Archive for June, 2009

#219 – Frankenstein (1931)

Posted in IMDb Top 250, Movies & TV on June 7th, 2009

Yes we all know it’s a classic but none of us rush to watch this over the latest blockbuster. If it were not for this project I would never have seen this movie and I can’t say I’m terribly glad for it. I suspect my headache while watching this contributed to lessen my enjoyment. I kept picking out the horrid acting and comparing it to more modern actors at the top of their game. I admit this is entirely the wrong way to go about watching classics from nearly a century ago but I still could not help myself.

We all know the tale of Frankenstein so I’ll spare you the details. I’m certain that this movie in its time was superb and even today it does hold up OK but that’s about it really. When we have so many wonderful films that have come out since I can’t for the life of me pick this one over the hundreds of others that I would prefer to watch. I often think that some of these classics are highly rated simply because they are vintage. In this case I’m afraid that’s not enough for me so I’ll leave it with a 6/10.

Frankenstein (1931)

#220 – Magnolia (1999)

Posted in IMDb Top 250, Movies & TV on June 4th, 2009

It’s complicated OK.

Magnolia is a long and interwoven tale of the people connected to two men who are about to die. Both men have estranged children well into adulthood who want nothing to do with their fathers. We also see a child who is a great chance of being emotionally scarred for life by his father and his simple attempt to prevent this. This is a highly charged movie with amazing confrontations and some quirky weather to boot.

Long and painful but a really rewarding experience and a hope filled ending. Nothing less than a 8/10.

Magnolia (1999)

#221 – Spartacus (1960)

Posted in IMDb Top 250, Movies & TV, Ten out of Ten on June 4th, 2009

No I’m Spartacus!

Amidst the almighty Rome of 73 B.C. a Thracian slave by the name of Spartacus refuses to remain beaten and treated like a dog. His ambitions run higher than simply escaping with his life. He intends to free all men, women and children from Rome and her iron grasp. He is driven by the idea of freedom and the love of a beautiful woman.

I fell in love with this movie the first time I saw it years ago and it gets better each time I see it. A classic that ages incredibly well and certainly a must see.

It would be criminal of me not to give this film a 10/10.

Spartacus (1960)