Month: September 2023

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 98, Tommy Boy (1995)

One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.

As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.  

Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.

I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”

When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.

See you at the movies!

***Spoilers Ahead!!!***

98. Tommy Boy (1995) Directed by Peter Segal

The Movie: After spending seven years in college, Tommy Callahan (Chris Farley) is heading home to work at his father’s (Brain Dennehy) auto parts factory. Tommy doesn’t take like too seriously and he loves to party.

Tommy is picked up at the airport by an old childhood friend, Richard Hayden (David Spade) and is taken to Callahan Auto Parts. Along the way, Tommy notices that many of the factories in Sandusky are closing, and his father’s auto parts factory is one of the last standing and vital to the economy of the city.

Tommy reunites with his father and after spending the day at the factory, they head home, where Big Tom has a surprise for Tommy. Big Tom has a “10” fiancé, Beverly (Bo Derek) and the wedding is happening soon.

Tommy soon meets Beverly’s “son” Paul ( an uncredited Rob Lowe) and is excited to have a brother and takes him out for a night on the town.

At the wedding, Big Tom suffers a fatal heart attack. Leaving half his company to his son and the other half to his new wife.

Tommy learns that the revolutionary brake pads that his father spearheaded were no in trouble as he had stretched himself thin and the banks were unwilling to lend anymore money to Callahan Auto Parts. The board is also getting pressure to sale as the Automotive King, Ray Zalinsky (Dan Akroyd) has given a lucrative offer for the Callahan Auto Parts name.

Tommy realizing that the City and the factory will close if the brake pads to not sale, leverages his half of the company for the capital to get the brake pad division going and also head out on the road to sale the brake pads with RIchard. Tommy also has a budding relationship with Michelle (Julie Warner) who is in charge of shipping.

On the road, Tommy in a novice and doesn’t understand how to sale anything. Richard meanwhile, is too cold and mechanic, which makes their pairing disastrous. After striking out multiple times, Tommy and Richard have a fight which ends with Richard knocking Tommy out with a 2×4.

At a diner, they makeup and Tommy is able to convince the waitress to make him some chicken wings. Sensing confidence in Tommy, Richard is able to help Tommy find his groove and start selling brake pads.

Back is Sandusky, we learn that Paul and Beverly are married and were conspiring to take Big Tom for all his money. Him dying complicated their plans, and Paul starts trying to sabotage Tommy.

Tommy and Richard soon sell enough brake pads to keep Callahan Auto Parts open and start to celebrate. Paul infiltrates Michelle’s office and changes orders. By doing this, everyone starts cancelling their orders, leading to Tommy losing his shares and Beverly entering an agreement to sell Callahan Auto Parts to Zalinsky.

Tommy and RIchard soon learn from Michelle that Paul and Beverly are married. Tommy devises a plan to talk to Zalinsky and confront his stepmother.

Tommy stages a bank robbery and has a TV crew follow him to the board room. In the board room, with TV cameras rolling Zalinsky, buys a million brake pads, thinking that the company is his anyways and is just playing the savior on TV. Soon, Paul and Beverly’s plan is exposed and Tommy pulled one over Zalinsky and saved his father’s company.

Why I Love Tommy Boy (1995): A showcase for Chris Farley’s incredible talent, Tommy Boy is a high school favorite.

Where Tommy Boy succeeds is not only is it funny, but it really pulls on the heartstrings. Farley, displays his wide range of acting ability for breaking your heart at one moment and breaking your funny bone the next.

Every time I watch Tommy Boy it is bittersweet. In two short years, Farley’s addictions would spiral out of control, leading to his death by drug overdose. And while his death no doubt contributes to the iconic status of Tommy Boy, it also leaves a hole in your heart realizing that we never got to see Chris’ full potential as an actor.

But, with one liners to spare, Tommy Boy is a laugh a minute comedy. It gave birth to “Holy Schnikes!” And “Fat guy in a little coat!” But, like a lot of comedies, my favorite moments are the fleeting ones. When Paul runs out of the board room in a panic, my favorite line in Tommy Boy is yelled by Chris, “Hey! You forgot your wife!”.

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 99, United 93 (2006)

One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.

As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.  

Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.

I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”

When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.

See you at the movies!

***Spoilers Ahead!!!***

99. United 93 (2006) Directed by Paul Greengrass

The Movie: It’s the morning of September 11, 2001. In a Newark, New Jersey hotel, four members of the terrorist group al-Qaeda Ziad Jarrah (Khalid Abdulla) Saeed Al Ghamdi (Lewis Alsamari) Ahmed Al Haznawi (Omar Berdouni) and Ahmed Al Nami (Jamie Harding) are on their way to Newark International Airport. They are boarding United Airlines Flight 93 with a final destination of San Francisco. It will never make it to its destination.

On board the flight is Captain Jason Dahl (J.J. Johnson) and First Officer LeRoy Homer (Gary Commock). Mark Bingham (Cheyenne Jackson) barely makes the flight. The doors close and the flight is delayed as it sits on the tarmac.

Air traffic controllers, attempting to contact American Airlines Flight 11. The last they know is it is being diverted to New York City. Air Traffic Controllers, realize that the flight has been hijacked after they hear suspicious transmissions from the flight deck.

Ben Sliney (Himself) is on his first day as the Federal Aviation Administration’s National Operations Manager. Sliney learns that not only has American 11 been hijacked but ATC has also lost contact with United Flight 175. Sliney is shocked when American 11 crashes into the World Trade Center’s North Tower. Sliney learns that United 175 is also headed to New York City. As ATC looks on in terror as United 175 crashes into the World Trade Center’s South Tower. Sliney learns that American Airlines Flight 77 has also been hijacked and is headed for Washington D.C.

United 93 is starting its climb to cruising altitude and reaches it. The flight attendants start to serve breakfast when an ACARS message warns Captain Dahl that the World Trade Center has been attacked and beware of cockpit intrusions.

Haznawi decides that it is time to hijack United 93 and goes into the bathroom to make a “bomb”. Ghamdi grabs flight attendant Deborah Welsh (Polly Adams) and threatens her with a knife. Passenger Mark Rothenberg (Chip Zein) attempts to intervene and is stabbed by Haznawi and dies. Haznawi and Nami force all the passengers to the back of the plane and Ghamdi enters the flight deck and kills both pilots. The pilots however send out a mayday call before they are killed and Jarrah takes over controls of the flight. His target is the United States Capital building.

American Airlines Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon and Sliney orders all flights in the air in the United States or coming to the United States to be grounded.

On United 93, the passengers learn of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. They learn that the hijackers are lying and they have no intention in landing the plane. Passengers rally behind Bingham, Jeremy Glick (Peter Hermann) and Todd Beamer (David Alan Basche) and decide to take back the plane by force and attack the hijackers with make shift weapons and utensils from the fight crew.

The passengers storm the hijackers. Haznawi is killed by Bingham. The passengers learn that the bomb is a fake and are more determined than ever to take back the plane. Hearing the commotion outside, Jarrah attempts to stop the passengers by rocking the plane back and forth. Nami is the next to fall as his eyes are gouged out by Glick. The passengers start ramming the cockpit door with a serving cart. Jarrah realizing that he will not complete his mission pitches the plane into a steep dive as the passengers break the door down.

Although the plane never recovers from its dive, the men and women on board are heroes as United 93 crashes into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing everyone on board, but saving thousands of lives in the process.

Why I Love United 93 (2006): The events of 9/11 are some of the most tragic in history. Certainly in American History. The events that unfolded on that day will live with me for the rest of my life. And while the events are heartbreaking and tragic, I believe the men and women on United 93 perfectly encapsulates the American Spirit.

The United States will only be pushed around so long before we fight back, and that is exactly what happened on United 93. When the bad guys thought they had the United States on the ropes, brave men and women stood up and fought back. The story of United 93 is a tragic one, but also a story that needs to be told for the brave Americans who said “that’s enough.”

Paul Greengrass brings his signature documentary style to the film which makes it that much more powerful. The way he moves the camera and tells the story on board United 93 makes it feel like you are there.

The heartbreak we felt that day is perfectly captured in the performance of Ben Sliney, who plays himself in the film. Hats off to Sliney who is not an actor but is fantastic in the film giving it even more authenticity.

United 93 is a tough watch. But it is a film that everyone should see.

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