The Spirit

Recap – An evil villain tries to become immortal and the saviour of the city has to stop him.

Review – 7/10

Reflix – As a film by itself, The Spirit is not bad at all. I think the reason most of the critics hated this film is that they were expecting Sin City but got Batman Forever - the film is just too campy for what people expected it to be. This is evident in the first fight of the film between the Octopus and the Spirit, played by Samuel L. Jackson and Gabriel Macht admirably. I think that the film works as a comic book film, although its a bit of a departure from the other films that have come out recently that raise the genre to a new level, like The Dark Knight  or 300. The film is slightly confusing at first, but it comes full circle at the end, although you can’t help feeling a sense of dissatisfaction with the love story – I would have expected a different outcome, but I guess the Spirit is a bit of a player. I think Frank Miller does a good job in his direction and the use of the black-white contrast in the film, but I think he should have tried to temper the campiness to make it more successful. Overall, I don’t know that you will watch this again, although it’s worth a watch once if you’re a comic book fan. Otherwise, just stay away and pick up 300 again – it’s definitely worth a second-look. Reflixabilty – Frisbee.

The Reader

Recap – A man fights a battle of his morals because his knowledge could set free a Nazi guard accused of killing 300 Jews.

Review – 7/10

Reflix – I can see why this film was nominated for so many awards - Kate Winslet is incredible in the film and the direction is quite good. However, the film itself is trying really hard to be a moral tale about the battle between truth and justice and I think it lacks a little punch in the end. It’s well-paced and very well acted, but I think the reason that a lot of people skipped this film at the box office is that it is just not appealing. First of all, the May-December romance has been done before and this time around it’s actually kind of creepy. Winslet is very good at making you awkward at watching her interaction with David Kross and that makes you less likely to watch the film. Secondly, the film does its best to try and keep you and Michael Berg in the same frame of mind when it comes to his moral dilemma, but I actually felt less attached and more horrified that he was considering volunteering the information – it doesn’t remove her culpability and really only speaks to the ignorance of those who worked under the Nazi regime. Finally, I just think the film is rewatchable at all – there is no way I can see anyone picking up the film after watching it once and then rewatching it a few weeks or even months later. If you really must watch this, go ahead, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Pick up The Wrestler or Slumdog Millionaire - they are much more worth your time. Reflixability – Coaster.

10. Stagecoach

This is one of the earlier films on the list, however it stars John Wayne, one of the greatest actors ever. His stuntman, Yakima Canutt, performed one of the best stunts ever. In fact, it is probably something that would never be performed in this day and age – there are just too many risks and in such a litigious society, there is no way the studios would sign off on this now. Somehow, he jumps from a horse onto the front of the stagecoach horses, hangs in between them, then drops onto the ground and narrowly avoids the horses to slide UNDERNEATH the racing stagecoach. It’s incredible. And I know you’ll be watching it over and over again. It’s something about the danger involved and how close he comes to death that makes it just so rewatchable – like a car crash where no one gets hurt. See what I mean by watching the clip.

9. Ben-Hur

I know if you’ve ever seen this film, you already know the sequence I’m thinking about. Yakima Canutt is back as the charioteer who performs one of the most amazing racing scenes ever. The chariot race is well-known as the highlight of this film and the collisions that occur in this film are just incredible. Again, its the danger here that will keep you coming back – its just so incredible and daring that I can’t help but watch it again and again. Just amazing.

8. Terminator 2: Judgment Day

What’s to say about this film? It’s probably one of the best action films of all time and it has one of the best chase scenes ever. I’m sure if I do a top 10 of chase scenes, I’ll repeat this entry. But as for now, the motorcycle jump in this film is just ridiculous. Arnold jumps from the top of the ramp into the canal and then is chased by a mack truck which keeps ramming into the bike. It is one of many scenes in this film which is incredible and it has never been repeated since. Check it out.

7. Casino Royale

This film brought the stunt sequence back to mainstream film. The opening chase scene, all parkour starring it’s inventor - Sebastien Foucan - is one of the best of all time. In the middle of the chase is a truly incredible feat – a jump from one crane to the next as they are moving. I was totally taken aback by this scene – the chase alone signalled a new Bond, but the jump really topped everything off. It is a breathtaking scene that shows the true mettle of the new Bond – he’s tough, strong and willing to go the extra length to capture the bad guy. It really encompasses everything about Daniel Craig‘s Bond. 

6. Rumble in the Bronx

I remember when this film came out  - it was the herald announcing Jackie Chan‘s arrival to the American audience. Since I never saw any of Bruce Lee’s films in theatrical release, I didn’t know what I was getting into when I saw this film for the first time. ONe of the scenes that truly made this memorable and something I’ve watched time and time again is the stunt sequence at the beginning of the film in the parking garage. Jackie’s kung-fu is mind-numbing, but one of the best and most reflixable sequences is his jump from one building into the window of another. Taken from multiple angles, it is one of the true surprises in film – you never would have expected it. And when it happens, it is awe-inspiring. No strings, no cables, no pads  - just pure Jackie Chan awesomeness. 

5. District 13

I’m sure you’ve all seen this clip, but if you haven’t be prepared to be amazed. The sequence is another parkour chase, but it is a non-English film which is why it was so shocking to see how popular it has become. I saw the full film not too long ago, and its not that great, however the sequence is just as incredible each time you watch it. I think you’ll really enjoy it. A great sequence which has some of the most agile and quick movements ever.

4. Police Story 

Again, Jackie Chan is the man. This film came out before Rumble in the Bronx, but it is one of his best sequences ever. One of the things that makes this mall sequence is that its raw, unadulterated action. But the best stunt here is Jackie Chan’s jump and slide down the string of lights. You don’t get the full picture as to how difficult this was until you watch the credit sequence when you see how hurt Chan was in the making of this stunt. It gives you a whole new perspective on how much he puts on the line when he makes his films and you’ll truly respect his expertise. 

3. Tomorrow Never Dies

This is one of the more underrated Bond flicks. It was actually one of the more believable Bond films (to a point of course), it had a great villain (well acted by Jonathan Pryce) and a good couple of Bond girls (Michelle Yeoh, Teri Hatcher). It also has one of the best chase/stunt sequences ever put to film – the motorcycle chase. First off, it’s a BMW motorcycle – that alone is incredible. The bike is just gorgeous and its amazing to watch in motion. Second, it’s preceded by one of the best jumps ever – the jump from the building using the banner onto the balcony – truly incredible. Thirdly, Bond and Wai Lin are attached by handcuffs the whole time, which leads to some incredible kung-fu moves and stunts. Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for – the motorcycle jump OVER a hovering helicopter. I really don’t know how to explain this stunt, but it’s one of the best ever. Seriously. And when it’s this good, you know you’ll be watching it over and over again. I’m still in awe of this stunt. It is just amazing. I really respect the Bond films – they constantly have some incredible stunts and other sequences, but this is definitely one of the best.

2. Raiders of the Lost Ark

Now, what would a stunt listing be without this film? Most people would think of the roll ball of rock at the beginning of the film, or the fight in the bar. But the best and most reflixable stunt sequence is the car chase sequence when Indy is trying to steal back the Ark. The best part is when he is being dragged behind the truck and manages to recover – obviously inspired by Stagecoach (see number 10) and it does that film justice. The whole sequence from start to finish is incredible to watch and I know you’ll enjoy seeing it over and over again.

1. GoldenEye 

This was the first Bond film I ever saw in theatres and the opening sequence blew me away. I still remember the awe I felt when I watched the bungee jump at the beginning – it was something I had never seen before and still haven’t seen since. Anyone who even tries to replicate this stunt is just a pretender. The best part of it all is that nothing is revealed until you see Bond shooting the gun onto the roof of the building. But it doesn’t stop there – it follows with an incredible motorcycle sequence at the end of the opening when Bond chases after a pilotless plane over a cliff and dives head-first into oblivion, just hoping he is able to catch up with the plane. It’s the best stunt sequence in film ever. Sure, the sequence of him climbing in was green-screen, but the fact that a stuntman voluntarily jumped over a cliff on a bike is incredible. I don’t know that there is a better stunt sequence in film. The best ever. Check it out.

The Tale of Despereaux

Recap – A mouse and a rat try to save a princess and a servant girl from their unhappy lives.

Review – 5/10

Reflix – I had such high hopes for this film, yet they were ultimately dashed within the first few minutes of this film. This is a completely unremarkable film that was meant to fill the Christmas animation void, to no avail. The animation itself is quite poor, especially the design of the humans and many of the sets, although there are one or two scenes, such as the wide shots of the landscape and the sequences with the knight and dragon which are quite good. Unfortunately, the film fails in just about every other aspect as well. The voice acting is poor, not because the actors themselves are that bad, its just that when you hear the voices, you know exactly who the actors, which throws you off, especially since the characters look nothing like their real-life selves. For example, when you first hear Roscuro’s voice, you know it is Dustin Hoffman, however Roscuro himself looks nothing like Hoffman, which makes it difficult to swallow. Check out my Weekend ReWatch piece on Babe to see my opinion on this type of voice acting. Ditto for Matthew Broderick, Emma Watson, and Sigourney Weaver, among others. The story itself is pretty weak as well – I think it tries too hard to be something that it’s not (a fun story with a moral tale – it needs more work). Overall, there isn’t much worth watching once, let alone twice, so I think you can pass on this one and just watch The Incredibles over! Reflixability – Coaster.

The Day the Earth Stood Still

Recap – An alien conglomerate attempts to destroy humanity unless they can prove they are worthy of life.

Review – 6/10

Recap – I expected more from this film. A lot more. I will state it up front right away – the only thing worth rewatching in this film is the computer graphics, and even then, only the last 20 minutes of the film, when the bug swarm begins. The early sphere-based graphics and the alien defender are actually pretty poor – I expected a lot more in this day and age. Keanu is fine in this film, but nothing special. In fact, it is a pretty perfect role for him – he plays one emotion through the whole film. I enjoyed Jennifer Connelly, she was pretty decent actually, but her son in the film, Jaden Smith, was a bit too whiny for me – I could have done without him, although he picks it up a bit in the latter parts of the movie. Again, this film was reaching for more that it could handle. It was trying to be a moral tale about how we are destroying the earth and unless we change, we’ll destroy ourselves. However, I don’t think it really convinced me at all and seemed more like the sci-fi sequel to An Inconvenient Truth than anything else. I don’t know if I would ever watch this again and I probably wouldn’t have watched it if I knew how bad the film was, so I would probably skip this one too. Maybe the sci-fi fans will want to see the opening 20 minutes and the last 20 minutes, so for that, its probably worth renting once. Reflixability – Frisbee.

Not Easily Broken

Recap – A car crash leads to fracture in an already strained marriage, forcing husband and wife to reconsider their lives together.

Review – 5/10

Reflix – This film is probably not the sort of film most would be drawn to, but I would suggest it for anyone who wants to see a decently acted film about a fractured marriage. I think where this film fails is that it relies a lot on sterotypes (although they may be quite valid stereotypes) to put the couple in difficult situations. There are a couple of good performances, especially the trio of friends - Morris Chestnut, Eddie Cibrian, and Kevin Hart. Morris Chestnut is a very capable actor and I can’t wait for him to get a few meatier roles where he can show his stuff. I think he aptly portrayed Dave Johnson and all his emotions as he deals with his wife’s depression, his unruly mother-in-law and his duties as a mentor. Eddie Cibrian is one of my favourite up and coming actors. It is funny to say that because he is quite established in television (with hundreds of episodes of ,“Third Watch”, and “Invasion” ),but I really hope he makes a big break into film – I think he has the charisma and acting ability to pull off some great roles, especially in the romantic comedy realm, where I think he would be a great fit. Kevin Hart is the comedy relief in the film and he performs the task admirably. He is quite funny in his scenes and he really lightens the sombre mood. However, sometimes I feel like the film lacks consistency. Just when you see the story begin to develop, you have moments of comic relief or a new obstacle arises when it would have been better for one arc to finish before the next takes over. If this film had been a little less complicated and a bit tighter in script, it might have been much more popular. Also, I feel at times Taraji P. Henson overacted her part a little bit, or perhaps was too emotive, in comparison to the rest of the cast. I think if she had been able to moderate her acting a bit more, she might have received more praise for this film. Overall, I would probably recommend this as a one-watch, but nothing more than that, its not really something that I can see reflixing again and again. Reflixability – Frisbee.

What can you say about one of the best kids films ever? Well, I’ll start with the animals first, because they are truly astounding. One of the things that I think makes this film so reflixable is that the animals are so well trained that nothing seems unnatural in this film. Compare that to other films, where you have the main animal, usually a dog or a cat, moving from point A to point B and it seems very staged, as if there is a treat at the end once they get to their goal. The animals in Babe, on the other hand, seem to portray the wildness you would expect in a country farm atmosphere, without very static or controlled movements that seem out of place. And when there are very controlled or calm movements, like when the sheep walk calmly to the shearer, everything is clearly accounted for by Babe’s previous interaction with the sheep. Everything works so well in this film, that it maintains a fantasy but also a believability that makes it more enjoyable to watch. I also think its a true compliment to the direction and the animal trainers themselves who made it look so flawless. Even the transitions from close-up to wide shots seem flawless and that is truly special.

Another thing that makes this film reflixable is the voice acting, which is crucial for any film which involves animation or animals. The reason that this film is so superb, especially when you compare it to any other kids film, is that the voice actors are not famous celebrities that you read about in Us Weekly or Hello magazine, but voice actors whose sole job in the business is voice acting. These types of actors know how to create a voice that fits the characters they are meant to give life to, rather than what is common nowadays, where famous actors voice the characters without any consideration as to the type of character they are voicing (save perhaps Mike Myers in the Shrek series). Babe himself is perfectly voiced by Christine Cavanaugh, whom you may know from “Rugrats” as Chuckie Finster. The only real star here is Hugo Weaving, the agent from The Matrix, or Elrond from The Lord of the Rings. He is excellent as Rex, the sheepdog, who teaches Babe. These performances are incredible and well worth rewatching because they are so unique to this film. You’ll never find these voices performed the same way anywhere else and it gives the film an authenticity that so many lack. 

Finally, one of the other things making this film so reflixable is the fact that the story is so good and so well told and that there are so many reflixable scenes. First off, the story itself is fantastic – a pig playing the role of the sheepdog and winning a competition to save the farm. Have you ever heard of something so absurd but so perfect for a children’s film? When you break the story down, there are lots of fantastic scenes which are rewatchable by themselves. For example, there is a fantastic scene where Babe is tricked into destroying the farmer’s alarm clock, but they wake up the cat which proceeds to destroy the living room. Another great scene is when Babe is discovered to be a great herder when he orders the hens into two lines, the brown ones and the white ones. Its a charming scene which sets up a fantastic ending. The final sequence at the fair is incredible – I’m sure you remember it as well, but I’ll just say “Bah Ram Ewe” and leave it at that. Just a classic scene that I know you watched a few times when you first saw it.

Overall, I think Babe is a great film which is well worth your time to watch over, especially on this Easter weekend when I’m sure there are a lot of families together looking for something easy and cheap to do all together. I highly suggest you get everyone together, grab some snacks and put this film in without telling anyone what you’re watching. As soon as it starts, I know they’ll all enjoy rewatching it. 

What do you think? Is this film worth rewatching? Do you have a favourite scene? Do you agree about my comments on voice acting?

Splash

Splash is one of those films you do to get a name in the business. It is a decent enough film, but doesn’t really have a whole lot bringing you back. I think this is the kind of film for kids to get you started in live action fairy tales – the premise is really good and there are some decent enough gags, but overall its not the kind of film that you’re going to watch over and over. I do think this is a film worth watching at least once though – its really interesting to see Tom Hanks in his early years and Daryl Hannah is quite hot as the mermaid. Just don’t expect anything amazing – its one of Ron Howard‘s early films and doesn’t really have the punch that his later work has. Reflixability – Frisbee.

Big

Big is one of those films which you will remember fondly as one which changed your perception of movies. I think one of the things about Big is that it shows how you can stay a kid in an adult world, which is something that becomes more and more significant as you age. So why is this film rewatchable? Well, first of all, its a simple fantasy story that is easy to belief, and those types of films set up your imagination for limitless possibilities. When Tom Hanks gets the job as the toy tester, it is literally a dream come true and you can imagine exactly how he is feeling at that point as the little kid trapped in an adult’s body. Hanks is wonderful as Josh Baskin and you can tell how much fun he had playing this role. I think the thing that will have you rewatching this film is the one scene which is now a classic in Hollywood – the big piano scene. When Hanks and Robert Loggia start playing on that big piano, you are just captured with their excitement and enthusiasm. The crowd surrounds them as they play Chopsticks and Heart and Soul and you can see how much fun it is for them. Its a great scene and I know you’ll watch it again just for that reason alone. Also, I remain adamant to this day that I will own one of those in my office. Although this is a classic Hollywood film, I don’t see myself watching this film ad infinitum – there just isn’t enough to keep me putting it in the DVD player. However, it is definitely worth a look or two, so its worth a decent score. Reflixability – Blue Moon.

Turner & Hooch

I remember how popular this film was when it came out – everyone LOVED this movie. It was a time in cinema when there was a huge animal boom – it seemed like every other film coming out had something to do with animals, mostly dogs and cats. I’ll say this about Turner & Hooch – its a decent movie and probably worth at least one view. However, I first saw it as a kid in the early 90s and haven’t come back to it since, so I don’t think there was anything substantially rewatchable about this film. I have never been a fan of rewatching animal-based movies because I just don’t see the point. Also, training is counter-evolutionary for me – I hate seeing animals doing something they have been trained to do, it seems unnatural, especially the stuff at the circus. In the end, I’m sure this is at least worth one watch, especially if there are kids in the room. Reflixability – Frisbee.

A League of Their Own

You know, on first thought, I was considering just tossing the whole idea of giving this a decent reflixability score. But after a little contemplation, I think i’m going to say that this film is probably worth watching a couple of times. Maybe its not the most incredible movie ever, but it does have some great memorable scenes and some really good performances which are worth watching over. I think one of the things that will draw you back is the sibling rivalry that develops between Geena Davis‘s Dottie Hinson and Lori Petty‘s Kit Keller. It is one of the few films in recent memory that actually has that kind of deep, symbolic relationship between siblings that is more than just a plot device – it is a more meaningful exploration into the lengths one sibling will go to protect her sister. Also, I think Hanks’ line is probably considered one of the funniest and most memorable lines when he yells, “There’s no crying in baseball!” Looking at his entire career, its amazing how a few soundbites represent so much about his quality. I think this film is definitely worth a second or third look, so pick it up again if its been a while. Reflixability – Blue Moon.

Sleepless in Seattle

I may be a guy but I have to say, this is a pretty good romantic film. It focuses on the idea of soul-mates and the story itself is a damn good one. Its simple and sweet and the chemistry between Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan is something to see. There are lots of fans of this film and I’m one of them. However, I don’t know if it is a film which you could watch ad infinitum. It is definitely worth a watch or two a year, but more than that and I think it will lose its magic, however I haven’t tried sitting through a few showings in a short period of time. There aren’t many particularly reflixable scenes, however there are some very good ones which are used to tell the story, like when Tom Hanks discusses his recently-passed wife on the radio and you see the same traits in Meg Ryan’s character. I think that if you are very much into romance’s and romantic comedies, then you’ll probably watch this over and over. Otherwise, its not worth a watch or two a year. Reflixability – Blue Moon.

Forrest Gump

This film was definitely the beginning of Tom’s rise to infinite reflixability status. This film is without a doubt infinitely relixable. I watch this at least three or four times a year, mainly because I stop on it whenever its on TV, which is quite often. There are so many reflixable scenes that its easy to get absorbed in it: when Forrest loses his leg braces running with the infamous line “Run, Forrest, Run”; when he becomes a football player and makes the All-American team and meets JFK; when he fights in Vietnam and meets Bubba and Lt. Dan; his rise to prominence as a pro-Ping Pong player; the hurricane with Lt. Dan; the run across America sequence. These are all fantastic scenes which are totally reflixable. I think the structure of the film helps in this sense - separated into different parts in his life by his tales at the bust stop. It makes it easy to remember certain parts of each sequence. Hanks is incredible in the film and he is definitely worth watching over and over. He has spawned tons of jokes from his performance, but it truly is amazing. Reflixability – Infinite.

Apollo 13

Here is yet another infinitely reflixable film from Hanks. Apollo 13 is probably one of the greatest movies ever made. I know that sounds ridiculous at first, but if you think about it, the movie is flawless. The acting is truly incredible in this film – Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise, and Ed Harris are all mind-blowing. Its just amazing how they all work together, none of them outshining the group, just giving and taking enough to create a truly awe-inspiring ensemble effort. Another thing that is fantastic is the special effects in this film and they also make the film infinitely reflixable. For example, have you ever thought about how they made them weightless? It must have made filming just crazy to get everything right, but it all works extremely well together and you cannot tell the difference between Earth and space. Also, Hanks utters yet another famous line, “Houston, we have a problem.” He is single-handedly responsible for some of the most memorable lines in film, its just amazing. There are also some incredible scenes, like the launch, the calculation sequence, and the scramble to make an air filter. Just incredible how it all came together and made this film one of the best of all time. Reflixability – Infinite.

That Thing You Do!

This is yet another reflixable film from Hanks. I have to say, this film is so rewatchable because of two main things – the cast and the music. The cast is just incredible here - Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Steve Zahn, Johnathon Schaech, Charlize Theron and Ethan Embry are all incredible and work really well together. They make The Wonders a real band and sell it perfectly. They are dynamic and deep and played with a lot of emotion. What is a true compliment to the cast of this film is that they sell themselves as the band so well, that you begin to root for them and never want to see the film end. The other thing that is just fantastic is the music. The title song is so catchy and infectious that there is no way you’ll finish this film and not start humming it. There are also some memorable scenes here, whether its the high school talent show, the first time on stage in Pittsburgh, or when Guy meets Del Paxton, played by Bill Cobbs. Its a truly memorable film and I think you’ll come back to it again and again. Reflixability – Boomerang.

Saving Private Ryan 

I am currently writing this one up as part of The Ultimate Reflix Collection for this week, so I will pass on writing much about this here. If you want to read my full reflix review about this film, go here.

You’ve Got Mail 

Another fantastic romantic comedy by Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan! This one is better than Sleepless in Seattle in my opinion, by a long shot. There is much more chemistry between the pair and much more interaction compared to the first film. Although its based on a dated technology now (AOL), there is much to love about this film. There are some great performances by the two leads and another good one from Dave Chappelle, who plays Hanks’ coworker and friend. There are also a few more memorable scenes in this one, such as the first meeting between NY152 and Shopgirl meet (their online alter egos) or when Joe Fox goes to Kathleen’s house when she is sick. These are some great scenes which are well worth rewatching. I also think that the film is well shot and that makes it all the easier to watch and enjoy. Overall, I would definitely watch this multiple times. Reflixability – Boomerang.

The Green Mile 

I regret not seeing this film more because it is truly one of the many masterpieces that come out of Stephen King’s mind. This film blew me out of the water when I first saw it and I have to say, its another one of the best films made in a long time. Hanks is incredible again as Paul Edgecomb, the prison guard in a jail where there is a menacing, but soft wrongly-convicted man by the name of John Coffey, played admirably by Michael Clarke Duncan. The other performances by David Morse, Doug Hutchison, and Sam Rockwell are also incredible and really make this film the true jewel that it is. But the thing which really makes this film rewatchable is the story. I’m not usually one to watch a film which is so upsetting over and over, but I think this truly deserves to be watched again and again. The story is just incredible – it is deep, well thought out, and multi-layered. The characters are well constructed and fit in perfectly. And there are tons of reflixable scenes, although I will avoid mentioning them for fear that people haven’t seen the film. I am disappointed that I don’t own this film and I plan on purchasing it very soon. Reflixability – Infinite.

Cast Away

The thing about this film is that it is really well made and is very well acted, but it came at the wrong time for me, just on the heels of the Survivor debut. However, its a decent movie which is worth rewatching once or twice, but I wouldn’t put it up for much more than that. I think Hanks is fantastic and he plays the role of the guy on the edge of insanity really well, but I just don’t think there is enough in the film for me to be drawn back to it again and again. There aren’t really many scenes which you would say “oh remember in Cast Away when…”. At the most, you’d probably remember Wilson, his volleyball imaginary friend. Outside of that, its probably not something you would come back to, especially over his other films. Reflixability – Blue Moon.

Road to Perdition

Road to Perdition is a great film and Hanks is absolutely incredible in it. But to be quite honest with you, outside of a few fuzzy scenes, I don’t remember much about this film, I just remember my initial reaction when I saw it the first time. I am going to rewatch it, but I’m pretty sure this one is at least worth a decent review. Reflixability – Blue Moon.

Catch Me If You Can

This is yet another of Hanks’ infinitely reflixable films. He is just superb in this film, with an Oscar-worthy performance by Leonardo DiCaprio. The two balance each other perfectly in the film and I cannot wait for their next film together. The story is also fantastic and its hard to believe that it is based on a true story! But this film also has a number of memorable scenes, such as DiCaprio’s time as a pilot, a doctor or his capture in France. I especially like his interaction with Christopher Walken. Walken also has another great line here which I use a lot – “Two little mice fell in a bucket of cream. The first mouse quickly gave up and drowned. The second mouse, wouldn’t quit. He struggled so hard that eventually he churned that cream into butter and crawled out. Gentlemen, as of this moment, I am that second mouse.” Such a classic parable that will live on in movie history. This film is absolutely worth rewatching and I encourage you to purchase this film. Reflixability – Infinite.

The Terminal 

And the hits just keep on coming! Hanks adds another film to his reflixability score, with a fantastic individual performance in the quirky film The Terminal. He plays the role of Viktor Navorski excellently, with a lot of humor, talent and compassion that makes his character magnetic. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Stanley Tucci are also fantastic as the main love interest and the Immigration Officer. They support Hanks perfectly and everything works really well together. I also think this is a fantastic tale focusing on a single man, much like Cast Away, but with a lot more human interaction which provides a number of really funny and rewatchable. This is a truly heart-warming tale which I think you’ll really enjoy, especially on multiple views. Reflixability – Boomerang.

Charlie Wilson’s War 

Honestly, Hanks is at his charming best in this film as the suave, debonair Charlie Wilson, a US senator who wants to kick the Russians out of Afghanistan by aiding the Afghani resistance. He, Amy Adams, Julia Roberts, and Philip Seymour Hoffman are absolutely astounding in this film. Hoffman in particular is fantastic, especially his tirade about taking over as the station chief in Finland – “ I’ve been with the company for twenty-four years. I was posted in Greece for fifteen. I’ve advised and armed the Hellenic Army. I’ve neutralized champions of communism. I’ve spent the past three years… learning *Finnish!* Which would come in handy here in Virginia, and I’m never ever sick at sea. So I wanna know why… I’m not gonna be your Helsinki station chief.” Its a classic scene which if you haven’t seen, you are definitely missing out on. There are many other memorable scenes here, such as the first meeting between Hanks and Roberts, Hanks’ office scenes or anything where Hoffman is directing the war effort. I truly think that if you haven’t seen this film, you need to pick it up. Its well worth rewatching and I think you’ll enjoy it immensely. Reflixability – Boomerang.

You’ll notice that I left out a few of his films, like Philadelphia and The Da Vinci Code. I am currently rewatching these films so I can make a better profile review, and they should be up in a few days. However, I feel comfortable enough to say that for the most part, Hanks’ filmography is of the highest quality and I cannot think of another living actor which has acted in such superb films as himself. I really think that he is one of the guys who I can bank on when it comes to quality films. I think when looking at the overall profile of an established actor, you have to consider that his early films will not be stellar, but there should be definite improvement to a high quality. I think Hanks is one of those actors – he consistently produces fantastic films, with only the rare dud every few years. Because of that, I have given him a great reflixability score and look forward to all of his future films. Overall Reflixability – Infinite.

What do you think? Is Hanks that bankable? Any films I left out you’d like to review yourself?

Bedtime Stories

Recap – A man uses the unique gift of his niece and nephew to get the stuff he always wanted in life.

Review – 7/10

Reflix – Bedtime Stories is a great film which I think you’ll really enjoy, especially if you’re a kid at heart. It plays off the fantasy that these kids can make imagination come to life. Its a very Night at the Museum-ish film and I think that is part of what makes this film so attractive. These type of kids films where there is actually some substance to them with a high production value, remind me of my childhood and the extraordinary lengths that filmmakers would go to in order to produce a good children’s film. Nowadays, directors just throw a bunch of computer animated animals at the kids and they make half a billion dollars. But this film, even if it didn’t do that much box office, is well worth your time to watch at least once and probably many times after that. This film is definitely an Adam Sandler film, albeit with a lot less cursing – it has all his usual players, his trademark goofy voice and some highly implausible stunts, all of which make for the perfect gags. The story is good enough to watch over, I think you’ll really like the stories he tells to the kids, and there is even a good performance from Guy Pearce! Keri Russell is good too! lI think you’d be remiss not to watch this film at least once and I can even see myself coming back to this film if I feel in the right mood. Reflixability – Blue Moon.

Doubt 

Recap – A priest is accused of molesting a boy in a Catholic school in New York by a self-righteous nun.

Review – 8/10

Reflix – While this film is an excellent one if you want to see some amazing acting performances by Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Viola Davis, I wouldn’t watch this film more than once. From a film perspective, this is almost perfect – not only is the acting good, but the direction is fantastic as is the cinematography and the score (or lack thereof, which makes it all the more intense). I don’t know that there was a better acted film this year, no matter how much love I have for Slumdog Millionaire. But I will say that I don’t think I’ll ever watch it again. It is a good story, leaving the audience in a lot of doubt (I don’t think he did it) but I don’t think there is anything drawing you back. Once you’ve seen it once, you’re done with it, unless you’re studying it for acting or film class. Reflixability – Frisbee.

Yes Man

Recap – A man who never does anything begins to agree to everything.

Review – 7/10

Reflix – This film is Jim Carrey‘s return to form and it is well deserved. I have to say that I was seriously impressed with this film. Its hilarious, has some great gags, and is a film that I think you’ll be watching more than once. He comes back with style after a dismal Fun with Dick and Jane - Carrey pulls off some great jokes and returns to his physical comedy roots. I think you’ll also get nostalgic when you watch this film – you’ll definitely see the influence of Liar Liar and even The Mask. One of the things I really enjoy about this is how every scene is used really well to pull off one joke or another in the film and they aren’t merely there for show. For example, there are a number of scenes in a montage sequences which you think are just random jokes but end up coming together with a mix-up with airport security or to save a man’s life. It’s a well thought out film and I think you’ll come back to it just to see how everything fits perfectly. I also think there is one of the strongest performances by a supporting actor in any of Jim Carrey’s comedies by Rhys Darby. If you don’t know him, he’s the band manager in the Flight of the Conchords show on HBO and he is as hilarious here as he is in the show. I think he brings a completely new dimension to the film and you will be on the floor laughing with some of the stuff he says. I also love Zooey Deschanel. She is one of my favourite actresses right now because she takes the roles that other people are scared of – Jovie in Elf, Trillian in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and DG in “Tin Man”, a fantastic remake of The Wizard of Oz. Plus she’s gorgeous, so it makes it all the easier to watch. I think you’ll come back to this film quite a bit, perhaps not quite as often as something like The 40 Year Old Virgin or Step Brothers, but often enough that I think it deserves a good reflix score. Reflixability – Boomerang.

First of all, nostalgia aside, this film is just fun. If you accept the fact that this film is a kids movie, mainly for 9-12 year old boys, then I know you’ll have a blast. The idea of combining mutant turtles, martial arts and some great comedy is something that is seriously lacking nowadays. This film has 4 guys dressed up as turtles, pulling wild kicks and flips and making jokes the whole way through. For example, during the opening fight with a gang in an underground mall, Michaelangelo uses a yo-yo and pulls a move which he calls “Around-the-World”: he swings the yo-yo around his head in a circle and knocks four criminals out. Its a classic kid-joke which is still hilarious to this day. Even the jokes about pizza, the random 80s slang (bodacious!) and the awesome underground lair all give this film an obvious attraction to young boys which makes it all the more fun to watch. Its not serious in anyway, its just a movie to pass 90 minutes and have a bit of fun and for that reason alone, its worth your time. Case in point – Vanilla Ice stars in one sequence where, amazingly, he makes up a rap on the spot as the Turtles are beating up their main enemies, Tokka and Rahzar. Sure, there are better films which have more to say in the course of 1.5-2 hours, but the point of this film is that its mindless – you don’t need to think you just need to watch and for a weekend reflix, that’s the perfect selection.

I also think this film is rewatchable because it feels a lot more authentic than a lot of the kids movies that have come out recently. I feel like there is so much emphasis on computer graphics nowadays that every film seems to be seriously lacking the same sort of genuineness that these older films have. It seems like the excuse to use computers is that you can have much more freedom when it comes to producing the film but I think it also makes the filmmaker much lazier. I really think one of the things about this film is that there aren’t any errors by actors looking in the wrong direction or trying to grab something that is put in later on, or any of the other problems that come with CGI. It the sort of thing which is believable because they are actually created. I think that is one of the major pluses for the upcoming Where The Wild Things Are – Spike Jonze actually made the wild things, so the boy can truly interact with them. I think so many family films rely so much on computer graphics that eventually, the whole animatronic/muppet industry will disappear and that is a saddening thought. At least there are still these great films to keep the legacy going.

I don’t think I need to say a whole lot more as to why this is so reflixable. Its the kind of film which will completely relax you this weekend, you’ll enjoy watching the turtles fight again, and you’ll feel nostalgic all the same. I wouldn’t even be surprised if some of you started digging the Nintendo out of the closet. I encourage you to grab this film from the rental place (or perhaps off your shelf on VHS) and enjoy the ride – its well worth your time this weekend to have a little fun and remember the good ol’ days. Cowabunga!

What do you think? Was this one of your favourite films as a kid? Will you be rewatching it this weekend?

The Italian Job

Recap – A team of thieves seeks revenge and the return of money from a former teammate who robbed them all.

Review – 8/10

Reflix – I had seen this film a few years ago and wasn’t sure how it would hold up upon multiple viewings, so I decided to give it another chance last week. Surprisingly, it was pretty decent the second time around. This was back in the day when Charlize Theron was just another blonde hottie and wasn’t trying to prove herself as an actress and Mark Wahlberg was content to rely on his charm in every film and both of the main protagonists are pretty good in the film. I feel like the two major heists in the film, especially the Mini chase at the end are well worth watching over, but I think you’d probably get bored after watching it two or three times. The cast works really well together – I would say they work better together than the Ocean’s Eleven crew (save maybe the interactions between George Clooney, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt). One of the best jokes running through the film is about Seth Green‘s character who claims to be the one who invented Napster. Its really well thought out and even has the help of the real creator, Shawn Fanning. One the main problems is that there isn’t much depth to the film at all, which is a disadvantage when it comes to rewatchability. However, it does have Jason Statham - and if you’ve read any of my other entries, you’d know how much I love this guy. Both Wahlberg and Theron have much better films which are worth rewatching, but if you haven’t seen this flick, check it out at least once – its a good Friday night flick just for fun. Reflixability – Blue Moon.

Sunshine

Recap – A team of scientists and astronauts attempts to restart the dying sun and save Earth.

Review – 8/10

Reflix – I had heard pretty bad things about this film before I watched it, but since Slumdog Millionaire‘s Danny Boyle was directing, I thought I would give it a shot – and I am seriously glad that I did. This film is up there with 2001 as a well-paced, sci-fi, psychological thriller. This is one of those films where you have to watch it multiple times just to catch all the stuff that is said and how important it is because it adds to the plot each time. The acting is fantastic, which was surprising because I didn’t know many of the actors before I watched it, save Cillian Murphy. I think you’ll especially enjoy rewatching Cliff Curtis, Chris Evans, and Hiroyuki Sanada. They are all excellent and have moments of brilliance in this film. One of the other things bringing you back to this one is going to be the sci-fi aspects of the film. Everything is well thought out, well designed and amazingly and convincingly well rendered. I really think you’ll start to realize how a great sci-fi film is made – with a lot of thought put into the environment and the world that is created. The story is also excellent – they put a lot of thought into how they could create this really poignant, detailed and complete story. Its not a romantic film, its solely based in reality (as much as sci-fi can be) and doesn’t mince words or themes – its really quite the feat in this day and age, when sci-fi has been relegated to ridiculous concepts. In the end, I think you’ll end up watching this film over a few times, especially if you’ve enjoyed 2001 and other similar sci-fi films. Reflixability – Boomerang.

Religulous

Recap – Bill Maher makes fun of religion – all of  them.

Review – 6/10

Reflix – This is one of those films where if you know you’re what you’re getting into, its not a surprise. Otherwise, you’ll probably be taken aback at how irreverent Bill Maher is. I’ve never really been a fan of Bill Maher. I think his type of humor and his worldviews are just too radical for me to accept, but I do think that this type of film needed to be made. The only problem is, there is absolutely no reason to watch this again once you’ve seen it once. He makes his point and is pretty blunt about it – religion is harming the world and causing war when there should be peace. That’s about all you need to know. Its probably worth a watch, especially for his section on Islam which I thought he would get him an automatic fatwa. I would say that I was also surprised at the fact that he wasn’t as critical of Catholicism as I thought he would be – as an ex-Catholic he has always scoffed at and laughed at the Church. Otherwise, this film is probably worth your time for a once-over, but that’s about it. Nothing here to rewatch. Reflixability – Frisbee.

Donkey Punch

Recap – A group of British vacationers tries to cover up the murder of a girl as a result of a sex act.

Review – 4/10

Reflix – I watched this film out of curiosity – I had heard it was a good psychological thriller, but I didn’t understand the title at all. Well, once you watch this, I’m sure you’ll get the picture. This is one of the least rewatchable films I’ve seen – not because its perverse at all, but just because it makes almost no sense whatsoever. Each time someone gets murdered, the actual reason doesn’t make sense. From scene to scene, one person will completely change character – they’ll go from the “nice guy” to the killer back to the “nice guy” in a flash. There is no consistency of character at all. Even the girl you’re rooting for from the beginning ends up murdering someone of her own accord – how does this make sense at all? I think the writer of this film wasn’t keeping track of character development or story or any of those “technicalities” in film. I think he just wanted a slasher film where just about everyone died and everyone is a slasher, which really makes no sense. I would seriously discourage you from even watching this film – you’ll just feel dumber for watching it. Reflixability – Coaster.

Wanted

Recap – The son of an assassin is recruited into a clan of assassins to murder the one they cannot kill themselves.

Review – 8/10

Reflix – I am not gonna lie – when I saw the previews for this film, I thought it was going to be dross from the start. But this film shocked the hell out of me. I was incredibly happy with the result – this film is definitely one worth watching. I think one of things you have to do in order to be able to accept this film is to realize its a superhero film without the tights. Its about these human beings who have unique abilities and use them to serve fate. Once you’ve grasped that concept, I think you will enjoy this film immensely. Its got some fantastic action sequences, from a fantastic chase sequence to a great battle on a moving (and falling) train. For me, there are two highlight sequences in this film. The first is the training montage of James McAvoy - I think it is well done, has a lot of content, shows a great development of character and is a lot of fun to watch. I think you’ll especially like his meetings with The Repairman – a classic duel if I ever saw one. The second memorable and absolutely rewatchable sequence is the final attack on the castle. James McAvoy seriously kicks ass in this fight scene. His run through the weaver’s area is probably one of the best action sequences in a long time. I just couldn’t believe how well choreographed it was and how much is in it – it must have taken weeks to shoot. This film literally has it all and I was surprised to see such a quality action superhero film. Definitely worth rewatching. Reflixability – Boomerang.

Where to start with this one? Well, how about the plot. Since the plot is what drives this film, I would be remiss to dismiss the ingenius qualities of this plot. As an prison break film, I can’t think of any that match this, save Michael Scofield and his first season break from Fox River, but that’s TV – that would never happen! This, however, did happen. 200 prisoners escaped from the Stalag Luft III in 1943 using the exact methods depicted in this film – three tunnels named Tom, Dick and Harry. The beauty of the plot is that it is so simple – escape from the POW camp. That’s it. Nothing too complicated, nothing that makes it unbelievable or implausible. Its a simple plot that allows a number of different sequences that all contribute to the end result – and this is the best part. You have an initial escape for scouting purposes, a tunnel collapse, forging money and documents, etc. all of which are smaller parts of the greater escape. As you see each piece slowly come together, it gets more and more exciting. And the thing about it is, you can watch it over and over because there are clear good guys and bad guys. There aren’t any sudden twists where one of the POWs is actually a German guard or the Kommandant is actually an Allied officer or anything. The fact that the plot is simple and the sides are well delineated makes an easy viewing experience that allows for the audience to get behind the POWs and hate the German Nazis. And its this experience, of developing a bond with the characters because you support them, that makes this film reflixable. You can’t help but want to re-experience it as soon as you’ve finished watching the film – you love being on the winning side, even if they don’t truly win.

One of the things making it easy to get behind the Allies is the superb performances of each and every one of the cast members. My favourite of them all isn’t Big X, Richard Attenborough, or even Steve McQueen‘s Cooler King, but instead its James Garner‘s Scrounger. I love how resourceful he is, how suave he is when he swindles and steals different things, even though you know he probably won’t need butter from the Kommandant’s kitchen, but its amazing all the same. Especially when he interacts with one of the guards (who’s wallet he’s stolen) – he plays it cool and collected, as if he’s suprised something is wrong. Just classic! But don’t get me wrong, the rest of the cast are amazing. Steve McQueen is his awesome self – as the Cooler King, there is no better actor. He is truly cool in this film – gruff, strong, determined, and defiant. He is the ultimate POW. Charles Bronson is awesome as the claustrophobic Tunnel King – how a man conquers his fear to benefit the rest of his crew is truly admirable and by the end of the film you are secretly hoping that he and John Leyton, the Tunneler, escape and survive the most. Every single performance is brilliant and convincing. But one of the other things that makes this rewatchable from a casting perspective is that each character has a well defined persona and role and that makes it easy for the audience to choose a single person to root for the most. Its like when you watch your favourite sports team – there is one player who you always wait for because they’re your favourite for one reason or another. Also, the roles of each character, like “Cooler King” or “The Scrounger”, are easily adopted by different viewers based on their own personalities. Maybe you’re someone who is very meticulous and precise so you root for Donald Pleasance’s Forger. Or maybe you like the idea of taking ordinary items and making them into something special, so you support the Manufacturer, played by James Coburn. Whatever it is, there are a lot of aspects of the cast – the stars themselves, their characters or their roles – which will have you reflixing this over and over.

Finally, there are some amazing scenes here which will stay vividly in your mind and have you rewatching them with the same gusto you did the first time around. Who can forget the montage of the various methods of disposing the dirt from the tunnels? Or disguising the racket of construction with Christmas carols? Or the numerous cave-ins? A favourite of mine is the sequence around the 4th of July, where you see the American POWs stealing all the potatoes in the camp and making moonshine to give to all their fellow captives. Its a great scene and shows how resilient the POWs really were. And then there is the escape itself! It is a fantastic series of evasions by the POWs as they try to spread out all across Europe to exfiltrate from the Nazi controlled borders. When you see the Cooler King riding his motorbike like the hero he is, you just watch in awe of Steve McQueen. There is truly no action star like him today. Just fantastic. I guarantee you’ll rewatch this scene, especially since he did almost every stunt himself – bad ass.

This film is absolutely deserving of being in your reflixable collection. I don’t know of another war film in which you get such enjoyment out of watching it. There are better war films, but this one is probably one of the most reflixable out of the dozens of them out there. Every aspect of this film is worth rewatching and if you haven’t seen it at all yet, get ready – its a fantastic ride.