Happy New Year 2010

Would you believe it, 2 posts within the span of a week, it's a Christmas Miracle! (New Year's Miracle?)

This probably sounds (reads?) sad, but I had fun the other night typing up little blurbs about my DVD collection. It really made me think about why I have the DVDs I have. Sure, a bunch of them were presents or bought out of the dump bin at Wal-Mart or Blockbuster/Movie Gallery/Hollywood Video, but some of them I bought on the day of their release, or at least within the first week.

In fact, yesterday, after taking in a matinee of "It's Complicated" (good movie!), I went and bought (500) Days of Summer (new release in the past week or so) and Bridges of Madison County ($4 deluxe edition, plus I've never seen it before - woot). I have yet to slide them into their proper spot on the shelf, but that'll happen soon, I'm sure.

So, let's continue from where we left off...

56. The Cooler - Great cast... Alec (my favorite) Baldwin, William H. Macy, Maria Bello, etc. I remember we went over some of the disc's extras during one of my film classes during undergrad. Awesome.

57, Hidalgo - One of two DVDs I was given from my grandfather's DVD collection after he passed away. I had seen the film prior to receiving this DVD but have yet to watch it again.

58. Coffee and Cigarettes - Saw this in theaters during undergrad and liked most of the vignettes. Jim Jarmusch is an interesting director.

59. Raising Helen - I'm wasn't a huge rom-com fan and am not a huge fan of Kate Hudson either, but I kept it b/c I like John Corbett a lot.

60. Something's Gotta Give - Another free DVD from my sister. I've seen it once, but will rewatch it at some point b/c I've been on a Keanu Reeves kick. However, I am so not a fan of Amanda Peet after seeing her on Broadway a few years ago. Who keeps casting her in movies?

61. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World - This was the other DVD I was given after my grandfather's passing. I have never seen this movie before, even though I wanted to since it came out. When the time is right, I will sit down and watch this. I'm looking forward to seeing it - I love Peter Weir movies.

62. Illusion - Another movie I got just because of the lead actor (Michael A. Goorjian... you know, he was in Newsies and then played Neve Campbell's boyfriend on Season 2 of Party of Five?). He wrote/directed the movie too. It's all right, and well worth the $2.50 I payed for it at Kmart a few years ago.

63, Bourne Supremacy - The only Bourne movie in my collection, though I am meaning to get the other 2 on DVD at some point. Matt Damon is a bonafide action star. A solid sequel to the Bourne Identity.

64. The Missing - A gift from a friend/work colleague when I moved away from Indiana. Solid film - I keep forgetting that Ron Howard directed it, as it doesn't look like his other films.

65. Road to Perdition - I saw this in theaters and recently bought the DVD b/c I just saw Daniel Craig and Jude Law on Broadway. I was pissed, however, b/c the company I ordered it from sent me the Full Screen version (Full Screen sucks). I didn't bother sending it back b/c I didn't want all the hassle. I'm not a Tom Hanks fan, but it's got Paul Newman in it, so that's nice :)

66. My Big Fat Greek Wedding - Another DVD from my sister after she was weeding down her own collection. Again, John Corbett... woot.

67. Bandits - I remember this being kinda funny, plus I am a fan of the three leads.

68. The Majestic - One of Jim Carrey's finest movies. I love when he plays a more serious role (see also The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). Plus, I like that this is a movie about people who work in the movie business.

69. The Thin Red Line - Underrated war movie with an outstanding ensemble cast.

70. Gangster No. 1- Haven't watched this yet, but it's got David Thewlis in it, which is why I bought it.

71. Behind the Mask - Another $2.50 movie from Kmart... this one stars Matthew Fox. I haven't even unwrapped it from the plastic yet b/c it looks really awful. Maybe I should have a "crappy movie marathon" sometime soon.

72. Three Kings - Great movie with a great ensemble. George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and Ice Cube are so good together. I really dig that scene where they show what happens on the inside when Mark Wahlberg's character gets shot - all the damaged the bullet does to his organs and such. Awesome!

73. Liberty Heights - Anybody else a huge Ben Foster fan? Come on - get your hands UP! Talented young ensemble in a solid Barry Levinson film about racism.

74. For Love of the Game - Oh Kevin Costner, I could watch you in baseball movies all day long. Decent story, but selfish me dug this b/c Costner plays a pitcher whose number is 14... I was a pitcher whose number was 14 too :)

75. The Talented Mr. Ripley - Another recent purchase after seeing Jude Law on Broadway (seeing an actor live on stage completely effects how I see them in movies from then on... in this case, I have a whole new respect for Law after seeing him as the lead in "Hamlet"). I have loved this movie since it came out in 1999 and am glad I have it to watch at my leisure. It's got a phenomenal cast and I love the director, (the late) Anthony Minghella.

76. Elizabeth - I'm a fan of biopics in general, but this one is extra special because it stars a woman but has a solid supporting cast of great male actors. This film is also waaaaaay better than it's sequel.

77. The Big Lebowski - Love. This. Movie. I have been a Jeff Bridges fan for a long time and his performance in this film is legendary. One of the Coen brothers finest creations... this movie has a great cast, completely memorable and quotable dialogue and can be watched over and over again and still be funny.

78. The Truman Show - Another fine Jim Carrey performance surrounded by a talented supporting cast (Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich, etc...). Peter Weir is one of my favorite directors of all time, for sure.

79. Evita - I love me a movie musical, even if it's a cheese pop opera from Andrew Lloyd Webber. Madonna and Antonio Banderas are talented, capable leads.

80. Reservoir Dogs - Not a fan of Quentin Tarantino (though I liked Pulp Fiction), but I was curious about what all the hype was about with this movie. I get it now - it's got a good script and great violence, but I haven't been impressed with his more recent stuff.

81. The Player - *The* movie about movies. A classic Robert Altman picture with a brilliant ensemble and one heck of a tracking shot at the beginning of the film.

82. Thelma & Louise - This was one of those movies I knew I needed to see, but just hadn't. So, I finally just up and bought it and I watched it - wow. Thelma and Louise are flawed, but they are such strong female characters.

83. The Wizard - My brother got this for me for Christmas and I look forward to watching it soon :)

84. Chances Are - Robert Downey Jr. and Ryan O'Neal in one movie ... need I say more?

85. The Princess Bride - This is one of the films I could watch over and over and over again and never tire of. Pirates, true love, sword fighting, a giant and another solid ensemble (can you tell, I love ensemble films). Cary Elwes as Westley is one of my Top 5 male movie characters of all time.

86. The Untouchables - Ensemble = awesome. Plus, this is just a solid film on a whole.

87. Stand By Me - I am a sucker for Coming of Age/Buddy movies and this is one for the books. Such a talented bunch of young actors... River Phoenix was a great actor, even at that young age. Makes me sad thinking about his career that could have been.

88. Witness - Peter Weir, of course :) My favorite Peter Weir movie, actually. There are so many good things about this movie - great plot, great cast, beautiful location, great score, etc. I think this is one of Harrison Ford's best performances - he plays John Book as a tough, yet vulnerable guy.

To be continued...

:)