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Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 126, Penny Serenade (1941)

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!***

126. Penny Serenade (1941) Directed by George Stevens

The Movie: Julie Gardiner (Irene Dunne) reflects on her life as she listens to “Penny Serenade”.  Julie remembers the night she meet charming news reporter Roger Adams (Cary Grant). The two meet on a snow dusted New Year’s Eve and their whirlwind marriage. Julie and Roger continue their romance on his train to San Francisco.

Roger is sent to Tokyo and Julie soon joins him. Julie is pregnant and excited to spend the time with Roger. Tragedy strikes however as an earthquake rocks Tokyo. Julie loses her unborn child and her and Roger return to San Francisco.

Julie is informed by her friend Applejack (Edgar Buchanan) that her and Roger should adopt a child. Roger, meanwhile is struggling to keep his newspaper afloat, Julie focuses on a nursery for an impending arrival of a child.

Julie and Roger apply for a child, a two-year-old boy. The director of the adoption agency Miss Oliver (Beulah Bondi) and informs Roger and Julie that a five-week-old girl is available. Roger is not so sure as he wanted a boy, but when he sees the young girl he falls in love with her.

Roger and Julie are put on a one year probation for the child, where they must prove to be fit parents. During the year, Roger has lost his newspaper and does not have a stable income. Roger is told that the law will not allow him to keep his daughter. Roger makes an impassioned plea to the judge over seeing their adoption. Julie and Roger are granted custody of their daughter, Trina.

The years go by and the family continues to experience love and fulfillment. One Christmas, Julie and Roger are told that although Trina is too young to play an angel in a play, she is given the role of “echo” and they beam with pride.

Tragedy strikes the Adams’ again as in a letter to Miss Oliver, Julie informs her that Trina has died, and Roger is in the midst of a depression. Julie believes that she might be the reason and plans on leaving Roger. As Julie is about to leave, they receive another phone call from Miss Oliver. Miss Oliver informs that a two-year-old has become available. Julie and Roger decide to adopt the child and rebuild their family.

Why I Love Penny Serenade (1941): First and foremost, any film with both Cary Grant and Irene Dunne is guaranteed to be a winner (see my list, much later). Also. It is a legitimate tear jerker, which the stars deliver the goods. Grant’s plea with the judge is a highlight, in fact Grant would say this film is his best performance and he was nominated and robbed of an Academy Award. This was his first nomination.

Irene Dunne is so lovely in the film. She too loves the film as she said it reminds her of her adopted daughter.

George Stevens once again proves he is underappreciated director. He keeps the melodrama from being too wrought with clean cuts and smooth camera movements.

The use of music in the film is genius, and Dunne’s Julie reflecting on the music to high and low points of her life is pure joy and heartbreak.

Penny Serenade is a masterclass in great acting, beautifully told with charming leads and stellar direction.

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 127, The Lady Eve (1941)

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!***

127. The Lady Eve (1941) Directed by Preston Sturges

Sailing on an ocean liner is the beautiful con artist Jean Harrington (Barbara Stanwyk) and her two partners in crime. Her father “Colonel” Harrington (Charles Coburn) and his partner Gerald (Melville Cooper). They have their sights set on the gullible heir to a brewery, Charles Pike (Henry Fonda). Charles is returning from an expedition in the Amazon. Charles is the talk of the ship and all the women on board. Much to their chagrin, he is shy. Charles would much rather spend his time learning about snakes than the opposite sex.

Jean gets Charles’ attention by tripping him. It works as he is charmed by her. Charles’s friend and minder, Muggsy (William Demarest) isn’t buying what Jean is selling and warns Charles about her. Charles does not believe Muggsy and continues to court her.

Jean along with her father and Gerald plan on stealing money from Charles in a card game. Jean tells her father that she does not care for Charles and to continue with the con. But love is funny and Jean saves Charles from her father and the con. Muggsy finds out the truth, tells Charles, who dumps a broken-hearted Jean.

Jean, does not like being dumped and devises another con. She re-enters Charles’s life as the sophisticated Lady Eve Sidwich, the niece of Sir Alfred McGlennan Keith (Eric Blore), who just so happens to be a conman as well, and with Jean they decide to con the wealthy of Connecticut.

Jean as Lady Eve meets Charles. He is so certain that he knows her that he won’t stop tripping over himself and falling. Muggsy again does not buy what Lady Eve is selling and pleads with Charles that she and Jean are one in the same.

Charles falls for the con even more when Sir Alfred tells him not to worry, Lady Eve is the sister of Jean, hence the resemblance. Jean’s plan works and she continues to court Charles who soon marries her and they leave on a train to their Honeymoon. On the train, Charles is flabbergasted by Eve’s past and all her old boyfriends. Charles literally jumps off the train to escape her.

To finish the con, Jean is told by her guys to pursue a huge divorce settlement. Jean cannot, she still loves Charles and tells Charles’s father that if she wants no money only for Charles to say to her face that their marriage is over. But he refuses and books a trip on another ship. Jean learns of this from Charles’s father and arranges to be on the same ship. On board she trips Charles as before and when he sees Jean he is so happy he kisses her and they make their way to her cabin. Once inside Charles confesses that he is still married, Jean replies “So am I darling.”

Why I Love The Lady Eve (1941): A lot of times I will watch a movie for the star. And The Lady Eve is one of those times. My first exposure to Barbara Stanwyk is the ultimate femme fatale in Double Indemnity (more on that film much later). I fell in love with her style and her sinister demeanor. When I did a deep dive into her filmography and learned she starred in a screwball comedy written and directed by Preston Sturges, I knew it was a can’t miss.

The Lady Eve is a showcase of Stanwyk’s impeccable range. She is funny, heartbroken and tough. She is the main attraction here with several of her male co-stars bringing the goods as well. Henry Fonda is fun to see as a bumbling, no confidence to be had guy. Fonda to me will always be the badass Admiral Chester Nimitz in Midway, so it was quite a treat seeing him as just a dude.

Preston Sturges delivers the laughs with a razor-sharp script and a steady hand in directing. What I love about him is his ability to seamlessly weave between genres. Sturges showed his incredible chops not even a month earlier with the great Sullivan’s Travels. He is a force in early Hollywood comedy.

Barbara Stanwyk and Henry Fonda prove that powerhouse actors, when given some of the best dialogue in the history of movies will deliver, making The Lady Eve endlessly funny and endlessly rewatchable.  

Articles, Review, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 131, Night of the Creeps (1986)

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!***

131. Night of the Creeps (1986) Directed by Fred Dekker

The Movie: It’s 1959, and onboard a spaceship an alien is running down its corridors. A canister is placed in in a cannon and shot into space, which crashes into Earth. A college student and his date notice the canister crashing, believing it to be a shooting star he goes and investigates. His date is suddenly attacked and killed by an escaped mental patient with an axe. A slug launches from the canister and into the college student’s mouth.

Let us flash forward to 1986, we meet Chris Romero (Jason Lively( his friend J.C. (Steve Marshall) and the girl that Chris is in love with, Cynthia (Jill Whitlow). They meet her during pledge week at Corman University. Chris decides that he is going to impress Cynthia by joining the fraternity of her boyfriend, Beta Epsilon. In order to join the frat, the boys must steal a corpse, and plant it at a rival fraternity house.

Chris and J.C. go to the medical center and find a secret room. Inside Chris and J.C. see a corpse, and thaw it out. When the corpse tries to grab them the run like hell out of the room. The corpse now alive, attacks and kills a lab worker and walks out the door.

After the break in, Detective Ray Cameron (Tom Atkins) is assigned the case. The corpse makes its way to a sorority house, where its head splits open and slugs pour out. Detective Cameron is called to the sorority and finds the corpse with its head split open. Cameron believes it’s an axe that did the damage, from a case that has haunted him for 27 years.

Believing that Chris and J.C. are responsible for the corpse at the sorority house, they are questioned by police. The boys confess to breaking into the medical center but deny any knowledge of taking the corpse. There is a new zombie loose now, as the murdered medical student has risen from the dead and attacked a janitor.

The janitor is now one of the walking dead and attacks J.C. in a bathroom. Chris is confronted by Detective Cameron who tells him that the woman killed by the escaped lunatic was his ex-girlfriend. Cameron says that he hunted the man down, killed him and buried him underneath the sorority house. Cameron gets a call that an axe wielding maniac has killed the house mother. Cameron arrives on scene and sees to his horror that the man he killed is alive, but he is very much a zombie. Cameron blows its head off with a shotgun.

The next night as the all the girls at the sorority are getting ready for a dance, Chris learns that J.C. left him a message as he was dying. Telling him that the slugs’ weakness is heat and that he loves him. Chris gets Detective Cameron onboard and a flame thrower from the police department. They set out to stop the slugs.

The sorority house is soon under attack from a busload of zombies. Which are vanquished by our heroes. Chris and Cynthia notice that the slugs are retreating into the basement, where they find thousands of slugs in a pile. Cameron goes into the basement, pours gasoline on the slugs and blows them up with himself still in the house.

Why I Love Night of the Creeps (1986): I am a firm believer of judging movies by their covers. Night of the Creeps has one of the coolest box arts ever. I remember seeing it in all its glory at Blockbuster Video. With the tube lights flickering and the smell of microwave popcorn wafting in the air, the picture of a zombie prom date was irresistible to my friend Branden and I.

The movie itself is a blast. Gory and full of one liners it makes for a B-movie good time. Director Fred Dekker is an underrated genre writer and director. His love of 1950’s B-movies oozes from every frame. From the slugs being an alien experiment to the overall feel of the film. He is also a really well known script doctor

The cast is fun and Branden and I always point to the fraternity bro as the standard of all horror movie douche bag, only surpassed in my eyes by Trent in Friday the 13th (2009).

Night of the Creeps is a movie that feels like it was made for me. Zombies, one-liners, made in the 1980’s, 1980’s style fraternity douchebag and gore. Thrill Me!

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 133, Top Secret! (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!***

133. Top Secret! (1984) Directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker

American heartthrob rocker Nick Rivers (Val Kilmer) whose number one hit “Skeet Surfin’” has garnered him fame and a chance to perform at a cultural festival that is taking place in East Germany. But what he doesn’t know is that the East German Goverment is using the festival as a front in an attempt to untie Germany into one nation again!

When Nick arrives in East Germany after painting a beautiful painting on a moving train, he goes to dinner and meets Hillary Flammond (Lucy Gutteridge) who helps Nick at dinner because she knows a little German. But what Nick soon learns is that Hillary is part of the local resistance and she is hiding out there from the authorities. After he knocks the East Germans out with a rip-roaring cover of “Tutti Frutti”

After Nick meets Hillary again at the ballet, he saves her from the police and turns himself in. After torturing Nick to no avail Nick escapes and meets Hillary’s father, Dr. Paul Flammond (Michael Gough) who tells him he is developing a weapon that can destroy the NATO submarine fleet, he only agrees to help the East Germans so they don’t kill his daughter. Nick is captured again and taken to be executed, the East Germans think that this will cause an international problem and let’s Nick perform in front of a raucous East German, mostly female crowd.

At the end of his performance he is rescued by Hillary and he serenades her with “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”

The following morning the meet the rest of the French Resistance, with names like Deja Vu (Have we meet before?) and Hillary’s ex-lover Nigel. Who we soon learn is a traitor! Nick beats up Nigel in an underwater bar fight, saves the world, and he and Hillary leave to go to America!

Why I Love Top Secret! (1984): I have mentioned earlier that I love movies that have stupid dialogue and actors that say them seriously and believably. Top Secret! is another film that I rented countless times at Blockbuster, laughing every time I watched it.

Val Kilmer is great as the rock icon Nick Rivers. The jokes come fast and furious but some are right in your face (see above “The Anal Intruder”).

I mean who can’t love gems like this;

“Listen to me, Hillary. I’m not the first guy who fell in love with a woman that he met at a restaurant who turned out to be the daughter of a kidnapped scientist, only to lose her to her childhood lover who she last saw on a deserted island, who then turned out to fifteen years later to be the leader of the French Underground.”

“I know it all sounds like some bad movie.”

I laughed, I singed…I laughed again. Top Secret! is a joke a minute movie I don’t want to ever end.

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 134, The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course (2002)

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!***

134. The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course (2002) Directed by John Stainton

The Movie: The United States has a satellite that has blown up! The pieces scatter into space and head towards Earth. They all burn up in the atmosphere, except for one, that finds its way into the Australian Outback and into the belly of a crocodile.

The United States sends in two CIA agents Vaughan Archer (Kenneth Ransom) and Robert Wheeler (Lachy Holme) to retrieve it. Meanwhile, the crocodile has been given a cattle farmer Brozzie Drewitt (Magda Szubanski) a hard time and she intends to kill it.

The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin (Himself) and his wife Terri Irwin (Herself) are recruited by Sam Flynn (David Wenham) to relocate the crocodile before Brozzie can kill it.

Archer and Wheeler arrive in Australia and use a GPS tracking device to locate the piece of the satellite. Steve and Terri are able to capture the croc and plan on relocating it. They fly past the two agents in their boat, which they falsely believe that the Irwins have the satellite piece, not the croc. They contact the CIA and tell them they believe the Irwins plan on selling the piece of the satellite to make a multi-million dollar expansion to their zoo.

After the Irwins load the croc onto their truck, Archer and Wheeler follow them and chase them in their car. Steve believing that the agents are poachers, Steve climbs to the top of the truck and takes care of Wheeler by knocking him off the truck.

The croc is successfully relocated to a new river system, it is there that Steve discovers in its poop the satellite beacon, which he believes is nothing more than a toy the croc ate. Archer and Wheeler soon arrive and Steve still believing they are poachers leads them away from the spot the relocated the croc. Unbeknownst to Wheeler and Archer, the CIA sent another agent to Australia to help in retrieving of the beacon. Agent Jo Buckley joins the chase, in an ultralight, which she throws into Wheeler and Archer’s boat causing them to crash. Steve believes he is in a full blown “poacher war!” Steve uses a rope to lasso Buckley’s ultralight bringing her down and saving the crocs, woohoo!

Why I Love The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course: Twenty years ago, I would watch “The Crocodile Hunter” almost everyday on Animal Planet. I loved Steve Irwins passion for conservation, his knowledge of animals, and how he always seemed to save Terri. His personality was infectious and made his TV shows must watches for me.

When The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course was released I was there opening day and I had a great time. The idea of filming the parts with the Irwins as one of their documentaries was brilliant. The rest of the movie is silly but Steve’s enthusiasm and energy made for one heck of a good time. I loved the idea of making him oblivious to what was happening in the world around him, all he and Terri cared about was saving the crocs and other wildlife.

The music is fun, the film is light weight and it is a perfect family film. I miss Steve Irwin, but with his passion as a Wildlife Warrior, his message will never fade away.

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s Favorite 150 Films: Number 135, Evil Dead (2013)

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!***

135. Evil Dead (2013) Directed by Fede Alvarez

The Movie: At an isolated cabin in the woods, David (Shiloh Fernandez) and his friends Eric (Lou Taylor Pucci), Olivia (Jessica Lucas) and Natalie (Elizabeth Blackmore) bring his sister Mia (Jane Levy) there to help her kick her drug habit. David is not aware that Mia’s drug use has gotten out of control and she has even overdosed before. David also learns that Mia has made this pledge before, only to fall victim to her addiction time after time.

But something is amiss at the cabin. There appears to be a blood stain that goes straight into the fruit cellar. When the curious group of friends go into the cellar the discover a book, bound in plastic with barb wire wrapped around it.

Eric, decides to rip the barb wire off and read the book. Which tells him not to, but he doesn’t listen. He says words that should not be spoken, “Kunda, Astratta, Montosse, Canda.” By saying those words he unleashes unseen demons into this world.

Mia soon is tormented by an evil doppelgänger that only she can see. She begs David to take her home, David refuses. Mia steals his car and attempts to flee. When she sees the demon version of herself, she crashes the car. As she leaves the car, she is chased through the woods. Mia gets trapped by vines and one of them enters her and thus possessing her.

Mia is found and returns to the cabin. At the cabin David finds his dog beaten to death. Convinced that MIa did he barges in on her in the shower. David is horrified to see that Mia is scalding herself in the water with no reaction.

David then takes Mia from the cabin in the hopes of getting her to a hospital only to find the road is washed away. David and Mia return to the cabin.

That night Mia emerges from her bedroom, possessed, holding a shotgun. Mia screams, “You are all going to die!” Shoots David, and pukes bile all over Olivia. Eric overpowers Mia and throws her into the cellar, locking her in.

When Eric goes to check on Olivia later, he finds her sawing her face with a broken piece of mirror. Olivia turns her attention to Eric and stabs him repeatedly with a hypodermic needle. Eric kills Olivia with a toilet cover and screams. David goes to help Eric, leaving Natalie and Mia alone.

Mia is able to lure Natalie into the cellar, bites her hand and licks a box cutter, slicing her tongue in half. David returns and is able to rescue Natalie, but the damage is done.

Eric explains that according to the book, it needs five souls, when this happens “The Abomination” will be unleashed. Unbeknownst to Eric and David, Natalie’s arm is now possessed. Natalie grabs an electric carver, and cuts her arm off. But she is already possessed and attacks Eric and David with a nail gun. Natalie soon bleeds to death.

Learning that Mia must be purified by several means to escape the demons wrath, David decides that he will bury Mia alive and attempt to resurrect her after she dies. David heads into the cellar to get Mia only to be attacked by her. Eric intervenes and gets stabbed in the neck for his trouble.

David is able to sedate Mia and bury her. After she is dead, he digs her up and resuscitates her. David returns to the cabin to get the car keys and is stabbed by Eric’s reanimated corpse. Mia is locked out of the cabin, which David then shoots a gasoline can, killing himself and Eric (again) in the process.

Mia does not have time to catch her breath as blood starts to rain down from the sky, The Abomination rises from the Earth, in the form of Mia. The Abomination attacks Mia, but Mia gets off both its legs with a chainsaw. The Abomination then pushes over a Jeep onto Mia’s arm, pinning it. Mia summons all her strength with The Abomination closing in on her and rips her arm off, sticks it in the chainsaw and cuts The Abomination in half.

Why I Love Evil Dead (2013): My favorite horror series is The Evil Dead. Remakes, or in this case a reimagining of the first film was going to be a tough sell, but Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell and Rob Tappert, the brains behind the original trilogy were onboard so I knew it was in good hands.

Evil Dead is scary, intense and once it really gets going it can be overwhelming for the non-horror crowd. The film never lets up, never giving you a chance to catch your breath. You are stuck there, just like Mia and her friends, forced to watch in horror as they are assaulted, mutilated and killed.

But that also is what makes the movie so much fun. I was lucky enough to enjoy an early screening of this film at the University of Colorado with my friends and fellow horror lovers, Matt and Tommy. Tommy is no longer with us, and I always think of him when I watch this film, he had a heart of gold and I miss him dearly.

Hats off to Jane Levy who plays Mia. She brings vulnerability, intensity and total bad-assery to the role of Mia. She is the center point of the film and I can’t even imagine how difficult this film was to make for her.

If you are in the mood for the most intense (and fun) 92 minutes you will ever experience watching a movie, pop in Evil Dead, it’s groovy.

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Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 136, Roman Holiday (1953)

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!***

136. Roman Holiday (1953) Directed by William Wyler

The Movie: Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn) is on a tour of European cities. She grows tired of the duties that she must attend to as a princess and longs to just have fun.

Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck) is an American journalist who is reporting for “American News Services” in Rome. Fate intervenes when Princess Ann escapes from her embassy while on the influence of a drug given to her by her doctor and Joe finds Princess Ann, a little worse for wear. Not realizing that she is Princess Ann.

Thinking that she is just drunk, Joe arranges for her to get a cab and take her to wherever she wants to go. The cabbie does not want the responsibility of taking care of so she stays the night in Joe’s apartment.

The next morning Joe learns from his editor Mr. Hennessy (Hartley Power) that the Princess had a sudden illness and when Hennessy shows Joe a picture of Ann, he realizes that the woman in his apartment is the Princess. Joe tells his editor that he will get an exclusive interview with the Princess. He offers Joe $5,000 for the story but bets him only $500 he won’t be able to get the interview.

When Joe gets back to his apartment, he offers to take “Anya” around town, on a Vespa. She declines and goes exploring on her own. Joe follows her and “happens” to run into Ann. Joe is able to convince Ann to spend the day with him this and they go to several places including the Colosseum.

Later in the night they go a party, where she is spotted and taken away by government officials to bring her back to the embassy. Joe and his friends are able to wrestle her away from the officials and they run away. Joe is knocked into the water and Ann jumps right in after him. As they get out of the water, they kiss on the riverbank and head back to Joe’s apartment. While drying her clothes, Ann tells Joe that she must go back to the embassy and fulfill her Royal Duties.

Joe drops Ann off around the corner of the embassy and they kiss one last time. Joe informs his cameraman Irving (Eddie Albert) that he will not write the story about the day he spent with the Princess, but that Irving is free to sell the photos.

The next day, when Ann meets the press and as she greets them all, Irving gives her all the photos he took of her. Ann and Joe have small talk and she leaves. Joe leaves too, alone.

Why I Love Roman Holiday: Maybe the most adorable romantic comedy of all time. Everything in Roman Holiday works. The amazing location adds to great cinematography and an exotic feel to the film. The chemistry between Peck and Hepburn is also second to none. Peck is always a charmer and Hepburn is so easy to love.

Nominated for 10 Academy Awards, which Hepburn won it is an easy film to love. Hepburn is great being funny and proper. The heartbreaking ending just adds to how great the film is. A lot of times Hollywood will look for a way to have the romantic interests end up together, here they are kept apart, and the way the film unfolds, it breaks your heart.

Interesting note on the film. The picture won best story at the Academy Awards, however due to the writer of the film, Dalton Trumbo being black listed in Hollywood, Ian McLellan Hunter fronted for him and took the writing credit for the film. Trumbo would not receive the recognition he deserved until 1993.

Roman Holiday is a beautiful film, shot in a beautiful location that is the best that Hollywood has to offer.

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Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 139, BASEketball (1998)

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!***

139. BASEketball (1998) (Directed by David Zucker)

The Movie: Joe “Coop” Cooper (Trey Parker) and Doug “Swish” Remer (Matt Stone) are best friends and slackers. They’ve mostly been hanging out playing Nintendo since high school. One night they go to a party with classmates from high school, because the woman throwing it, Brittany (Cory Oliver) is a woman that Remer “really, really wants to fuck.”

After striking out with Brittany and finding solace shooting a basketball really well, as long as they don’t have to pass or dribble, they catch the attention of some class jocks. When the jocks ask what game they are playing Coop and Remer explain BASEketball something they made up on the spot. The jocks respond, “like horse?” Coop takes offense and says, “no not like fucking horse!”

BASEketball grows from there where the boys are now having tournaments with another friend Kenny “Squeak” Scolari (Dian Bachar). On the night of their neighborhood championship, Coop and Remer are offered to take BASEketball professional by Ted Denslow (Ernest Borgnine). Coop and Remer only agree to make BASEketball pro if teams can’t move and players can’t change teams.

Five years pass and Coop and Remer are now part of the Milwaukee Beers and they find themselves in the Denslow Cup Finals where Denslow dies after choking on a hotdog. After the game Coop meets Jenna Reed (Yasmine Bleeth) the director of the Dream Come True Foundation and Coop’s number one fan Joey (Trevor Einhorn). At Denslow’s will reading he gives the Beers to Coop, but they must win the championship or the team goes to his wife Yvette (Jenny McCarthy).

Not only do Coop and Remer have to win the Denslow Cup but they must also contend with the owner of the Dallas Felons, Baxter Cain (Robert Vaughn) who is trying to get cooperate sponsors, allow teams to move and allow players to change teams. Coop and Remer are against the changes but Baxter starts preying on Remer as he seems to be the one most likely to change.

Coop doesn’t tell Remer he rejected Baxter’s offer, which Remer is upset about. Coop decides to give part of the team to Remer as a compromise and all decisions will now be made as a team. After Baxter cuts funding to Jenna’s organization, he blackmails Coop and Remer into signing a deal for a clothing line. Coop is against it, but Remer now part owner says they should and signs the deal and becomes A-list.

Coop learns that the Beers clothing line is being made in a factory on the backs of child labor in the country of Calcutta. Baxter tells the Beers that if they don’t purposely lose the Denslow Cup he will inform the public and Jenna’s foundation will be ruined.

Coop and Remer get into a fight, which leads to Coop leaving. Remer and the other Beers are left behind to throw the championship game.

Coop makes his way to Calcutta where he observes the child labor first hand and declares, “oh that’s not good!”

After fixing Remer’s mess in Calcutta Coop returns in time to try and win the Denslow Cup. The Beers do, and Coop, Remer and Lil’ Bitch, eh I mean Squeak are champions of BASEketball!

Why I Love BASEketball: Another film I quote endlessly with my friends, BASEketball holds a special place in my heart. To this day my friends and I will still quote this movie, “ Of course we graduated, Cock, beer?” Or “We still have no clue where the fuck this guy is.” Or one of my most favorite exchanges in any comedy;

Remer: Your bed is over here.

Squeak: Dude, that is so fucking weak! How am I supposed to get a chick in that?

Coop: Oh, don’t worry dude. You couldn’t get a chick if you had a hundred dollar bill hanging out of your zipper.

Squeak: Yeah I could!

Remer: No. Dude, you’re a little bitch.

Squeak: I am not! I don’t even know why I hang out with you guys, anyway.

Coop: ‘Cause you’re a piece of shit.

Squeak: I am not a piece of shit.

Remer: Yeah, but you’re a little bitch.

Squeak: Goddammit! I swear if you guys rip on me thirteen or fourteen more times…I’m outta here!

It’s a silly movie, dumb but funny. I can watch BASEketball 100 times and not get bored and still laugh. BASEketball is everything I love about film, being with my friends, quoting movies and us all having a laugh.

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 140, Airplane! (1980)

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!***

140. Airplane! (1980) (Directed by Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams and David Zucker)

The Movie: Ted Striker (Robert Hayes) is a war veteran and washed-out pilot. He’s afraid of flying and also has a “drinking problem”. You see every time he tries to take a drink of something he missies his mouth.

Striker’s girlfriend Elaine Dickinson (Julie Hagerty) breaks things off with Striker as she prepares to board her flight as a flight attendant. Although Striker has a fear of flying, he abandons his taxi and gets a ticket for Eliane’s flight in an effort to win her back.

When Striker sits down, he tells his seat neighbor about how Elaine keeps breaking up with him, this drives them and several others to kill themselves rather then listen to him tell his stories.

The flight crew is served fish and become ill and unable to perform their duties. Dr. Rumack (Leslie Nielsen), is a doctor onboard and informs Elaine that the prognosis of the flight crew is dire. Elaine contacts the control tower in Chicago where Supervisor Steve McCroskey (Lloyd Bridges) instructs Elaine to activate the autopilot. The autopilot is an inflatable dummy named “Otto”, which will fly the plane but will not be able to land it.

Striker is convinced by Dr. Rumack and Elaine to land the plane when they approach Chicago. But when Striker’s old commanding Officer, Rex Kramer (Robert Stack) attempts to help Striker land the plane, Striker has battlefield flashbacks and panics. Striker, with the help of Dr. Rumack and Elaine regains his confidence and takes the controls once again.

Striker and Elaine are able to safely land the plane, with no injuries (minus the people that killed themselves from Striker’s stories) and embrace and kiss.

Why I Love Airplane! (1980): A lot of my favorite movies have a reoccurring theme. I fell in love with them spending my weekends at Blockbuster Video with my friend Branden, renting movies and eating pizza. Airplane! was one of those movies.

I can still remember Branden and I not being able to breathe from laughing so hard when the PA announcer’s argue over what color represents where people can park. Or when Dr. Rumack has this exchange with Elaine;

Dr. Rumack: “What was it we had for dinner tonight?”

Elaine: “Well, we had a choice of steak or fish.”

Dr. Rumack: “Yes, yes, I remember, I had the lasagna.”

Airplane! was my first exposure to the amazing world of Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker films. I mentioned when I was talking about Weird: The Al Yankovic Story how much I love silly, stupid dialogue delivered serious. Airplane! is so clever and funny it begs to be rewatched countless times.

It is also the first film I remember loving the credits. As they scroll at the end there are funny lines abound, my favorite, Worst Boy… Adolf Hitler.

From beginning to end, Airplane! rewards its viewers with funny dialogue, outlandish characters and a bunch of monks getting beat up by Robert Stack.

Articles, Top Lists

Ryan’s 150 Favorite Films: Number 141, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

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!***

141. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (Directed by Eric Appel)

The Movie: Young Al Yankovic (Richard Aaron Anderson) wants to play the accordion. His father (Toby Huss)  who works at The Factory, doesn’t want his son to be involved in music, he wants him to work at the Factory too. His mother (Julianne Nicholson) encourages him to follow his dream of “arguably the most famous accordion player in an extremely specific genre of music!”

One day and accordion salesman (Thomas Lennon) appears at the Yankovic’s door and after he is nearly beaten to death by Al’s father, his mother decides to buy Al an accordion and promiser not to tell his father.

We flash forward to Teenage Al (David Bloom) who one-night sneaks out of his home to go to a polka party! There he is challenged to the accordion and blows everyone away with his incredible playing skills. After the cops bust the party up, an ashamed Al returns home and gets into a fight with his parents, causing him to leave.

Let’s now join Al (Daniel Radcliffe) in California with his roommates, Steve (Spencer Treat Clark), Bermuda (Tommy O’Brien) and Jim (Jack Lancaster). He tells them that all he wants to do is take a song that someone else has already written and change the lyrics, while making his roommates bologna sandwiches, The Knacks’ “My Sharona” plays on the radio. In a bolt of genius, Al writes the immortal “My Bologna”. Soon his song is a massive hit and Al steps out to try his songs and accordion out in the real world.

In a biker bar, Al performs “I Love Rocky Road” to an appreciative crowd, and learns that his roommates are all accomplished musicians. Al also catches the eye of Dr. Demento (Rainn Wilson) who takes the young Yankovic under his wing. But first, Al needs a stage name, thus “Weird Al” is born!

Al finds himself at a pool party, where the guests are dismissive of Al. Wolfman Jack (Jack Black) challenges Al to prove he is no fluke by demanding a parody of Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust”. Al feels the pressure as the guests include Andy Warhol (Conan O’Brien) and Queen’s bassist John Deacon (David Dastmalchian). Al launches into “Another One Rides the Bus” blowing the minds of Pee-Wee Herman (Jorma Taccone), Tiny Tim (Demetri Martin), Alice Cooper (Akiva Schaffer) and more.

After appearing on Oprah (Quinta Brunson) and explaining the “Yankovic Bump” where artists want Al to parody their songs. Dr. Demento wants Al to expand as an artist and come up with an original song, Al refuses but after he eats guacamole laced with LSD, he comes up with his 100% original song, “Eat It”.

Madonna (Evan Rachel Wood) wanting a piece of the “Yankovic Bump” pursues Al which leads them to a torrid love affair, with Madonna introducing Al to drugs and alcohol. Before Al is about to perform one night he learns Michael Jackson has parodied “Eat It” with “Beat It”. Al in enraged that people will assume “Eat It” is a parody of “Beat It”.

After suffering a near-fatal car accident, Al awakens from a coma in a burst of energy and writes “Like A Surgeon”. Al leaves the hospital and performs “Like A Surgeon” and is arrested for lewdness.

After Al is released from jail, he confides in Madonna that he’s hurt everyone he knows and she is all he has left. While at a diner, Madonna is kidnapped by Pablo Escobar’s (Arturo Castro) men. After Al kills them, he goes on a mission to save Madonna. Al saves Madonna, kills a bunch of drug guys, including Pablo Escobar and asks Madonna to return with him. Madonna refuses and becomes a drug lord.

Al returns home and works in The Factory. Al’s father confronts his son and says the factory was never for him. Al’s father revels to him that he was once Amish and he was excommunicated for playing accordion. Al learns about his father’s song “Amish Paradise” which he performs at an award show. Al wins an award and is then assassinated by Madonna’s henchmen.

Why I Love Weird: The Al Yankovic Story: I grew up loving “Weird Al”. I still love “Weird Al”. I still go to his concerts and listen to his music. The idea of Al making a 100% true story of his life sold me.

In all seriousness, the way the film touches on all the cliches of a music bio-pic is awesome. It is funny, and the jokes come at you a mile a minute. Daniel Radcliffe is amazing as “Weird Al”. Radcliffe understands that in films like this you must 100% commit to the script seriously. Don’t oversell the dialogue, treat it like a serious piece of cinema and the results speak for themselves. Leslie Nielson really honed this in his Police Squad! and Naked Gun days, and Radcliffe proves he is just as good.

It’s also a movie that is really fun to see with a crowd. When I saw this in theaters, every celebrity cameo got a huge reaction and the audience was fully invested in the film.

I also love the darker humor in it. My favorite “Weird Al” songs are his originals as most of them have a hint of darkness to them.

From a funny look at “Weird Al’s” “life” to the unusual actin movie/revenge thriller in the final act, Weird: The Al Yankovic story is a gut busting look at one of the biggest music acts ever in an extremely specific style of music.

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