Spider-Man- The original movie that started the series. It is one of those few movies that actually got the adaptation to big screen perfectly. From beginning to the end you become sympathetic with Parker and start to develop character alongside him as the powers turn him into the hero he is destine to be. The visual effects were perfect, the storyline untouchable, and the actors involved have made this a classic of American culture.
American History X- Edward Norton somehow loves playing the skinny/smart guy that could. He welcomes us into a radical underground world of Neo-Nazis that are fighting for their beliefs in our modern society. If you are looking for something disturbing but with a plot that is worth watching this is the movie. From the shower scene in jail, to the infamous curb stomp, you’ll walk away clenching your cheeks and rubbing your jaw. You won’t be disappointed. This movie also supplies a good amount of knowledge and a different look at the world of those filled with so much hate.
Matrix- The movie that started the digital revolution in films, and made everyone think they were the chosen one with the ability to defeat the world with their physical gifts. The rotating 360-degree views in slow-motion while Keanu Reeves fights for the sake of mankind controlled by robots in the future. This movie is eye-candy at it’s best; with a bleak look at the future of the world if computers obtain the power we are trying to harvest for them.
Death Proof- The second half of Grindhouse offers one of the best car chase spectacles in a time when we thought we have they saw it all. The car chase is simply one of the best ones on film, and there aren’t any fancy explosions. It is pure and simple. The character build up sets the stage for a grand slam performance by Stunt Man Mike played by Kurt Russell.
Smokin Aces- A little known movie that had a short brief moment in theaters in January of 2007, blew me out my seat. Even though there were tons of characters, they still manage to have a huge all out gun battle with tons of different people in the end of the movie that left most people with their jaws being dragged on the floor when they left. Even with the confusing plot that makes you really think in the end, it still offers some of the most intense shoot out scenes with multiple characters you understand since they did a pretty good job explaining who they were in the short time span. As a side note, this movie is pretty damn funny too.
The Illusionist- Backed up by Edward Norton, this movie came out the same time as The Prestige, everyone figured the better one was going to be the latter, but we were all wrong. This movie not only made you think but also made it interesting without being mind-numbing. The plot is simple yet complex enough to make you wonder. The tricks are amazingly intriguing with different ideas not seen in todays overdosed magical play-land filled with a bunch of smoke and mirrors. The actors al fit their roles perfectly. There is also a special sepia like atmosphere mixed into the quality of the film to make you go back to the time span it takes place in. Although it is love based movie, it's the magic accompany with sudden twists that make this movie special.
Forrest Gump- History buffs will love this one about the lifetime of one infamous character who is mildly retarded, yet makes a significant impact on society from so many different levels. With a loving character, played by Tom Hanks, and a new adventure almost every 20 minutes, this is the movie for anyone who has a short attention span. It's also a great history lesson that gives people a pretty good view of the world from the 60s-80s. The world is seen through an innocent man with a strong determination to do his best at whatever he does without even knowing it.
Truman Show- Another great loving, fully innocent character that we can all relate to on one level or another. This is the first true movie to make us a little paranoid and probably can be part to blame for many of the reality TV shows across the cable. Truman is a character whose every move is being observed as the world watches him grow up in an artificial world. Jim Carrey plays one of his best roles ever by being a man who how life as already been determined by the creators of this little world. It is an uplifting movie that has you rooting for Truman and hoping this isn't happening to you right now.
Batman Begins- Christian Bale makes his major film debut in stunning fashion. The effects, story line, characters, and new generation of Batman has made this a great movie. It explains the reason for Batman being a man of reason and a vigilante acting to protect society. It shows a different side of Batman as he hates to fight with his own demons, never before seen in other movies. This movie is worth watching every second of as you will be introduced to technologies only James Bond can compete with, along with a Batman played by an actor that truly fits the role.
Sixth Sense- If you believe in ghost, and in horror movies, this one is for you. Bruce Willis stuns the audience with an ending that started off an array of various surprise endings for years to come in movies. M. Night Shyamalan begins his rising career with this thriller as Haley Joel Osment sends shivers down spines with his secret sense that would top the murderous ways of Jason Vorhees. The random appearances of the supernatural, taking place in historical Philadelphia, will make you jump more than once. Besides just having this secret sense, he must also help these unknown spirits finish undone tasks.
Back to the Future- A movie that finally made us feel as if the impossible was possible, and by that I mean the hover board that Michael J. Fox uses to get around town on. Christopher Lloyd puts on another remarkable role by playing the crazy stereotypical scientist who has gone nuts over his recent discovery. Doc and Marty not only go back in time but also to the future, where so many things seemed so possible back in 1985. It is only now that we know that the hover board and cool jacket are not possible for mass production yet. With the flying De Lorean, traveling in time was never cooler.
