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Pulp Fiction (1994)
The Movie
There is a world of many, many motion pictures, from Roundhay Garden Scene in 1888, to the films of Charlie Chaplin, Ingmar Bergman, to the Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind, and Casablanca. There is Titanic and Terminator, there is Night of the Living Dead and Gigli. There is The Godfather and Space Jam. In a world of several hundreds of thousands of movies, the most familiar and yet still original is Pulp Fiction.
Perhaps life long cinephilia breeds a great filmmaker? Perhaps "veteran" actors are better than more contemporary actors? Perhaps dialog can be one of the most memorable parts of a film? While only a handful of films top Pulp Fiction in terms of quality, and craft, at 154 minutes, it remains cool, cocky, and deeper than what is led on during the first viewing.
Not telling you about the plot is probably best for those unfamiliar with it. To call it a film with out a message is incredibly arrogant. Reading between fairly thick lines is a story about human redemption and choices. No mainstream movie maker has attempted what Tarantino does here.
The characters are interesting, along with the acting in terms of greatness, and deep, along with the dialog, cinematography, storyline, and direction. Compared to Tarantino's Jackie Brown, it is very in your face, in a good way. You'll actually get to appreciate movies more after you see Pulp Fiction.
The violence presented in minimalist, and very tastefully done. But best of all, it is, well, cool. It leaves me feeling shaken, like a powerful wave comes over me.
Don't go in with any expectations however, experience it pure. Then you realize how fantastic it truly is. My hat's off to you, Quentin Tarantino, and if you haven't seen this movie already, see it. Twice.
Toy Story 3 (2010)
Toy Story 3: The Completion of My Childhood.
I wasn't born when Toy Story came out back in 1995. I didn't have the pleasure to go see it in theaters and experience it truly. I was barely two when Toy Story 2 hit cinemas. I wasn't taken to that film. However, because I was born in 1997, I did have the advantage of VCR's. I remember the old tapes of Toy Story and Toy Story 2. Those were some of my favorite films. In fact, those were the only few films I actually enjoyed, or even saw. These films were an important part of my childhood.
Now, I had Toy Story everything. I had Woody dolls. I had Buzz dolls. I had Mr. Potato Heads, Rex's, Slinky Dogs, Hamms, Jesses, you name it. I had a Toy Story backpack at one point, I believe. I had talking interactive Jesse and Woody dolls. I even had a copy of the god awful Buzz Light Year of Star Command: The Adventure Begins. I even ate the cereal and watched the cartoon, which I hated also. Toy Story was my life. 'Twas the "good old' pop in the tape and shut the hell up" scenario. Not that my parents made me shut up, I just did it as if the films took the breath right out of me. I expected a Toy Story 3 sometime soon in the future. I waited so long. So very long...
About a year ago, I saw the trailer. Sure it was the teaser, but it kept me eager. I maturely thought I should see it, for nostalgia purposes. I secretly could not wait. While I waited, I heard the original Toy Story and Toy Story 2 were being converted into Disney Digital 3-D. Not being too excited for the 3-D, I went to the closest IMAX theater. (An Hour Drive Away).
While I was watching the reissues, which were conveniently shown as a double-feature, I saw an official, 3-D trailer for Toy Story 3. Again, I felt hyped. But for now, let me tell you about the actual experience, seeing these movies on the big screen for the first time. The theater was packed with little kids. Really little kids. So little, when the original began, the famous opening with Andy playing, the image of Mr. Potato Head made a girl scream. Real loud. And she cried. The oldest person there that wasn't a parent or a guardian was some 9 year old. Oh, well.
Well, today I saw Toy Story 3. Was it good? No. Was it great? No. Was it the best film of 2010? Yes. Was it one of the greatest motion pictures of all time? Yes. Was it one of the best films I've seen in a theater? Yes. Is it up there in the top ten best films of all time? Yes. Very much so.
I went to the theater about three hours ago. Almost everybody there was either a really little kid, a parent/grandparent, or a high school/ college student. There was a couple about in college, romancing it up while watching the film. And also rudely playing around with their cell phones during the film. There was a family behind me with a young girl. But I think all of this enhanced the experience.
The film started out as pretty much the opening for Toy Story, just with some of the cast of Toy Story 2. Only this is what you would have saw if you were Andy. It turns out to be a home movie, but anyways, this opening made my cheeks ache, for my smile was incredibly wide. I really, really got pepped.
Now, Andy is going to college, just like many people who grew up with these films. The older audience really related to him. I felt slightly like them. Because of this, there is a mix up, and instead of going to the attic, the main cast of toys and a Barbie doll gets accidentally sent to a day care center, called Sunny Side. Woody tags along, instead of going to college with Andy. This place is paradise, it's ran by old timer, veteran toy Lotso Huggin' Bear. Lotso introduces Barbie to Ken, who I honestly thought was kind of on the Smithers side, if you catch my drift.
Lotso isn't the nicest bear. In fact, he's the main villain. He's an eight ounce pile of strawberry scented evil. Another new character was Bonnie, who was like a younger, female version of Andy. She has similar adventures with toys compared to Andy. You learn more about Lotso's past, through another toy, Chuckles. My memory is kind of blank because of pure excitement, but the next paragraph will be my most important, and major spoilers ahead.
The toys escape, and along with Lotso, are taken to the Tri-County land fill. They are in the compacter, and what not, and are to be incinerated. There is much action in this scene, however, it is painful to watch for me. No bad jokes, just Buzz and Jesse hold hands. Hamm and Rex hold hands. Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head hold hands, until everyone is. They have been through a lot with each other, and so has the audience with them. They were to go, they were doomed, but they were to be doomed eternally, together. This really, really had me, well, crying hard on the inside. I held it in because I am a male. Any ways, something similar made me feel that way, when Andy gives the toys to Bonnie, and they were also together, for a very long time. Never before have I felt so much closure. To make another movie would be a travesty, the series is over, no matter what. The toys will be together, forever. The End, as I regret to say this, but good bye, Toy Story franchise, you are now complete, and so is my childhood.
The Green Mile (1999)
Walking the Mile (Revised and Expanded)
This, indeed, was the best picture of 1999. Screw American Beauty. It is nothing compared to the Green Mile. It is a rare film made that left me watching through the credits. I mean, it seems like every few years you get a huge handful of good movies, and a huge handful of god awful movies. This is an amazing movie. Handsdown.
The film chronicles the time that Paul Edgecomb spent working at Cold Mountain Penitentiary when John Coffey was there. He was accused of rape and murder of two girls, but Paul is not so sure.
It includes a wonderfully memorable bunch of characters, mine being Eduard Delacroix's, who has one of the best deaths in movie history. Or, as Part 3 of the novel's title "The Bad Death of Eduard Delacroix"
The film's visuals were haunting. The locusts were creepy and stunning. And certain minor changes made to the story, like how Paul remembered the mile, actually make the film as good as the novel.
Making Fiends (2008)
Best damn cartoon on Nickelodeon (Revised and Expanded)
Don't know what happened to it. It's based on the animated internet series of the same name. It's about a happy blue girl named Charlotte who's voice is hilarious. Vendetta, who hates Charlotte, is the other lead character. What's freaking hilarious about this is that it's on Nick. It's one of the most morbid and happy shows I have ever seen, and if you've seen Edgar and Ellan and hated it, this is a breath of fresh air. Check it out online at this link: HTTP://making fiends.com/ Seriously, check it freaking out. You'll love it. Here's the theme song: Once there was a little girl, a girl who could make fiends. She kept the whole town terrified of the girl who could make fiends. Then there came another girl who wanted to be friends, Vendetta can not stand her, so she plots her end. Making Fiends, Making Fiends, Vendetta's always making fiends, making fiends when Charlotte makes friends. Judge it by the theme song. It's just awesome.
The Simpsons: Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire (1989)
The Best Christmas Special Since Charlie Brown Killed that Tree (Revised and Expanded)
Everyone loves the Simpsons. They are the modern dysfunctional family. They first got noticed on the Tracy Ullman show, but were given an entire show, that outlived the previous by years. This is the first episode to premiere of the Simpsons on television, over 20 years ago. Today's youth is probably familiar with the movie, which was good, but this is truly the Simpsons. It is intelligent, funny, strange, and overall great. Not to mention the first appearance of Santa's Little Helper. If you're looking for a laugh, or just some classic Simpsons-Mania, go to the store and purchase season one. Some of the following seasons are completely better, like 4,5,7 but this... this is just fantastic. Trust me, you will not regret it. Just remember, though, the Simpson's has been declining in quality, but this isn't a threat to get old Simpson's back.