Movie #46: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Movie #: 46
Movie Title: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Year Released: 2002

Director: Peter Jackson
Notable Cast: Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Andy Serkis, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, Bernard Hill, Miranda Otto, Karl Urban, David Wenham, Brad Dourif, Craig Parker

Short Description: While Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron's new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard. (IMDB.com)


Rank on the Top 100 Lists (as of 1/7/2013)

AFI.com: N/A
IMDB.com: #20
Ranker.com: #56
Lifed.com: N/A
Empire.com: #54
FilmCrave.com: #18
FlickChart.com: #91



Date Watched: 9/18/2016

Grade: 4.5 out of 5 (Outstanding)

Rationale: Though I consider The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers to be the weakest of the three Lord of the Rings films, a 4.5 out of 5 is hardly a weak grade. Hindered by the fact it's a bridge film between The Fellowship of the Ring and The Return of the King, The Two Towers admirably advances stories that started in The Fellowship of the Ring while strongly setting the stage for the story's conclusion in The Return of the King. Andy Serkis' motion capture performance as Gollum is absolutely groundbreaking and the Battle of Helm's Deep is as epic looking as any battle in war that you'll see. I love the entire Lord of the Rings series and I'm glad that I finally "had" to watch one for this project.

Movie #49: Once Upon a Time in the West

Movie #: 49
Movie Title: Once Upon a Time in the West
Year Released: 1969

Director: Sergio Leone
Notable Cast: Claudia Cardinale, Henry Fonda, Jason Robards, Charles Bronson, Gabriele Ferzetti

Short Description: A mysterious stranger with a harmonica joins forces with a notorious desperado to protect a beautiful widow from a ruthless assassin working for the railroad. (IMDB.com)


Rank on the Top 100 Lists (as of 1/7/2013)

AFI.com: N/A
IMDB.com: #22
Ranker.com: N/A
Lifed.com: #10
Empire.com: #14
FilmCrave.com: N/A
FlickChart.com: N/A

Note: This is the last movie on my list to appear on only three of the top 100 lists I used to compile the 251 movies I’m watching.



Date Watched: 9/17/2016

Grade: 3 out of 5 (Good)

Rationale: As far as movies in general go, Once Upon a Time in the West was very average. Compared to The Searchers, I didn't find it to be offensive or distasteful. Compared to A Fistful of Dollars, though, I didn't find it to be as interesting or exciting. I wouldn't avoid watching it again, but there are many other movies I know I like more or movies I've been wanting to see and haven't yet that I'd rather spend my time watching.

Movie #50: Gone with the Wind

Movie #: 50
Movie Title: Gone with the Wind
Year Released: 1939

Director: Victor Fleming
Notable Cast: Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland

Short Description: A manipulative Southern belle carries on a turbulent affair with a blockade runner during the American Civil War. (IMDB.com)


Rank on the Top 100 Lists (as of 1/7/2013)

AFI.com: #6
IMDB.com: N/A
Ranker.com: #61
Lifed.com: #67
Empire.com: #31
FilmCrave.com: #85
FlickChart.com: N/A



Date Watched: 9/14/2016

Grade: 3 out of 5 (Good)
Adjusted Grade: 3.5 out of 5 (Very Good)

Rationale: Gone with the Wind is one of a handful of movies that I struggled mightily with determining a grade. My initial rationale for a lower grade was based around my surprise that Scarlett O'Hara never had a redemption. Even as the credits started to roll she was still a spoiled, selfish, impulsive child. Realizing that's who she is and not a fault of the movie for the lack of a redemption helped raise the grade from a "Good" to a "Very Good". Though it's a very long movie at mere minutes shy of four hours, I was never bored which also helped the case of the higher grade. In addition, the leads of the movie, Vivian Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara and Clark Gable as Rhett Butler, were both strong with their respective performances and I particularly enjoyed the scenes with Rhett Butler.

Rounding Third, Heading For Home

With the completion of movies 51-75 I'm now 80% done with my goal of watching (subjectively) the 251 greatest movies of all time. Though I'm ahead of pace to finish before the end of the year, I've slowed down a bit more than I would have liked over the past couple of weeks. Hopefully I can pick it up again over the last 50 movies as I have my next project already in mind and would like to finish it before the end of 2016 as well.

A while ago I started tracking various statistics regarding the grades I give movies. I'll share what I've compiled in its entirety at the end of my goal, but here are a couple of generalized facts that are too interesting to wait for.

• If it's not been apparent, I tend to like newer movies more than older movies. Not to say that all newer movies are good and older movies are bad, but the distinction is noticeable and larger than I had anticipated.


• Three of the seven top 100 lists I used to compile the top 251 movies are substantially worse in terms of average grade compared to the other four top 100 lists, which is shocking given the highly respected sources of two of the "bad" lists.

Thank you to everyone who reads my blog. As I hoped when the project began, I do feel like a more well-rounded movie lover and a marginally better writer that still overuses some crutch words and phrases. I encourage everyone to challenge themselves with similar goals of self-improvement, even if something it's trivial like watching "the greatest movies ever" or reading classic books.

Recap of Movies #51-75

Adjustments

Movie #: 74
Movie Title: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Original Grade: 4 out of 5 (Excellent)
Adjusted Grade: 4.5 out of 5 (Outstanding)




My Best to Worst of #51-75

Movie #	Movie Title	My Grade
58	Gladiator (2000)	5 out of 5 (Exceptional)
55	Braveheart (1995)	5 out of 5 (Exceptional)
57	American History X (1998)	4.5 out of 5 (Outstanding)
74	Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)	4.5 out of 5 (Outstanding)
61	The Wizard of Oz (1939)	4 out of 5 (Excellent)
69	E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)	4 out of 5 (Excellent)
64	Full Metal Jacket (1987)	4 out of 5 (Excellent)
73	Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)	3.5 out of 5 (Very Good)
51	The Departed (2006)	3.5 out of 5 (Very Good)
66	To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)	3.5 out of 5 (Very Good)
72	The Apartment (1960)	3.5 out of 5 (Very Good)
53	Singin' in the Rain (1952)	3.5 out of 5 (Very Good)
62	The Big Lebowski (1998)	3.5 out of 5 (Very Good)
63	Some Like It Hot (1959)	3.5 out of 5 (Very Good)
67	American Beauty (1999)	3 out of 5 (Good)
60	Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)	3 out of 5 (Good)
75	City of God (2003)	3 out of 5 (Good)
59	Aliens (1986)	3 out of 5 (Good)
71	Double Indemnity (1944)	3 out of 5 (Good)
68	Léon: The Professional (1994)	3 out of 5 (Good)
51	Chinatown (1974)	2.5 out of 5 (Satisfactory)
56	Lawrence of Arabia (1962)	2.5 out of 5 (Satisfactory)
70	The Third Man (1949)	2.5 out of 5 (Satisfactory)
65	The General (1927)	2 out of 5 (Fair)
54	Blade Runner (1982)	1.5 out of 5 (Marginal)

Movie #51: Chinatown

Movie #: 51
Movie Title: Chinatown
Year Released: 1974

Director: Roman Polanski
Notable Cast: Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Hillerman, Perry Lopez, Burt Young, John Huston

Short Description: A private detective hired to expose an adulterer finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption and murder. (IMDB.com)


Rank on the Top 100 Lists (as of 1/7/2013)

AFI.com: #21
IMDB.com: #79
Ranker.com: #92
Lifed.com: N/A
Empire.com: #13
FilmCrave.com: N/A
FlickChart.com: #50



Date Watched: 9/9/2016

Grade: 2.5 out of 5 (Satisfactory)

Rationale: At this point I think it's safe to say that detective/P.I. movies aren't my thing. I never got a sense of suspense or mystery while watching Chinatown like one would expect from a movie with a short description containing the phrase "a web of deceit, corruption and murder". I will say, though, that Jack Nicholson is the perfect man for the role of private investigator J. J. "Jake" Gittes as Nicholson effortlessly portrays an aura of sleaze-ball that's becoming and fitting for a P.I.

Movie #52: The Departed

Movie #: 52
Movie Title: The Departed
Year Released: 2006

Director: Martin Scorsese
Notable Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, Vera Farmiga, Alec Baldwin

Short Description: An undercover cop and a mole in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston. (IMDB.com)


Rank on the Top 100 Lists (as of 1/7/2013)

AFI.com: N/A
IMDB.com: #51
Ranker.com: #31
Lifed.com: #51
Empire.com: N/A
FilmCrave.com: #25
FlickChart.com: N/A



Date Watched: 9/4/2016

Grade: 3.5 out of 5 (Very Good)

Rationale: Man, this star studded cast doesn't disappoint. As always, Leonardo DiCaprio was outstanding as the-rat-in-the-mob Billy Costigan, Jack Nicholson was very convincing as mobster Frank Costello, and Matt Damon gives a strong performance as the-mole-in-the-police Colin Sullivan. The rest of the big names in the supporting cast do an more than admirable job too. I don't know if the particulars of the story are memorable enough to stick with me long term, but the acting sure will.

Movie #53: Singin' in the Rain

Movie #: 53
Movie Title: Singin' in the Rain
Year Released: 1952

Director: Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen
Notable Cast: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell, Cyd Charisse

Short Description: A silent film production company and cast make a difficult transition to sound. (IMDB.com)


Rank on the Top 100 Lists (as of 1/7/2013)

AFI.com: #5
IMDB.com: #87
Ranker.com: N/A
Lifed.com: #59
Empire.com: #8
FilmCrave.com: N/A
FlickChart.com: N/A



Date Watched: 9/2/2016

Grade: 3.5 out of 5 (Very Good)

Rationale: There may not be a single movie I've misjudged more going in than Singin' in the Rain. All I knew about it beforehand was the title song that Gene Kelly's Don Lockwood performs on a rainy night in the street and that was enough to treat it like a book with a bad cover. Turns out that Singin' in the Rain is smart, funny, and very entertaining. Both Gene Kelly and especially Donald O'Connor as Cosmo Brown seem like they're flying during the dance scenes because they're moving so fast and effortlessly. Donald O'Connor also provides many laughs as a natural comic relief and mild scene stealer. I'm thankful for this project and the chance to right a wrong with my previously uninformed opinion.

Movie #54: Blade Runner

Movie #: 54
Movie Title: Blade Runner
Year Released: 1982

Director: Ridley Scott
Notable Cast: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos

Short Description: A blade runner must pursue and try to terminate four replicants who stole a ship in space and have returned to Earth to find their creator. (IMDB.com) (IMDB.com)


Rank on the Top 100 Lists (as of 1/7/2013)

AFI.com: #97
IMDB.com: N/A
Ranker.com: #42
Lifed.com: N/A
Empire.com: #20
FilmCrave.com: #72
FlickChart.com: #38



Date Watched: 8/29/2016

Grade: 1.5 out of 5 (Marginal)

Rationale: I don't have words to describe how disappointed I was with Blade Runner. The combination of Harrison Ford and futuristic sci-fi should have been a home run considering how I feel about that combination in Star Wars and how well thought of Blade Runner is. Sadly it just never clicked with me and I found myself disinterested almost from the start. What a shame. I even tried to watch it a second time, thinking I may have not given it a fair shake the first go around and nothing changed. I still love Harrison Ford and I still love sci-fi, but I'll stick to Star Wars from now on and do my best to forget Blade Runner.

Movie #55: Braveheart

Movie #: 55
Movie Title: Braveheart
Year Released: 1995

Director: Mel Gibson
Notable Cast: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack, Angus Macfadyen, Brendan Gleeson

Short Description: When his secret bride is executed for assaulting an English soldier who tried to rape her, William Wallace begins a revolt against King Edward I of England. (IMDB.com)


Rank on the Top 100 Lists (as of 1/7/2013)

AFI.com: N/A
IMDB.com: #84
Ranker.com: #19
Lifed.com: #43
Empire.com: N/A
FilmCrave.com: #23
FlickChart.com: N/A



Date Watched: 8/28/2016

Grade: 5 out of 5 (Exceptional)

Rationale: For whatever reason I had never had or taken the opportunity to watch Braveheart before doing so for this project. I now consider the past 21 years since its release to have been wasted. Braveheart is an absolute gem, rich with gorgeous locations and sets and bursting with an impeccable story. The fight scenes are all top notch, the costumes and props look just as you'd imagine from that period in time, and James Horner delivers a moving soundtrack with a beautiful love theme for Mel Gibson's William Wallace and his bride's wedding. I'm glad to have a new addition to the movies I consider to be my favorites.

Movie #56: Lawrence of Arabia

Movie #: 56
Movie Title: Lawrence of Arabia
Year Released: 1962

Director: David Lean
Notable Cast: Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, José Ferrer, Anthony Quayle, Claude Rains, Arthur Kennedy, Omar Sharif

Short Description: The story of T.E. Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united and lead the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during World War I in order to fight the Turks. (IMDB.com)


Rank on the Top 100 Lists (as of 1/7/2013)

AFI.com: #7
IMDB.com: #67
Ranker.com: #91
Lifed.com: #55
Empire.com: #57
FilmCrave.com: N/A
FlickChart.com: N/A



Date Watched: 8/28/2016

Grade: 2.5 out of 5 (Satisfactory)

Rationale: Given its lofty status as a well-known classic and regular appearances on top movie lists, I was disappointingly bored with Lawrence of Arabia. To make matters worse, it's almost a four hour runtime and my boredom never dissipated. The acting didn't seem convincing and I don't get some of the casting decisions, like having Alec Guinness play an Arab prince. The cinematography was pretty with the various sets and locations and the battle scenes were fine, but that's the best I can say.

Movie #57: American History X

Movie #: 57
Movie Title: American History X
Year Released: 1998

Director: Tony Kaye
Notable Cast: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Balk, Stacy Keach, Elliott Gould, Avery Brooks, Beverly D'Angelo, Ethan Suplee

Short Description: A former neo-nazi skinhead tries to prevent his younger brother from going down the same wrong path that he did. (IMDB.com)


Rank on the Top 100 Lists (as of 1/7/2013)

AFI.com: N/A
IMDB.com: #34
Ranker.com: #75
Lifed.com: #46
Empire.com: N/A
FilmCrave.com: #31
FlickChart.com: N/A



Date Watched: 8/26/2016

Grade: 4.5 out of 5 (Outstanding)

Rationale: The subject matter of white supremacy is never easy to tackle, but American History X does so in a way that makes it impossible to not watch. Edward Norton thoroughly compelling as Derek Vinyard, a former white supremacist who's learned the error of his ways through serving time and reflection and tries to prevent his brother, Danny, from making the same mistakes. I do agree with one particular critic review I read stating Derek's change in character isn't as fleshed out as it could have been and more reasoning should have been given for his transformation, but it was still fairly solid. My only criticism is during the bathroom scene at the end of the movie Edward Norton either could have tried harder to convey sadness or conveying sadness isn't his strong suit if he was really trying.

Movie #58: Gladiator

Movie #: 58
Movie Title: Gladiator
Year Released: 2000

Director: Ridley Scott
Notable Cast: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, Richard Harris

Short Description: When a Roman general is betrayed and his family murdered by an emperor's corrupt son, he comes to Rome as a gladiator to seek revenge. (IMDB.com)


Rank on the Top 100 Lists (as of 1/7/2013)

AFI.com: N/A
IMDB.com: #63
Ranker.com: #12
Lifed.com: #89
Empire.com: N/A
FilmCrave.com: #24
FlickChart.com: N/A



Date Watched: 8/25/2016

Grade: 5 out of 5 (Exceptional)

Rationale: Few movies have the perfect balance of story and action coupled with superb directing, acting, set design, costume design, music, and sound effects. I believe Gladiator is one of those lucky few and considering Gladiator is one of my personal top five favorite movies, there's no chance the grade would have been anything but a 5 out of 5. If you've never seen Gladiator, you're missing out on one of the top movies from the past 20 years and a Best Picture Oscar winner more than deserving of that award. If you've seen Gladiator and enjoy it as much as I do, I'm glad you know greatness when you see it. If you didn't enjoy Gladiator for whatever reason, your level of crazy may require seeking professional help.

Movie #59: Aliens

Movie #: 59
Movie Title: Aliens
Year Released: 1986

Director: James Cameron
Notable Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen, Carrie Henn, Bill Paxton, William Hope

Short Description: The moon from Alien (1979) has been colonized, but contact is lost. This time, the rescue team has impressive firepower, but will it be enough? (IMDB.com)


Rank on the Top 100 Lists (as of 1/7/2013)

AFI.com: N/A
IMDB.com: #59
Ranker.com: #87
Lifed.com: N/A
Empire.com: #30
FilmCrave.com: #63
FlickChart.com: #51



Date Watched: 8/21/2016

Grade: 3 out of 5 (Good)

Rationale: Alien is one of many movies that ends in a way that a sequel shouldn't be necessary, and though Aliens wasn't a bad sequel, it did seem unnecessary. The turn-off-your-brain action, which was the best part, was satisfactory throughout. My issues are with the similar ending regarding the stole-a-way alien trying one more time to kill everyone as Ripley and crew escape and the fact that Ripley was involved at all. Maybe it's just me, but if a ruthless, seemingly unstoppable alien just killed all of my crew and almost myself, I'm not going back to where that alien is regardless of the reason.

Movie #60: Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Movie #: 60
Movie Title: Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Year Released: 1975

Director: Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones
Notable Cast: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin

Short Description: King Arthur and his knights embark on a low-budget search for the Grail, encountering many, very silly obstacles. (IMDB.com)


Rank on the Top 100 Lists (as of 1/7/2013)

AFI.com: N/A
IMDB.com: #85
Ranker.com: #50
Lifed.com: #72
Empire.com: N/A
FilmCrave.com: #74
FlickChart.com: #14



Date Watched: 8/19/2016

Grade: 3 out of 5 (Good)

Rationale: While I still don't find Monty Python and the Holy Grail to be laugh out loud funny, I was much more amused than during my first viewing. The bits regarding burning the witch, bringing out the dead, the black knight, answering questions to cross the bridge, the Frenchman insulting King Arthur from the castle, and the guards discussing coconuts and swallows easily stood out to me as some of the best. I won't go out of my way to watch it again, but I wouldn't be averse to watching it if it happens to be on already.

Movie #61: The Wizard of Oz

Movie #: 61
Movie Title: The Wizard of Oz
Year Released: 1939

Director: Victor Fleming
Notable Cast: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Billie Burke, Margaret Hamilton, Charley Grapewin, Clara Blandick

Short Description: Dorothy Gale is swept away to a magical land in a tornado and embarks on a quest to see the Wizard who can help her return home. (IMDB.com)


Rank on the Top 100 Lists (as of 1/7/2013)

AFI.com: #10
IMDB.com: N/A
Ranker.com: #70
Lifed.com: #70
Empire.com: N/A
FilmCrave.com: #55
FlickChart.com: #98



Date Watched: 8/18/2016

Grade: 4 out of 5 (Excellent)

Rationale: One of the main reasons I think highly of The Wizard of Oz is the fact its a technical marvel with its usage of both black and white for the Kansas scenes and color for the Oz scenes while being made almost 80 years ago. Not every trick of the trade in the movie is perfect, for example you can clearly see a door in the floor open to release the red smoke when the Wicked Witch of the West departs from Munchkinland, but it's a solid effort all around. The most important part of The Wizard of Oz, though, is the music. Other than the musical number that the munchkins sing to introduce themselves, I've always enjoyed the catchy songs, particularly the Scarecrow's "If I Only Had a Brain" and Dorothy's classic "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".