Pick Six: Best Alfred Hitchcock Movies

Vern of The Vern's Video Vangaurd returns with another Pick Six. 

With the recent release of "Hitchcock" in theaters  I thought I would take a look back at some of the best movies the master of suspense has made.   Alfred Hitchcock has made tons of movies throughout his career and trying to come up with just six is very difficult. There are tons of titles he has made that I have not seen yet. The following is a quick list of some of his greatest.

The Birds, 1963

On a normal typical day in Bodega Bay,California. A town is invaded by a group of birds without any warning. This is the first movie that I can recall that shows animals turning against humans for no reason. In typical Hitchcock fashion, the story does not begin with birds attacking. Instead it focuses on Tippi Hedren's character seeking out a man (Rod Taylor) to deliver a pair of lovebirds as a kind of joke. But when she gets there strange thing begin happening. The effects are kind of cheesy compared to day, but it still manages to have some very creepy scenes. The moment where all the birds are perched quietly all around while the protagonists try to escape is effectively chilling.

Rope, 1948

Two men (John Dall, Farley Granger) kill one of their classmates and stuff his body inside a dresser. They decide to hold a dinner party and invite other people over including their own school housemaster (James Stewart). They do this to prove their superiority and to show they can commit the perfect murder. This is the first movie that is shown to be done in one take. Well actually it was more like six but the editing is so seamless. You hardly notice when the change takes place. I do also believe that this was the first movie to have two gay characters in lead roles, and while the representation of having them be killers wasn't positive. It was still kind of a big deal especially back in those days.

Frenzy, 1972

In London a man has terrorized a small town by raping and killing a bunch of women. His latest victim was the ex wife of one of his friends and now the police suspect the friend to be the killer instead of him. This is the first movie from Mr. Hitchcock to have a strong R rating. There are scenes with nudity but it's never gratuitous. A nice enjoyable thriller with good performances all around.

North By Northwest, 1959

One of my all time favorite movies. If your a fan of James Bond, I highly recommend you seek this one out because it is the first one to have a secret agent even though Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) has no idea why he is being mistaken for one. The movie blends suspense, comedy, erotic seduction, and thrills  so well that you hardly notice the time going by. This is the model of how to make a great blockbuster. If this were to be made today it will still be a hit just like it was when it was first released.

Psycho, 1960

Without Norman Bates there would be no Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, Leatherface, or the many other psychopathic killers we have seen on screen.  Mr. Hitchcock has created the first horror slasher movie and the same elements are still used today. What really sets this one apart from the others is the way he makes you feel empathy for it's villain. After Norman disposes the body into a car and sinks it into the lake. There is a moment when it  just stops and you become scared that he might get caught. That is just brilliant no matter time period this was made. Also the whole marketing campaign was really quite brilliant by not allowing people to enter the movie after the feature had begun. I wish this was still used today.

Vertigo, 1958

Vertigo remains to be one of the most psychologically messed up movies in Hitchcock's career that I have seen so far. His main character played by James Stewart takes the idea of obsession a bit too far. He is so haunted by the death of this one woman that he makes another girl look just like her. Just so he can try to recreate that moment when he tried to save her but failed. This is a fascinating portrait of the insane things we do when we lose the people we love. This is a movie that continues to be analyzed and discussed to this very day.

Nick's Pick Six:
Rope
Psycho
Rear Window
North by Northwest
Vertigo
Shadow of a Doubt

What are your favorite movies by Alfred Hitchcock. Leave some suggestions in the comments below.

Pick Six: Thanksgiving Movies

Hello, hello, one and all it is me, The Vern from The Vern's Videovangaurd and co host of The As You Watch podcast. Yes, yes I know it is pretty exciting to see me on here. Please hold down your applause. I for one am very glad that head honcho Nick has asked me to be a contributor to his site, and I really hope that all of you enjoy this and any other article I post here.

When Halloween approaches there are tons of movies and television programs to watch. Same thing goes for Christmas, Easter, and Valentines Day. Hell even April Fools Day have their own damn flick, but do you know the one holiday that doesn't get much film love? That's right, Thanksgiving. Well here are a few flicks that I think are worth your time and effort to seek out.

*Note: Keep in mind dear readers that is is not a countdown list. I'm not good at ranking movies, and I'm not about to start now.

Planes Trains and Automobiles, 1987

Neal Page (Steve Martin) is on his way to back home to visit his family for Thanksgiving when he accidentally  meets up with a obnoxious shower ring salesman Del Griffth (John Candy). I love this movies because it is extremely funny and the chemistry between Candy and Martin are incredible. It's kind of sad that both director John Hughes and Mr. Candy had to pass away because I would have loved to see more movies from these two. The one thing I love about this flick is that it teaches us to look past the surfaces of people and judge them on who they are inside.

Pieces of April, 2003

Remember how god damn adorable Katie Holmes was before she got caught up in the whole Tom Cruise love fest. Pieces of April was her last good performance in a movie that I can think of. In it, she plays the black sheep daughter who tries to do right by having her family over for Thanksgiving. Nothing goes right for her during this day, but all the problems seem very real and the jokes are genuine instead of generic slapstick prats. Oliver Platt and Patricia Clarkson portray her parents and have some wonderful moments  together.

Home for the Holidays, 1995

Jodie Foster directed this tale of Claudia Larson's(Holly Hunter) trip back home to spend the holidays with her crazy family. Miss Foster made quite a splash with her first feature Little Man Tate, but this one feels really flat. It has some good performances from Robert Downey Jr. (who admitted to using heroin while filming) and Claire Danes, but I never found it to be memorable.

The House of Yes, 1997

If I were to tell you that there was a movie with Tori Spelling, Freddie Prinze Jr, and it was good. You would probably think that I am about crazy as the character Parker Posey plays in this dark comedy. In it, Marty(Josh Hamilton) and his fiance Lesly (Spelling) go to the home of his family where his sister Jackie (Posey) has just been released from a mental hospital. This is very much a filmed version of a stage play, but the performances all around are great and each character is flushed out very well. This is from director Mark Waters who is best known for Mean Girls and the remake of Freaky Friday.  I'm sure he never wants to make a movie like this again because it does goes into some dark territories. Even though everything is discussed and nothing is ever shown.

Hannah and her Sisters, 1986

In this dramedy from director Woody Allen. Hannah's (Mia Farrow) husband (Michael Caine) falls in love with her sister Lee (Barbara Hershey). Meanwhile hypochondriac Mickey(Allen) believes that he has cancer and tries to find the right religion to belong too. Mr. Caine won a best supporting actor award for his work in this. I'll admit that him and the rest of the cast are just fine and that it does have some funny moments. I just never had much interest in this movie over all. I wanted to very much like it, because I do love most of Woody's other movies. I just don't have love for this one. None of the characters evoke any sympathy at all from me.

Thanksgiving- Fake Trailer from Grindhouse, 2007

Eli Roth directed this fake trailer for use in the double feature Grindhouse that was placed between both movies. This slasher flick is about a killer pilgrim, and it looks so much like the ones that were made in the late 70's that it becomes almost authentic. The voice of the narrator is what freaks me out the most about this ad.

Let me know what you thought of the feature below, and leave me some feedback on what you thought was a great Thanksgiving movie.

The Six Most F**ked Up Movies I've Ever Seen

You can call me the ultimate procrastinator when it takes me until the absolute last day to write a post for my own blogathon. As you have may have noticed, I have been hosting the Most F**ked Up Movies You've Ever Seen Blogathon throughout all of October and have gotten plenty of entries. From foreign flicks to rather unusual releases, you guys have given me plenty of movies to either avoid or track down and feed my morbid curiosity. Either way, it's about time I write my own list of what I consider to be the most f**ked up movies I have ever seen. And to keep it flush with the rest of the site, we can call this the most unusual Pick Six the site has ever seen.

Directed by: Nicolas Roeg, Rated: PG, 91 minutes

Now, as part of the blogathon, I asked that if any of you had seen something that haunted your childhood or was absolutely far too disturbing to watch as a kid, to include it on your list. The Witches is that film for me. Seeing this disturbing adaptation of a Rohld Dahl book left me with nightmares. Angelica Huston stars as a witch that hosts a witch conference at a hotel resort. Together, the mega-coven plan to rid the world of children by poisoning their candy. If that's not creepy enough, the majority of the witches (that I have now come to learn) are planned by transvestites and men in drag, only adding to the creep factor. Of my entire childhood, The Witches stands out as the most f**ked up movie (Little Nemo Adventures in Slumberland comes a close second).

Directed by: Lars von Trier, Rated: NR, 108 minutes

I can only assume that Lars von Trier would make the list on many people's list as the man tends to push (and rape) every boundary you can think of. With Antichrist Lars von Trier not only makes you incredibly uncomfortable but makes you fear for your private parts. The film features a handful of scenes of genital mutilation that are not only graphic but far too disgusting for anyone to witness. Von Trier utilizes actual porn stars for graphic sex, luring you in with the sexy only to ruin any positive thoughts you had for making whoopie. Antichrist stars Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg as a couple that flee to a cabin in the woods to get away from their city lives after their child falls out a window and dies. It's a movie so depressing, so f**ked up, and shows two people inflicting the most physical and emotional pain on each than you could ever imagine. 

Directed by: Darren Aronofsky, Rated: R, 102 minutes

Don't get me wrong, Requiem for a Dream is a beautiful film. But Aronofsky paints a morbid portrait of drug addiction that leaves you promising yourself you'll never touch heroine as long as you live. It's a film that never holds back and completely dives into the deep end of the worst case scenarios in relation to drugs and sees four individuals spiral completely out of control. Set to an amazing soundtrack by Clint Mansell and the visceral visuals of Aronofsky, Requiem for a Dream lures you in with a glossy cover only to have to peeled away to reveal a layer of horror you never want to experience. To this day, I can't look at needles because of this film and hate getting my flu shot.

Directed by: John McNaughton, Rated: NR, 83 minutes

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is just that. It's a look inside the life of a man so twisted and disturbed he does not deserve to walk on this earth. There's very little to actual enjoy about the film, as its a series of events that are hard to watch and have only negative emotions associated with them. It's simple an unflinching look at a man driven to kill and can only be admired for going somewhere you can only assume real serial killers have tread. If Dexter can make "light" of a homicidal maniac, Henry does the complete opposite. You hate the man and want to see him die, but he simply keeps chugging along taking victim after victim. The film also gave us Michael Rooker, and to this day, I can never look at the man without hating him just a little bit.

Directed by: Takashi Miike, Rated: NR, 115 minutes

Asian cinema is a force to be reckoned with. With a large focus on revenge, you can only imagine the lengths the characters in these films go to hand out the dish best served cold. Thus, it was incredibly hard to decide on one particular film from the Eastern Continent. With Audition, we're not exactly given a revenge story, but you the torture that plays out on screen needs to be justified with something to make you feel a little better about what you see. Audition is an incredibly slow-burning flick that escalates at a snails pace. It's a film that needs patience and only rewards you for said patience with a sequence so disturbing and so unnerving you can't look away (as hard as you try). What Psycho did for showers and Jaws did for the ocean, Audition does for pretty Asian girls. Yeah, it's that f**ked up.

Directed by: Pascal Laugier, Rated: R, 99 minutes

Whenever the topic of most f**ked up movies ever comes up, you have to mention Martyrs. This French flick holds absolutely nothing back and plucks at your nerves like a violin, making you cringe at every moment. The quickest way to explain the plot behind the film is that there's a religious cult that tries to get people as close to an excruciating death as possible, in hopes they see God. What plays out is like nothing you could imagine and the pain that's inflicted on the two leads girls is a thing of nightmares. This is a movie my girlfriend got incredibly pissed off at me for watching after she left feeling nauseated after the first five minutes. Simply put, Martyrs makes you less of a nicer person and after watching the film, you carry an extra weight of something awful with you for a very, very long time.

Pick Six- Tom Hanks

With this week’s release of Cloud Atlas, we figured it would be a good time to do a Pick Six for the great Tom Hanks. I was excited about this particular project, because unlike Tim Burton, I have loved Tom Hanks and the movies he was in for about as long as I can remember. I’m also fascinated by the man himself. I was delighted to learn, for instance, that he collects typewriters. Picking my top six Tom Hanks wasn't as difficult as I thought it might be – the hardest part, in the end, was deciding what films wouldn't make the final cut. Here are my top six favorite (favorite, not “best” or most Oscar toting) Tom Hanks movies.

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis, Rated: PG-13, 143 minutes

It should illuminate the love I have for Tom Hanks that the number six movie I have on my list is Cast Away. This movie has been one of my favorites since the very first time I was transported by it in theaters. In a funny twist of fate, I first saw Cast Away while living in Bakersfield, California. For those with lackluster memories or those who have not yet seen the film, there’s a scene where a porter-potty door washes up on the beach of Tom Hanks’ private island. As incentive for those who are not catching on, let’s just say the audience started cheering at this scene. Tom Hanks is marvelous in this film, being the sole character on the screen for the vast majority of the running time. His portrayal of a man stranded on an island is unforgettable, and the story is such that by the time the movie ends we’re crying over a volleyball.

Directed by: Nora Ephron, Rated: PG, 105 minutes

Sleepless in Seattle was a film that I avoided for far too long. I’d heard a few times that the film was “weird,” and disagreeably so. As a result, I didn't see it until I was 22, sitting alone in my college apartment. Maybe it was the wine, or maybe it was the blanket, but regardless, this movie made me cry and laugh in equal turn. Tom Hanks plays a man haunted by the loss of his wife with remarkable dexterity, all the while keeping his trademark humor. The collision of American cities in the background give this film a remarkable flavor, blending bits of Chicago, Seattle, Baltimore and even the top of the Empire Building. Touching, funny, Sleepless in Seattle is my second favorite romance film, right after Casablanca.

Directed by: Steven Spielberg, Rated: R, 169 minutes

Saving Private Ryan is the war movie that redefined war movies. The attack on Normandy beach single-handedly readjusted the lens on World War II in a way that, really, was never undone. Gone are the days of simple good versus bad, of John Wayne clutching a Thompson Submachine gun. Gone are the days of slow motion derring do (indeed, movies like Behind Enemy Lines, while still cool end up feeling forced). Saving Private Ryan focuses on a rescue operation aimed at saving a certain Private Ryan, whose other brothers were killed in the war. The pursuit reveals to us an excruciatingly personal look at World War II, with Tom Hanks as the uncomfortable and believable leader of the outfit. If there was ever a person unfamiliar with the genre of “war movie” this is the one I would tell them to start with.

Directed by: Mike Nichols, Rated: R, 102 minutes


Between the brilliant dialogue written by Aaron Sorkin, top notch acting put forward by Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks, and the incredibly pertinent subject matter, Charlie Wilson's War is a must see film. This is the true story about a United States Congressman, Charlie Wilson, who coordinated an undercover war against the communists through the Afghans. Especially given the current situation in the Middle East, films like Charlie Wilson’s War make essential viewing, not only for people who want to be thoroughly entertained, but for people who are curious about how we ended up where we currently are.

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis, Rated: PG-13, 142 minutes

Clocking in at number two is Forrest Gump, that wonderful biography of 1960‘s America as seen through the eyes of Forrest, one of the most unforgettable characters to come across the screen...well, ever. This movie is like five different movies in one, each helmed by Tom Hanks in arguably his best dramatic role since his portrayal of Andrew Beckett in the 1993 film Philadelphia. One scene in particular, wherein Forrest learns of an unexpected addition to his family, Hanks absolutely floors me with his ability to use his face to express emotions. Profoundly moving, funny and important, Forrest Gump is one of my all time favorite movies, and earns its place as number two on my list.

Directed by: John Lasseter, Rated: G, 81 minutes 

At long last, we arrive at my very favorite Tom Hanks movie. Toy Story is the kind of film that, honestly, I don’t even know what to say when I talk about it. I love Toy Story. I love how it brings people together. The Toy Story Trilogy is, quite literally, a chronological record of my childhood. I was one of the kids that for the longest time would stay awake late into the night hoping to see my toys come to life. They never did (not while I was looking, anyway) but it was because of Toy Story that I still, to this day, have a Woody doll that sits on a shelf over the kitchen sink. I think it’s indicative that people from my generation don’t judge me for this fact, but instead understand why I've still got a Woody doll. In fact, most of them have Woody or Buzz or Jesse dolls of their own. I love Toy Story.

Honorable Mentions:

Philadelphia: This is a great film. Tom Hanks (in particular) put on his best performance. I couldn't bring myself to put this on my top six because...well, I just didn't like the movie that much. I think the message (especially for when they released it) is important, but the movie left me not as impressed as I wanted to be. So cry foul, but this one didn't break in. Even though Tom Hanks was incredible in it.

Catch Me if You Can: I love this movie. A lot. But I don’t love it more than Cast Away, which was at the bottom of the Pick Six.

Apollo 13: This one suffered from Catch Me if You Can Syndrome. Loved it, loved it, loved it. But not more than Cast Away. And not more than anything above Cast Away on the list.

The Green Mile: Based on a Stephen King story, this was another one of the movies that I had to wince as I kept it off the list. In the end, I love this movie, but had to keep it off the final collection.

Nick's Pick Six for Tom Hanks: (no order)

Catch Me if You Can

Castaway

Saving Private Ryan

Toy Story

Forrest Gump

Road to Perdition

Pick Six- The Essential Tim Burton

Good morning, HAL. Ries here, checking in to tackle a Pick Six on this beautiful Saturday morning. Nick and I were talking last night about what could be a fun Pick Six for me to try and type up, and we decided that it was long past due that I tackled a director who incurs my wrath (and admiration) in about 50% of all my film-talks. In an effort to really challenge myself, I'm gonna go ahead and do a Pick Six of my Favorite Tim Burton Films.

I myself have always had a love-hate relationship with the man's work, and was pretty excited to actually devote some time to picking out my favorites of his films. On a more personal note, this will be my first time publishing here on the Katz as myself. It's a momentous occasion. Here's to hoping I don't set a pixel-fire that burns down the site in one heinously written post.

And now, as Hannibal Lecter once said - "Okie dokie. Here we go."

SIX: Batman Returns

Nick recently recently wrote a review on the strange (mostly shrouded in childhood myth) film Batman. It's not a very good movie. Neither is Batman Returns, the film's sequel. However, it warrants a place on my list because it is one of my favorites. Childhood films have a horrible knack of falling in quality when we revisit them in later years. This is a perfect example of that. Batman Returns inspired me (like I imagine it inspired a lot of dark-imagined children) at an age when Batman was not the best hero, he was the only hero. As a child, I didn't find the bizarre humor off-putting at all, and was instead delighted and terrified by DeVito's Penguin. Actually, the scene where Penguin dies coughing up (ink?) black fluids has got to be one of the top 10 Most Traumatizing Scenes from my younger years. That's right, kids. The Death of the Penguin, the Fall of Shadow (Homeward Bound) and the death of Mufasa (The Lion King) on the same list. Only...I still can't watch the death of Mufasa. Or the Fall of Shadow, for that matter.

Moving on, before I think about it and weep.

Favorite Quote: "The heat's getting to me. I'll murder you momentarily." - The Penguin

FIVE: Planet of the Apes

I enjoyed Planet of the Apes. I didn't think it was necessarily as good or unforgettable as the original film, of course (You blew it up!) but I did like it. I thought it was interesting to see Tim Burton handle such a large budget and a genre utterly unlike what we've come to expect from him. He did the Sci-Fi turn well, I thought, and his work with makeup here was really something great. Though the film has more than a few flaws, it earned a place on my list for its action, its tone and its awesome fight scenes. It also paved the way for that infinitely better film, Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

The soundtrack is great too - and Tim Roth is genuinely threatening in a monkey costume. The late Michael Clarke Duncan is wonderful, as always, and whenever I see a movie with him in it I get a little sad that he's no longer with us. But he was a gentle giant, capable of terrifying us with his size and inspiring us with his genuine character. When you can exude likability as a giant warchief ape, you know you're a complete and total bad*ss.

Favorite Quote: "BOW YOUR HEADS!" - Attar

FOUR: Ed Wood

Ed Wood is a film dedicated to film. Movies like this make me happy, mostly because they offer a real insight into the mind of the director in question. We see through this film at least a glimmer of how Burton's mind works. We see through his perception an portrayal of infamous director Ed Wood what Burton admires most in a fellow filmmaker. Johnny Depp's performance is unforgettable and refreshing. It's nice to see him act in a role that isn't down the "Mad Hatter" route.

I love movies about movie magic. Ed Wood is a great homage to Hollywood while being honest about the hardships a lot of filmmakers face when trying to survive there. One story-line in particular (involving morphine addictions and rehab) provides a real-life-spooky undertone to the film. It sounds odd to say this film is inspiring, but it is - in a backwards way. Plan 9 From Outer Space is widely considered the worst film ever made, and watching it come into existence is a hilarious and somewhat motivating experience.

The best part of Ed Wood is the characters that surround the titular character. The acting that went into portraying this eccentric, fantastic, lovable and at times hilarious cast of characters is spot on. I had fun seeing this movie, but a lot of times I found my attention wandering. That's the sole reason this film didn't break into my top 3 on this list - but it's a close fourth. (Also - the black and white noir feel works so well here it's scary.)

In the end, Ed Wood is not so much a tribute to a man as it is a tribute to an idea and to an era of films that we long for. We miss Hollywood at its most outrageous and bizarre - we miss the dogged determination of men like Ed Wood, who clawed their way into infamy with the conviction that what they were doing was important. The film is one of Burton's most visually "simple" and is definitely worth a look.

Favorite Quote: "Visions are worth fighting for. Why spend your time making someone else's dreams?" - Orson Welles

THREE: Sweeney Todd

It was hard to decide between Sweeney Todd and Big Fish, but I guess I'll cop out and say these two share a pedestal in my mind. I put Big Fish as number two because it has a beautiful message and leaves me feeling hopeful about life when I finish watching it. Sweeney Todd is sort of like Big Fish's dark brother. It's an unforgettable film adaptation of the character first presented in The String of Pearls, a Victorian penny dreadful from the 1800's and later made accessible by Steven Sondheim's bloody wonderful musical.

Sweeney Todd leaves me feeling crushed. It leaves me slightly queasy (in fact, I once watched this film with a fellow who had to lie down after the film) greasy and horrified. The film is uneasy, the blood is absurd enough to allow for a sense of disconnect yet real enough to make me distinctly uncomfortable. The death scenes are brutal and hard to watch, yet we cannot look away. The film is beautifully filmed, the musical numbers adapted almost perfectly. I heard complaints about Johnny Depp's singing, which I found passable at worst, and Helena Bonham Carter is wonderful here as always.

Whatever violence lurks just behind most Burton films is splayed out in spectacular fashion here and bleeds from a slashed jugular all over the screen. There's something wildly disconcerting about seeing someone sing a beautiful song while cutting someone's throat. While I was staying in Boston one summer, I had the fantastic misfortune of having a straight edge shave scheduled an hour or two after I saw this film (best move ever on my part, right?). As you can imagine, that was a fun experience.

Favorite Quote: " 'Don't I know you?' she said . . . " - Sweeney Todd

TWO: Big Fish

Movies like Big Fish are the reason I can't find it in my heart to forgive Tim Burton. I say forgive because Big Fish (as well as Sweeney Todd and Edward Scissorhands) are physical proof that the man can create films that are truly and utterly spectacular. Based loosely on a collection of short stories by Daniel Wallace, Big Fish is not only one of my top 3 Tim Burton Films, it's probably also on my top 15 films of all time. This is a film that highlights everything I wish Tim Burton would do more often. It's a movie that is strange, it's bizarre, it's weird, and it's absolutely magical.

There's a sense of delicate wonder in a film like Big Fish, not to mention a real story with real characters facing real problems. This isn't to say that I don't like silly films. This is to say that somehow in this flick, Burton navigated the waters between the absurd and the gritty with a flawless sense of purpose. Big Fish feels less like a masquerade of make-up and silly acting and more like memories of childhood make-believe brought alive on the screen.

The darkness that flits around in most of Burton's films is apparent here, as is the comedy. What moves me most about Big Fish, however, is the emotional side of the story. This film was made with an at times overwhelming sense of love. The love of parents, of story, the love of courageous people who harbor the defiant belief that imagination can preserve and protect us - these messages are what make Big Fish such a powerful film. Two scenes in particular replay in my head long after the flick is over - one involving sheets on a clothesline and the other involving a congregation at a river. It's the kind of film I simply can't watch with a dry eye or leave uninspired by.

Favorite Quote: "Everybody's there, and I mean everybody. And the strange thing is, there's not a sad face to be found. Everyone's just so happy to see you." - Will Bloom

ONE: Edward Scissorhands

At long last, we arrive.

The essential Tim Burton wouldn't be complete without the most essential of his films. Edward Scissorhands earns the top spot on this hack-dash list by being the most fantastic blend of Big Fish, Sweeney Todd and even showing signs of The Nightmare Before Christmas. The result is Tim Burton's best film, one that I could easily devote pages to its praises. Heart breaking, funny, magical and mysterious, Edward Scissorhands is a fairy tale brought to life and empowered by a nervy undercurrent of suburban horror. The movie brushes with adult themes (the quasi-rape scene, anyone?) and asks unpleasant questions about unpleasant people.

Johnny Depp is at his top form here, his Edward the best thing this side the Caribbean. His character is tender, loving, loyal and frightened, like a lamb with knives for fingers. The film's soundtrack by Danny Elfman is also worth mentioning, as it puts forward Ice Dance, arguably one of the most haunting themes in any film anywhere. I first came across Edward Scissorhands very late - I was a freshman in college, on a movie marathon that lasted for...well, weeks on end. I remember when I finished watching the film, I went outside and watched the snow fall for a few minutes.

It's not a perfect movie, but it's my favorite of the Tim Burton's. If you haven't seen it, do. If you have, perhaps the day is just right for another reviewing.

Favorite Quote: "I can't." - Edward

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Here are a couple flicks that Burton was involved in that didn't make the list.

Sleepy Hollow - A fun movie. Not great, but fun. It's incredibly violent (at times, disturbing) and yet never takes itself too seriously. I wish there were more movies with this style of horror; the Sleepy Hollowesque American legends need more screen time, but only done if well. I wish someone would adopt this story into film in better fashion, but this was a fun way to waste a couple of hours.

The Nightmare Before Christmas - One of my favorite Christmas/Halloween movies. Probably the quintessential holiday movie, one that my kids will definitely be raised on. Unfortunately, Tim Burton didn't direct this film. Phooey.

James and the Giant Peach - Another childhood favorite. A wonderful film, but again, not directed by Burton.

The Fox and the Hound - Double take. Wait - Tim Burton was involved in this flick? Why yes, yes he was. (Mind. Blown.)

Vincent - Were this only a feature length film. Available online, and very brief, it's definitely worth a peek.

Pick Six- Favorite Spielberg Movies That Aren't Jaws, Jones, or Jurassic

Yes, it's been way too long since I did my last Pick 6 but I felt inspired by re-watching Raiders of the Lost Ark to create a new list. This time around I'm breaking down my six favorite Steven Spielberg directed movies (because God knows how much stuff he's produced) that aren't Jaws, Indiana Jones, or Jurassic Park, three movies/franchises that are a given on any list surrounding the man. Let's begin. 

Back in May, I revisited Minority Report and was reminded of its glory. Of Spielberg's more recent films, Minority Report has the most action and imagination, taking a futuristic suspense thriller into a direction we've never seen. Painting a vivid image of a not-so-distant future, Spielberg creates a world too familiar, yet very surreal. As most actions lack a lot in the plot department, this film manages to tell a story so unique and original you can't help but get completely involved. The idea of pre-crime opens up so many possibilities and seeing Tom Cruise race to prove he didn't a commit a crime he hasn't committed yet is exhilarating and intense. 

The Adventures of Tintin is one of my favorite movies of 2011. Like Indiana Jones, Spielberg manages to capture a grand sense of adventure and put it all together in a 90 minute masterpiece. Unlike most motion-capture movies that look creepy and awkward, Tintin looks magnificent. The film is also incredibly humorous, bringing the charm you see in the Jones movies. Unlike live-action flicks, Tintin has no need to cut away from the action. This creates an even greater scale for the action and adventure and seeing it all unfold, in one "take" makes the entire film feel like one hell of a ride. 

Hook has a special little place in my heart, as I grew up watching it hundreds of times. It's a semi-sequel to Peter Pan, imagining what would have happened had Peter left Neverland and had a family of his own. Robin Williams plays Peter to great effect, and seeing him slowly find the kid in himself again is fun to watch. Not to mention, Dustin Hoffman's Hook is terrific and is still the best version of the legendary villain. Throw in a bunch of lost boys, Rufio, and a great soundtrack, Hook is one for the ages. 

Steven Spielberg has a great history of casting actors (sometimes, very young ones) who go on to have very successful careers. With E.T, he launched the career of Drew Barrymore, Schindler's List gave us Ralph Fiennes, and Empire of the Sun introduced the world to Christian Bale. At just 12 years old, Bale manages to give one hell of a performance as a young boy struggling to survive in a war torn Japan during World War II. Much of this can be attributed to Bale's raw talent, but a part of it has to be the directing power of Spielberg, who always gets the best out of each of his cast members. Empire of the Sun is an unflinching, yet beautiful look at the devastation of war and the loss of innocence, and Spielberg manages to craft a story in the rubble, giving us another memorable (and severely under-looked) film. 

Saving Private Ryan is the most realistic look at World War II ever put on film. It's hard to watch and packs one hell of an emotional punch, but it's something that needs to be seen by everyone. With large action sequences, including the most unflinching depiction of the storming of Normandy, Saving Private Ryan paints the most graphic and honest looks at a time in our history we will never forget. It depicts the horrors of war, including the brutal and deadly battle, but also manages to inject a whole lot of heart, showing the motivation behind each man on the front lines and why they fight. The film shows that the soldiers who fought for our freedom were just as regular as the people we know but with a hell of a lot more courage. Beautiful and tragic, Saving Private Ryan deserves a spot on the list of the greatest movies ever made. 

In all honesty, if I had to pick my favorite Steven Spielberg film of all time, he'd have to be Catch Me If You Can. It's a severely underrated movie that warrants countless viewings and gets better each time. Based on a true story about a real life teenager who, for years, cons his way through professions, cities, and out of the FBI's reach, the film feels too incredible to be real (but it is). As much as I'd credit Titanic for the success of Leonardo DiCaprio, I strongly believe it's this film that showed us how great of an actor he can really be. In a way, you could include him on the list of actors Spielberg helped "make" into stars. Catch Me If You Can is filled with both adventure and humor, and, as all of his films, has an emotional core you can't help but sympathize for. 

Just Missed the Cut:

E.T/Close Encounters of the Third Kind- While I understand their love and respect them for what they are, I have never been the biggest fan of either film

Schindler's List- I wanted to include this movie, but I've only seen about 80% of it (I know, I'm an awful human being)

A.I: Artificial Intelligence- beautiful, but way too long and depressing

Steven Spielberg Breakdown:

I have reviewed:

Minority Report

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Average Rating: 9.57/10

Pick Six- Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Last week I discussed my six favorite Christian Bale movies (see here) in anticipation for the release of The Dark Knight Rises. Well, after now seeing the film and enjoying the hell out of it, I wanted to showcase one of the other stars of the film- Joseph Gordon-Levitt. This guy is a man I not only admire (and have enjoyed watching since Angels in the Outfield), but is someone anyone can respect. He's not just an incredible actor but also an extremely nice guy who works his ass off, be it a movie he's in or the work he does over at hitRECord.org. Either way, I aspire to be a guy like him and can't wait to see where he goes with his career. In the meantime, here are my six favorite movies of Joseph Gordon-Levitt. And as I did the same with Christian Bale, Batman movies are excluded as they are just too obvious.

Directed by: Jordan Melamed, Rated: R, 100 minutes

Manic is one of the first films that showed us how damn fine an actor Gordon-Levitt can be. After his success with a rather popular romantic comedy (see below), he decided to take his career into a completely different direction and starred in Manic, a film telling the story of Lyle (Joe), an angry teenager struggling inside a juvenile mental institution. Manic is not a happy film, by all means, but presents an honest, tragic look at what too many young people experience, be it bullying, drug problems, or rage. Don Cheadle also lends his talents as Lyle's counselor, a role he was born to play. Manic is also the film that introduced Joe to Zooey Deschanel and we all know what a beautiful friendship that has become.

Directed by: Gil Junger, Rated: PG-13, 97 minutes

10 Things I Hate About You is such an underrated masterpiece. Yes, I am bestowing such a title on this 90s teen comedy. It's hilarious, incredibly smart, and has so much talent it really doesn't know what to do with it. It's one of those films I can watch over and over and usually do whenever it's on TV. Joe plays Cameron, an awkward teenager who just wants a date to the prom and will do whatever it takes to get one. 10 Things is actually a re-imagining of William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. And, as I am a sucker for "loose adaptations", I love looking for all the parallelisms. This film is also the big debut of Heath Ledger, who has to be Joe's older brother as the two are too damn identical to not be related (argue if you want, I will take this fact to my grave). 

Directed by: Jonathan Levine, Rated: R, 100 minutes

One of the first movies I actually reviewed was 50/50 (see here). In my opinion, it's Joe's best performance to date, combining the perfect amount of vulnerability and courage. Based on a true story and written by a guy who fought, and beat cancer (Will Eiser), 50/50 hits incredibly close to home. It's one of the most realistic looks at such a destructive disease and the heart-ache that goes through battling it. The movie also gives us one of Seth Rogen's first more serious roles, as he was friends with Eiser and went through the experience with him. Tough to watch at times, genuinely funny, and so honest it hurts, 50/50 proves that cancer is more than just "a thing" we all hate talking about and hope to never experience. 

Directed by: Christopher Nolan, Rated: PG-13, 148 minutes 

Inception is massive and one of Nolan's finest films. It's on a scale never seen before, driven by great performances, huge sets, and incredible special effects. The story is smart and original, and the fact it is Nolan's dream project (no pun intended) shows how much effort was put into the movie. However, the first thing I think of when it comes to Inception is the fight scene in the hotel hallway, where Arthur (Joe) fights off baddies to let the rest of his crew continue deeper in their dream heist. He really steals the show as the charismatic "point man" and without Inception, I highly doubt Joe would be in The Dark Knight Rises. Do you have your totem? 

Directed by: Gregg Araki, Rated: NC-17, 105 minutes

Holy hell is Mysterious Skin a hard movie to watch. It's graphic, disturbing, and all kinds of uncomfortable, yet there's something about it that's hard to ignore. Maybe it's because of the performances, maybe it's the beautiful cinematography, or maybe it's something you can't pinpoint because it's nothing like you've seen before. The film follows a young male prostitute (Joe) and his encounter with another young boy who is obsessed with aliens. It's really hard to go much further in detail about the film without giving it away, but it plays out in very interesting ways. Joe delivers a power-house performance as the over-confident, sex-crazed, Neil and had Mysterious Skin not been so graphic, I think he would have been up for an Oscar. He's that good.

Directed by: Scott Frank, Rated: R, 99 Minutes

The Lookout is a movie that I feel no one has seen. It flew completely under the radar upon its release in 2007, but it tells one hell of a story and features incredible acting by everyone involved. Joe plays Chris, a teenager who can't focus or remember things too well after an accident. Looking for work, Chris is hired on as a janitor at a bank and finds himself caught up in a planned heist. The Lookout is much more than your average heist flick and has a very smart script that twists and turns in unexpected ways. The best way to describe the film is a combination of Memento and Reservoir Dogs, with a little bit of the "cool factor" from Ocean's 11. 

Just Missed the Cut:

(500) Days of Summer- so good on so many different levels with one of my favorite soundtracks of all time, but I really did not like the ending

The Lookout- I almost chose this film instead of Mysterious Skin. It's original, smart, and has so many good actors in it. 

Treasure Planet- So much fun and as I mentioned earlier, I love "loose adaptations" 

Brick- this is a movie I am embarrassed to admit I have not seen. I do plan on watching it within the next week, so this list may change 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Rundown:

I have reviewed:

The Dark Knight Rises

50/50

Looper

Average Rating: 9.53/10