Gangs of New York (2002)

When a dramatic period piece opens with a massive battle sequence that is so poorly choreographed that the viewer wonders if the film is going to be a farce or comedy, you're in for a bad time. Though the rest of the film had its moments, it was self-indulgent and wallowed in points that were (I assume) historically accurate, but not interesting in terms of the story. The main villain also suffered from a terminal case of 'kill everybody mercilessly, except for the main character (for no conceivable reason)' syndrome, which reduced his character from awesome badass to... some threatening dude.

In the Heat of the Night (1967)

Thoroughly compelling from the outset, this film tells the tale of a rather important murder in a small town. However, matters are complicated by the introduction of a highly intelligent and competent black man in the highly racist little town. Exceptionally good at his job, every attempt to, you know, solve the crime is pushed back and railed against by the people who don't appreciate the evidence because of who it is that uncovered it.

The only down side to the film is the horribly dated score, however its overlookable as the films acting, story and direction are so amazingly good.

Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

The cornball jokes, and moments of non-horror didn't amount to anything in the path of the most massive plot hole I've ever seen in a movie. And that is: There is no reason for the scientists to create a female version of the monster. None at all. They have no reason and no understanding (beyond, possibly, the morbidly perverse, not mentioned on screen) of what will happen if they do. They just want to and then put them together. Then they do and a building falls down, the end.

That said, the little people in jars special effect was pretty good.

Marnie (1964)

Marnie is a woman who isn't in love with the man she somehow becomes married to. She has deep emotional scars and a severe fractured personality. Her husband sees good in her and tries to uncover the source of her mental illness. He does so, in the end, then kind of wipes his hands of the whole affair, claims everything to be fixed and leaves with his newly healthy wife.

Most of the movie is spent with two thoroughly unlikable leads (and occasionally, her mother) discussing an issue that isn't very interesting to begin with, until it resolves unsatisfactorily. Highly missable

The Barbarian Invasions (2003)

Pseudo-intellectual clap-trap concerning the nature of love, life and death. Where everyone spouts opinions and brief monologues, but nobody ever draws close to a conclusion. Relationships are paper-thin and side-stories (the police man, the lost computer) are tacked-on and also go nowhere.

The film tries its darnedest to be relevant, even going so far as to include footage (and another brief rambling) of the World Trade Center attacks. However as with everything else in this wandering, meandering film, it also suddenly appears, then disappears without comment. As a whole, this is deeply unrewarding and not worth the time.

Gimmie Shelter (1970)

One of the most arresting and intriguing rock documentaries that I have ever been glad to see. At times very close (though never deliberately 'personal') and at times very fly-on-the-wall, Gimmie Shelter does only one thing well: Show very thoroughly what its like to be one of the biggest bands of all time. It does that in spades. What you also get is how frustrating it is for them to try and give something back, to benefit others. Everything is out of their control and things spiral outwards from there.

This couldn't have been done any other way.

The Great Train Robbery (1903)

While most often touted as a historical milestone, this analysis does the film a great injustice. It is entertaining and exciting by today's standards and should be seen as a still excellent short film, rather than treating it as a museum piece for connoisseurs only.

Though nothing exceptional sticks out by today's standards (though, a scene showing a person being bodily thrown off a moving train is still surprisingly effective) it almost crackles with the energy and excitement that the cast/crew must've felt when making the film. It has an unbridled energy that is infective and leaves an indelible impression.