Always strive for better work. Never stop learning. Have fun a clear plan for a new project or just an idea on a napkin? Sky, land, and sea disappear together out of the world. The Indian girls, with hair like flowing black manes, and dressed only in a shift and short petticoat, stared dully from under the square-cut fringes on their foreheads.
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Tom Cruise. He makes some of the best movies in Hollywood. I have always liked Mr. Cruise and now after watching all of his films I can say that he along with Robert Downey Jr. are my favorite actors. The one thing that sets Tom Cruise apart from almost every other actor is how hard he works in his films. He might be the most committed actor of all time. Cruise can do non stop action and also own a scene dramatically. I have always said “Tom Cruise doesn’t make a bad film.” And now I can definitively that none of his films are bad. So for your reading pleasure I have ranked all 36 Tom Cruise films from just ok to the best. So strap on your Nike’s and try to keep up with Tom Cruise.
39. Endless Love (1981)
Tom Cruise’s first film is also not his best. You can’t really blame Cruise as he has a small part of Billy. The reason this film isn’t that great is the schmaltzy love story. It’s a tale of forbidden love between high school girl and her parents disapproval. It did get nominated for Best Original Song however, so there’s that.
38. Losin’ It (1983)
Losin’ It follows three friends as they travel to Tijuana to lose their virginity. Cruise plays Woody and is mostly regulated to co-star, this is really Jackie Eare Haley’s film and it’s just ok. Most of the jokes don’t land but everyone involved is having fun. Cruise would make a much better sex comedy in 1983, that was funnier and sexier.
37. Rock of Ages (2012)
This is a tough film to rank in a list of the best Tom Cruise movies. The film itself isn’t that good because the leads are pretty boring and too sweet. Tom Cruise however is amazing as Rock God Stacee Jaxx. Every scene he’s in he absolutely crushes. He handles all the singing with ease the highlight is his duet with Malin Akerman on the song, “I Want To Know What Love Is”.
36. Knight and Day (2010)
Knight and Day is another film that can’t soar to the heights of other Cruise films, it is a fun but flawed film. Cruise plays Roy Miller a disgraced spy who tries to clear his name and Cameron Diaz gets in his way. Cruise is having fun too bad Diaz is like a soggy towel in this film. Cool action and witty humor keep this from being a complete miss.
35. Cocktail (1988)
As is the case with most of Cruise’s less successful films it isn’t the stars fault. Cruise is having a blast playing cocky bartender Brian Flanagan, who under the guidance of his Aussie mentor Doug becomes one of the hottest bartenders in town. The movie has some truly fun bar scenes and the music is fun throughout, the biggest drawback is the melodramatic script. Cocktail is still fun to pop in every now and then and just relax.
34. Legend (1985)
Legend is never sure what it wants to be. Is it a kids film? A dark fantasy? Gothic horror? The short answer is all of them and that might be the films biggest problem. It can never settle on one so it creates movie whiplash. The film is shot beautifully and it is fun. The Blu-Ray comes with two cuts of the film so you can decide how early you want to see Tim Curry’s Darkness. Beautiful to look at just confused on what it wants to be.
33. Far And Away(1992)
Far And Away is an epic movie that follows Joesph Donnelly an Irish immigrant who leaves Ireland to find wealth and land in Oklahoma. Directed by Ron Howard, the film is epic but at times the story is a little silly. The boxing scenes are lots of fun, the highlight is the land grab at the end of the film. The fluff in between is just ok, but Cruise and Kidman have cute chemistry that keeps the film from being boring.
32. All The Right Moves (1983)
Stefen Djordjevic is an all star cornerback for his high school football team. He wants to get a scholarship to a college so he can get out of his Pennsylvania steel town. Cruise is solid as a kid who wants to get out of town but is held back by a jealous head football coach played great by Craig T.Nelson. A little heavy handed keeps All The Right Moves from being great. Early in his career Cruise proved he had the physical and dramatic chops to carry movies.
31. Lions For Lambs (2007)
Three stories that seem random slowly come together to form a single thread in this political thriller. Cruise is hotshot GOP Senator Jasper Irving who has an idea to change the war in Afghanistan. Cruise shares his scenes with Meryl Streep and both actors are great. All the actors are great and deliver the dialogue with conviction but it drags when it tries to be too smart about it’s political message.
30. Taps (1981)
When their military school is threatened to be closed to make way for condos, the boys go to extreme measures to keep it open. Timothy Hutton stars as Cadet Major Brian Moreland who inspires his men to occupy the school until they get what they want. Cruise is Cadet Captain David Shawn who is a little intense and unhinged. Taps is anchored by great performances by an all star cast, what keeps it from a classic is the plot is a little silly. The film however is good and moves quickly just ignore the goofy parts.
29. The Outsiders (1983)
The rich kids vs. The poor kids. It’s a tale that is told time and time again. The Outsiders might have the greatest assembly of young talent ever, just look at the poster. The rivalry between the Greasers and the Socs gets out of control when Greaser Johnny(Ralph Macchio) kills one of the Socs when they were beating up Ponyboy(C. Thomas Howell). They go on the run and eventually make it back home where the Socs’ are waiting for them. Cruise plays Greaser Steve and isn’t given much to do. The film itself is well made but is a little hokey but is saved by all the incredible talent in front of and behind the camera.
28. Days of Thunder (1990)
Tom Cruise reunites with Tony Scott to do for NASCAR what they did for fighter pilots. Days of Thunder is kinda cheesy but in the totally rad way. Cruise is Cole Trickle a hotshot racer who suffers a horrific crash and with the help of his sexy doctor Claire(Nicole Kidman) finds the strength to race again. Awesome race scenes highlight the film and Scott’s direction and camera put you in the races.
27. Mission: Impossible II (2000)
Ethan Hunt is back this time chasing a former IMF agent who has a deadly virus named “Chimera”. Cruise’s second outing in Mission: Impossible is just as thrilling as the first with insane stunts and signature set pieces by director John Woo. It doesn’t quite live up to the twisty spy stuff of the first film but as an action film it is a winner.
26. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Stanley Kubrick’s last film is a twist filled erotic thriller. Cruise is Dr. William Hartford, who after learning that his loving wife almost cheated on him finds a way into a rich and dangerous sex masquerade party. What seems real isn’t as Kubrick weaves an elaborate tale of sex, trust, and love. Great performances and haunting cinematography make this an unforgettable experience.
25. Oblivion (2013)
In the future after a war with an alien race the Earth is dying. Jack is tasked with extracting Earth’s last resources and when he is done he is to join the rest of humanity on Saturn’s moon Titan. Jack slowly starts having recollections of a past life and maybe everything is not what it seems. A visually stunning film that is part Sci-Fi action and part mystery with a great performance by Cruise, I enjoyed this film more after repeated viewings.
24. Interview With The Vampire(1994)
Sexy and violent, Interview With The Vampire is a big departure for Cruise and he is mesmerizing as the evil vampire Lestat. In the film Louis(Brad Pitt) a 200 year old vampire tells his story of love, heartbreak and horror to an eager reporter(Christian Slater). The film is well shot and for the most part wonderfully acted (Kirsten Dunst in particular is amazing as Claudia, a little girl who Louis turns into a vampire). Anne Rice the author of the book was publicly against Tom Cruise playing Lestat, after seeing the film and Cruise’s performance she issued a full page apology to Cruise. That’s how impressive he is in this movie.
23. The Firm (1993)
Mitch is a young and ambitious lawyer. When he gets hired at a prestigious law firm in Memphis. He soon learns that The Firm has a dark side and he risks everything to expose them. Cruise is in the zone playing a cocky lawyer caught in a web of lies and power. Plus he runs like a champ chasing down his wife in the middle of the night. All the actors are on top of their game making this one hell of a thriller.
22. Valkyrie (2008)
The incredible true story of a failed assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler is told in this thriller from Bryan Singer. Cruise is Claus Von Stauffenberg a Colonel in the German Army who is becoming disenchanted with the war. When he is critically injured in Africa he along with several other German officers devise a plan to kill Hitler. Valkyrie is a suspenseful well made historical drama. The story is almost too unbelievable to be true which makes it that much more entertaining. Huge thumbs up to Singer who crafts a story that you know what happens and how it’s going to end but hope through movie magic it turns out different.
21. Mission: Impossible(1996)
Ethan Hunt is a disgraced IMF agent. He goes on a mission to discover and expose the true spy with the help of friends. Who knew that 20 years later we would see the 5th Mission: Impossible film? What’s unique about the series is each filmmaker is allowed to bring their style and sensibilities to each entry. The first film directed by Brian De Palma(Scarface, The Untouchables) is a mind bend of who’s who. The action pieces are now iconic and the surprise reveal at the end divides fans. All that doesn’t take away from one of the signature action films of the 90’s.
20. Jack Reacher(2012)
A horrific murder of innocent people by a sniper is the scary and intense opening to this well made bad ass action thriller. Cruise is Jack Reacher, a homicide investigator, who gets involved in the murder case when he asked to come there by the accused, a military trained sniper. The plot thickens and the movie continues to crank out memorable action scene after the next. All of it held together by Tom Cruise’s no nonsense Reacher. The car chase is one of the coolest you will see.
19. Mission: Impossible III(2006)
Ethan Hunt seems to have retreated into a happy life. He has a loving girlfriend and a home in the suburbs. But when he goes on a mission to rescue a fellow agent that ends in her death, he is pulled into the world of a sadistic arms dealer. This could be the best opening to a film ever, with Tom Cruise delivering one hell of a performance. J.J. Abrams brings his ability to tell a tight, well paced film, with twists and great character beats. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is a scene stealer as Owen Davian who toys with Ethan throughout the film.
17. Vanilla Sky(2001)
David Ames is a sexy, arrogant magazine publisher who has everything he could want. He is seeing the beautiful Julie Gianni but unwilling to commit to her. At his birthday party he meets the fun and sexy Sofia and falls for her immediately. After staying the night with Sofia, Julie confronts David outside her apartment, what happens next turns David’s life upside down. Watching this recently gave me a new appreciation for Cameron Crowe’s erotic, mind melt. What’s real? What’s a dream? You will be asking that as David slips further into insanity. Cruise again is on the top of his game, he has a lot little character beats that are genius.
16. War of the Worlds(2005)
Aliens invade Earth and a father fights to survive and protect his family. Tom Cruise teams up for the second time with Steven Spielberg for a tense, scary sci-fi thriller. Besides the summer spectacle of the aliens destroying cities, the heart of the story is Cruises’ Ray who not only fights to save his children but also fights to earn their love. Amazing special effects and great performances make this a summer blockbuster winner.
15. The Last Samurai(2003)
A cynical veteran of the Civil War, Nathan Algren is hired to teach the Japanese to use modern weapons and crush a rogue samurai. After being defeated in battle by the samurai, Algren soon learns to respect their way of life and chooses to fight with them rather then against. Epic battles and note worthy performances(Ken Watanabe as Katsumoto was nominated for an Oscar) strike all the right chords. Beautifully shot with and the right amount of epicness in the score make this a rousing historical drama.
14. The Color of Money(1986)
A sequel to The Hustler, Fast Eddie takes young Vincent Lauria under his tutelage on how to hustle money playing pool. Directed by Martin Scorsese, The Color of Money succeeds on almost all levels. Great acting, solid camera work, and tense pool scenes make this a winner. The ending punches you in the gut and stays with you after you turn it off.
13. Tropic Thunder(2008)
A hilarious send up to not only action films but Hollywood itself. Tropic Thunder stars Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr., as actors who while shooting a Vietnam war movie find themselves captured by real rebels and forced to become real soldiers. Tom Cruise is almost unrecognizable as Les Grossman an overweight Hollywood producer. Cruise is always drawn to roles that people might not expect him to do and Grossman is a prime example of that.
12. Magnolia(1999)
Much like a Robert Altman film, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia is a film where characters that are connected seek love and forgiveness. Tom Cruise was nominated for an Oscar for his role as Frank Mackey, a self help guru who teaches men to be a man. What an amazing performance by Cruise, one minute he is a cocky pitch man the next he is heartbroken that his father is dying.
11. Mission: Impossible-Rogue Nation(2015)
Tom Cruise’s latest is also one of his best. Ethan Hunt is on the trial of the mysterious Syndicate. After becoming an international fugitive Hunt will need the help from his trusted friends and the mysterious Ilsa Faust to find and crush The Syndicate. Rogue Nation is everything Cruise does the best, death defying stunts and the ability to command the camera. The hanging from the side of the airplane is a highlight but there are other amazing moments. His chase through the Moroccan mountains his hair raising awesome. A must see in IMAX as well as the large format gives you a sense of the heights and the speed of the action.
10. Minority Report(2002)
In the future there is a special police unit that is able to predict murders. When Chief John Anderton is accused of a future murder he is determined to find out why. Cruise and Spielberg team up for a great sci-fi action film that is visually spectacular and a fun mystery to try and solve. The movie has some great character moments that are a trademark of Cruise actioners, and the pedigree of a Spielberg film.
9. Collateral(2004)
Picking up the wrong passenger can make your life a living hell. When a taxi driver named Max picks up Vincent he thinks it’s just another job but he soon learns that Vincent is a hitman and Max is caught in the dark world of a contract killer. Tense and full of suspense Collateral gives Tom Cruise the chance to be the villain. And he is damn good at it. Vincent is cold, calculating and ruthless. Shot with Michael Mann’s trademark gritty style Collateral should not be missed.
8. Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol(2011)
When the IMF is accused of bombing the Kremlin it’s up to Ethan and his team to clear their names. The fourth Mission: Impossible is the best, with more of the twisty spy stuff we love and some of the coolest action ever filmed. A lot of critics were ready to write off Tom Cruise and the MI series, but they should’ve known better. This film is a thrill ride from beginning to end.
7. Edge of Tomorrow(2014)
Aliens are waging war on Earth. After a seemingly unobtainable victory, the Earth’s fighters are confident that we’ve reached a turning point. It is soon apparent however that the victory is short lived. Humans need something to change the tide of war and it comes in the form of Major William Cage, a talking head who can’t fight, but is granted the amazing ability to relive the same day over and over. One of the most original movies in a long time, Edge of Tomorrow is a fun, exciting adventure. Cruise’s Cage is first a slimeball but after dying and coming back he learns to be one hell of a solider. Emily Blunt is also stunning as the war hero Rita.
6. A Few Good Men(1992)
A thrilling military courtroom drama that questions what’s an order and what someone will do to cover it up. Aaron Sorkin wrote the script, and all the actors eat it up. The courtroom scenes are full of tension and the breaking point is one of the most famous exchanges in movie history, “I WANT THE TRUTH!” “YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!”
5. Born on The 4th of July(1989)
The treatment of Vietnam vets is explored in this explosive film from Oliver Stone. Tom Cruise plays Ron Kovic who wanted nothing more then to enlist and serve his country. After he is paralyzed and comes home, he feels betrayed and becomes an anti-war and human rights advocate. Cruise gives the best performance of his career as a man who is broken and reborn stronger. This is a powerful film that must be seen.
4. Jerry Maguire(1996)
Jerry Maguire is a hotshot sports agent who has a moment of reflection when one of his clients is hurt. He writes a manifest on how agents can be better people. He is fired and goes on a journey of self discovery and self worth. Cruise is right at home playing Maguire and all the emotions he goes through. Funny and touching, I believe this is Cameron Crowe’s best film.
3. Rain Man(1988)
Charlie is a selfish yuppie who learns after his wealthy father dies that he has a savant brother who was left his fortune. Feeling betrayed and entitled to that money, Charlie kidnaps his brother Raymond and they head across the country. Rain Man is a funny and touching film that is anchored by two stellar performances by Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. Try to hold back the tears at the end of the movie, you will not be able to.
2. Risky Business(1983)
The movie that made Tom Cruise a star is also the ultimate 80’s sex comedy. With his parents away Joel decides to use his house as a brothel to help the guys at his high school laid. Risky Business is the fantasy all boys wanted in high school. Help your friends get laid and have sex on a train with a super hot chick. The movie is also funny and 80’s cool. It is my go to 80’s sex romp.
1. Top Gun (1986)
To me, no movie is more Tom Cruise then Top Gun. You could say he has better movies and you would be right, but Top Gun is everything I think Tom Cruise is, funny, action star, and cool. This movie screams cool from spectacular jet fighter sequences to picking up the pretty girl at the bar with The Righteous Brothers’, “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling.” And for the ladies the beach volleyball scene. The soundtrack is epic as well. I love this movie.
Agree? Disagree? Tell me your favorite Tom Cruise movie in the comments!
The Reel Nerds interview Manny Garza from Dungeons & Drafts, a tavern for geeks and gamers in Fort Collins, at Denver Comic Con 2015.
What an amazing year for The Reel Nerds. We really hit our stride as a podcast and we were given amazing opportunities, from Denver Comic-Con, to Telluride Horror Show, we met some really amazing people and saw some really amazing movies. I saw 75 new movies this year! Plus 2 re-releases, I have always loved movies and doing this podcast lets me talk about the stuff I love (and sometimes do not like).
The Reel Nerds have made it our goal this year to not judge a movie without seeing it and expect every movie to be good. That will not always be the case but it has helped me enjoy movies that I may have judged in the past unfairly (here’s looking at you Battleship). So without further ado, here is my complete list of movies ranked from 75-1. Thanks to all that make this happen, Brad, editor, designer supreme. James, the wookie, and wisdom beyond mine. To all the fans, thanks for listening and all your feedback. Denver Comic-Con, thanks for the booth and the coolest Con ever. Tsunami Publicity(Ami) for all of your help and the chance to go to Telluride to watch Horror movies and the chance to interview some incredibly talented people. And of course my beautiful wife Laura, you put up with so much and I love you more everyday!
75. Wrong Turn 5: I saw the trailer for this at Telluride Horror Show and thought it looked like fun, it was not. Cheaply made, poorly scripted, and acted worse then a 2nd grade Easter play, this is the worst movie of the year.
74. Sand Sharks: James and I laughed when we saw the cover art for this movie. I watched it on Netflix streaming for free and I still want my money back. Bad acting, sloppy editing, and Brooke Hogan as a scientist make this almost as bad as Wrong Turn 5, almost.
73. Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II: Not the worse movie of the year but still not that good. Billy Burke is again great and the look on his face when Jacob starts undressing in front of him is priceless almost saying, “this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever done.” And the movie is the most ridiculous movie of the year. I will never get these movies, but at least there is no more…for now.
72. Piranha 3DD: Huge let down after the first one. The first Piranha was fun and goofy, this is none of those. It all takes place at a lame water park and what could have been a fun franchise instead is now floating in a toilet bowl.
71. Dark Shadows: Tim Burton and Johnny Depp love the TV show Dark Shadows. You can’t tell by this abomination. Boring and convoluted is the least of this movies problem. Uninspired directing and some weird choices( our daughter is all of a sudden a werewolf at the most convenient time!) this movie is so bad it pains me to see Johnny Depp in this. I have been disappointed with Mr. Depp the last couple years, hopefully he can return to form in The Lone Ranger.
70. What to Expect, When You’re Expecting: My wife really wanted to see this, and after we saw it she wanted to un-see it. Maybe one laugh in the whole movie but I can’t remember what it is.
69. Les Miserables: Great performances cannot elevate this ho-hum musical. Tom Hopper decided to use extreme close ups and 45 degree angles to tell this story and it is really distracting. Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway are very good however.
68. Intruders: This horror movie out thinks itself and what starts as promising soon spirals into a convoluted mess. Great atmosphere though.
67. Take This Waltz: Seth Rogan stars as a loving husband who is in the process of writing a cooking book. Michelle Williams is his wife who cheats on him because the artist across the street is exciting. What a bogus reason to cheat on someone. Hard to like a movie when the lead is not likable.
66. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter: I liked the book until the last 60 pages, it did not take me as long to not care for this movie. It never fully embraces the goofiness of the movie, nor does it embrace the seriousness it tries to convey. What you get is a muddled mess of a movie. Some cool scenes of killing vampires help it from being completely dull.
65. Seeking a Friend For the End of The World: Steve Carrell and Keira Knightley are good in this doom and gloom movie, but the movie doesn’t know if it wants to be a comedy or a drama. There are some touching scenes though, Martin Sheen as Carrells father is great.
64. Father’s Day: This is infamous amongst the Nerds. Brad liked it. James and I did not. There is some fun to be had watching this movie, but you have to get past the dick eating and bad acting to get there. I will admit I laughed at some parts, but watching it once is enough for me.
63. Men In Black 3: When I saw the trailer, I was not impressed. I went into the movie however hoping that this movie could recapture the greatness of the first MIB, it did not. It really seems like a bunch of skits built around Agent J and K. Some cool effects, the travel through time is awesome.
62. Cloud Atlas: Half of this movie is good, the other half is boring and distracting. The idea of people being connected over the course of many years is cool, but it just doesn’t work. And the goofy future talk is dumb. But I do want to see this again, maybe in my next life.
61. Ghost Rider-Spirit of Vengeance: The first Ghost Rider was dumb. This one is dumber. Nic Cage is so over the top it’s annoying. The new design of Ghost Rider is cool and there is some sweet car chases throughout the movie.
60. Bourne Legacy: Jeremy Renner steps into the Bourne universe and he is pretty good. The biggest flaw in this movie is it takes so long to get going that when it finally does, it abruptly ends. When we saw it and it just ended everyone in the theater looked around and said really?
59. Killing Them Softly: Brad Pitt is great in this movie. The rest of the movie is pretty boring. The actors really elevate the material.
58. The Watch: Another movie that suffers from identity crisis. Is it screwball, is it sci-fi? There is some great moments, and some funny parts but not enough with the talent that is in this picture.
57. American Reunion: This movie reminds me of high school. Yes it’s fun to see the Pie Gang again but it feels a little tired. Eugene Levy steals the movie as Jim’s dad.
56. Underworld-Awakening: Kate Beckinsale returns as the vampire Selene and she still kicks ass. Too bad the rest of the movie is not up to her level. Cool fights with a giant werewolf keeps the blood flowing.
55. The Lorax: Danny Devito as the Lorax is great casting. Ed Helms is great as well. The rest of the movie is a candy coated meh.
54. Wrath of the Titans: Sequel to an ok movie makes this an ok sequel. It is better but the Kraken is cooler then the Lava monster in this one.
53. Frankenweenie: This movie is very cute at parts. But the mess that makes up the third act can not save the film from being average. At times the animation is great, but there are points that you become distracted by the herky jerkyness of it.
52. Flight: James will tell you this movie is great, I will tell you that it is average. Denzel Washington is superb as a damaged pilot. But he is so horrible that you do not care what happens to him and you just wish the movie would end so you don’t have to endure Whip anymore.
51. Life of Pi: a critical darling but I was unimpressed. There is some cool moments at the beginning but when Pi becomes shipwrecked is where I lost interest.
50. Jeff, who Lives At Home: Jason Segel is great in this movie about a 30 something who lives at home. So too is Susan Surandon but I never got into this movie.
49. Total Recall: This is one of the movie that I thought was better then I was expecting. Len Wisemen makes a great visual world and some cool action set pieces, unfortunately that’s all it is. But I am curious to see the directors cut.
48. Snow White and The Huntsman: Cool concept and Charlize Theron is terrifying as the evil step mom. Cool visuals but again really shallow in the story department. Kristin Stewart smiles in this movie so that’s a plus.
47. Wanderlust: Love Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston, but this movie about a yuppie New York couple that roughs it after losing their apartment is kinda forgettable. Some really great scenes turned in though by Justin Theroux.
46. John Carter: Taylor Kitsch had a tough year but his movies are better then everyone thinks. This sci-fi epic has some really cool action scenes and the trailers do not give the movie justice, rent this one for sure.
45. Casa De Mi Padre: Will Farrell makes a Spanish speaking movie that plays homage to the soap operas on daytime Univision. It is really goofy and it is funny but it takes a little patience to watch.
44. Dredd: Much better then I thought it would be. Super violent and doesn’t try to be anything that it isn’t. Really cool action drives this picture.
43. Taken 2: Liam Neeson kicking some more ass, nuff said.
42. Rock of Ages: I enjoyed most of this musical. Tom Cruise can sing and is great as rock God Stacee Jaxx.
41. Resident Evil-Retribution: Mila Janovich kills zombies, and Paul W.S. Anderson tries to tell a coherent story, only one succeeds.
40. Premium Rush: Joesph Gordon-Levitt had a great year. This movie starts JGL as a bike messenger who has a dangerous package. The movie has some really cool stunts but it is also kinda silly.
39. This is 40: Judd Apatow returns with a follow up to Knocked Up. The movie has some great moments and is funny. But, the movie doesn’t really have a plot it just follows a family and all the baggage that comes with it.
38. Battleship: The movie that could have been horrible is actually a lot of fun. Taylor Kitsch is very good as a brash Naval Officer who must stop an alien invasion. The special effects are great and the use of a Battleship to stop the aliens is awesome.
37. Jiro Dreams of Sushi: A good documentary about the greatest Sushi Chef in the world. Jiro’s drive to be the best is inspiring but also crazy that he is in his 80’s and has never had a vacation. Must watch.
36. Silent House: Elizabeth Olsen stars in this “single shot” horror movie that is pretty well done. The mystery that slowly gets solved isn’t that great but it still hinges on an outstanding performance by Olsen. She is the only one on camera for much of the movie and if you don’t believe her the movie is a failure. She knocks it out of the park.
35. Five Year Engagement: Another comedy buoyed but great performances by the leads Jason Segel and Emily Blunt. Super cute and very funny.
34. That’s My Boy: I like Adam Sandler. I think that he is funny and it’s great to see him in a raunchy comedy again. I laughed and enjoyed this movie.
33. The Campaign: Will Farrell and Zach Galafianakis star as rival politicians who pull out all stops to win an election. It’s stupid but it is also really funny.
32. The Grey: Liam Neeson kicking wolf ass, nuff said.
31. Woman In Black: A very good horror movie that goes back to the old Gothic Horror of the 1970’s. Daniel Radcliffe drops the Potter and starts as a lawyer in charge of an estate. It takes awhile to get going but it is very creepy and the ending is haunting.
30. V/H/S: An anthology of horror from 5 different directors, each one of these stories are very unique. Some are not that good, but others are downright scary. The first and the last one are the standouts.
29. The Battery: What a surprise coming out of the Telluride Horror Show. I love when a horror movie catches me off guard and this was one of them. Shot on a shoestring budget of $6,000 I was very impressed. Keep an eye out for this one and be sure to read James’ full length review of the movie and listen to our interview with the cast and crew.
28. Comic-Con Episode IV-A Fan’s Hope: The movie that started our good fortune this year is also very entertaining. There are a lot of mysteries of what Comic-Con really is and this will shed some light on to the event. Chuck Rozanski of Denver’s own Mile High Comics steals the movie with his wit and his blunt observations of San Diego Comic-Con.
27. Moonrise Kingdom: Wes Anderson knows how to make cute movies and he does it again. The charm of his movies are that they are so unique in their voice and style. One word to describe this movie: Whimsical.
26. Ted: Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane makes his feature film debut with a foul mouthed Teddy Bear that comes to life. Yes it’s a lot like Family Guy, but that’s good thing. Very funny and a great performance by Mark Wahlberg makes this a comedy winner.
25. Lawless: A cool period movie about a legendary family of bootleggers. The legend of the Boundurant brothers is fun and violent and Tom Hardy is great as Forrest.
24. Brave: So cool to see a Pixar movie that focuses on the relationship of a mother and a daughter. It is the most princess movie that Pixar has done but it is wonderful. Animation that is second to none and voice acting that is top notch, another win for Pixar.
23. Expendables 2: Much better then the first because it fully embraces the 80’s action vibe. Bad ass is how I would describe this movie.
22. Goon: Another surprise, the story of a minor league hockey player who’s specialty is fighting and causing havoc. Really funny and heartfelt.
21. Celeste and Jesse Forever: A movie that came out of nowhere that I totally adored. C and J forever is fun and heartbreaking. Rashida Jones is amazing as a separated wife who still hangs out with her husband. You hope they get back together but at the sametime you realize that maybe they shouldn’t. Great movie.
20. Beats of the Southern Wild: The little girl in this movie is astounding. How a 6 year old commands the screen like she does is mind blowing. The movie itself is somewhat of a Fable and has a surreal quality to it.
19. The Hobbit-An Unexpected Journey: Yes this movie is good. Was there any doubt? I saw it in 48fps and it looks stunning. I’m not sure if I like the HFR but it is an experience I think movie fans should have. The movie itself takes a little bit to get going but when it does it’s fabulous. Martin Freeman is great and of course Andy Serkis as Gollum is hypnotic. I can’t wait for the next chapter.
18. Jack Reacher: Tom Cruise is a force in this movie. The opening 10 minutes of this movie are very intense and it doesn’t let up. Mr. Cruise knows how to be intense and he sells his toughness very well. The car chase scene is bad ass and I love these types of action movies.
17. 21 Jump Street: Incredibly funny and laugh out loud moments make this one of the best comedies of the years. Channing Tatum is a real find as a comedy actor and Jonah Hill again does great work here. Another cool car chase that you think is going one way and totally surprises you.
16. Prometheus: Hauntingly beautiful and scary, Ridley Scott’s return to sci-fi is very welcomed. As a somewhat prequel to Alien the movie it hits all the right notes. I loved Michael Fassbender as the andriod David and think he should be nominated for an Oscar. Ignore the hate on the internet and watch an amazing picture.
15. Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie: So crazy and so not for everyone. This movie has a weird sense of humor and if you get it like I did you will like this movie, if you don’t this will be the worse movie you have ever seen.
14. The Innkeepers: Great year for character driven horror. I loved this Ti West film about employees of a haunted hotel in search of the ghosts has some scary moments. The movie makes you like the characters so when something bad happens to them you feel it. Not many saw this but you really should.
13. Paranorman: I love this movie. A story about an outcast is the one Tim Burton wishes he could tell, the story is heartbreaking and uplifting. The animation is amazing and you forget that it is stop motion. The ending alone is breathtaking and this is a must watch.
12. Skyfall: This could be the greatest Bond ever. Daniel Craig is the ultimate Bond. Where the previous Bonds were suave and quippy Craig’s is bad ass and tough. This movie is so cool the scenes is Hong Kong are stunning. I can’t wait for the next James Bond adventure.
11. Argo: I have always liked Ben Affleck. To see him make 3 good movies in a row is great and the fact that he has turned into a great director is even cooler. This movie about the Iranian hostage crisis is tense and well made. Top notch acting, top notch directing and one hell of a great ride. Almost in my top 10 but so many good movies this year budge it out.
10. The Hunger Games: I loved this movie. The other Nerds think I am crazy but I thought it was really well done. Jennifer Lawerence is amazing and venerable as Katniss, but as she gains strength you really start to rally behind her.
9. Sinister: A great horror movie that came from no where. Terrifying take on the found footage genre, it is creative and well acted. I like being surprised by movies and this one surprised me the most this year. Ethan Hawke is great as a writer who needs a new hit book and the length he goes to are understandable and shocking. Watch with the lights off!
8. Wreck-It-Ralph: Funny, heart warming, and beautiful. I love animation and this is my favorite from 2012. Ralph’s video game world had me smiling and the touching story had me rooting for the bad guy. This is the best looking movie of the year and I can’t wait to own it on Blu-Ray.
7. Django Unchained: Another Tarantino movie that I can watch again and again. Jamie Foxx is awesome as a freed slave and so too is Christophe Waltz. It’s a revenge movie that is sometimes hard to watch with it’s blunt take on slavery but it is needed and makes Django’s revenge that much sweeter. Leo Dicaprio is terrifying as Calvin Candie a plantation owner his monologue at the dinner table is an Oscar winner for sure.
6. Looper: Bad ass time travel movie with a twist so cool I will not spoil it. JGL again shines in the role of Joe a hitman in the near future. I can not wait to see what Rian Johnson does next.
5. The Dark Knight Rises: A fitting ending to Nolan’s Batmam trilogy. What I respect from this series is it’s willingness to take what we think we know about superheroes and smacks us upside the head. Christan Bale gives his best performance as Bruce Wayne and Tom Hardy is imposing as Bane. I wish there would be another Nolan Batman but I am cool if this is how it ends.
4. Lincoln: What a great movie. Daniel Day-Lewis once again shines as Honest Abe. Steven Speilberg direction is of course top notch and Tony Kushner’s script is tight and full of great moments.
3. The Amazing Spider-Man: I was worried about this movie. But as I was watching it I fell in love with Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker and Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy. The movie is exciting and funny. It’s well done and I can not wait for the next one. Hopefully The Green Goblin will show up 🙂
2. The Cabin In the Woods: Joss Whedon how I love you. A really cool take on horror movies. It is sorta like Scream where it takes what you know about horror cliches and turns them upside down. The actors are great and the makeup effects are stellar. Also a shout out to Drew Goddard for his tight directing.
1. The Avengers: The coolest movie of the year is also the most fun and the best movie of 2012. After laying the ground work for 4 years Marvel paid it’s loyal fans with the ultimate team up movie. All characters are given their moment and they all shine. Tight script, good directing and actors that are at the top of their game elevate this movie to the top. I love this movie and Phase 2 can’t come fast enough.
Better late than never, right? I said I was going to post my hypothesis of what “The Dark Knight Rises” would turn out to be and, a mere hours away from the premiere, I finally got a chance to write up what I assume will be the plot of this final Nolan-universe Batman film. It’s completely unnecessary at this point but… dammit! I said I was going to do this on the show and I’m going to follow through with the goals that I set! So let’s find out how well this Batman fan knows how to judge a couple trailers! And if (when) I get it wrong, people can write/call the show and make me feel like an idiot about it, regret posting this, and convince me to burn my Batman comics because I don’t deserve them. Here we go…
Shortly after the Joker terrorizes Gotham, the GCPD still hunts for Batman. Batman keeps a low profile as he continues to protect the city… until The League of Shadows returns! This time they’ve employed brains and brawn in the form of Bane. Bane storms Gotham in “Knightfall” fashion by orchestrating a prison break that draws Batman out of hiding when Gordon is seriously injured during the mayhem. When Batman tries to confront Bane, he gets bent in half and left for dead (not paralyzed, just seriously injured).
With Batman out of the way, Bane turns Gotham into a “No Man’s Land” by demolishing anything and everything related to Gotham’s wealthy elite, revealing Wayne Enterprises as supplying terrorists, instigating class-warfare and calling upon the have-nots to RISE up against the 1%, and exposing the GCPD cover-up of Harvey Dent’s rampage. Then it’s up to brave citizens and a few GCPD officers (John Blake) to restore order to Gotham until Batman returns. They do this under the mantle of The Bat, combating the criminals and terrorists that have laid siege to the city on a smaller scale. Once Batman is healed, he brings out the “big guns” in the form of his new vehicle, The Bat.
But during this process, he discovers Wayne Enterprises board member, Miranda Tate is Talia Al Ghul and she’s been using her position at the company to secretly fund the League of Shadows with money and weapons. From there on out it’s all out war between the heroes and villains of Gotham, which includes Catwoman, who Batman has convinced to become a reluctant ally. Batman eventually figures out how to dispatch Bane (probably by destroying the apparatus that’s keeping him alive) but dies while fighting Ra’s Al Ghul, who is shockingly revealed at the end of the film, then reminding Bruce of the League of Shadows’ plans to burn Gotham to the ground (this time through fear AND economics!) But it’s the legend of The Batman that prevails as citizens RISE to defeat Ra’s in some way that I still haven’t figured out.
Okay, so, it’s not the most coherent summary you’ve ever read for a movie, but I’ve only got pieces of trailers to work with here! Let the trolling commence…
The Dark Knight Rises comes to theaters in 11 hours and counting…
Spider-Man is the greatest super-hero of all time. So says the author of this blog and since no one can argue until after this is posted you have to agree! With his new movie right around the corner I thought I would share the stories that have meant the most to me as a fan. Most of these are found in trades now but I will list the original issue numbers to help you if you have a lot of money and want to add to your Spidey collection.
10. Amazing Fantasy #15
(art by Jack Kirby)
The one that started it all. When nerdy Peter Parker is bitten by a radioactive spider he gains the spiders abilities. He first uses the power for fame. Wrestling and appearing on TV. But when he allows a burglar to escape police custody he figures no big deal. He returns how one night to find police surround his home. He is told that his beloved Uncle Ben has been murdered and that the police have tracked the culprit to a warehouse. Pete changes into Spider-Man and confronts the burglar. He is shocked to learn that the man who shot his Uncle is the same man he let escape earlier! This guilt propels Peter to use his power for good, and he learns “With Great power, must also come great responsibility…”
9. The Amazing Spider-Man (volume 1) #39-40
(art by John Romita)
The Green Goblin started his career seeking to be the new mob boss of New York, but after being continuously being thwarted by Spider-Man he decides to make his attack personal. Hiring low lives to engage in a battle with Spider-Man, the Goblin has them throw a gas at Spidey causing his Spider-Sense to be weakened allowing the Goblin to stalk Spider-Man until he reveals his secret identity. When Spidey removes his mask and the Goblin sees that he is nothing more then a boy, he ambushes Peter Parker at his aunt’s home. Peter fearing his aunt would see the fight between him and the Green Goblin allows himself to be captured.
The Goblin takes Peter to his hideout where the Goblin reveals himself to Peter. The Green Goblin is none other then Norman Osborn, the father of Peter’s best friend Harry! Peter is able to distract Norman long enough to attack him. The Battle that ensues causes Norman to have “amnesia” and forget he was ever The Green Goblin.
8. The Amazing Spider-Man #229-230
(art by John Romita Jr.)
This is a great little two-parter that shows how selfless and heroic Spider-Man is. When Tom Cassidy asks Juggernaut to kidnap Madame Web, a powerful psychic she sees it coming. Madame Web asks Spider-Man for help. Spidey soon learns that the Juggernaut is much too strong for him to stop. Out classed in strength Spider-Man uses something that the Juggernaut cannot compete with him; his brains. Spider-Man lures Juggernaut to a construction site and tricks him into wet cement, thus stopping the Juggernaut for now…
7. The Amazing Spider-Man #625
(art by Mark Djurdevic)
This is the latest book on my list and the one that surprised me the most. And it also made my heart break. The original Rhino had given up his life of crime. He even had his Rhino suit removed. A new Rhino appears and tells the old Rhino to suit up and fight because the only way he can become the one true Rhino is he must kill the old Rhino. Spider-Man convinces the old Rhino to hide, he agrees and takes his new wife Oksana with him. But on the way into hiding they are ambushed by the new Rhino which sadly leads to the death of his beloved wife. Rhino goes crazy and puts his suit on once again. The old Rhino finds the new Rhino and with one charge and hit destroys the suit worn by the new Rhino. Now totally exposed Rhino backs up and prepares to charge and kill the new Rhino. Spider-Man begs him to stop, but to no avail . The Rhino kills him, never to be the man underneath the suit again.
6. The Amazing Spider-Man #33
(art by Steve Ditko)
An early issue that shows again how great Spider-Man is. When his Aunt May becomes deathly ill, Peter learns that she needs a special serum to save her. Of course the only place that Spider-Man can get the serum is to take it from Dr. Octopus. In a battle in an underwater base Spidey becomes trapped. Unable to lift the huge amount of debris, Spider-Man is about to give up. But he soon psyches himself up telling himself that if he quits then Aunt May dies. In a moment of incredible strength Spidey lifts the debris of him and makes it to Aunt May, saving her life.
5. The Spectacular Spider-Man #200
(art by Sal Buscema)
Harry Osborn is the most tragic character in the Spider-Man books. Unable to live up to his fathers expectations he turns into a drug addict. When his father is killed in a battle with Spider-Man he removes the Green Goblin costume from his body and takes the mantle of The Goblin. But he never could become as evil as his dad. In one final attempt to destroy Peter Parker’s life he takes an enhanced version of the Goblin formula. He then taunts Peter and stalks him making Pete’s life very uncomfortable. Harry is finally able to lure Peter into a fight and it’s quite a fight. Peter realizes that Harry is in fact stronger and is over powered by him. Harry then sticks Peter with a poisoned spike. He intends to blow up his townhome with both him and Peter inside. What Harry didn’t know was that his son Normie and Peter’s wife Mary Jane were in the house as well. Peter asks him to save them, which he does. After he saves MJ and Normie, Mary Jane pleads with Harry not to kill Peter. Harry flies his goblin glider into the home and saves Peter. After telling Peter that he is hero like him, Harry collapses. His new Goblin formula kills him.
4. Kraven’s Last Hunt, Web Of Spider-Man #31-32 The Amazing Spider-Man #293-294, The Spectacular Spider-Man #131-132
Kraven the Hunter was a lame Spider-Man villain. But this story made him really scary. When Spider-Man fails to defeat the monster known as Vermin, Kraven decides he can, and to prove it he shoots Spidey with a tranquilizer dart and buries Spidey alive! Kraven then dons Spider-Mans costume and defeats Vermin. Spider-Man awakes two weeks later and digs himself out of his grave. Spider-Man finds Kraven and starts to attack him. Kraven however doesn’t fight back, he tells Spider-Man he doesn’t need to as he has proven that he is superior. Kraven then releases Vermin and once again Spidey cannot defeat the man rat. He is saved by Kraven and tells Spider-Man he can pursue Vermin if he wants, but Kraven says he no longer needs to hunt. Kraven then goes home satisfied he has done all he can, puts a shotgun in his mouth and pulls the trigger, he died believing he bested Spider-Man at last.
3. The Amazing Spider-Man #90
(art by John Romita)
Captain George Stacy liked Peter Parker. He liked the fact that his daughter Gwen, was dating him. He also respected Spider-Man, one of the few NYPD officers that did. In preparing for a battle with Dr. Octopus, Spider-Man invented a special web fluid that would affect his tentacles. Spider-Man and Doc Ock met on a rooftop and battled. Soon Captain Stacy arrived on the scene with the police. When Spider-Man fires his webbing at Doc Ock it does exactly what he wanted it to. Ock’c tentacles went crazy and knocked over a chimney. As the debris feel to the street below a child walked into harms way. Captain Stacy jumped into action and pushed the child out of the way. However he was crushed. Spidey swooped down and picked him up to rush him to the hospital. Captain Stacy told Spider-Man he won’t make it and to put him down. Captain Stacy reveals to Spider-Man that he knows that he is Peter Parker and to take care of Gwen. George Stacy dies in Spider-Mans arms.
2. The Spectacular Spider-Man #178-184
(art by Sal Buscema)
The Child Within is an amazing six part story that is so deep it’s crazy. The story deals with three very different characters and with the psychology that comes from their childhood. Peter Parker, Harry Osborn, and Edward better known to the comic world as Vermin. What is revealed are some really deep levels of abuse and heart break. For Peter it’s the abandonment of his biological parents. For Harry it’s the inability to live up to his fathers expectations. And the most shocking of all is Vermin’s being sexually abused by his father and his evil side is a direct result of that abuse. The story is dark and it is so wonderfully scripted by J.M. Dematties. This is a powerful arc and one that is kind of forgotten about.
1. The Amazing Spider-Man #121-122
(art by John Romita)
This is the greatest comic story ever. When Norman Osborn has a mental breakdown and becomes the Green Goblin again he immediately goes after Peter Parker. Peter is not at his apartment however, but his girlfriend Gwen Stacy was. The Goblin kidnaps Gwen and leaves a note for Peter. When returning to his apartment Peter is horrified that Gwen has been taken by The Green Goblin. Spider-Man quickly swings into action and he finds The Goblin and Gwen on top of the George Washington bridge. Gwen appears to be unconscious and The Goblin is taunting Spider-Man. Spidey rushes into action and angrily attacks the Green Goblin. After Spidey lands a massive blow to the Goblin he rushes to Gwen’s side. But just before he gets there the Goblin knocks Gwen of the bridge…
Peter thinks he saves Gwen’s life and pulls her up to “safety”. When she makes it to the top of the bridge Peter is horrified to find that she is dead! The Green Goblin then tells Spider-Man that she was dead before he tried to save her a fall from that height would kill anyone…
The Green Goblin took the shock of Gwen’s death to escape. When Peter leaves Gwen’s body with the police on the dock, he goes after Osborn. Unable to locate him at his home, he tries the Goblins hideout. There Peter finds him and goes berserk. He beats Osborn to an inch of his life and when he is about to deliver the death blow, he stops. Peter realizes that if he killed the Goblin he is no better then him, and Gwen would not want him to do it. The Goblin however uses this opportunity to remotely activate his glider with the intention of stabbing Spider-Man in the back. Spidey’s spider-sense alerts him and he dodges the glider….
The Goblin dies at his own hands…
Wow I got teary just reliving that story. I hope you enjoy this list and will read the adventures of Peter Parker…The Amazing Spider-Man!
Dear Fellow Moviegoers,
This is the easiest letter I have ever written. Going to the movies is an enjoyable experience. It takes you to places you’ve never been like space or Middle-Earth. They make you cry and laugh. They are also expensive…
So why fellow moviegoer do you insist on talking and texting in the movies? What has happened in the past several years where people think it is an acceptable behavior? It seems that every movie me and the Nerds have attended, somebody either talks or uses their phones during the movie. Why? It is totally unnecessary. You go to movies to escape the daily hassles of life. A cellphone is one of them. PLEASE don’t use your phone during the movie, it doesn’t seem like a big favor.
Also you don’t need to talk either. Or repeat the jokes that were just said. Or yell at the screen, trust me the big boobed woman running from Jason cannot hear you.
In order to stop this the Nerds and I will start posting your mug that we take at the movie and post it on this blog called “A**hole at the Movie” so please don’t talk or use your phone at the next movie we attend or you will be forever black marked on our site.
Heart,
The Reel Nerds
,