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DVD review: Clone Hunter

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Often, sci-fi and low budget indie productions go together about as well as chocolate and onions. The high budget demands on special effects eventually hamper the entire story. Clone Hunter is indeed  [ ... ]


What to make of the ending to Inception?

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So far, my favorite film this year is Christopher Nolanís Inception. Not only does it deliver all the action and thrills expected of a big budget summer blockbuster, but it has inspired endl [ ... ]


DVD Review: The White Ribbon

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The White Ribbon is a drama starring Christian Freidl, Ulrich Turkl and Burghart Klaussner. Directed by Michael Haneke.

There is something wrong here. In a seemingly quaint German village pre-WW1, [ ... ]


DVD Review: Shutter Island

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The film begins on an ominous note. Eerie strings play as the film fades to white. Soon, a ship appears out of the fog. Cut to a gumshoe, looking and speaking as if he has stepped straight out of a [ ... ]


Top Ten Movie Lists from indiefilmchat.com
Top 10 Biography Films PDF Print E-mail
Written by Trent Daniel   
Thursday, 20 August 2009 18:34

 
In my recent review of Milk, I admitted that biographies are not my favorite film genre, primarily for two reasons: 1) the story is already written, which can often hamper the artist in telling the story and 2) there is often a tendency for film biographies to fall too much in love with its subject, which can lead the film down a path of worship and away from perhaps telling the true story and/or from presenting the real subjectís flaws as well as his or her triumphs (which I felt was the case with Milk).

In making my Top 10, I noticed that my list was eclectic, that it included low level gangsters, failed musicians and file clerks alongside queens, emperors and generals. It does not focus solely on those who reached noble heights, but focuses as well on some people of dubious character who did not always succeed. However, I feel that each of these films is honest toward their subjects, showing their flaws as well as their triumphs. Furthermore, each works as a film, telling their stories in innovative, original and striking ways.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 27 August 2009 17:57
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Top 5 John Hughes Films PDF Print E-mail
Written by Trent Daniel   
Monday, 10 August 2009 17:32
ImageLike many of my fellow kids of the 80s, I was very sad to learn of the passing of John Hughes. He is best remembered now as the king of the ìteen angstî comedies of the 1980s and many scenes from his films seemed to define my generation much like Woodstock did the 60s or the birth of rock did the 50s. His best work stood out because he seemed to not only genuinely like teenagers, but also respect and understand them as well. Current filmmakers like Judd Apatow and Kevin Smith recently noted how influential Hughes was on their careers (with Smith adding that much of his work is basically a ìraunchy version of a John Hughes film.î)

However, while making a tribute ìTop 5î list to Hughes, I somewhat surprised myself, as I discovered that 3 of my 5 favorite films by him were not his ìteenî films, but ones that primarily centered around adults and families (particularly the father figure) and featured hilarious, memorable work by [[Steve Martin]], [[Chevy Chase]] and [[John Candy]]. Others may wonder why other favorites by him, such as [[The Breakfast Club]], [[Some Kind of Wonderful]], [[Pretty in Pink]], or [[Home Alone]] are not on my list, but again, all lists are subjective. A weekend spent watching his best work is not a bad way to spend the weekend at all. RIP Mr. Hughes.
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Last Updated on Monday, 10 August 2009 17:53
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Top 10 Closing Shots PDF Print E-mail
Written by Trent Daniel   
Monday, 27 July 2009 11:33


Though not a requirement, many of the great films end with an arresting closing shot, a final, often haunting image that can either tells us everything we need to know about the story, or in some cases, opens up further questions. Furthermore, a brilliant closing shot can cement the stature of a classic, or move a very good film to greatness.

To follow are the Top 10 greatest closing shots in movie history, IMHO. As always, feel free to offer me feedback.

Warning: This list obviously includes spoilers.

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Last Updated on Monday, 27 July 2009 11:57
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Top 10 Road Movies PDF Print E-mail
Written by Trent Daniel   
Wednesday, 08 July 2009 11:14
In trying to decide on the Top 10 road movies, I inadvertently created a quite eclectic list, ranging from action to suspense to romance to high comedy to heartbreaking sadness. The only thing that truly ties them together is the open road (and with one notable exception, all take place in America).

It Happened One Night (Frank Capra 1934)



Though 75 years old, this gem remains fresh, funny and very entertaining. In telling the story about a runaway (actually kidnapped) bride and a reporter in search a story find each other, it was one of the first films that truly captured the America of diners, buses, highways and motels that most of us live near, yet rarely see on film. Furthermore, there is still genuine sexual chemistry between [[Clark Gable]] and [[Claudette Colbert]]. The scene where they share a room together, separated by a makeshift barrier made from a clothesline and towel, while a thunderstorm beats against the window, is still one of the most romantic scenes in movie history.

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 08 July 2009 13:25
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Top 10 Blockbusters of the 1980s PDF Print E-mail
Written by Trent Daniel   
Friday, 26 June 2009 10:00
To me, the 1980s is still the best decade ever for summer blockbusters. In making my Top 10, I had to leave out some very good and entertaining films, yet I feel that all the films listed below are genuine classics which were not only innovative, but have stood the test of time well. I can confidently say that you can rent any of these films on a warm summer day and you wonít be disappointed. 

Image1. Raiders of The Lost Ark (June 1981)

To me, this is still the king of all summer blockbusters and about as much fun as one can have at a movie. So many classic moments, from the giant stone orb, to the sword versus gun gag (one of the funniest movie moments ever), to the snake infested tomb to the truck chase (one of the best car chases ever) to the horrifying, infamous moment when the ark is opened and the Nazis get their just desserts. I remember when I left the theater as a kid and I had a feeling not unlike getting off a great roller coaster ride: I was totally spent and a bit disoriented-yet also exhilarated and ready to turn around and ride it again. A truly great movie.
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Last Updated on Monday, 29 June 2009 11:40
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1990s - Top 10 Summer Blockbusters PDF Print E-mail
Written by Trent Daniel   
Tuesday, 16 June 2009 11:17
Image
Before giving my Top 10 Summer Blockbusters, I want to first re-iterate my personal definition of a blockbuster:

Obviously, it must be released in the summer season, which I narrowed down to between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day.
It must be a big budget film, either full of special effects, big names or up and coming stars, or both.
The film is preferably rated G to PG-13 and designed to get the kids and teen audience, though in a few cases I let an R rated one slip in.

My third part of the definition was the primary reason I ruled out one of the key movies of the decade, Saving Private Ryan (July 1998). Though it meets the first 2 parts of my definition, it obviously did not meet the third (what parent would let their teen see Saving Private Ryan on a warm July day and then take them out for an Icee afterward? It doesnít fit.)

In making my list for the 1990s, I decided that, overall, it was a weaker decade for blockbusters than was the 2000s-and (as you will see in my next list) nowhere near the level of quality of films found in the 1980s, when some true classics were made. Furthermore, there was a drought of quality summer blockbusters from 1995 to 2000. The drought could have been helped immeasurably if Titanic had been released as scheduled (it was scheduled for a June 1997 release, but was moved back to December of that year).
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 08 July 2009 11:39
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Top Ten Lists PICK

Top Ten Mind Mess Films
In the wake of Inception, I thought it might be fun to create a list of 10 of the best mind mess movies. All of these films are very good, with some masterpieces. What they have in common is a tendency to question re
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