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Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 115, Superman (1978)

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!***

115. Superman (1978) Directed by Richard Donner

The Movie: On the distant planet of Krypton, Jor-El (Marlon Brando) a member of the Kryptonian High Council discovers that the planet will soon be destroyed. Jor-El is dismissed and ignored by the other Council Members. Jor-El takes action to save his child Kal-El by sending him to Earth. Jor-El is aware that Earth will enhance Kal-El’s abilities, giving him superhuman powers. Jor-El sends Kal-El away in the nick of time, Krypton is soon destroyed.

Kal-El’s spaceships lands in Smallville, Kansas. He is found by Jonathan and Martha Kent. They both are flabbergasted that this small child can lift their truck. The Kent’s adopt Kal-El and name him Clark.

Jonathan dies from a heart attack when Clark turns 18. Clark is drawn a green crystal in his spacecraft. Clark is summoned to the Artic, where he uses the crystal to construct the Fortress of Solitude. After he builds it a hologram of Jor-El appears. Jor-El spends the next 12 years teaching Clark about his powers and why he was sent to Earth. Clark (Christopher Reeve) leaves the fortress, but he is now wearing a blue suit with a red cape. He also has the House of El family crest placed on his chest.

Clark settles down in the sprawling city of Metropolis. Clark becomes a reporter for the Daily Planet at meets fellow reporter Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). When Lois commandeers a helicopter for a story, it soon is headed towards Earth. Lois and the pilots are saved however, by Clark, who unleashes his incredible powers for all to see. Soon sightings and heroic act from the “Caped Wonder” are all the citizens of Metropolis can talk about. At the Daily Planet, Perry White (Jackie Cooper) wants a story on him.

Lois scores the interview when Clark shows up at her apartment. Lois writes the article and dubs him, “Superman”. Superman has also caught the attention of Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), who intends to detonate a nuclear bomb in the San Andreas Fault causing the West Coast to break away and he can rule the new West Coast of the United States. Luthor is aware that Superman could foil his plans. Luthor deduces that a meteorite that crashed into Earth and is from Krypton would be radioactive to Superman. Luthor lures Superman into his underground lair. Superman arrives but is weakened by the kryptonite and is rendered incapacitated by Luthor. Luthor taunts Superman and tells him that he is also sending a second missile, this one to destroy the city of Hoboken, New Jersey. Luthor leaves and his henchwoman, Eve Teschmacher (Valerie Perrine) assists in freeing Superman, as long as he promises to stop the missile heading to New Jersey first as her mom lives there. Superman flies and intercepts the missile to New Jersey and carries it to space.

Superman, however is too late to stop the other missile that detonates in the San Andreas Fault Line. Superman thinks fast and helps lesson the impact of the explosion by sealing the fault line. But although he stopped the west coast from breaking away from the United States, Lois Lane is trapped in her car and dies. Superman upset that he could not save Lois, defies Jor-El’s wishes to not manipulate history. Superman instead follows the advice of his “dad” and decides he is on Earth for a reason. Superman flies around the Earth in an opposite direction causing time to reverse. He saves Lois’ life and stops the missile from detonating. Superman delivers Luthor and his henchman to prison and flies away, into the sunrise.

Why I Love Superman (1978): Superman is not my favorite Super-Hero. In fact, he is far from it. I have always said though that if you can tell a good Superman story, you are one hell of a writer. Superman by his very nature is unbeatable. But he is also one damn fine person and hero. By exposing this all-powerful man to his failures, and how he rises above them makes for a great story. Superman 1978 does just that.

With superb direction from Richard Donner, and an all-time fun script, Superman outclasses many comic book films. There is something that is undeniable about Superman standing for “truth, justice and the American way”. And although that might be an antiquated slogan, it beams brightly in the film.

At the heart of the film is Christopher Reeve’s star turning and incredible performance as Clark Kent/Superman. Reeve brought the perfect blend of golly shucks of Clark Kent and the powerful and lovable balance of Superman. Margot Kidder is also phenomenal as Lois Lane. She delivers a great response to Superman’s “Easy, miss. I got you.” “You, you got me? Who’s got you?”

And you cannot talk about Superman without talking about John Williams’ fantastic score and theme for Superman.

Without a doubt, Superman is one of the first great Hollywood comic book films. It soars on the cape of a charismatic lead, fantastic score and heart pounding action.

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 116, Scream (1996)

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!***

116. Scream (1996) Directed by Wes Craven

The Movie: Casey Becker (Drew Barrymore) is home alone. She is making popcorn and getting to watch a movie. Casey’s telephone rings. The person on the other side of the line is charming and at first Casey and the caller explain why the love scary movies. The man on the other line however, so turns their fun, flirty call into a sadistic game. Outside, Casey’s boyfriend, Steve (Kevin Patrick Walls) is tied to a chair with his mouth gagged. The man on the other line tells Casey that she must play a trivia game about scary movies or he will “cut Steve like a fish!” Casey terrified, agrees. She gets the first question right, but on her second question, “Who’s the killer in Friday the 13th?” She guesses “Jason.” She’s wrong and Steve is murdered. The killer sets his sights on Casey next. Dressed in a “Ghostface” costume, the killer chases Casey down and murders her as well.

When news of Casey and Steve’s murder gets out, the news media descends onto Woodsboro High. Student Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), her friend Tatum (Rose McGowan), Sidney’s boyfriend Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich), Tatum’s boyfriend Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard) there movie nerd friend Randy (Jamie Kennedy) all have theories on who the killer might be.

Part of the news media that arrived at Woodsboro is Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) who is familiar with Sidney. Gale reported on Sidney’s mom’s rape and murder. Gale believes that Sidney identified the wrong person, Cotton Weary (Liev Schreiber) which puts her at odds with Sidney and her friends. Gale sets her sights on the lovable and gullible Deputy Dewey Riley (David Arquette) who is also Tatum’s brother.

That night Sidney is home alone and her phone rings. We the viewer recognize the voice as the killer. It also so happens to be the one year anniversary of her mom’s death. The Killer attacks and is scared away when law enforcement arrives. Billy happens to arrive at the same moment and a cell phone drops out of his pocket. Billy is arrested and taken to the police station for questioning.

Sidney goes to Tatum’s home. While she is there Sidney receives a taunting message from the killer, informing her that Billy isn’t the killer and that she is not safe. Billy is released and tells Sidney that the police now think that Billy scared the killer off. Unbeknownst to Sidney, the police now focus on her father Neil (Lawrence Hecht), after they receive an update that the number that called Sidney was traced to her father’s cell phone.

School is released for the day due to the murder, but Principal Himbry (Henry Winkler) doesn’t make it home. Ghostface kills him. To celebrate school being cancelled, Stu throws a party at his house.

Gale decides to go to the party as she believes that Ghostface will strike there next. There she flirts and starts to fall for Deputy Dewey who is there to make sure the kids are safe. Tatum enters the garage to get beers and is attacked by Ghostface. She attempts to flee and is caught in the doggie door in the garage, Ghostface operates the door causing it to go up and crush Tatum in the process. The party winds down after everyone hears about the death of Principal Himbry.

Sidney makes amends with Billy and they have sex. Afterwards, Ghostface busts into the room, stabs and kills Billy. Sidney runs away and goes outside and to Gale’s news van. The only thing she finds is Gale’s cameraman Kenny (W. Earl Brown) dead. Gale gets into the van and crashes it. Dewey in an attempt to save Sidney is stabbed in the back. Sidney grabs Dewey’s gun and retreats inside.

Stu and Randy emerge and accuse each other of being the killer. Billy is not dead, he is wounded and falling down the stairs. Sidney helps him up and gives him the gun. Billy shoots Randy, and reveals himself to be the killer. But, he is not alone. Stu reveals a voice box and that he is Billy’s accomplice.

Sidney asks Billy and Stu why they are killing everyone, Billy responds that Sidney’s mother was having an affair with not only Cotton Weary, but Billy’s father, which led to his parents getting a divorce. Billy and Stu further explain they killed Sidney’s mother and framed Cotton Weary.

Gale soon arrives and helps Sidney. Sidney uses this opportunity to beat the killers at their own game and taunts them into making mistakes. Sidney knocks Billy out and kills Stu by dropping a TV on his head. Billy wakes up and attacks Sidney, but Gale shoots him dead. Randy who is wounded tells Sidney this is the part in the movie where the killer wakes up for one last scare. Billy wakes up and takes a shot to the head, killing him for good.

Why I Love Scream (1996): Horror movies are a blast, not in spite of their cliches but because of them. Scream doesn’t talk down to the audience, it lets them in on the joke. We all know you don’t say you’ll be right back, because that is a death wish.

Scream fully embraces that the audience knows what is going to happen and yet it still delivers on all its promises. It also plays with your emotions. Right away you think, “Of course it’s Billy”. But, writer Kevin Williamson not only delivers him as the killer, he makes us question Billy as a suspect throughout the film, even though we know it’s him, making Scream one hell of a ride.

Wes Craven was the perfect director to bring Scream to life. He actually took a really serious approach to this type of storytelling two years prior in the criminally underrated, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare.

The cast is a who’s who of young talent that all deliver stellar performances. Neve Campbell as Sidney is one of the greatest final girls in horror. My favorite, however is easily Courteney Cox. She’s tenacious, a bitch and always gets what she wants. If Cox wasn’t so great at playing her she would be another villain in the film. Cox however turns her into a woman you love and love to hate.

Of course, besides the murder mystery, the biggest selling point to Scream is its all time great opening. Not just in horror films, but in films period.

Grisly murders, a murder mystery, likable cast and impeccable direction make Scream an all time horror great.

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 117, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

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!***

117. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) Directed by Marc Webb

The Movie: In a flashback, Richard Parker (Campbell Scott) is desperate to leave his home. His wife, Mary (Embeth Davidtz) and his young son Peter (Max Charles) are rushed away after Richard finds his home office ransacked. Richard leaves Peter in the care of his Aunt May (Sally Field) and his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen). Richard and Mary can’t escape their fate as they die in a plane crash.

Flash forward to a graduating high schooler Peter/Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield), and he is late to said graduation. But he has a reason, he is stopping a heist of an OSCORP truck that is under attack from Aleksei Stysevich (Paul Giamatti). Spidey saves mild mannered and shy Max Dillion (Jamie Fox), who becomes enamored with Spider-Man. Spider-Man stops the theft, and swings into his graduation just in time to get his diploma.

Peter relationship with Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) is budding, despite Peter’s promise to Gwen’s dying father George (Denis Leary) not to see her anymore. Peter, is shock as he sees George everywhere and must deal with the guilt of him dying and Peter ignoring his wishes.

Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan) is called back home. His father, Norman (Chris Cooper) is dying from a rare genetic order. Norman informs Harry that it is genetic and he too will succumb to the disease. Norman dies, and Harry is now the CEO of OSCORP.

Dillion is celebrating his birthday, no cares and is assigned to help in the research department. Dillion attempts to fix the issue and falls into a vat of genetically engineered electric eels. Dillion dies…or does he. Dillion awakens in the morgue and finds that he is now living electricity, he is Electro.

Peter breaks up with Gwen, and she informs him that she might be moving to England for school. Peter is heartbroken and follows her around town. Later, Peter and Gwen go out for ice cream and Pete’s Spider-Sense alerts him of danger, leaving Gwen behind.

Electro has stumbled to Times Square and cannot control his power. Spider-Man arrives on scene and tries to help Dillion. Dillion rejects Spider-Man’s help and unleashes an attack on Spidey and the citizens of New York. Spidey is able to subdue Electro with water and the help of the NYFD. Electro is taken to Ravencroft and placed under the care of the doctors there.

Peter and Harry reconnect after years of estrangement. Harry confides in Peter that he is dying and he believes that Spider-Man’s blood can save him. Harry asks Peter to find Spider-Man and ask him for help. Spider-Man arrives at Harry’s apartment and refuses to help Harry. Spider-Man says it’s because the side effects could be catastrophic.

Harry soon finds himself in trouble at OSCORP as well. He’s been ousted by the Vice President, Donald Menken (Colm Feore) who “blames” Harry for Dillion’s accident. Harry is out as CEO and he visits Electro, asking for help. Electro agrees and Harry frees him from his prison. Electro gets Harry back into OSCORP and Harry forces Menken to inject him with the venom from the spiders that gave Spider-Man his powers. Harry soon learns that the venom accelerates his disease. Harry crawls to armor that is in the OSCORP vault and it stops the mutation, but not before Harry becomes a goblin-like creature, The Green Goblin is born.

Peter finds his fathers secret lab, where he learns the reason both his parents fled was because he discovered Norman was going to use their research for biogenetic weapons. Peter learns that Gwen has accepted the Oxford scholarship. Peter tells Gwen he loves her and decides to go to England with her. Before Gwen can go to the airport, Electro strikes by causing a city wide blackout.

Peter reluctantly takes Gwen with him to a power station to help him defeat Electro. Gwen and Peter do just that and all appears to end well. However, a cackling laugh can be heard. The Green Goblin arrives and deduces that Peter and Spider-Man are one and the same. Angered by the slight, the Goblin grabs Gwen and takes her to the top of a clock tower.

Spider-Man and Green Goblin fight. Spider-Man subdues the Goblin but he has one last pumpkin bomb up his sleeve. The explosion causes the Goblin to be knocked out and Gwen starts to fall. Peter launches a web to save her and it catches Gwen. But it’s too late. Gwen dies from the jolt of Spider-Man’s web, breaking her neck. Peter, overcome with grief, quits being Spider-Man. Spider-Man is no more.

Some time has passed and Peter is sitting in his room hears about Aleksei Sytsevich has returned, this time with an armored Rhino suit. When a brave kid in a Spider-Man suit steps out to stop The Rhino, he is stopped, by the real Spider-Man. Who takes on The Rhino.

Why I Love The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014): Anyone who knows me, knows I love Spider-Man. I have a soft spot for everything that is Spider-Man. My favorite story, and I am sure a lot of Spider-Man fans as well, is “The Night That Gwen Stacy Died!” And although, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is loosely-goosey with its adaptation, it still hits the right emotional beats.

The action is wonderfully realized. Especially the Times Square fight between Spidey and Electro. The colors absolutely pop off the screen. The slow-down and how Spider-Man uses his Spider-Sense is an highlight as well.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 also has a great score. A mixture between full superhero orchestral power, mixed with the electric stylings of Electro, it hits all the right beats.

Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone have undeniable chemistry and you root for them, and it breaks your heart when Peter fails to save her.

The biggest issue holding the film back is how hard it tries to build a universe when it doesn’t need to. That alone keeps it from swinging to the heights of Spidey’s other adventures. That doesn’t deter me from enjoying the film immensely and having a blast watching it.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 swings with powerful character beats, incredible action and a tear-jerking finale that packs an emotional punch.

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 118, Freddy vs. Jason (2003)

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!***

118. Freddy vs. Jason (2003) Directed by Ronnie Yu

The Movie: Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) is trapped. Jason Voorhees (Ken Kirzinger) is “dead”. Freddy is pissed because the town of Springwood has figured out how to beat him. They simply made their children forget about him. Freddy can no longer manifest his demonic revenge if people will not dream about him. Freddy scours the bowels of Hell and he finds a monster he can manipulate into helping him. Freddy devises a plan that resurrects Jason. Freddy tricks Jason into believing that his mother (Paula Shaw) is asking him to go to Elm Street and punish the teenagers there. Jason rises from his grave and marches towards Springwood.

Lori Campbell (Monica Keena) is at a party with her friends, Kia (Kelly Rowland) and Gibb (Katharine Isabelle). Lori has been depressed since her mother was murdered and the boy she loved, Will Rollins (Jason Ritter) is believed to have just skipped town. Kia and Gibb have invited over a boy for Lori to meet, Blake (David Kopp). Blake is the friend of Gibb’s douchey boyfriend Trey (Jesse Hutch).

Blake and Trey arrive, bring beer and are looking to score with Gibb and Lori. Outside the home, Jason is stalking the teenagers. The power goes out and Trey and Gibb retire upstairs. Lori is forced by Kia to give Blake a tour of her home. Upstairs, Gibb takes a shower and Trey lays on the bed, reaching for a beer. Jason appears, stabs Trey repeatedly in the torso and folds the bed in half, killing him. Gibb finds a dead Trey, Gibb and her friends run out the door and onto the street. It just so happens a new cop, Scott Stubbs (Lochlyn Munro) drives by to help.

Lori lives in a very famous house, 1428 Elm Street. The home of Nancy Thompson. As more police arrive, Nancy overhears the name Freddy. The sheriff tells his deputy not to speak that name and takes the friends to the police station for questioning.

Blake now at home is sitting on his porch. Blake sees a goat in the street and goes out to investigate. There he is confronted by Freddy. Freddy however is not strong enough to kill yet. Freddy realizes that Jason will have to kill more, scaring the teenagers of Springwood some more. Blake doesn’t escape fate however. He wakes up from his dream to find his dad has been decapitated and he is killed by Jason as well.

Will and his friend Mark Davis (Brendan Fletcher) are inmates at Westin Hills, a psychiatric hospital. They are given a drug everyday called Hypnocil, it suppress their dreams. Will sees that Lori’s house is on the news again and asks Mark to help him escape. They both are able to escape.

The next day at school, Lori and her friends decide to attend a rave that is taking place in a corn field outside of town. Lori tells her friends about the dream she had and describes Freddy to everyone. Lori is shocked to learn that Will has escaped and see him in the hallway. The police close in on Will and Mark and they run away.

At the rave Will meets up with Lori again. Kia who relentlessly teases a classmate Linderman (Chris Marquette) is taken aback when he dishes it back. Kia likes his confidence and they dance. Gibb passes by Freeburg (Kyle Labine) who is describing how her boyfriend Trey dies. Upset, Gibb wonders off and passes out in the middle of the corn field. There a raver starts to sexually assault her. Gibb however is now in a dream and follows her dead boyfriend Trey to a silo. The silo morphs into a boiler room and Gibb is stalked by Freddy. Freddy moves in for the kill, but he’s too late. Jason beat him to it. This pisses Freddy off.

Jason in the meantime takes out many partygoers in spectacular fashion and Lori and her friends escape. Outside Lori’s home her father confronts her and Will. Lori asks her dad if her mom truly died in a car accident. He balks which makes Lori run to her room and escape out the window. She meets Will and they head over to Mark’s house. They are too late. They watch in horror as Mark is killed by Freddy.

The friends figure out Freddy’s plan and devise one of their own. They will go to Westin Hills, get the Hypnocil and make Freddy powerless as they agree that Jason is the bigger threat right now. Deputy Stubbs arrives to help them and they head to Westin Hills. Jason is not far behind.

At Westin Hills, Freddy posses Freeburg and dumps the Hypnocil down a drain. As the friends attempt to escape Jason’s wrath, he kills Deputy Stubbs. Freeburg, still possessed by Freddy injects Jason with a tranquilizer, subduing him. Freeburg gets sliced in half for his trouble.

Lori learns that she can pull Freddy into the real world. She devises a plan to pull Freddy into the real world and have him fight Jason, at Camp Crystal Lake.

Jason is now dreaming. His mother chastises him for not being able to stop killing. Freddy reveals himself to Jason and the two slug it out in the Dreamworld. Freddy throws everything he can at Jason. Freddy is shocked to learn that Jason can’t die. Freddy goes deeper into Jason’s mind and discovers how he dies as a child. Freddy sensing an opportunity attempts to drown child Jason, killing the real Jason in the process.

Lori enters the Dreamworld and saves Jason from certain death. Jason wakes up and causes the van that Will was driving to crash. Freddy attacks Lori. Lori seems to have missed her wake up call and Freddy decides to take his time killing her. In the real world, Jason is attacking Will, Kia and Linderman. Linderman and Kia are thrown against a wall, with Linderman suffering a fatal stab. Will puts Lori’s hand into the fire, causing her to wake up and pull Freddy into the real world.

Freddy vs. Jason is now on! They fight to a bloody stalemate and Lori causes the dock they are on to explode. Launching Jason and Freddy into Crystal Lake. Lori and Will believe they won, but Freddy emerges with Jason’s machete looking to land a killer blow. Jason however, stabs Freddy with his severed arm, dropping him to his knees. Jason falls into Crystal Lake and sinks to the bottom. Lori picks up Jason’s machete and decapitates Freddy.

The next morning, Jason emerges from Crystal Lake holding Freddy’s head like a trophy. As Jason walks towards us, Freddy gives us a wink.

Why I Love Freddy vs. Jason (2003): I have love Friday the 13th and Jason ever since I was a little boy. My mom and Dad would let me rent the movies, and thought I was weird. I was. And I didn’t care. The movies are fun and Jason was and still is my favorite movie monster.

The idea of Freddy vs. Jason wasn’t a new one. At the end of Jason Goes To Hell, the end stinger of Freddy’s glove grabbing Jason’s mask gave that awful movie some meaning.

It would take 10 years and dozens of scripts before New Line Cinema found one they liked.

I couldn’t wait to see Freddy vs. Jason. In fact, I saw it 5 times in the theater and I loved it. Is the exposition dialogue a little much? Yes. But you need it to set up the fight at the end. And this is where director Ronny Yu doesn’t let the fans down. Between the fight in the DreamWorld and the real world, every blow lands and the fight is creative. The film is gory and fun and a horror popcorn film through and through.

I also love that Freddy vs. Jason embraces what came before. Trust me the film could’ve been a lot different and not in a good way. A lot of the rejected scripts were/are available online. And yes, I read everyone. Most are bizarre and do not honor the films that inspired them. Writers Mark Swift and Damian Shannon understood this and wrote a film for the fans.

My only gripe with the film is that Kane Hodder is not Jason in the film. He was a champion of getting this movie made and they did him dirty but not casting him as Jason. Yu mentioned in interviews that he wanted a different type of Jason, more slow moving. Kirzinger is fine, but I miss the intensity that Hodder brought to the role.

Freddy vs. Jason is the heavyweight bout that has fans cheering for their favorite movie villain, and although it appears that Jason and Freddy fought to a draw, the real winners are the fans.

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 119, Happy Gilmore (1996)

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!***

119. Happy Gilmore (1996) Directed by Dennis Dugan

The Movie: Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler) is a hockey player. Or at least he wants to be. He can’t skate, but he can shot the puck really hard and gets into fights. After Happy fails to make the hockey team again, he learns that his grandmother (Frances Bay) owes the IRS $270,000 in back taxes. Happy is told he has 90 days to repay the IRS or his grandmother will lose her home. Happy takes his grandmother to live at a retirement home with an evil orderly Hal (Ben Stiller).

One day while movers are at his grandmothers house they find a set of old golf clubs and start goofing around. Happy, irritated that they are distracting him from hockey tells them to knock it off. The movers agree, if Happy can hit a golf ball further than them.

Happy approaches the ball in an unorthodox manner. He stands behind the ball, rushes up and hits it. Happy learns that he can out drive almost everyone. After he earns money from the movers, Happy realizes that he can hustle money from people at the driving range. Happy’s power and unusual swing catch the eye of the golf course pro Chubbs Peterson (Carl Weathers). Chubbs tells Happy that he can enter the local tournament where the winner gets a spot on the pro tour. Chubbs explains to Happy that he could get a “gold jacket”. Chubbs said that Happy could be a player he couldn’t because an alligator took his hand when he playing a tournament. Happy refuses, but when Chubbs yells he could make a lot of money, Happy thinking of his grandma decides to enter the tournament.

At the tournament, Happy meets Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) the number one player in the world and Virginia Venit (Julie Bowen) the head of Tour Public Relations. Virginia is excited because of Happy’s appeal to the average person. Happy wins the tournament and joins The Pro Tour, where he finishes near the bottom but makes money in the process. Also, his unorthodox antics draw the ire of Shooter.

Happy soon learns that although he has an awesome drive, his putting sucks. Not only that but his antics soon annoy Shooter, who believes Happy is a disgrace to the game of golf demands that Happy be kicked off the tour. Virginia explains to the commissioner of the Tour Doug (Dennis Dugan) that since Happy has started on the Tour, revenue and sponsorship is up. Virginia says that she will work with Happy to control his anger and antics. With the help of Virginia, Happy not only improves his behavior, he also becomes a better golfer. Virginia and Happy soon become romantically involved after they listen to “Endless Love” in the dark.

Shooter devises a plan to get rid of Happy. He hires a heckler named Donald (Joe Flaherty). Donald starts teasing Happy at a Pro-Am, where Happy is teamed up with Bob Barker (Himself). After constant nagging from Donald, Bob Barker tells Happy he is a terrible golfer and the two start fighting. This leads to Happy getting suspended and losing most of the money he has earned for his grandmother’s home.

Distraught Happy goes to Subway, where Virginia has an idea to get the money for Happy. Happy becomes the spokesperson for Subway. After earning enough money to buy back his grandma’s house, Happy picks her up and the head to her home. There, Happy learns that he has a chance to buy the home, but through a public auction. Happy is outbid by Shooter and makes a deal with him, he will quit golf if he loses at The Tour Championship. But, if Happy wins he gets his grandmother’s house. Shooter is more than happy (wink) to oblige.

Happy sensing that he needs to learn to putt, seeks out Chubbs for help. Chubbs agrees to help Happy putt. They go to a miniature golf course where Happy learns to find his “Happy Place” and become a better putter. Back at Happy’s apartment, Chubbs gives Happy a custom putter, in the shape of a hockey stick. Happy has a gift for Chubbs too. Happy killed the alligator that took Chubbs’ hand. Scared when he sees the head of the alligator, Chubbs falls to his death.

At The Tour Championship, Happy proves to Shooter that not only can he out drive him, but he has also learned how to putt. After three days of The Tour Championship, Happy is leading the tournament. Desperate, Shooter hires Donald again to taunt Happy.

The next day at the tournament, Donald runs Happy over with a car. Shooter tells Happy there is no shame in quitting, but Happy decides to continue. The assault has left Happy with the inability to out drive Shooter and worse he starts to play poorly. Shooter soon takes the lead and Happy is about to give up. Virginia, however points out to Happy that his grandmother is in the crowd. Happy tells his grandma that he won’t win her house back. Grandma Gilmore tells Happy that she doesn’t care about the house only that Happy is “happy”.

Encouraged by his grandmother, Happy starts to play better. Shooter starts to fill the pressure and finds himself tied with Happy heading into the final hole. Their Shooter makes par. Happy can win the tournament with a birdie putt. A TV tower, damaged after Donald crashed into it, crashes onto the green. Happy is told that he must play the ball as it lies. Virginia tells Happy to putt around and force a playoff after he makes the par putt. Happy, looking at the debris, realizes that the tower is mangled in the same way as a mini golf hole he was at earlier with Chubbs. Happy decides to go for the win and sinks the putt. Winning the tournament and his grandmother’s home.

Why I Love Happy Gilmore (1996): The early to mid 90’s were my Saturday Night Live. The performers on there during that time were my favorite. With Adam Sandler and Chris Farley being my most beloved cast members. So I was naturally drawn to anything that they starred in.

In Happy Gilmore, Sandler’s trademark humor is on full display. It is a man that won’t grow up, who is angry and funny. It also is really weird at points. Not quite as weird as Billy Madison, but it’s close. I mean at the end of the movie when Happy looks up to the sky he sees not only Chubbs in the heavens but also the alligator and Abraham Lincoln. It makes no sense but I laugh every time.

Happy Gilmore is also bursting with one-liners, that yes, I still say today.

“Gold jacket, green jacket. Who gives a shit?”

“I eat pieces of shit like you for breakfast!” “You eat pieces of shit for breakfast?”

“How’s that nice girlfriend of yours?” “Oh, she got hit by a car. She’s dead.”

“The price is wrong bitch!”

I love when comedies fly by. Happy Gilmore never lets up the laughs or the fun, it delivers a hole-in-one comedy experience.

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 120, Mallrats (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!***

120. Mallrats (1995) Directed by Kevin Smith

The Movie: T.S. Quint (Jeremy London) excitedly drives to the home of his girlfriend Brandi (Claire Forlani). They are about to go on vacation to Universal Studios Florida. Brandi however, is in a pickle. She volunteered to be on her father’s (Michael Rooker) TV show Truth or Date. The reason, T.S. told the woman that was supposed to be on the show that the camera adds 10lbs. Brandi informs T.S. that after she did that she went to the local YMCA and during her 700th lap an embolism burst in her brain, killing her. T.S. and Brandi argue and break up.

Brodie (Jason Lee) is awaken by his girlfriend Rene (Shannen Doherty) and explains to him that he is going nowhere and that she hasn’t met his mom. Brodie is too occupied playing video game hockey to care. Rene dumps Brodie and leaves.

T.S. goes to Brodie’s home and explains that he too has been dumped. Brodie thinks Rene broke up with him because she was going down on him and he farted. Brodie thinks T.S.’s plan to propose to Brandi after the shark from Jaws pops out of the water is the most romantic thing ever. Brodie sensing that they need to get out of their combined depression suggests they go to the mall.

At the mall Brodie is ran into by Shannon (Ben Affleck) the manager of Fashionable Male. Who hates Brodie. T.S. finds this shocking, believing everyone at the mall loves Brodie.

Next the boys run into Willam (Ethan Suplee) who can’t see the goddamn sailboat in the MagicEye poster. Willam also informs T.S. and Brodie that Truth or Date is being filmed at the mall and they enlist Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) to destroy the set so the show cannot go on.

T.S. and Brodie next run into Tricia (Renee Humphrey) a 15 year old senior who is writing a book about the sex drive of men, called “Boregasm” She explains that she films all participants and rates them. Tricia tells Brodie she slept with Shannon and he told her that he hates him to his lack of shopping agenda.

Brodie learns from Tricia that Rene has begun seeing Shannon. Brodie sees Rene in a clothing store and confronts her. Rene tells Brodie that they are officially over and he leaves. Brodie asks T.S. to interfere with Shannon so he can talk to Rene. T.S. does this and Brodie sneaks Rene onto an elevator. They have sex and Brodie tells Rene that what he just did was passionate. Rene rebuffs him saying it was “too little, too late.”

Shannon finds Brodie, and attacks him in the hallways of the mall. He tells Brodie that he plans to have sex with his girlfriend “in a very uncomfortable place.” And it is not the back of a Volkswagen.

As Brodie is recovering he tells Jay and Silent Bob that the Easter Bunny is the one who attacked him, leading the boys to attack and kick the Easter Bunny’s ass.

Mr. Svenning has drugs planted on T.S. and Brodie which leads to them getting arrested and removed from the mall. T.S. and Brodie are saved however by Jay and Silent Bob who knock the no-nonsense head of security LaFours (Sven-Ole Thorsen).

The guys take refuge in the local flea market where they meet Ivannah (Priscilla Barnes) a three-nipple topless fortune teller, who gives them advice, which convinces T.S. that he must win Brandi back. The guys sneak back into the mall and instead of using Jay and Silent Bob to wreck the stage, T.S. has them get the other contestants stoned so they can’t go on.

As Brodie waits for the show to start, he is approached by Stan Lee (Stan Lee) who tells him story’s on romance and how he would trade all of his comic creations for one last chance at the love of his life. This convinces Brodie to win back Rene. We learn that Stan Lee was persuaded by T.S. to help convince Brodie of his true feelings, knowing Brodie would listen to Stan Lee.

T.S. and Brodie manage to sneak on the show and become two the contestants along with Gill Hicks (Brian O’Halloran). Their T.S. confronts Brandi and tells her that he has always loved her and proposes to her on the show. Brandi accepts, Mr. Svenning barfs, thanks to an earlier “stick palm”. The police arrive to take T.S. and Brodie into custody, when through the power of the Jedi Mind Trick, Silent Bob is able to play the sex tape between Tricia and Shannon. When Brodie tells the police that Tricia is only 15, they instead arrest Shannon.

As the credits play, T.S. and Brandi marry on the Jaws ride, Shannon is sent to prison, Brodie is the new host of The Tonight Show with Rene his bandleader, Tricia’s book is a bestseller and Jay and Silent Bob get an orangutan named Susanne.

Why I Love Mallrats (1995): Mallrats was the first Kevin Smith movie I ever saw. It was introduced to me by my good friend Joe at a cast party in High School. Soon, I became obsessed with Kevin Smith and his movies. Next was his breakthrough first film, Clerks, followed by Chasing Amy (more on Amy later in this article series).

I would go onto the ViewAskew website to learn all about the musings of Kevin Smith and what he was up to next. I still get excited to see a new Kevin Smith movie.

But back to Mallrats, it is one of the movies I quote the most.

“She’s fucking dead!” Is one of the best delivered lines in the whole film after T.S. learns that his innocent remark to Julie Dwyer has killed her and in a stroke of genius connects Clerks to Mallrats.

Being a comic book nerd the film is peppered with awesome references, funny anecdotes such as how Lois Lane and Superman can’t have sex without him “blowing his load like a shotgun right through her back.”

Mallrats has hands down the greatest Stan Lee cameo of all time. His interaction with Brodie is a scene stealer. (Followed closely by his appearance in Spider-Man 3, “you know, I guess one person really can make a difference. ‘Nuff said.”) Stan is as charismatic as ever and his monologue is so sweet and wonderful.

But perhaps the greatest gift Mallrats has given us is the talent that is Jason Lee. He is funny and brings great bravado to the role of Brodie.

I love Mallrats. It’s a film I watch at least once a year. And although I can quote it verbatim, it still makes me laugh.

Announcement, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 121, Sleepaway Camp (1983)

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!***

121. Sleepaway Camp (1983) Directed by Robert Hiltzik

The Movie: It’s a beautiful day at the lake, John (Dan Tursi) and his boyfriend Lenny (James Paradise) are taking John’s children, Angela and Peter out for a boating trip. When the boat capsizes, John and his children try to swim to shore. But they never make it. They swim right into the path of a speeding boat. The accident kills John and Peter, leaving Angela (Felissa Rose) to leave with her eccentric Aunt Martha (Desiree Gould).

Several years have passed and Angela and her foul mouthed cousin Ricky (Jonathan Tiersten) are sent to summer camp at Camp Arawak. There Angela is the victim of bullying, especially by fellow camper Judy (Karen Fields). Not to be outdone, the camp consolers also tease Angela, lead by Meg (Katherine Kamhi).

A lot is wrong at Camp Arawak, the head cook Artie (Owen Hughes) sets his sights on Angela. Artie attempts to sexually assault Angela and is attacked by an unknown assailant. The camp owner Mel (Mike Kellin) doesn’t seemed to worried and deems Artie’s scalding by boiling water an accident.

Angela continues to be the subject of bullying, this time it’s Kenny (John E. Dunn) and Mike (Thomas E. Van Dell). Ricky has had enough and along with his friend Paul (Christopher Collet) get into a fight with Kenny and Mike. Paul befriends Angela and asks her to a movie. Kenny doesn’t make to the movie as he drowned, also ruled an accident by Mel.

At the movie Paul puts the moves on Angela and kisses her. Angela is teased by Billy (Loris Diran), who meets his end by being stung to death by bees. Finally, Mel thinks that there might be a killer at the camp.

After being kissed by Paul again, Angela struggles with emotions from her childhood. She flashes back to seeing her father in bed with another man. This leads to Meg seducing Paul and them kissing, only to be found by Angela. Paul attempts to explain himself to Angela, but Meg and Judy intervene and throw Angela into the lake. To add insult to injury, Angela also has sand thrown at her by the children at the camp. When she tells Ricky, he vows revenge. Meg takes a shower and meets her end by the point of a knife.

Paul tries to explain himself to Angela at the camp dance and tells Angela to meet him by the water. Mel soon finds a mutilated Meg and four children literally hacked to pieces. The night of terror does not end there as Judy is murdered by a curling iron in the um lady parts…

Mel believes that Ricky is the killer. Mel tracks Ricky down and starts to wail on him. Mel takes an arrow to the throat for his effort, meaning Ricky is not the killer.

Police arrive at the camp at start searching for the missing campers. Paul and Angela are near the lake and Paul asks Angela to go for a swim. Ricky is found unconscious by police and fellow campers have found Angela.

Angela is naked, holding Paul’s decapitated head. We soon learn that Angela died in the boating accident, and Peter has been forced to grown up as a girl after Aunt Martha got custody of Peter. Since Martha already had a son, she raised Peter as Angela, the girl she always wanted.

Why I Love Sleepaway Camp (1983): The slasher phase had many knockoffs and cheapies made in the early to mid 80’s. To stand out, not only did the movie need a hook, but also the body count we as audience members craved.

Like a bolt of lightning Sleepaway Camp struck me when I first saw it. Another Blockbuster Video favorite, I immediately latched onto the weirdness of the whole picture. And the ending is without a doubt one of the most shocking you will see in film.

The tone of the film is hard to pin down at first. It almost plays as if John Waters were to make a slasher film. The over the top acting by some of the actors, especially Desiree Gould, Aunt Martha gave the film a surreal quality. But there is more to Sleepaway Camp. First and foremost, the two leads Felissa Rose and Jonathan Tiersten elevate the script into something special.

Rose’s shy and timid “Angela” makes her reveal at the end that more shocking. And Tiersten is an all-star and hilarious. His intensity he brings to Ricky is palpable, but what makes him a fan favorite is his line delivery, never over the top, always on point. Maybe his most memorable line from the film;

Billy: Eat shit and die, Ricky!

Ricky: Eat shit and live, Bill!

Sleepaway Camp lures you in with a promise of another summer camp slasher flick. And while it does deliver the goods, its unconventional approach to storytelling and a shocking ending make it an all time classic slasher.

Bonus! Tales from Behind the Scenes of The Reel Nerds Podcast:

I can say unequivocally too that Jonathan Tiersten is a great dude. If you allow me to reach back into my Reel Nerds memories for just a moment to tell you a story.

At Mile High Horror 2012, we were given a small booth in a corner with an opportunity to interview the celebrities there. Being really new to the scene, we The Nerds kinda just sat back and interviewed the film fans.

That changed when a funny, and sweet man approached our booth and asked us what we do. I told him and as I was talking to him, it hit me. This is cousin Ricky from Sleepaway Camp! Not only did Jonathan sit down for a long interview, he also introduced to other celebrities there. Like Jeffrey Reddick, writer and creator of Final Destination. Jonathan also became a real friend. No joke or name dropping going on here. He is a genuinely nice person. He made us legitimate at the Horror Show and gave me confidence to talk to other celebrities, Jonathan told me, “what’s the worst they can say, no?” He was right of course, and I learned that most will sit down with us.

Also, Jonathan agreed to be in our silly “Podshow”. Not only that but playing a version of himself where he is a killer. He invited us to his home. Let us film with him all day and made us ribs when we were done. That’s not the end either. When we debuted the short at a film festival, Jonathan agreed to make an appearance not only as the star of the short film, but as a judge as well. I am not sure how many of my listeners and readers are privy to how much Jonathan helped us in the beginning, but I am forever in his debt because he did.

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Film: Number 122, Mr. Lucky (1943)

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!***

122. Mr. Lucky (1943) Directed by H.C. Potter

The Movie: Joe Adams (Cary Grant) is a draft dodging, con man. Joe’s luck runs out when he and his partner, Zepp (Paul Stewart) both get the numbers called to join the fight. Joe does have one more ace up his sleeve. His lackey Joe Bascopoulos has died, and his status is 4F, meaning he is unfit for duty. Joe and Zepp decide to gamble for Bascopoulos’ identity so they do not have to enter the war. Zepp cheats, but Joe still wins and assumes Bascopoulos’ identity. Zepp meanwhile fails his physical examination and is denied enlistment.

Joe as an idea for a gambling ship, the problem is he has no money. Ever the con man, Joe meets Captain Veronica Steadman (Gladys Cooper) and talks her into bankrolling a “charity” casino, in which the profits will be used to outfit a relief ship. Captain Steadman agrees, but Joe is meet with some pushback from Lieutenant and wealthy socialite, Dorothy Bryant (Laraine Day).

Joe is a charming con man and eventually wins Dorothy over, by teaching her some Australian slang, and being a quick thinker.

On the day of the charity ball, Joe receives a letter from Greece. Joe, curious about its contents takes it to a Greek Orthodox priest to translate it for him. Joe learns that the letter is from Bascopoulos’ mother. Joe learns that she is in Axis-occupied Greece. Not only that but Bascopoulos brothers fought the Nazi’s to the death, so too did all the men in their village. Joe for the first time realizes that maybe being a con man isn’t the way to be.

At the ball, Joe’s plan to steal money from the rich is coming into focus. Joe uses cash boxes with fake bottoms to move the money. Joe soon is overcome with guilt and changes his mind, he tells “Crunk” (Alan Carney) that the money will in fact go to the war relief.

Zepp hears this and takes Joe at gunpoint. Dorothy believes Joe is in on the scam, Joe ever the quick thinker, knocks her out, thus protecting her. As Zepp begins to collect the money, Joe attacks him, and kills him, brutally. Joe is shot in scuffle and runs away. Leaving only a trail of blood.

Dorothy receives the money from Joe, through his friend Swede (Charles Bickford) at the dock. Dorothy learns that Joe has died, but when a policeman shows her his picture, she realizes that’s not the Joe she knows. Dorothy learns that there is a ship in the dock that Bascopoulos works on. She rushes there and finds Joe. She begs Joe to take her with him to Europe. Joe refuses, telling Dorothy that she deserves someone better. Joe leaves. Dorothy believes that on the return trip from Europe, Joe’s ship is torpedoed. Dorothy overcome with grief visits the pier every night, hoping for Joe’s return.

Joe does return, by a dinghy, but on the other end of the pier. As Joe excitedly exits the boat the guard tells him he can’t leave it tied where it’s at. Joe makes a deal with the watchman, he will flip a coin and whomever losses must move the boat. Joe is given heads and wins. Dorothy sees him and runs and embraces him. Swede looks at the coin, it’s heads on both sides.

Why I Love Mr. Lucky (1943): Up to this point in his career Cary Grant did not delve too much into darker characters, sure there was Johnnie Aysgarth in Suspicion, but that was a red herring. In Mr. Lucky, Grant uses what us as audience members expect from him against us.

Grant is funny, charming and handsome but that’s what makes Joe such a great con man. He lulls you into liking him and when you least suspect it, he uses that power and pulls the rug out from under your feet.

Joe is not a good guy. It takes the good in Laraine Day’s Dorothy and the sacrifice of men across the Atlantic for Joe to see the wrongs he has done, and Grant is a master at taking us along for the ride.

H.C. Potter keeps the film from being too predictable, with stylish fog peppering the opening and ending of the film, giving the movie a mysterious and dangerous feel.

Not lost in the gambling, double-crossing and brutal killing of a man at the hands of Grant, is still the most charming man to ever grace the big screen. His scenes with Day, teaching her slang are some of the most fun scenes in Grant’s career.

Mr. Lucky takes what we know about Cary Grant, what we love about Cary Grant and turns it on its side. It is one of the only films in Grant’s incredible career where you are not sure if you should be rooting for him, or against him. In the end, Grant’s charisma wins out and makes Mr. Lucky one of his most underrated films.

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 123, A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

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!***

123. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) Directed by Wes Craven

The Movie: Tina Gray (Amanda Wyss) is attacked in her dreams by a man (Robert Englund) that has blades on a glove. The attack happens in a darkened boiler room. Somehow, Tina’s nightgown has been slashed. How can this be if it happened in her dream?

Tina tells her friend Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp) and Nancy’s boyfriend Glen (Johnny Depp). Nancy and Glen tell Tina that they will stay at her house while her mother is out of town. Tina learns that Nancy is also having the same dream of the man, wearing a hat, disfigured and blades on his hand.

At the Tina’s house, her boyfriend Rod Lane (Jsu Garcia) decides to stay the night as well. That night Tina is attacked by the man again. She starts to thrash in her sleep, waking Rod up. Rod is terrified when Tina’s sleeping body is picked up and slashed, killing her in a violent and bloody attack. Rod flees and Nancy and Glen find her lifeless body.

Rod is arrested the next day by Don Thompson (John Thompson) a Lieutenant at the police department. Nancy meanwhile is at school, where she falls asleep, and once again is attacked by the disfigured man. Nancy sensing that she is asleep, burns herself, waking her up. Nancy notices the burn mark on her arm, understanding she can be hurt in the nightmares she has about the disfigured man.

Nancy visits Rod in jail. When Rod explains his nightmares and what happened to Tina, Nancy is convinced that the disfigured man is attacking all of them in their sleep. Nancy believes that the disfigured man is responsible for Tina’s death not Rod.

Nancy returns home, only to fall asleep in the bathtub. The ominous glove appears from the depths, attacking Nancy. Nancy escapes death but asks Glen to stay with her when she falls asleep and keep her safe. Glen agrees but he too falls asleep. In her nightmare, Nancy sees the disfigured man about to kill Rod in his jail cell. Interrupted, the man goes after Nancy. Nancy is woken by her alarm clock. Rod is not so lucky, he is killed by hanging, looking like a suicide.

Sensing that her daughter is in trouble, Nancy’s mother Marge (Ronee Blakley) takes her to a sleep disorder clinic. There she has another nightmare, during a fight with the ma, she pulls off his fedora, wakes up and is shocked to learn that she pulled the fedora into the real world. Written in the fedora is the name “Fred Krueger”.

Marge confesses to Nancy that Krueger was a child murderer who escaped prosecution on a technicality and the parents of Springwood took matters into their own hands. They cornered Krueger and burned him alive. Nancy now knows that Krueger is after her and her friends by him as revenge.

Nancy attempts to warn Glen; however, his parents will not allow her to speak with him. That night, Glen falls asleep and is killed by Krueger.

Nancy realizes that the only way to kill Krueger is to bring him into her world. Nancy tells her father to break into her home and wake her up in twenty minutes. Nancy sets booby traps around her house and goes to sleep.

Nancy grabs Krueger and pulls him into the real world. Krueger chases Nancy and falls victim to her traps. Nancy lights Krueger on fire and locks him into the basement. The police rush into Nancy’s home, and go upstairs and find Krueger, on fire smothering Marge on her bed. They both disappear into the bed after the fire is put out. Krueger, is not finished as he rises from the bed and lunges at Nancy. Nancy realizes that fear gives Krueger his powers, she simply turns her back. Krueger vanishes, unable to inflict damage onto Nancy.

The next morning Nancy leaves her home, and goes to Glen’s car, all of her friends are now alive. But everything is not what it seems. The top of Glen’s convertible closes, revealing the colors of Krueger’s sweater. The car tears off down the street. Children are playing jump rope in the front yard singing Krueger’s nursery rhyme, “One, two, Freddy’s coming for you…” Marge who is also alive is pulled through the door window by Kreuger…

Why I Love A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984): The slasher craze was slowly winding down in 1984. After being the most popular subgenre of horror thanks to Friday the 13th and Halloween, it seemed that the formula was getting stale. And with no boogeymen as terrifying as Jason Voorhees or Michael Myers was unleashed to the movie going crowd, most were as undistinguishable as the lifeless bodies of Jason’s exploits.

In comes Wes Cravens sinister A Nightmare on Elm Street and an awesome new villain in Freddy Krueger. It is refreshing in revisiting this film how scary Krueger is. Robert Englund delivers an all-time performance that is menacing and full of glee for the macabre. Kreuger would slowly devolve into a court jester, spewing of “funny” one-liners and it would take Craven returning 10 years later and Wes Craven’s New Nightmare for Freddy to regain his past glory. And truth be told, I really only like a couple of the films in the series, but when they are working they are great entertainment.

Heather Langenkamp gives Nancy the smarts and the toughness we want from a “Final Girl”. Her determination to end Kreuger’s reign of terror makes her easy to root for. The special effects are first rate. Freddy’s makeup is bone-chillingly memorable. But perhaps the most memorable sequence is Glen’s death. Johnny Depp’s first movie is highlighted by a geyser of blood that emanates from his waterbed after Freddy pulls him into his nightmare.

A Nightmare on Elm Street succeeds by tapping into our fear of not being in control of our dreams. But further cements its legacy by giving birth to one of films greatest villains in Freddy Krueger.

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Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 125-Star Wars: Episode VII-The Force Awakens (2015)

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!***

125. Star Wars: Episode VII-The Force Awakens (2015) Directed by J.J. Abrams

The Movie: Years after the fall of the Empire a new threat has emerged in the Galaxy, The First Order. The First Order sends Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) to the planet of Jakku after it learns that the New Republic has learned the location of rogue Jedi Master Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).

On Jakku, Lor San Tekka (Max Van Sydow) gives the map of Skywalker’s location to Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) and to his droid BB-8. Poe attempts to flee but is pinned down by Stromtrooper fire. Poe tells BB-8 to get away and that he will find him.

Kylo Ren confronts Lor San Tekka, and kills him prompting Poe to fire his blaster at Ren. Ren stops the blaster and uses the force to discover that Poe has hidden the map somewhere. Kylo Ren takes Poe hostage and orders the Stormtroopers to kill all the villagers, which they do. One Trooper however is unable to follow the order, we learn of this Troopers name, FN-2187.

BB-8 is rescued by a scavenger named Rey (Daisy Ridley). Rey at first tries to sell BB-8, but soon realizes he is more valuable than thought. On the Star Destroyer, Kylo Ren learns of BB-8 and orders his troops to find it on Jakku.

Poe is rescued by FN-2187 and they make a daring escape from the Star Destroyer, with Poe commandeering a TIE Fighter. On board Poe asks FN-2187 for his name. Poe tells him he doesn’t like and names him “Finn”. Poe and Finn are unable to escape from the First Order and are shot down and crash on Jakku. Finn believes Poe died in the crash and takes his jacket. Finn makes his way to an outpost. There he meets Rey and BB-8, who recognizes Poe’s jacket. Finn pleads with Rey telling her that he is part of the Resistance and he can lead Rey and BB-8 to a Resistance outpost.

The First Order descends onto Jakku and starts to attack Finn and Rey. They run into a junkyard looking for a ship to escape. They spot one, the Millennium Falcon. Rey, Finn and BB-8 escape, but are soon pulled onto another ship. The ship just happens to be piloted by Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew and Joonas Suotamo). A confrontation between the old crew and the new crew is interrupted by a couple of gangs coming to collect on Han Solo. By working together, they escape and Han Solo reluctantly aggress to help them by taking them to see Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong’o).

On the Starkiller Base, a planet that is a weapon, General Hux (Domhall Gleeson) gets the approval from Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) to use the weapon, which can destroy a planet. Snoke is concerned about Kylo’s feelings for his father, Han Solo. Kylo reassures Snoke that his father means nothing to him.

Han learns that BB-8’s map is incomplete and informs Rey that Skywalker was attempting to rebuild the Jedi Order but when an apprentice turned to the Dark Side and killed the other apprentices, Skywalker went into exile.

Han brings them to the planet Takodana to meet Maz and offer Rey a job. Maybe. We soon learn that Rey has some Force power and it draws her to a vault. She finds a lightsaber belonging to Luke Skywalker. Rey is haunted by disturbing visons and runs away. Maz sensing that there is more to Rey, asks Finn to care for the lightsaber.

The First Order demonstrates the awesome power of the Starkiller Base by destroying the New Republic capital of Hosnian Prime and neighboring planets. The First Order then appears on Takodana to look for BB-8 and crush the Resistance. The Rebels are being overrun when they are recued by Resistance fighters, led by Poe Dameron. In looking for BB-8, Kylo Ren finds Rey, sensing that she has seen the map, Kylo takes her hostage, no longer needing BB-8. At the battlefield, Han Solo is reunited with General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher).

On board the Starkiller Base, Kylo learns that Rey is resisting his mind-reading and that she indeed has The Force within her. Kylo shocked, informs Snoke. Snoke tells Kylo to bring Rey to him. With Kylo gone, Rey uses the Jedi mind trick on a hapless Stormtrooper to free her and she escapes. On Takodana, the Resistance plans their attack with Finn telling them he can get inside the base and destroy it from within. Han and Chewbacca decide to take Finn on the mission and blow up the base with planted explosives.

Han, Chewbacca and Finn infiltrate the base. There Han learns that Finn does not really know how to destroy the Starkiller Base, he only wants to save Rey. They are reunited and Han finds Kylo inside the base. Han pleads with his son, calling him by his birth name, Ben. Han believes he can get through to Kylo Ren and Kylo tells him that he doesn’t know if he is strong enough to do what he must. Han places his hand on Kylo’s face, and Kylo stabs him figuratively and literally through the heart, killing his own father. Enraged Chewbacca shoots Kylo, plants his bombs and detonates them. The Resistance pilots are successful in destroying the bases thermal oscillator.

Outside, Kylo confronts Finn and Rey. Kylo knocks Rey back and engages in a lightsaber duel with Finn. Finn is soon overpowered by Kylo and loses his lightsaber. Kylo attempts to use the Force to retrieve the lightsaber. Kylo is overpowered by Rey, who gains possession of the lightsaber and beats Kylo. The planet starts to implode, Kylo is saved by Snoke and Rey and Finn are saved by Chewbacca.

Rey leaves Leia and the Resistance to find Skywalker, as R2-D2 had the missing part of the map. Rey finds Luke and presents him with his lightsaber.

 Why I Love Star Wars: Episode VII-The Force Awakens (2015): Although I loved Episode III, (see entry 147) the rest of the prequel trilogy, while fun wasn’t as good as I hoped. The Force Awakens is one of the best theater experiences I have ever had. Enjoying Star Wars is everything. Seeing Star Wars with an enthusiastic crowd is the best. I can’t tell you how cool it is to see Han Solo and hear everyone cheer.

The Force Awakens also introduces a tragic and terrifying new villain in Kylo Ren. His introduction is so badass. Who doesn’t love the way he stops a laser from a blaster using the Force?

Rey is my favorite new Star Wars character. She is brave, tough and smart. She doesn’t back down from fights and Daisy Ridley’s performance is restrained and powerful.

The film is an absolute stunner as well. Abrams uses the effect of lights to great effect. The blues and the reds the pepper the final lightsaber duel in the snow is breathtaking. The reds and blacks that permeate The First Order is menacing and sleek. The set designs, the alien designs are all amazing, being sucked back into the world of Star Wars was smooth.

By introducing new characters and recapturing the magic of the earlier Star Wars films, The Force Awakens delivers action, adventure, humor and heartbreak, giving fans what they longed for in a Galaxy Far Far Away.

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