Tuesday, April 26, 2011

True Story Tuesday!

I am going to make this short and sweet today.  One of my all time favorite true story movies is The Great Escape (1963).  Set in WWII in a prisoner of war camp, English and American allies try to escape from the camp by tunneling under the fence.  Their plan was to get 250 out.  They got 75.  There are some really great actors that give great performances.  Please check it out.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Matinée Monday!!

When it comes to movies about submarines I can't think of a better matinée movie then Down Periscope (1996).   Kelsey Grammer plays Lt. Cmdr. Tom Dodge who takes command of a WWII era sub to take part in simulated wargames.  He has to lead a crew of misfits on a mission to invade US harbors.  This movie is so funny and has a good message in the end.  If you have seen it please tell me what you think of it.  If you haven't I suggest finding a free afternoon and check it out.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Movie Challenge!!

Who can name the most movies with only numbers in their title?

See it or Skip it Sunday.

Today is Easter and for most people it means colored eggs, chocolate bunnies, and easter egg hunts.  But Easter is really about the sacrifice that Jesus made for all mankind.  So the movie I pick today for See it or Skip it is The Passion of the Christ (2004).   Mel Gibson directed this controversial film and was criticized for how violent it was and for the depiction of the Jewish role in the death of Jesus.  The depiction of the torture and crucifixion of Jesus was brutal and at times difficult to watch but necessary for people to understand when this man went through.  I was also impressed by the use of ancient languages like Aramaic and Latin in the film.  It bring a sense of historic authenticity to the movie.  If you have not seen this film I recommend you see it once and judge it for  yourself.           

Saturday, April 23, 2011

From the Vault Friday and Sci-fi Saturday Spectacular!!!!

I did not post a Friday movie yesterday, because I was playing Portal 2 for 8 hours, fantastic game by the way, I have decided to combine the Friday and Saturday feature topics.  Forbidden Planet (1956)  is considered the grandfather of all sci-fi movie.  Staring Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis and Leslie Nielsen.  

Nielsen plays a captain of a spaceship sent to rescue survivors on a harsh planet.  On their arrival they discover that there is only 2 people areleft, a scientist (Walter Pidgeon) and his daughter (Anne Francis).  While investigating what happened to the other people they so discover a horrible secret about the planet.  For 1956 the special effect were incredible. and this movie was the introduction of Robbie the Robot.  The animation in the movie was done my animators from Disney.  If you are a sci-fi fan and have never seen Forbidden Planet I think you might be pleasantly surprised how much you like this film.  If there are other classic sci-fi movies that you think have great influence on the genre please let us know.       

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Six Degrees of Separation!!!



I am sure most of you have heard of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.  My version uses any actor.  
For this one connect Sean Connery with Ricky Gervais in 6 movies or less then. Lets see who can get the fewest links.

Thought Provoking Thursday.

Today's movies is Oliver Stones JFK (1991).  Kevin Costner play an attorney to bring the only person to trial for the assassination of John F. Kennedy.   Oliver Stone explains in great detail how he thinks the assassination happened and who was involved.  This movie really make you think about the event on Nov. 22 1963 and who really killed JFK.  If you have seen this movie please tell me what you think of it.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Weird and Wacky Wednesday!!

Todays Weird and Wacky Wednesday pick is one of my favorite Steve Martin film.  The Man with Two Brains(1983) is Steve Martins fourth film and one of his funnies.  He plays a brain surgeon who hit a women (played by Kathleen Turner) then performs brain surgery on her to save her life.  He then marries her, later finds out she is a total bitch.  He then meets a fellow brain surgeon who has a collection of brain and Steven Martin can hear the thought and communicate with one of the brains.  It is a female brain and he falls in love with her.  He wants to be with her so he tries to find a female body to put her brain in. Confused yet! Well I won't tell you how it end.  You just have to see it for yourself.  Steven Martin is a fantastic actor and comedian.  What are some of you favorite Martin movies?   

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

I am 42 today!!!!

Ok,  I turn 42 today and in honor is the occasion I am going to recommend a film for everyone to watch.  The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) is a fairly good adaptation of Douglas Adams classic sci-fi novel. It follows the extraordinary adventures of an ordinary man named Arthur Dent.  Those of you who have watched the movie or read the book know why 42 is significant.  For the rest of you,  watch the movie and find out why 42 is so special.  And remember don't go anywhere without your towel.

True Story Tuesday!

Since today is my birthday I am going to pick a movie that was made the year I was born.  Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) was directed by George Roy Hill.  I think I have seen this movie at least a dozen time and each time was as good as the last.  Robert Redford and Paul Newman play the title roles as two bank and train robbers.  I can't think of two actors who preform so well together.  The movie itself is fantastic and the music is equal to the movie. The music was written and preformed by Burt Bacharach.  If you have not seen this film I highly recommend it.   Cool piece of trivia.  Robert Redford started the Sundance Film Festival and named it after his character from this film.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Matinée Monday

Well today is Monday and that can mean only one thing,  IT"S MATINÉE MONDAY!!!!  Matinée Monday is a weekly topic in which I pick a movie that is good but not worth the full ticket price.  Since there is no good movies out this week in theaters, I will pick a movie you can rent or Netflix.  My pick today is one of my favorite movies to watch on a rainy afternoon.  Galaxy Quest (1999) is one of those movies that once you start watching it you can't stop.  It does such a good job spoofing the Star Trek series that you almost think you are watching Star Trek.  If you have not seen it, pick it up. Galaxy Quest is available on  Netflix and at you local rental store.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

I have a personal connection with the movie I have picked for this weeks See it or Skip it.  The Kings Speech (2010) directed by Tom Hopper is about King George VI of Britain (played by Colin Firth) and his struggle with a stutter and the duty of being King of England.  King George must find his voice in order to lead his country through a time of war.  He employs the services of a unorthodox speech therapist (played by Geoffrey Rush).  Together they form a friendship the helps the King find his voice and lead his nation.  The Kings Speech won the Oscar for Best Picture and it is one of those rare movies that is not only touching and entertaining but it also shows you that with courage and determination you can overcome anything.

       This is a definite SEE IT!! 

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Ask the Expert.

With the advent of the internet it has become very easy to find out information about movies. But sometime you just can't find the certain bit of info you are looking for. Well look no further my friend . If you need an answer to a really hard movie question I am here to help.

Movie Line Trivia

Name the Star Wars characters that said these lines.

1. "Just you reconsider playing that message for him!"

2. "That's no moon. It's a space station."

3. "Fast ship? You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon?"

4. "The Force is strong with this one."

Sci-Fi Saturday


Since this the first Sci-Fi Saturday post I will start with the best Sci-fi movie of all time, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977). Directed by George Lucas, Star Wars changed everything about Sci-fi movies and movies in general. I can remember going to see it for the first time and watch the Imperial Star Destroyer fly over and thinking to my self WOW! This is going to be good! For me Star Wars has been like an old friend, someone you just keep going back to when you need to have a good time and forget about life for a little while. Please share some of your Star Wars memories and tell me some of your favorite Sci-Fi movies.