Reversal of Fortune (1990)

I was told this was the best court/crime movie of all time. Ignoring that little of it is crime-centered or court-based, and nobody was likeable, it was actually good. It was told and shot well, but I spent a great deal wondering who I hated more. 

Apart from the fact that the woman deserved to die, he deserved what he got and the kids deserved nothing, it was very interesting - I just didn't care what the result was. I watched it from habit, to see the film complete, but even the final scene was a tacked on disappointment.

Spirited Away (2001)

The animation in this is excellent. Its unfortunate not everything else is. The story in this is very poor. The characters interactions are bizarre and multifaceted, changing at a whim. The introduction of new characters occurs when changing scenes and spurring new events. The flow is disjointed and the ending - oh, the ending - is extremely disappointing.

For example, where did she go? If it was real, couldn't she go back? For the longest time I was convinced she'd died and it made perfect sense, then it ultimately went and ruined itself by being a pointless exercise. What was learned from this?

Strangers on a Train (1951)

Although I'm not by nature a fan of the mystery genre, I found Strangers to be an intriguing experience. Excluding the fact that the films crux and ability to work would be completely erroneous (specifically, his method of killing) by today's standards, the film provides interesting pockets of suspense. 

The climactic scene will, without a doubt, have to go down as one of the most unexpected moments I've ever encountered while watching a film. It seems both so logical and so far fetched that its genius cannot be understated. The slight unhinged-ness of the killer is constantly creepy. Very well done.

This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

It is hard not to think of this as a mockumentary. If you can avoid that line of thinking, it is enjoyable. If the band is real in your mind, their tribulations are much more impactful than what they are on screen. 

Probably the least fortunate thing about the band is their music: it just isn't very good. It can be justified by saying simply the band isn't good, but that loses out on the parody front. It is hinged on the fact that everybody ignores them - their output would warrant tighter performances. 

The jokes which work, they work very well.

Schindler's List (1993)

It's in black and white. There, I said it. Just like every other reviewer does. 

As for the actual film, I thought it was pretty good. It seemed to be a little overly manipulative of its audiences emotion, but if you can accept that, then its good. Just accept that the film will tell you how to feel, not allow you to decide on the actions, then you can just go along with it. 

Few scenes go anywhere actually dark, while most scenes only hint at something crueller underneath while keeping away from it. In my opinion, that's a real shame.

Splendour in the Grass (1960)

Yet another film I watched specifically because I "must see it before I die," this was one of the most average of the painfully dull typical love-gone-awry stories that I've endured just because of this project. fortunately, i can't recall details of the film, just that I was thoroughly annoyed with it. 

There are several scenes where people are given the wrong advice. Rather than be independent, they choose to move like pawns, following the latest set of input advice given to them. Everything goes in all the wrong directions and people wonder why. I don't. It just stinks.

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

A heist film without the heist. A crime film with no set up and no pay off. No jewels are seen, we don't even see where the crime takes place. The film starts after the heist and via flashbacks, we see the outskirts of planning and a hint of an undercover sting operation. When the film begins, we know none of this and we take the characters word that they are honest. 

It's interestingly set up and works reasonably well, minus the few scenes which serve only the pop culture reference crowd, not the movie watching, story advancing type of viewer.

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Even though some of the scenes are extended and over indulgent, meanwhile other scenes seem disconnected from a central plot line, the bulk of the film is largely enjoyable. It moves across with a fairly quick pace and even manages a bit of character development throughout the piece - something a tad rare back then, in my mind. 

The film hones in on the character of Robin Hood, who, throughout the film maintains unwavering amounts of enthusiasm for whatever task is at hand. Its his positive attitude and immense likeability which turns what could have been a forgettable film into something great.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)

This film holds a special place, not in my heart, but in my mind as one of the most brilliantly conceived and executed notions of all time. It also helps that this film, bar none, has probably the most alluring cartoon character of all time in the form of Jessica Rabbit. 

Writing this, it seems this might have spurred my interest in crime movies, as the hero is nothing but a hard boiled, down trodden, tough speaking flat foot and that the crime takes place in one city where keeping your wits about you is a prerequisite just for getting in.

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

As much as this film is claimed - by pretty much everyone - that this is a comedy (and a funny one at that) I found it very hard to crack even a smile through what is, essentially, an extremely tumultuous time in several peoples lives. 

The woman's emotional derobing in front of every person available is nothing short of harrowing and the constant attempts to bed her by every able bodied male is continuously perverse. I found the entire movie to be an extremely uncomfortable experience, not at all an enjoyable film in the sense that everyone wildly claims it to be.

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

What do you do when a film looks like it will be too long? No, you don't edit it - you make it longer then slice it in two. Faced with how to keep people interested, you make the first half as action-packed and intense as possible. Unfortunately, those who watch the second half are disappointed because all the action is used up here. 

Then it becomes clear - this first film really has nothing to it. There are short amounts of story, but they only serve to pass the film between action scenes, which, for the most part are actually alright.

Koyaanisqatsi (1983)

Some films I never would have seen at all without this project. Some films I never would have thought to watch. Such as an abstract time-lapse world wide slice-of-life documentary which has no dialogue - not even narration. Such a film would have seemed like arty farty nonsense. Who'd've thought it would affect me so much? 

It's such a carefully paced, beautifully constructed film that it shattered what I thought an art house film is. In fact, it's pace is a lot faster and rhythmic than many action films.

Koyaanisqatsi is an absolutely amazing film that everybody should see.

Badlands (1973)

I like Badlands, but the strange thing is, I don't know why. The more I think about it, the story wasn't all that much chop, neither was the acting or... I don't know. The whole thing had an amateur feel to it. A rushed feel, almost. 

But something about it conveyed this sense of adventure. There's a spirit in there somewhere which leaps out to say hello, then coyly hides behind a bush. I don't know what I'm talking about. I don't remember much of the film. But I do remember inexpicably liking it, and that's all I've got to say.

Fantasia (1940)

If ever there is a film which works better in peoples memories than in front of their eye balls, its probably this one. Ask anyone if they've seen it. Ask them if they like it. Then ask, when was the last time they watched it?

If you answered "uhh..." to the last question you probably think Fantasia is hippos, flamingos and Mickey Mouse has something to do with a broom... and maybe a bucket. You remember the high points of this film and you should keep it that way. You remember it purely for those reasons as the rest is forgettable.