Best Movies of 2010 = Toy Story 3 & Inception

The two best movies this year are, without a doubt, Toy Story 3 and Inception. I've had the privilege to see both on the big screen....as I feel that's the only real way to watch a movie. On a television set it just seems too...television-y. There's just something great about seeing it on a big screen in a movie theater with total strangers that brings a magical experience with it. In fact if I ever make tons of money I plan on having a room with a projector and screen in it to watch movies, both with myself and with friends. But now I'm starting to ramble, onto the good stuff.....

**WARNING: Spoilers are ahead**



If there's one thing Pixar is great at it's storytelling. They are MASTERS at this. There's a reason the Toy Story franchise is one of the, if not the, highest rated trilogies in Hollywood history--the storytelling is phenomenal. It has stuff in it that both adults and children will enjoy. This is one of those movies that an entire family ranging from 5-500 can enjoy (yes, I said 500). This was a movie i've been looking forward to for a very long time. It's also one of the few I wanted to see at it's midnight release. This was a movie that could survive on it's own, even though it's the last of a trilogy. The humor and plot in this is way beyond a normal kids movie, which is something Pixar is known for.

The plot itself isn't complex, but the way the story is told makes you root for these animated, fictional toys to the end. This is probably the ONLY movie I've seen where I've had a real emotional attachment.....DAMN YOU PIXAR! Why do you make a movie where I feel like if the toys die than part of me will as well? Why do you make a movie where even though I know it's a kid’s movie I find it hard not to cry at the end? Why? When the toys were going down towards the fire I felt genuinely sad, but then when they were rescued I instantly laughed. How can a movie make you do a complete 180 in your emotions? How can it make you wanna cry (or, for many, actually cry) in the end when the owner plays with his toys for the last time before donating them to a child, almost another form of "passing the torch" ...even the ones he treasures the most? It's because the masterminds at Pixar have done what others in Hollywood are slow to get good at--telling stories that engage the audience in the most extraordinary of ways.

There's not really a whole lot more to be said about the movie than this. Quite simply put, this is a great movie.... not just a great kids movie, a great movie. It had drama, suspense, humor, and most importantly heart. This movie makes you wonder why all films can't be told like this--why can't leave a theater feeling like you do after watching this one.
If there's one movie you absolutely need to see, it's this one.




From the get-go Hans Zimmer's music brought me in. Inception is a phenomenal piece of filmmaking. It takes us into a world where dreams do seem real. Christopher Nolan does an amazing job at two things he does well, making things look like they're real and tell a great story. The special effects aren't incredibly overdone for something that's supposed to take place in a world where anything is possible. It could've been a clusterfuck of CGI, but Nolan's better than that--even stating he'll never do 3D movie (THANK GOD, SOMEONE ANTI-3D IN HOLLYWOOD!). It was beautifully shot, as has been his other projects. Whoever he has doing the lighting, set design, anything--I know it's the same people, because he's loyal--always does an amazing job. The environments they create look so real in their design, lighting and photography that it's hard to imagine it's in a film-let alone a dream.

The story itself is great. One downside may be that everything is explained--or not explained, such as how they can share dreams, which I don't recall being explained--in such a way that if you miss it you may be lost. It's a complex story that keeps the audience thinking, but entertained throughout. It seems weird to call it a heist film, but it is that in many ways. It's also a drama-thriller with some slight comedy thrown in. It's proof that a summer blockbuster can still be smart, not just some CGI crapfest with animals doing odd things. The characters do a good job at providing enough action, comedy and drama to keep you entertained. Leonardo DiCaprio has been steadily becoming one of my favorite actors. He's been in great stuff lately, stuff that's entertaining and not just some crap movie to get money like some people (I'm looking at you Eddie Murphy, "The Rock", Vin Diesel, ...).

He plays a great character that is very tortured on the inside, and this is tricky because he tries to show his team that he's not. An actor has to portray this weird feeling on screen convincingly because the audience knows of the tortured soul inside, meaning that he needs to convince even those who know that he's got something to hide.....and DiCaprio's performance in this movie (as well as in Shutter Island--another great movie) leads me to believe that he'll be around for a long time. As for the other characters, they all did great. I think the casting in this movie was perfect—the actors portrayed their character great. They draw you in, get your attention and refuse to let you go on a journey that twists through the very fabric of reality. In the end, that's an actor's job....but everyone pulled this off great. But let's get back to the real star of this movie: the dreams.

They look real, feel real, act real. However, you need to pay very close attention........in the movie there's talk of dreams EVERYWHERE--there's even an instance where there's a dream with 5 levels. However, after viewing this movie I've come to the conclusion that everything within the movie is a dream. The ending is left ambiguous, leaving the audience to guess for themselves-but if paid close enough attention you can tell it is. The chase between Cobb & the men from the Cobol Corporation trying to kill him leave two pretty big clues.....one is the buildings he gets stuck between. This is a classic dream cliché--when anxiety rises, walls close in. After getting out he runs into Saito almost immediately. In a city of thousands in another country is this very possible? I think not....the only place it makes sense is a dream. Another very slight clue is when he's told to wake up by his father (played by Michael Caine).

I also believe another clue was when he waits until the end of the film to spin his totem. The first thing Cobb does when he first awakens a dream is spin the totem to see if it's reality or a dream. Why would he wait at all to spin the totem after coming out of a stay in limbo, which could've lasted god knows how long? He doesn't question anything and doesn't spin....but he finally spins it when he's back home and sees his kids--which is the last clue I'll give. The kids are in the same exact clothes in the same positions the entire movie, even at the end. This is how his mind perceives them.....in that state, in those clothes, in that position....and that's how it's going to stay.
It's in obvious sight....you just need to pay attention.


Both of these movies had one thing that a lot of Hollywood movies seem to be missing nowadays: great storytelling. I strongly recommend seeing both of these--you WILL NOT be disappointed.

For those interested, these are the movies I want to see in the coming months (in no particular order):
The Other Guys, Dinner for Schmucks, The Expendables, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, The Social Network, The Green Hornet

What Controversy?

This whole Arizona Immigration Law thing is getting out of hand. Really......people are making a bigger deal out of it than they should be. Some people are saying it's unconstitutional, while other's say it's about time we uphold the laws that are actually wirtten.

Well....I say this law is something that's a long time coming, and needs to be national. Illegal Immigration is a BIG problem in this country,with something along the lines of 14 million in this country through illegal channels--and it's still growing. There's nothing wrong with stopping people and asking them for their papers--which FEDERAL LAW states Immigrants must carry on them at all times to prove they are here legally. If they don't have it then they should be tosses outta the country, simple as that.

These illegals are taking money that should be used by the government (federal, state and local) for the people of this country that need it that are either born here legally (another problem, since anyone born here is automatically legal-regardless of their parents' legal status) or went through the proper channels to become a legal US citizen. Money allocated for schools, health care, welfare,etc. is all screwed up because of the illegals WANT to stay here illegally but their FEAR/NEED to tell us they're here.

What we need to do as a country is cut off any and all benefits to these people, and not allow illegals to go to school at any level. Do this and they'll either leave the country or actually go through the processes to become legal. I for one don't care if people wanna come to this country--this is a country of immigrants after all--but they NEED to come here legally. If they leave the country or become legal/start the process than I think EVERYTHING will get better (even if it's only a little bit).

The people that are saying that this is wrong are probably illegal themselves, know someone that is, or are related to someone that is. I can almost guarentee you this.....cause anyone protesting this saying it goes against our laws obviously hasn't done their homework. And people protesting this say that it's racism in action.......people, it's not racism-it's illegal!
Other countries have been doing it right, about time some action is taken in this runaway country.

Oh, and I can almost guarentee you that if this wasn't a crackdown on illegal immigrants of mostly hispanic descent (you know, cracking down on illegal Russians or refugees or whatever) than there's wouldn't be any "controversy".....who are the racists, truly?

My First Documentary........Charlie Chapman: Quartermaster of the USS Indus!

This is my very first attempt at a documentary & I'm very, VERY proud of this.....and I wish I was able to make it longer, because he gave such an amazing interview--maybe I will one day. But yeah,......if you or someone you know is a fan of World War 2 than I suggest giving this a viewing.

Without further adeui.......Charlie Chapman: Quartermaster of the USS Indus!



From YouTube:

Charlie Chapman: Quartermaster of the USS Indus is a documentary about Charlie & Jean Chapman and their experiences before, during & after World War 2. They share their expereinces & opinions during this time--offering interesting insight to what it was like for their generation.
This is my first attempt at a documentary, done for the Documentary Production course at the New England inst. of Art. I did the editing & this was produced along with Shane Duggan & Leon Granados (http://www.youtube.com/user/ardwickofonett)

Special thanks go out to the Chapmans--who were amazing before, during and after their interviews

My List of My Top 20 Films

Last week my teacher was going through a list of his favorite movies of all-time and which would be his #1, and it made me think about what mine are......then I thought maybe writting them down would help, and it half did.
I say it half did because it helped me define a top 10 list, but I don't think I can give them ranks. So I've got a top 10 list and another list of 10 to round out the rest. So, here's the list of my top 20 favorite movies of all-time (as of March 25,2010) in no specific order:


My Top 10:
The Dark Knight
In Bruges
Star Wars (I'm gonna go ahead and count all of the original trilogy for this one)
The Hangover
City Lights
Citizen Kane
The Lion King
Indiana Jones & The Raiders of the Lost Ark
Shaun of The Dead
Groundhog Day

The Rest of My Best:
The Hidden Fortress
The Pirates of the Caribean (2&3, which to me are like one big story)
Goonies
Zombieland
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
No Country for Old Men
The Departed
Double Indemnity
Bringing Up Baby
Easy Rider

**Special note: I also like just about every film by Wes Anderson & Kevin Smith--something about their style of cinematography & storytelling (respectively) makes me just really enjoy thier stuff.**

Sadly, I have yet to see many movies which countless people I know consider classics and extremly good movies. My hope is that in the coming months I'm able to view them and any other good movie suggestions. It's my hope that this list changes over time,as it's my belief it should be ever-changing--if it doesn't than cinema has not only failed me,but you as well.

Got any questions/comments on the list? Suggestions for movies I should see? Leave a comment =]

Random Rant #1

I just feel like ranting a little bit.....after all, that's what blogs are for,right?
Please be advised, there's language used and content that you may not agree with. So don't say I didn't warn ya........oh, and I may sound like a bitch or jerk or a whiner, BUT whatever. I'm not writing this for the approval of the 5 people that will end up reading this. I'm writing this to vent and give my honest opinion--which is healthy ^_^
Oh yeah....this is a long rant, so you don;t NEED to read it. But whatever you decide, please go to the VERY end of this and watch the video--it's amazing! =]

Well.....basically I'm just really annoyed with people, and sad to say it's people I know and like.
Let's start with people who complain about their job. I've heard countless people say that they don't wanna do this, or that, or say that they do homework during work.......I'm sorry, your not at a place of employment--you're at a magical place where only what YOU want matters. REALITY CHECK! YOU'RE AT YOUR JOB!!! THE PLACE WHERE YOU'RE PAID TO DO THOSE "SHIT THINGS" YOU DON'T WANNA DO! Here's the scoop....a LOT of people don't like their job. As much as I love my job, there are moments I hate it....but I never once complain about having to do this or that, unless it actually IS unfair--not just because I don't feel like doing saomething. I'll admit I do homework at work sometimes--but that's only when it's dead! I don't do it when I'm supposed to be doing actual work and try to avoid doing work so i can do homework. Seriously, do it AT HOME. If you "don't have the time" then MAKE the time. If that's too hard to make a few hours a week to do homework at home, then life is going to end up shitting on you and smiling as it does. Bottom line here is that you gotta do what you gotta do....not what you wanna do. Grow the fuck up people! If you disagree with any of that then there's a serious problem in your life, and you should aruge with a mirror--and record it, you might gets millions of hits on YouTube.

Speaking about popular websites, let me talk about Facebook for a second. I love it, it's a great tool to communicate......but comeon people, there's a limit. For example.....I don't wanna join in on the farmville, yoville crap. I rejected the first 20 invites, and I don't wanna join in on looking at virtual cows. The other thing I hate is people talking about other people in their status updates, but not directly stating who they're talking about. This has happened to me a few times......gesh people, grow a backbone and actually talk to this person—and not over facebook, do it in real life (or IRL for my basement-dwelling readers out there). Also, what’s the deal with the status’ that are music lyrics and not indicating it as such? Some of them aren’t said to be lyrics and then I worry about the people, only to find out nothing was wrong and they’re having an ice cream party with confetti everywhere.

Lastly, relationships. Since the beginning of this year I’ve kept seeing people breaking up and getting back together and all that all over my news feed on facebook.......is their new year's resolution to not stay in a relationship? Oh my God…..a GREAT majority of these people complain and bad mouth each other via Facebook and then get back together 5 days later. You act like it’s the worst thing in the world when you break up, and I do nothing but laugh. It’s hilarious that you think you found love at 17 and then proceed to be depressed and wish to be invisible and a LOT of people complain that they did nothing but positive things and that it shouldn’t have ended that way. Half do that, and half pretend it’s the best thing ever or say it’s the way things should’ve ended……then 5 days later you’re back together, saying either it’s back to normal or “It’s complicated”. Let me fill ya in on a little secret there buddy….chances are that it won’t last. A majority of the people that do this are doomed to failed relationships, due to one of many things (a list so long that it would stretch along the Great Wall of China). I know a few people right now in these situations…..and I can damn near guarantee that one of them will fail thanks to sex and the other because she just can’t admit to herself that there are certain things she can’t get over and will lie to make herself feel better about the things she won’t admit too (if those things are too specific and the people reading this figure out it’s them then I apologize—but look on the bright side, I didn’t & won’t name you :D ). Sad thing is that these are reasons a lot of relationships fail, and a lot of times people refuse to acknowledge that this is them. Yeah, I haven’t had a relationship….ever, for multiple reasons…so should I be able to talk? Technically, no I shouldn’t even be mentioning this stuff. But look at me and tell me this isn’t true about A LOT of people out there (regardless of age). It irritates and enrages me mainly for one reason…..these idiots have no idea how lucky they truly are.

There are only a few things left on my mind. One of them is my personal life. I won’t go too into detail…but my parents are getting divorced, and while it’s not tough for me like it would be for a kid—it IS tough because my house has become divided and bitter. It’s enough to make me wanna move out….and if I had the money I honestly would at this point. The other thing I won’t get to into detail about is my love life….if you can call it that. I like people that either I’ll never get, I’ll never trust again or I refuse to chase because of my incredibly strong morals/beliefs that can’t ever be changed. I’m single now and will be for a long time if the present is any indicator. Next up is school. I’m sick of it and want it to end. I’m one of those people who simply doesn’t think college is for them—and frankly I’m only completing it for the degree….otherwise I’d be out of it. Now I’m getting to the project-heavy area of my studies….so I’m hoping that cutting back from 5 classes to 3 will help somewhat. In the long run I’m there longer—which is the LAST thing I wanna do—but hey, at least I’m not killing myself finishing it. After I’m done with this round of college I wanna be done with schooling forever. At this point I just wanna work….cause I love what I do. Like I said before, there are times I dislike it—but I can’t possibly see myself working anywhere but LynnCAM. Working there I get to help people, do multiple aspects of video production and get to know tons of awesome people. I hit the jackpot for what I do and like doing. =D

So yeah, that’s all. If I offended you..…..well, in the immortal words of Dr. Bob Kelso (from [Scrubs] ) "Hey, champ! What has two thumbs and doesn't give a crap? Bob Kelso! How ya doin?"


NOW....for sitting through that all I shall share with you two random pictures and a video. Enjoy and have a great day :]



Most Amazing Video EVER: