memento (2000)

Written & Directed by Christopher Nolan

Starring Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss & Joe Pantoliano

Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award nominee for Best Original Screenplay

"Memento" is one of those films that is so original and intricate that for most it's hard to follow, but in the end is an incredible film. The style is brilliantly out-of-sync with its backwards storytelling and Christopher Nolan makes his name known as an up and coming director.

99. A Simple Plan (1998)

Directed by Sam Raimi; Written by Scott B. Smith

Starring Bill Paxton, Bridget Fonda & Billy Bob Thorton

Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting Actor - Billy Bob Thorton

An intelligent thriller that sets four small-towners in a money-tight situation. When Bill Paxton's character comes across an airplane full of money, there's no turning back. It's gripping and leaves you on the edge of your seat, plus Billy Bob Thorton gives the performance of his life. There isn't any other movie that will make you sick to your stomach for every single decision greed brings to a human being.

98. The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Directed by Gore Verbinski; Written by Ted Elliot & Terry Rossio

Starring Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom & Geoffrey Rush

Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award nominee for Best Actor - Johnny Depp

Pretending that they never made a trilogy out of "Pirates," the original is by far the most entertaining, adventerous, and funny. Depp is mesmerizing as Captain Jack Sparrow, and the effects are phenomenal. Who knew Disney could make a great PG-13 film?

97. An Affair to Remember (1957)

Directed by Leo McCarey; Written by Delmer Daves, Donald Ogden Steward & Leo McCarey

Starring Cary Grant & Deborah Kerr

Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award nominee for Best Cinematography

A terrific romance that pushes the envelope of cheaters and secret love affairs. Grant & Kerr are great on the screen together, and all seems well until Kerr's Terry has an accident that prevents her from meeting with Grant six months after their love boat affair. Filled with fun characters and plot twists, "An Affair to Remember" isn't one that most believe is a great film, but it's a classic to me.

96. Brick (2005)

Written & Directed by Rian Johnson

Starring Josephy Gordon-Levitt, Lucas Haas, Nora Zehetner & Emilie de Ravin

Greatest Award/Nomination: Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize Award for Dramatic Feature

This film is astonishing in its ability to captivate the film noir in such a way that brings the classic genre to life in the present day. Gordon-Levitt is phenomenal as Brendan Frye, the Bogartian teen "detective" who wants to discover the truth about his love's death. Full of fascinating performances by all of the supporting cast members, Rian Johnson's debut feature film ranks high in the books of new millenium movies.

95. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Directed by Wes Anderson; Written by Wes Anderson & Owen Wilson

Starring Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Gwenyth Paltrow, Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson & Bill Murray

Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award nominee for Best Original Screenplay

Wes Anderson surely makes blasé situations and acquiescence hilarious. Under his script and direction, this tremendous cast unfolds a story of a genius family gone bad, and getting worse. Hackman stars as Royal, a father, a liar, and an unaffectionate husband who wants to make peace with the kids and his wife. Everything about this movie is unique and astonishing to watch.

94. Juno (2007)

Directed by Jason Reitman; Written by Diablo Cody

Starring Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Gardner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons & Olivia Thirlby

Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award winner for Best Original Screenplay

Although it just came out in December, this out-of-this-world comedy draws so much inspiration from almost every single coming-of -age tale. Cody's screenplay is by far one of the most eccentric ever made and Ellen Page will never find another role like Juno. With laugh-out-loud lines, an amazing supporting cast, and one of the coolest soundtracks for company, "Juno" is a hit that deserves this spot in my Top 100.

93. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

Written & Directed by Robert Benton

Starring Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Jane Alexander & Justin Henry

Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award winner for Best Picture

The late 70s & early 80s really focused on character, situations and dialogue rather than beautiful breath-taking cinematography and effects. "Kramer vs. Kramer" keeps the roots of the theatre alive in film, with powerhouse performances by Hoffman & Streep, and an amazing script. It's a small film that sends big messages and analyzes the American family, both men forced into stereotypical female roles and women becoming independent, despite the casualies.

92. The Departed (2006)

Directed by Martin Scorcese; Written by William Monahan

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen & Jack Nicholson

Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award winner for Best Picture

Although Scorcese should have won an Oscar long before "The Departed," he won for the right reasons. It's one of those movies in which you're not sure who you want to win. Every man is a liar, a snake, a crook, a rat. So who will come out on top? The script is excellent, and Wahlberg was never better.

91. Anchors Aweigh (1945)

Directed by George Sidney; Written by Isobel Lennart & Natalie Marcin

Starring Gene Kelly, Kathryn Grayson, Frank Sinatra & Dean Stockwell

Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award nominee for Best Picture

If you think "Singin' In the Rain" is where it's all at, you're mistaken. I'll admit, the part with Tom & Jerry is a bit out of hand, but as a kid it was the best! Gene Kelly & Frank Sinatra are a duo for the ages and Grayson is gorgeous and sounds spectacular. The cameo with Jose Iturbi shows that the film is about having fun, letting loose, and finding love. Screw you if you think the Tom & Jerry scene is lame!

WALL-E, Hancock, Wanted, & The Dark Knight

WALL-E
Voiced by Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Fred Willard, Sigourney Weaver & John Ratzenberger

Honestly, Pixar can do no wrong. Even "Cars," my least favorite of the Pixar lineup was really good. "WALL-E," full of compassion, humor and a new hope for a better future, clocks in as one of the mega-animating companies finest. The computerized artwork is so advanced and intricate that it will blow you away. The story is one for the books as well: a classic passive character trying to reach his dreams... love. Awww isn't it cute? The originality factor is the fact that he's a robot created with much inspiration from E.T. Oh yeah, it also has an environmental plug. Very timely.

Grade: A


Hancock
Starring Will Smith, Charlize Theron & Jason Bateman

"Hancock" is a fun, comical twist on the recently crowded superhero film genre. Smith and Bateman bring the movie to life - it would be horrible without them - and Charlize is hot as ever. However, it was predictable. Too predictable. But fun!

Grade: B-


Wanted
Starring James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie & Morgan Freeman

With a cast like this, the movie is badass enough. But throw in some crazy effects and stunts and it just adds to the pot. It was kind of like a melting pot of "Fight Club" and "Lucky Number Slevin," and it holds onto some of the philosophies in Dotoevesky's "Crime & Punishment"; if you kill one, you're saving many. However, compared to an action film like the one below, I prefer real effects and stunts rather than the popular computer animated ones, but the end was great because main characters die.

Grade: C+


The Dark Knight
Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine & Morgan Freeman

Christopher Nolan brings Batman back with many familiar faces from "Begins" and a few brilliant new ones. (Yes, this review is going to rave about Heath Ledger's monumental depiction of The Joker.) The film surpasses Nolan's first take on the Batman series by a long shot. It's powerful, emotional, dark and full of exploding hospitals, flipped 18-wheelers, and intense "social experiments." Two-and-a-half hours seems short for this non-stop thrill ride. The script is smart and allows one-sided characters such as Two-Face to come to life.

Bale, once again, brings us a Batman that is not a hero, but a keeper of Gotham. Eckhart makes us hate Harvey Dent for being the perfect man, someone everyone loves and the mob hates. He's better than Batman. But the character transforms so perfectly into Two-Face that it's scary. Gyllenhaal, faced with a feat of playing a role someone has already played (Katie Holmes), does a fine enough job as Rachel Dawes and is really stunning in the film. The fate of her role is surprising and unforgettable as well. And totally necessary. Then there's Oldman who allows Lieutenant Gordan to be the least stoic of characters in the film, allowing the audience to breathe a bit. Caine and Freeman are excellent as usual, though not as note-worthy as the performance by Ledger.

Heath Ledger will win an Oscar as The Joker; mark my words. This performance is raw, uncontrollable, creepy beyond all words, demented, so dead-on funny, and in every sense: perfect. Every time he was on screen I was captivated, and every time the scene shifted away from him, I wanted him back. He allowed himself to embody so much freedom with the role, and when an actor does that, he or she is unstoppable.

Even though it only released three days ago, I've seen "The Dark Knight" twice (and will probably see it again) and it is ranked as one of the best films I've ever seen.

Grade: A

June Movies

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Starring Ben Barnes, William Moseley, Anna Poppelwell, Skandar Keynes & Georgie Henley

The second film in C.S. Lewis' children tales brings the Pevensie kids to a Narnia thousands of years before they were the the last time ("The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"), however the curiosity of Narnia and the wonderment has completely departed from "Prince Caspian." The battles and effects are very similar to "LW&W" but the innocence is gone. Plus, in "LW&W," the protagonist Penvensies were allied with a giant talking lion who kicked ass and the villain was Tilda Swinton as an icy wintry witch - much better than a Spanish-esque prince against his kingdom. It was like a horrible remake of "Braveheart" with a bunch of goats, mice, and cheetahs in the background. Another down fall for "Prince Caspian" is that although the title character was charming and well-played, the Penvensie's grew out of their acting abilities - the years show their wrinkles (metaphorical wrinkles of sucky acting). Basically, just watch "LW&W" and pretend "Prince Caspian" never happened. That's what I'm doing.

Grade: D


Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Starring Harrison Ford, Shia LeBeouf, Cate Blanchett & Karen Allen

Stephen Spielberg - with the help of George Lucas - brings Indie back for another adventure, about twenty years later. Does the whip-lashing professor keep up with his old self? For the most part, but he really has to thank Shia LeBeouf's Mutt Williams for cleaning up after him and keeping the action young and not so AARP. Cate Blanchett brings an augustness to her Russian villain and Karen Allen gives "The Crystal Skull" attitude and humor that was missing in "The Temple of Doom" and "The Last Crusade." However, the hope that Spielberg wouldn't get too carried away with special effects went down the drain halfway through the film. Two army jeeps speed through the South American jungle, ramping over sawed trees and other jungle bumps, while Blanchett and LeBeouf have a reasonable sword fight. I don't care who you are, that swordfight should have lasted ten seconds before one of the two fell off the jeep and run over by another speeding automobile. There's also the Tarzan scene, the crazy waterfall conundrum, and in the end, those flying rocks should have hit Indie in the face. Oh well, it was still a lot of fun.

Grade: B


The Strangers
Starring Liv Tyler & Scott Speedman

"The Strangers," giving us the whole "based on true events" spiel before the first scene, uses scare tactics effectively in and out of the theater. The basic plot, a young couple (Tyler and Speedman) come home from a (wedding?) and are unwinding. They seem happy - let's say normal - but when Speedman's James proposes, Liv's Kristen isn't as thrilled like she was in "Armageddon" with her dad singing in the background. If you're looking for romance, you'll find a happy ending here, but if you can't see the love, then all you'll see is blood (actually this movie isn't that bloody). Suddenly there's a knock on the door by creepy Gemma Ward a.k.a. Dollface who then gathers her posse of hooded/masked sickos to terrorize Kristen and James. Why? In the words of Dollface "Because you're alone." Creepy. The careful cinematography is part of the nightmare that the film puts you in, placing Liv in the foreground with the hooded killer dude walking in back of her. She doesn't see him, and then he' gone and so is her cellphone. There are plenty of other great hold-your-breath moments in the film, some cliche but effective, however the last three seconds is what takes the film from a high B to a low one.

Grade: B-


The Happening
Starring Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, Ashlyn Sanchez, Betty Buckley & John Leguizamo

There is something about an M. Night Shyamalan film that has a lavish, Hitchcockian atmosphere surrounding it, and "The Happening" is no different. Don't get me wrong, M. Night is no Alfred, but he pulls from him a lot. In "The Happening," Eliot and Alma are trying to survive a bizarre occurrence... occurring in Northeastern America. (I'm trying not to overuse any form of "happen" in this review.) Eliot, played by Mark Wahlberg, is the unlikely high school science teacher hero who has the best grasp on things within the group of Philadelphia citizens trying to make their way through bumblefuck Pennsylvania without pissing off whatever this thing is. His wife, Alma, eerily cast to Zooey Deschanel and her big blues, has some past scruples but in the end, the drama concludes with their love for each other. I love the idea behind this film and I love the idea of scaring people to recycle, turn off their lights, and walk around instead of emitting poisonous fumes into the environment. However, Shyamalan failed in something he does so well: focus on the characters. For the first 40 minutes or so, we were given shots of some pretty frightening scenes of New Yorkers killing themselves followed by Eliot & Alma mixed with a load of annoying, bad-lined extras. Shyamalan gave his extras more of a time slot than some of his big stars. It didn't feel right. However, as these people end up face down in the grass - in a puddle of blood - things come around for Eliot and Alma and you can either love them or hate them. I find them enjoyable, interesting, and bizarrely normal. Clearly not his best film, but still one to go see.

Grade: C

The Incredible Hulk
Starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth & William Hurt

Why Ang Lee decided to ruin his early millennium career with the original "Hulk" in 2002, I will have no idea - especially after his masterpiece "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" - but the new version (I'm still not sure if it's a sequel or what), "The Incredible Hulk," is way more fun to watch, has better action, features a ripped Hulk, contains better actors to fill some of the shoes, but still hits some Hulk pitfalls like the original. The Hulk (Edward Norton) is a brute, neither villain nor hero, so it's very hard for an audience to understand him. I would rather empathize with King Kong. Also, watching two computer-generated Hulks battle it out is fun and all, but it's hard to perceive that either of them have weaknesses, especially after Hulk just jumped out of a helicopter hovering above New York City and survived. He's not allergic to kryptonite, so they just throw in a weakness to show he may die. That's my beef with the Hulk in general. The first act of "The Incredible Hulk" is breathtaking in it's South American aspect and tremendous cinematography and the fact that Edward Norton is Bruce Banner without turning into the Hulk for most of this time. Liv Tyler is pretty good as Betty Ross - nothing to criticize, nothing to reward. And the supporting cast is fine. It's nice to see that the movie did not run over 2 hours, so I can't complain there. All in all, better than the first, but nothing to brag about.

Grade: C

Get Smart
Starring Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson & Alan Arkin

The first 20 minutes of "Get Smart" was beyond smart - or should I say below. Cheap jokes and dead beat character introductions filled the time and the movie wasn't looking too good. Carell is funny, but awkward and I would have never imagined that he can hold a movie as the starring role, and that is sort of true here. I want him to be Brick again. Sad face. Anyway, the film picks up, launching Maxwell Smart (Carell) as an undercover agent teamed with Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway). There are some very funny sections of "Get Smart," including the fat chick tango, the taming of that colossal Russian dude, the Bill Murray in a tree cameo, and whenever Alan Arkin was in a shot. The action in this film collated with the comedy very well and very surprisingly, not to mention some excellent camera angles and twists and turns. I've never seen the TV show, but the movie was very fun for the summertime.

Grade: B-

The Love Guru
Starring Mike Myers, Jessica Alba, Vern Troyer and Justin Timberlake

This movie was absolutely terrible. I hated every second except: Justin Timberlake, the aunt from "Family Matters," the Mariska Hargitay jokes and cameo, Justin Timberlake and the fact that Oprah was too good to be in this film. Because she is.

Grade: D-

Winter & Spring Movies I Didn't Get Around To...

There Will Be Blood
Starring Daniel Day-Lewis & Paul Dano
Pretty much the best film of 2007. Don't rent it, just buy it. Now.
Grade: A+


Untraceable
Starring Diane Lane & Colin Hanks
This film had a few thrills plus the ever-sexy Lane, but was a strange blend between thriller and gore-porn. Not a nice combo.
Grade: C


Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Starring Frances McDormand & Amy Adams

A strong cast, a strong plot, but a terribly predictable ending drew this near gold romance into the chasm of cliche romantic comedies.
Grade: D+


The Other Boleyn Girl
Starring Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johannson & Eric Bana
If you're going to deliver one of the most sexual, scandalous, and treacherous tales of the British Empire, don't gloss it over with a PG-13 rating!
Grade: C


Stop-Loss
Starring Ryan Phillipe, Abbie Cornish, Channing Tatum & Joseph Gordon-Levitt
The acting is fantastic, but the script fails to lead the audience in the direction we believed we would end up: hope. Props to Gordon-Levitt who will once again go unnoticed.
Grade: B


The Ruins
Starring Jena Malone & Jonathan Tucker
There is something intense, horrific, and satisfying throughout the movie, but when the flowers begin to sing, you can't help but laugh.
Grade: C+


Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Starring Jason Segel, Kristen Bell & Mila Kunis
Another comedy from the mind of Judd Apatow, this film centers on Segel's forlorn protagonist who just wants to make Dracula into a musical. It's hilarious throughout, but falls predictable in the end.
Grade: B


Smart People
Starring Dennis Quaid, Ellen Page, Jessica Sarah Parker & Thomas Hayden Church
Page & Church steal the show by a long shot. The movie intelligently funny but lacks so much substance - it only grazes being a deep-thinking commentary.
Grade: C


Iron Man
Starring Robert Downey, Jr., Gwenyth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges & Terrence Howard
For the past few years, the major blockbusters never fulfill great-movie status; however, with finesse, jocularity, and a major resemblance to the Prince of Denmark, this superhero film explodes as the best movie of 2008 (so far).
Grade: A-


Young @ Heart
Starring a Northhampton senior citizens chorus
If you don't smile, laugh, and nearly cry during this inspiring film of senior citz singing their hearts out, you can't call yourself a decent human being. It's heartfelt and great fun, but could be more of a TV special rather than a feature film.
Grade: B-

Speed Racer
Starring (unfortunately) Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Susan Surandon & Matthew Fox
If you have faith in any of the stars above and their choice of movies, don't see this movie. And if you are one of the misfortunate ones who have... REPRESS! REPRESS! REPRESS!
Grade: F

A Year in Advance - Oscars 2009

Jennie's friend's idea is to pick the Oscar nominees a year in advance to see how bad you do so here we go -

Best Picture
The Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Doubt
Revolutionary Road
The Road

Best Director
Joel & Ethan Coen - Burn After Reading
Clint Eastwood - The Changeling
Ron Howard - Frost/Nixon
Sam Mendes - Revolutionary Road
Gus Van Sant - Milk

Best Actor
Benicio Del Toro - Argentine
Leonardo DiCaprio - Revolutionary Road
Jamie Foxx - The Soloist
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Synecdoche, New York
Sean Penn - Milk

Best Actress
Angelina Jolie - The Changling
Nicole Kidman - Australia
Julianne Moore - Blindness
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road

Best Supporting Actor
Josh Brolin - Milk
Ralph Finnes - The Reader
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
John Malkovich - Burn After Reading
Michael Sheen - Frost/Nixon

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams - Doubt
Kathy Bates - Revolutionary Road
Cate Blanchett - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Amy Ryan - The Changeling
Kate Winslet - The Reader

Oscar Predictions 2008

It's that time of year! With the writer's strike over, the Oscars are sure to go on this Sunday. But who will win? I've got a few predictions that I care about if you're interested...

Best motion picture of the year

"Atonement" (Focus Features)

"Juno" (A Mandate Pictures/Mr. Mudd Production)

"Michael Clayton" (Warner Bros.)

"No Country for Old Men" (Miramax and Paramount Vantage)

"There Will Be Blood" (Paramount Vantage and Miramax)

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... No Country for Old Men

I'D GIVE IT TO... There Will Be Blood

Performance by an actor in a leading role

George Clooney in "Michael Clayton"

Daniel Day-Lewis in "There Will Be Blood"

Johnny Depp in "Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"

Tommy Lee Jones in "In the Valley of Elah"

Viggo Mortensen in "Eastern Promises"

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Daniel Day-Lewis

I'D GIVE IT TO... Daniel Day-Lewis

Performance by an actress in a leading role

Cate Blanchett in "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"

Julie Christie in "Away from Her"

Marion Cotillard in "La Vie en Rose"

Laura Linney in "The Savages"

Ellen Page in "Juno"

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Julie Christie
I'D GIVE IT TO... Marion Cotillard

Performance by an actor in a supporting role

Casey Affleck in "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"

Javier Bardem in "No Country for Old Men"

Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Charlie Wilson's War"

Hal Holbrook in "Into the Wild"

Tom Wilkinson in "Michael Clayton"

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Javier Bardem
I'D GIVE IT TO... Javier Bardem

Performance by an actress in a supporting role

Cate Blanchett in "I'm Not There"

Ruby Dee in "American Gangster"

Saoirse Ronan in "Atonement"

Amy Ryan in "Gone Baby Gone"

Tilda Swinton in "Michael Clayton"

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Tilda Swinton
I'D GIVE IT TO... Cate Blanchett

Achievement in directing

"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" Julian Schnabel

"Juno" Jason Reitman

"Michael Clayton" Tony Gilroy

"No Country for Old Men" Joel Coen and Ethan Coen

"There Will Be Blood" Paul Thomas Anderson

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Joel and Ethan Coen

I'D GIVE IT TO... Paul Thomas Anderson

Adapted screenplay

"Atonement" Screenplay by Christopher Hampton

"Away from Her" Written by Sarah Polley

"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" Screenplay by Ronald Harwood

"No Country for Old Men" Written for the screen by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen

"There Will Be Blood" Written for the screen by Paul Thomas Anderson

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Paul Thomas Anderson
I'D GIVE IT TO... Joel and Ethan Coen

Original screenplay

"Juno" Written by Diablo Cody

"Lars and the Real Girl" Written by Nancy Oliver

"Michael Clayton" Written by Tony Gilroy

"Ratatouille" Screenplay by Brad Bird

"The Savages" Written by Tamara Jenkins

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Diablo Cody
I'D GIVE IT TO... Brad Bird

Best animated feature film of the year

"Persepolis"

"Ratatouille"

"Surf's Up"

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Ratatouille
I'D GIVE IT TO... Ratatouille

Best documentary feature

"No End in Sight"

"Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience"

"Sicko"

"Taxi to the Dark Side"

"War/Dance"

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... No End in Sight

I'D GIVE IT TO... Sicko

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)

"Falling Slowly" from "Once"

"Happy Working Song" from "Enchanted"

"Raise It Up" from "August Rush"

"So Close" from "Enchanted"

"That's How You Know" from "Enchanted"

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... Once
I'D GIVE IT TO... Once!

I can't wait to see Glen & Marketa sing!

Cloverfield

Cloverfield

Staring Michael Stahl-David, Jessica Lucas, Mike Vogel, Lizzy Caplan & Odette Yustman

The question everyone wonders going into "Cloverfield" is: what the hell is it? Some aren't even sure if they should call "it" and it. However, it is... an it. In J.J. Abram's "Godzilla" meets "The Blair Witch Projects" kind of thriller movie, he unleashes a masterful monster unto the people of Manhattan. The key with the movie isn't the monster or the destruction; it's the characters and their finding humor in such a not-so-funny time.

The film we watch is the film we get. It's a videotape in the possession of he government now and we are important enough to view it. It follows a few happily young guys and gals through their surprise party for Rob who is moving to Japan. We are given some character insights (i.e. Rob is still in love with Beth who is now dating some other guy, and Jason, our filmographer, has an awkward crush on one random party-goer, Marlena).

Then Act II hits the island. Something is causing much havoc and chaos. People are screaming, dying, running. The ground is shaking. The head of The Statue of Liberty rolls down the street. Stuff like that. Throughout the rest of the film, we follow these poor souls on their journey to escape, except Rob, being all debonair, wants to rescue Beth. So they aren't trying to escape anymore and we get to see all the action from a civilian's point of view. It's great.

The home video cinematography is a bit nauseating at first, but most the audience adjusted - except the couple in front of me who left ten minutes into the film - and it adds to the effect of the reality of such an unrealistic event.

There were a few scenes in which I doubted reality, however. The building Beth was stuck in was next to another skyscraper that was leaning on her building. Did we not all see what happened on September 11th? Not possibly in my book, though I'm not physic pro. Also, when the few characters still alive are about to escape via helicopter, the monster, just as he's being destroyed, or we presume, by stealth bombers, decides to swap the damn chopper with his gigantic arm. This sends the craft in a spin and it crashes in Central Park, which we know from the government information that that is where they found the tape. You think anyone died? Hell no! They all survive a 75-foot plummet to the ground! Bull.

Anyways, if you're looking for a good time, aren't too squeamish, and don't care if we never find out where the monster came from (I think the ocean), then have fun with "Cloverfield."

Revised Top 10s of 2007

Top 10 Performances by a Supporting Actor

10. Heath Ledger in I'M NOT THERE

9. James Marsden in ENCHANTED

8. Ben Whishaw in I'M NOT THERE

7. Tommy Lee Jones in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

6. Marcus Carl Franklin in I'M NOT THERE

5. Hal Holbrook in INTO THE WILD

4. Tom Wilkinson in MICHAEL CLAYTON

3. Philip Seymour Hoffman in CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR

2. Paul Dano in THERE WILL BE BLOOD

BEST - Javier Bardem in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Top 10 Performances by a Actor

10. Glen Hansard in ONCE

9. Michael Shannon in BUG

8. Josh Brolin in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

7. Tommy Lee Jones in IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH

6. Ulrich Muhe in THE LIVES OF OTHERS

5. Johnny Depp in SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

4. James McAvoy in ATONEMENT

3. Emile Hirsch in INTO THE WILD

2. Viggo Mortensen in EASTERN PROMISES

BEST - Daniel Day-Lewis in THERE WILL BE BLOOD

Top 10 Movies of 2007

10. The Lives of Others

9. Ratatouille

8. Superbad

7. I'm Not There

6. Once

5. Atonement

4. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

3. Into the Wild

2. No Country for Old Men

BEST - THERE WILL BE BLOOD

Screen Actors Guild Awards Preditions

My picks are big and bold:

14th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS®NOMINATIONS

THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

GEORGE CLOONEY / Michael Clayton – “Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

DANIEL DAY-LEWIS / Daniel Plainview – “There Will Be Blood” (Paramount Vantage)

RYAN GOSLING / Lars Lindstrom – “Lars And The Real Girl” (Sidney Kimmel Entertainment)

EMILE HIRSCH / Christopher McCandless– “Into The Wild” (Paramount Vantage)

VIGGO MORTENSEN / Nikolai – “Eastern Promises” (Focus Features)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

CATE BLANCHETT / Queen Elizabeth I – “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” (Universal Pictures)

JULIE CHRISTIE / Fiona – “Away From Her” (Lionsgate)

MARION COTILLARD / Edith Piaf – “La Vie En Rose” (Picturehouse)

ANGELINA JOLIE / Mariane Pearl – “A Mighty Heart” (Paramount Vantage)

ELLEN PAGE / Juno MacGuff – “Juno” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

CASEY AFFLECK / Robert Ford – “The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

JAVIER BARDEM / Anton Chigurh – “No Country For Old Men” (Miramax Films)

HAL HOLBROOK / Ron Franz – “Into The Wild” (Paramount Vantage)

TOMMY LEE JONES / Ed Tom Bell – “No Country For Old Men” (Miramax Films)

TOM WILKINSON / Arthur Edens – “Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

CATE BLANCHETT / Jude – “I’m Not There” (The Weinstein Company)

RUBY DEE / Mama Lucas – “American Gangster” (Universal Pictures)

CATHERINE KEENER / Jan Burres – “Into The Wild” (Paramount Vantage)

AMY RYAN / Helene McCready – “Gone Baby Gone” (Miramax Films)

TILDA SWINTON / Karen Crowder – “Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

3:10 TO YUMA (Lionsgate)

AMERICAN GANGSTER (Universal Pictures)

HAIRSPRAY (New Line Cinema)

INTO THE WILD (Paramount Vantage)

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (Miramax Films)

PRIMETIME TELEVISION

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

MICHAEL KEATON / James Jesus Angleton – “The Company (TNT)

KEVIN KLINE / Jacques – “As You Like It” (HBO)

OLIVER PLATT / George Steinbrenner – “The Bronx is Burning” (ESPN)

SAM SHEPARD / Frank Whiteley – “Ruffian” (ABC)

JOHN TURTURRO / Billy Martin – “The Bronx is Burning” (ESPN)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

ELLEN BURSTYN / Posey Benetto – “Mitch Albom’s For One More Day” (ABC)
DEBRA MESSING / Molly Kagan – “The Starter Wife” (USA)

ANNA PAQUIN / Elaine Goodale – “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” (HBO)

QUEEN LATIFAH / Ana – “Life Support “ (HBO)

VANESSA REDGRAVE / Woman – “The Fever” (HBO)

GENA ROWLANDS / Melissa Eisenbloom – “What If God Were the Sun?” (Lifetime)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series

JAMES GANDOLFINI / Tony Soprano – “The Sopranos” (HBO)

MICHAEL C. HALL / Dexter Morgan – “Dexter” (Showtime)

JON HAMM / Don Draper – “Mad Men” (AMC)

HUGH LAURIE / Dr. Gregory House – “House” (FOX)

JAMES SPADER / Alan Shore – “Boston Legal” (ABC)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series

GLENN CLOSE / Patty Hewes – “Damages” (FX)

EDIE FALCO / Carmela Soprano – “The Sopranos” (HBO)

SALLY FIELD / Nora Walker – “Brothers & Sisters” (ABC)

HOLLY HUNTER / Grace Hanadarko – “Saving Grace” (TNT)

KYRA SEDGWICK / Deputy Police Chief Brenda Johnson – “The Closer” (TNT)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series

ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy – “30 Rock” (NBC)

STEVE CARELL / Michael Scott – “The Office” (NBC)

RICKY GERVAIS / Andy Millman – “Extras” (HBO)

JEREMY PIVEN / Ari Gold – “Entourage” (HBO)

TONY SHALHOUB / Adrian Monk – “Monk” (USA)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE / Samantha Newly – “Samantha Who?” (ABC)

AMERICA FERRERA / Betty Suarez – “Ugly Betty” (ABC)

TINA FEY / Liz Lemon – “30 Rock” (NBC)

MARY-LOUISE PARKER / Nancy Botwin – “Weeds” (Showtime)

VANESSA WILLIAMS / Wilhelmina Slater – “Ugly Betty” (ABC)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

BOSTON LEGAL (ABC)

THE CLOSER (TNT)

GREY’S ANATOMY (ABC)

MAD MEN (AMC)

THE SOPRANOS (HBO)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

30 ROCK (NBC)

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC)

ENTOURAGE (HBO)

THE OFFICE (NBC)

UGLY BETTY (ABC)

SAG HONORS FOR STUNT ENSEMBLES

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

300 (Warner Bros.)

THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM (Universal)

I AM LEGEND (Warner Bros.)

THE KINGDOM (Universal)

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series

24 (FOX)

HEROES (NBC)

LOST (ABC)

ROME (HBO)

THE UNIT (CBS)

And Nominees Are...

Today the announcement for the 2008 Academy Awards delivered both expected nods and a few surprises - and snubs (**cough "Into the Wild" cough**).

Performance by an actor in a leading role
George Clooney in “Michael Clayton”
Daniel Day-Lewis in “There Will Be Blood”
Johnny Depp in “Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”
Tommy Lee Jones in “In the Valley of Elah”
Viggo Mortensen in “Eastern Promises”

Surprises: Tommy Lee Jones! Though I though he was great and should get nominated, I'm not sure how I feel about his taking Emile Hirsch out of the picture.

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Casey Affleck in “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”
Javier Bardem in “No Country for Old Men”
Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Charlie Wilson’s War”
Hal Holbrook in “Into the Wild”
Tom Wilkinson in “Michael Clayton”

Surprises: None! I predicted all five.

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Cate Blanchett in “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”
Julie Christie in “Away from Her”
Marion Cotillard in “La Vie en Rose”
Laura Linney in “The Savages”
Ellen Page in “Juno”

Surprises: Laura Linney - holy crap! This is a great surprise because it took Angelina Jolie out of the running. Though I wish Amy Adams could've done the snubbing instead.

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Cate Blanchett in “I’m Not There”
Ruby Dee in “American Gangster”
Saoirse Ronan in “Atonement”
Amy Ryan in “Gone Baby Gone”
Tilda Swinton in “Michael Clayton”

Surprises: I guess you could say Ruby Dee, but it was between her, Ronan and Catherine Keener. Poor Keener got the snubber-rooskie.

Best animated feature film of the year
“Persepolis”
“Ratatouille”
“Surf's Up”

Surprises: What the hell? Surf's Up!? Oh well, Ratatouille will kick some rat ass.

Achievement in directing
“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” for Julian Schnabel
“Juno” for Jason Reitman
“Michael Clayton” for Tony Gilroy
“No Country for Old Men” for Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
“There Will Be Blood” for Paul Thomas Anderson

Surprises: Reitman didn't see the nomination coming because it should be Sean Penn's!

Best motion picture of the year
“Atonement” (Focus Features)
“Juno” (Fox Searchlight)
“Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros.)
“No Country for Old Men” (Miramax and Paramount Vantage)
“There Will Be Blood” (Paramount Vantage and Miramax)

Surprises: There are no real surprises, but a big snub on "Into the Wild," of course. I would have rather "Michael Clayton" off the list.

Adapted screenplay
“Atonement” (Focus Features)Screenplay by Christopher Hampton
“Away from Her” (Lionsgate)Written by Sarah Polley
“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” (Miramax/Pathé Renn)Screenplay by Ronald Harwood
“No Country for Old Men” (Miramax and Paramount Vantage)Written for the screen by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
“There Will Be Blood” (Paramount Vantage and Miramax)Written for the screen by Paul Thomas Anderson

Surprises: Repeat after me: No "Into the Wild"???

Original screenplay
“Juno” (Fox Searchlight)Written by Diablo Cody
“Lars and the Real Girl” (MGM) Written by Nancy Oliver
“Michael Clayton” (Warner Bros.)Written by Tony Gilroy
“Ratatouille” (Walt Disney)Screenplay by Brad BirdStory by Jan Pinkava, Jim Capobianco, Brad Bird
“The Savages” (Fox Searchlight) Written by Tamara Jenkins

Surprises: "Michael Clayton" seems to be a favorite to snub out other predictions.