Superbad (2007)

This film is iconic amongst most teenagers and high schoolers. Why? Well, for one thing, it is a hilarious and ridiculous comedy that is all the while quite relatable. Secondly, the film discovered certain stars such as Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse.

The story follows a typical group of high school losers trying to get with girls. They resort to the only way they know how to get a girl to possibly sleep with them, which is buying booze. This simple plot element sends the snowball rolling on a ridiculous and hilarious avalanche.

The stars of this film are hilarious in what they do as their performances are genuine and convincing. However, from watching what they have done since, I only see Hill as the actor with true potential. Sure, he has had several roles after Superbad where he was essentially the same vulgar and unlikable fat kid, but he has slimmed down for a few roles and has also performed well as either a shy or rambunctious supporting character.

I would say that if you are or have been in high school and have experienced the under-21 struggle, this film is definitely worth a watch as it is hilarious and relatable. It's a film that'll make you enjoy a period of life that may not have been that enjoyable. Conclusion: Worth A Watch

Rating: 7.5/10

Blood Diamond (2006)

Of the two Leonardo DiCaprio headed films released in 2006, I actually enjoyed Blood Diamond more than The Departed. Instead of a roundabout story about betrayal, this movie examines a much simpler and more brutal lifestyle experienced in Sierra Leone. While people will be drawn to DiCaprio's character, Danny Archer, Djimon Hounsou's Solomon Vandy is a character for the ages who truly moves the film.

The story is set during the Sierra Leone Civil War in 1999 and is based around Solomon and his family. Captured by R.U.F., Solomon is forced to look for diamonds for officials while his son becomes a child soldier. As Solomon stumbles upon a large, pure diamond, he hides it in order to retrieve it later. Danny Archer then comes into the story as he learns of Solomon and his giant diamond. Archer, tortured by his roots, is willing to risk everything to find Solomon's find of a lifetime. One my favorite touches to this film was when Archer pulls out one of his hollowed teeth in order to smuggle a tiny diamond in it. Compare that to the diamond that Solomon found and you know how much this rock means to Archer. 

While Danny is guided by Solomon, Vandy wants to find his son. A heartbreaking scene at the end of this film is when Solomon is held at gunpoint by his son. Through love and belief, Solomon tells his son that this is not the life they should lead. Capped off by an embrace, the conclusion is fulfilling.

The film is tragic and beautiful, punctuated by a strong directorial hand from Edward Zwick and career performances by Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou. You won't regret watching this film. Conclusion: Watch It

Rating: 8.5/10

Million Dollar Baby (2005)

Million Dollar Baby had all the makings of a feel good underdog story, but it didn't deliver. That's not a bad thing, because it isn't that this film had a lack of direction. Instead, everything took a turn for the worst.

The story follows Maggie Fitzgerald, a waiter who aspires to be a boxer. Physically, she has none of the makings of a great fighter. Mentally, she is up for whatever and she will never give up on what she loves. An inspiring character, Maggie is eventually able to convince great boxing trainer Frankie Dunn to train her. As we follow Maggie's uphill climb as a female fighter, her rise is brought to a tragic and abrupt halt as she is landed with a cheap shot that results in a broken neck.

The heartbreaking moment of this movie is towards the end as, spoiler alert, Maggie, the girl who never gave up, gives up on life as she is unable to lead an existence on a bed. She begs Frankie to put her down, which he reluctantly does. I have never cried during a film, but I think this scene is the closest I have ever come to shedding a tear.

The acting performances by Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, and Morgan Freeman make this film great and Eastwood's direction makes this film truly special. This heartbreaking and tragic tale is one to follow and hold to your heart forever. Conclusion: Must See

Rating: 8.75/10

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Catch Me If You Can is a fun and entertaining movie about Frank Abagnale Jr., a con man who made millions before his 19th birthday. This cat and mouse chase is wild, but all based on a true story. While leaving room for fun, the film simultaneously tells us the intriguing story about the real life con man.

One of the most interesting things that I found in this story is that there is no antagonist. Leonardo DiCaprio's portrayal of the con man is that of a likable and charismatic kid looking to make some fun trouble all the while cashing in checks. If there ever was an antagonist, one may be so inclined to say it could be Carl Hanratty, the detective set on Frank's case. However, the end of the film reaches a fulfilling conclusion as Frank is eventually caught, but becomes one of the authoritative figure of determining forged checks. 

Overall, this is a very fun film that I think all would enjoy. It has a healthy dosage of seriousness accompanied by childish antics. Conclusion: Worth A Watch

Rating: 8/10

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

A Beautiful Mind is a biopic loosely based on the life of John Forbes Nash, a Nobel Prize winner for his work in Economics. The film follows his life from enrolling at Princeton University for Undergraduate studies up till his Nobel Prize ceremony. His beautiful mind was unfortunately offset by his case of schizophrenia, which is an aspect of Nash's life that is thoroughly examined in the movie.

The story itself is well rehearsed in that it thoroughly portrays Nash as a "numbers guy" and not a "people person." One of my favorite scenes from this film is the "Ignore the Blonde" scene, which does a splendid job of showing Nash's brilliant mind and social handicap. The movie's character development of the supporting cast is also throughly executed as the audience grows a connection to Charles, Nash's roommate at Princeton who also happens to only be a figment of John's imagination. At that juncture of the film, the audience is unaware of Nash's condition and they are only exposed to the truth once Parcher is introduced. Parcher, an agent and figment of Nash's imagination, mysteriously recruits John for code breaking. As the audience grows suspicious of this character, the truth of the condition is revealed, creating a raw feeling of sympathy shared by everyone watching for Nash. Not only does the viewer strongly sympathize with Nash, but perhaps moreso with his wife, Alicia, who must struggle through his disorder with him. In Alicia's introductory scene, it is obvious that not only is she elegant, but she is also witty and smart. By having a strong connection with the characters, A Beautiful Mind creates a more realistic struggle and story.

Now the one flaw of this movie is that through its tremendous success, it has become popular culture's quick and simplified reference to schizophrenia. I would say that this film is a poor and unjust portrayal of real life economist John Forbes Nash. Rather, this movie is a powerful story regarding the idea of a John Nash. It may not have hurt to alter a few of the names in this film as it truly isn't about John Forbes Nash. Instead, it is about a character who's accolades have been based off of him and has a condition similar to the actual man. Conclusion: Must Watch

Rating: 8.5/10

Cast Away (2000)

I don't think people appreciate just how good of a film Cast Away is. To have essentially one actor occupy 80 minutes of the film's screen time is no easy task. In order to have a high level of involvement and focus with just one character, the actor must deliver a superb performance, the writers must create a believable and likable character, and the director must engage the audience with the story. A seemingly boring film on the surface will never get old to me.

The story follows Chuck Noland, a Fedex oversees shipment employee. He leads a simple life home and away from his longtime girlfriend Kelly. As he leaves for some shipments of Christmas and New Years gifts, she gives him a pocket watch with her picture and he leaves a special present for her to open on New Years. The problem is that Chuck does not return for New Years. His plain crashes somewhere over the Pacific. Chuck manages to survive as he floats to the shore of a small island in the middle of nowhere. To expect savages or rabid animals on the island is unrealistic, just as anticipating rescue is. 

For the next 80 minutes, the audience is treated to Chuck's struggle in isolation. With a few items washed up on shore, Wilson the volleyball and Kelly's picture, Chuck devises a few plans to escape the shores of the island, whether through boating back or suicide. However, for four years, Chucks plans fail. It isn't until Chuck decides that there is nothing left to live for on the island that he takes the ultimate gamble at sea on a makeshift raft. When he loses Wilson in one of the most emotional goodbye scenes in all of cinema, there is nothing left for him. In the most unrealistic turn in a rather realistic film, a ship finds Chuck at sea.

Upon his return to life, things have changed in four years. Chuck has already had a funeral and Kelly had left him. No one is at fault here since Chuck's return is such an unlikely proposition. Instead, the film is maddeningly realistic as a man who had one thing to live for couldn't even return to life with that one thing. That is the sad reality to Chuck's existence.

This film is powerful not just because of its story, but also because of the masterful filmmaking behind the scenes. Tom Hanks delivers a resounding performance and Zemeckis' direction is brilliant. Conclusion: Must See

Rating: 9/10

The Matrix (1999)

When creating a great action or science fiction film or both, the filmmakers can make a choice. They can choose the blue pill: a film loaded with mindless action that will last a week sitting high in the box office. Or they can choose the red pill: try something different regarding plot and effects that will last in our memories forever. The Wachowski brothers managed to piece together an action movie that addressed the question of our existence. Whether or not this is a serious question about our existence, it is an interesting take that makes the audience think.

The plot on the surface is nothing too special: ordinary man discovers he is destined for great things, struggles to develop, until ultimately realizing his purpose and potential. If you think about it, this plot is sorely overdone. However, the added element of science fiction allows the mind to wander with imaginative guidance by the premise of the film.

The films most memorable sequences come in the action scenes as we get to see special effects never applied to the screen before. The slow motion and bullet dodging is something you don't forget the first time you see it. Conclusion: Watch It

Rating: 8/10