Iron Man

Grade: A+

I can't think of anything I didn't like. I must admit a few things first. When I heard that Robert Downey, Jr. was playing the lead role, I was very skeptical. And some of the movie's trailers made it look like it was going to be very corny. BUT, it was great. Downey was brilliant playing the likable prick, and soon to be superhero, Tony Stark. His supporting cast (Gweneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, etc.) was equally brilliant.

The mechanical genius and billionaire Tony Stark made a fortune creating and selling cutting edge weapons. However, after he is kidnapped by terrorists and forced to build a super weapon for them, he must use all of his ingenuity to build a weapon that will help him escape. He decides to devote himself to a superhero life, instead of that of a self-absorbed playboy, which he had led to that point. He becomes Iron Man, a hero who, like Bruce Wayne's Batman, holds the world's true superpowers: money and smarts. He builds a metal suit for himself that gives him strength, armor, projectile weapons, and (of course) flight.

I highly recommend this movie. It is PG-13 for some brief sexuality and epic superhero combat.

P.S. Stay until after the end credits for a little surprise.

Man On Fire

Grade: A-

I really enjoyed this movie. I know that it was released several years ago, but I hadn't seen it until a couple of nights ago on TV. It was exceptional. The film had a unique look to it, it felt gritty and real, yet it maintained an almost mythical quality too.

The story revolves around Creasy (Denzel Washington), a former CIA agent, who is hired by a wealthy Mexican (Marc Anthony) as a bodyguard for his daughter (Dakota Fanning). Creasy is to protect her from potential kidnappers, as kidnapping is wealthy children is a booming business in Latin America. In an ambush, the girls is indeed kidnapped and Creasy is shot and almost dies. Word gets to the family that the girl was killed and Creasy goes on a personal mission to track down every kidnapper and bring them to justice. I know it sounds like a cliche, but the filmmakers pull it off with great beauty, tenderness, and realism.

I highly recommend this film. It is rated R for violence. I watched an edited version on TV, but I could tell what had been edited out.

Battlestar Galactica

Grade: B+ (so far)

Okay, so this is a TV show. But each episode has the production quality of a feature film.

For those who are not familiar with it, it is a remake of the old TV show. In the distant future, mankind is traveling the Galaxy. Humans had invented artificially intelligent machines, which inevitably evolve to become our enemy, (pretty cliched back story, I know). These machines, the "Cylons," have actually destroyed all of mankind except for around 40,000 people that populate a fleet of star ships.

So here are the major conflicts in the series: (1) the Cylons are roaming the galaxy looking to wipe out the rest of the humans, (2) the humans are roaming the Galaxy searching for the mythical planet "Earth" to restart their civilization. Of course, there is plenty of political intrigue, twists, and action along the way. For example, there are 12 Cylon models that are indistinguishable from humans (they look like people, not robots), but here's the catch, we the viewers do not know who they all are. So, there is always the real possibility that any character is actually one of the unidentified Cylons.

I must admit that I hadn't watched Galactica until this season, which is the fourth and final season. It really blew me away. I was drawn in by the plot, the cinematography, and the overall production quality. One major "pro" to the series is that it began with the end in mind. It will not be like those shows that outlive their prime and spiral, out of control, into outlandish stories just to stay alive. It is able to maintain its epic feel through the life of the series.

One major drawback: there is some blatant sexuality. Although not in every episode, when it is there, it is pretty in your face. I find myself simply changing the channel and returning to it after a couple of minutes. It really bothers me, especially when there are always other ways to communicate what has happened to the audience. Viewer beware.

I am hooked and can't wait to see how the whole sweeping plot unfolds and resolves.

I Am Legend, PG-13

Grade: A-

Wow! What a movie. Will Smith, once again, proves why he is one of America's national treasures. This post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller was full of emotion and action. The first half of the movie reminded me a lot of Cast Away, where Smith is the only person on screen, indeed in the "world." His means of coping with the loneliness came across as genuine and convincing.

Many critics say the end was disappointing, an opinion with which I can sympathize. It felt a little abrupt, and left a few unresolved plot points. An alternate ending is available (I found it on YouTube), which I am told more closely follows the book. I like both endings for different reasons. The original ending has a messianic quality to it: a savior must sacrifice to save the world, hearkening to the Time Magazine cover page displayed at the beginning with a picture of Smith's character and the title "Savior?" The alternate ending, however, does tie up the loose ends (even the ones you didn't realize were loose at the time), manages to portray the humanity in the "bad guys," and is "happier."

Overall, I really liked it. I am sure that I will watch it again.

Top 10 Animated Films

The best cartoon movies ever. I am including computer generated cartoons in this category. As always, in no particular order:

1. Mulan
2. Hercules
3. Toy Story 1 and 2
4. Emperor's New Groove
5. The Incredibles
   
6. Lion King
7. Beauty and the Beast
8. Shrek
9. Prince of Egypt
   
10. Treasure Planet
11. Jimmy Neutron
    

Top 10 Romantic Comedies

This is the only list here that even remotely resembles "chick flicks."

1. Princess Bride
2. You've Got mail
3. Sleepless in Seattle
4. Joe Versus the Volcano
5. Miss Congeniality
6. While You Were Sleeping
7. Dan in Real Life
8. It Could Happen to You
9. Two Weeks Notice
10. 
    

Top 10 Scary Movies

I hate the horror genre. But these movies are really good without being too gory or horrific.

1. The Village
2. The Sixth Sense
3. Wait Until Dark
4. I Am Legend

Top 10 Action/Adventure

Here they are, in no particular order.

1. Armageddon
   
2. Hero
3. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
4. Matrix
5. Mission Impossible (1)
6. The Bourne . . . trilogy
7. Indiana Jones
8. Batman Begins & The Dark Knight
9. The Fugitive
   
10. Italian Job
11. Ocean's 11
12. The Jack Ryan series (Hunt for Red October, Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games, Etc.)
13. Transformers
    

Top 10 Fantasy

The line between sci-fi and fantasy is not thin as many claim. It is wide and gray. For example, where do superhero movies fit? (I chose to include them in sci-fi.) Orson Scott Card classifies both into the larger genre of "Speculative Fiction." I need to add to this list when I have some time to think more about it.

1. The Lord of the Rings
2. Harry Potter
3. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
4. The Chronicles of Narnia
5. Willow

Top 10 Historical Dramas

Movies realistically set in a historical period, though not necessarily "based on a true story." Again, in no particular order.

1. Chariots of Fire
   
2. The Last Samurai
3. Saving Private Ryan
4. Gladiator
5. The Count of Monte Cristo
6. The Right Stuff
7. Hotel Rwanda
8. Hidalgo
9. Life is Beautiful
10. The Mission
11. Braveheart
12. The Patriot
13. Forrest Gump