Rewatching My 100 Favorite Movies - Update 23

I decided to rewatch my 100 favorite movies of all-time. What those are, you can check HERE. I watch them in random order, there is no rhyme or reason there, just watching those movies I love so much.
 

76/ 100: Dances with Wolves (1990)
In his directorial debut, Kevins Costner portrays America’s natives differently than has long been common in Hollywood. Costner plays a nineteenth-century U.S. army lieutenant who, at a forward post in the Black Hills, pours his heart out to the noble natives, and to the first white woman he meets there. It was a breath of fresh air that for one the Native Americans were portrayed as real people. Check out my full review HERE
 

77/ 100: Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
In “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”, Arnold Schwarzenegger is back. In “The Terminator” from 1984, Schwarzenegger played a terminator who was sent to the past to kill Sarah Connor, to make sure John Connor will never be born. In the sequel, he returns with the task to protect John Connor from another terminator. At the time of release, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” has groundbreaking effects. It’s a rock-solid action/ sci-fi film. My brother’s favorite movie of all-time, and also one of mine. HERE is my full review.
 

Still to watch: 23

90s Movie Review - Dances with Wolves

Director: Kevin Costner
Genre: Drama/ Adventure/ Western
Runtime: 180 minutes
Year: 1990
Starring: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant, Floyd ‘Red Crow’ Westerman, Tantoo Cardinal, Robert Pastorelli, Charles Rocket, Maury Chaykin, Jimmy Herman, Michael Spears, Tony Pearce

Description: Lt. John Dunbar (Kevin Costner), exiled to a remote western Civil War outpost, befriends wolves and Indians, making him an intolerable aberration in the military.

Review: “Dances with Wolves” was one of the most remarkable and ambitious debut films, which got both criticized and was successful. Kevin Costner, who was only known for his acting, took on the role of director and producer as well for this project. At the time the movie came out, westerns were practically dead. It’s very courageous to make one that is three hours long.

A passion for the subject is very welcome. Costner always wanted to star in a western and he managed to do that in “Silverado”. With “Dances with Wolves” he could make another dream come true, by making one of his own.

Indians were always portrayed as barbarians the ‘white man’ had to overcome and defeat. “Dances with Wolves” breaks that tradition. It’s a revisionary western, where the role of cowboys and Indians are reversed. Others might say it’s just a milder version of the old western.

Kevin Costner plays the role of John Dunbar, a man we can easily identify with. We don’t know much about him, but together with Dunbar we are trying to find his true identity. Like him we are open to new experiences and all the new impressions are magical. We get a personal and unique connection with Dunbar.

The story isn’t very complicated, but it’s told in the most beautiful way. The visuals of the landscapes and the music by John Barry are just amazing. Director Kevin Costner tells the story in a calm and sometimes poetic way. He makes you care for the characters and keeps you captivated for all the three hours long. A very impressive directorial debut.

Rating: 5/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Movies My Dad Loves

In honor of father’s day, which we celebrate this Sunday, I will share with you my favorite films that my dad loves. You will probably see a theme here: it’s either war or western. He also loves Steven Seagal movie for some reason, but they didn’t make my top 5. And my dad has the habit of falling asleep during movies, but not with these. And they are all very long. Here is the top 5:

5. Saving Private Ryan
A beautiful Steven Spielberg war flick, starring Tom Hanks. And coming to think of it, “Saving Private Ryan” had a lot fo famous actors in it. It’s a beautiful drama, that even people that normally don’t like watching war movies will like. It also has one of the most impressive opening scenes ever.

4. The Deer Hunter
A movie mostly known for that one scene with the Russian roulette. It shows us how a war can affect people and what an impact it has on someone’s life.

3. Braveheart
A movie in Mel Gibson’s glory days and also a film I haven’t seen for a long time. I love this movie, it’s so beautiful. And that motivational speech is probably the best one ever.

2. Platoon
This is one of my favorite war movies ever. It really left an impression on me when I first saw it and it’s a movie I tend to rewatch. For a movie with such a heavy theme, that’s pretty unique.

1. Dances with Wolves
This is probably my dad’s favorite film. My dad saw this with my brother and uncle in theaters, I was too young to see it at the time. But dad remembers the moment vividly, which means this movie had an impact on him. And I love this film, it’s such a beautiful story. And you don’t feel the length.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Das Boot, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, Christmas Vacation, Once Upon a Time in the West, Apocalypse Now, Papillon

Top 5 Thursday: Kevin Costner Movies

Maybe not today, but he once was one of the best actors. An actor I loved and adored to watch. And Kevin Costner does have some amazing movies. Here are my five favorites.

5. A Perfect World

Costner plays an escaped convict who kidnaps a little boy names Phillip. It’s one of his best performances, navigating the waters between hardened criminal and Phillip’s protector. A delicate performance, which makes “A Perfect World” such a pleasure to watch.

 

 

 

4. JFK

I just love movies about conspiracy theories, and “JFK” is one of them. It’s an epic drama, with an amazing cast and wonderfully directed by Oliver Stone. Great performance by Costenr, as Jim Garrison.

 

 

 

3. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

Call me silly, but I’m literally in love with this movie. There was a period in my life that this was my most beloved movie. I watched it so many times, I can dream it back and forth. Probably not one of his best, but definitely one of my favorites.

 

 

 

2. Field of Dreams

This movie….. tears every time I watch it. It’s such a beautiful film and it grabs me every single time. And I’m not even a baseball fan.

 

 

 

1. Dances with Wolves

He didn’t only star in “Dances with Wolves” he also directed this beautiful picture. It’s a heart breaking movie, his greatest performance and the best film he made.

 

 

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: The Bodyguard, Tin Cup, Untouchables, Bull Durham

Best & Worst: Kevin Costner

Back in the days he was actually one of my movie heroes. If you got him as your leading man, you got a solid movie. But nowadays he has to be happy with a supporting role. Here is my choice for best & worst Kevin Costner movie.

It’s very long, but anything but dull. It’s a fantastic movie, which Kevin Costner also directed. Here he show how great of an actor he actually is.
Honourable mentions: “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves”, “Field of Dreams”, “JFK”

This is the proof that Kevin Costner was on his way back. I can’t believe he agreed on participating in this movie. I mean, I love Jennifer Aniston, but it’s a weird combination. Costner is too good for this. Oh yeah, to make it even worse, his name in this movie was Beau. God…
Dishonorable mentions: “The Postman”

Top 5 Thursday: Movies from 1990

I did one for my birth year and I really want to do more of those top fives. This time I wanted to share with you my five favorites from the year 1990.

5. Home Alone
How can you not love this movie. I’ve seen it a gazillion times, but it’s still incredibly funny.

4. Goodfellas
One of the best mob movies ever made. Especially Joe Pesci’s role is unforgettable. Great movie!

3. Glory
What a beautiful film. Not a movie I’ve seen that many times, but I remember that it left a huge impression on me after the first time. And that tear on Denzel Washinton’s cheek was heartbreaking!

2. Misery
One of the great Stephen King stories. Kathy Bates shines in this film and do you remember that excruciating scene with James Caan’s foot? Auch…

1. Dances with Wolves
A movie with an extreme length, but it doesn’t bother me one second. It’s a beautifully shot film and a well written story.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Edward Scissorhands, Jacob’s Ladder, Die Hard 2: Die Harder

Top 5 Thursday: Best Picture Winners

The Academy Awards have been presented, but I noticed that there aren’t a lot of movies lately I would choose to win that actually went home with the award. I decided to make a top 5 of my favorite movies, that won an Academy Award.

5. The Godfather
I slightly prefer this one over the second installment, mainly because of Marlon Brando. What an actor. This is such an amazing movie experience.

4. Rocky
One of the best underdog stories ever told. Rocky is a hero, no matter what you say. Sylvester Stallone isn’t just a talking bundle of muscles, he can actually act and win over an audience.

3. Dances with Wolves
One of those films that didn’t bore me due to its length. It’s amazing how fast time goes by when watching “Dances with Wolves”. Great acting and directing by Kevin Costner, one of the reasons why I have a weak spot for Kevin Costner.

2. A Beautiful Mind
Maybe not a viewers choice, but this movie always takes my breath away. Like I said more than once, that I still can’t believe Russell Crowe didn’t win an Oscar for this movie and he did for “Gladiator”. Crowe’s role is extremely overwhelming and so convincing. Thank God Jennifer Connelly did win.

1. Forrest Gump
My second favorite movie of all time and it defeated my favorite movie “The Shawshank Redemption”. “Forrest Gump” is a great movie with a lot of heart. I love Tom Hanks as Forrest, his best role ever and I don’t think he will ever top that.

They almost made the top 5: No Country for Old Men, The Departed, Million Dollar Baby, Braveheart, American Beauty, Silence of the Lambs, Platoon, Rain Man, The Godfather Part 2

50 Books Challenge 2012 - # 1: Dances with Wolves by Michael Blake

Title: Dances with Wolves
Author: Michael Blake
Story: Ordered to hold an abandoned army post, John Dunbar found himself alone, beyond the edge of civilization. Thievery and survival soon forced him into the Indian camp, where he began a dangerous adventure that changed his life forever.
Start: january 1st 2012
End: januari 5th 2012
Comment: Off course I saw the movie and it's one of my favorites of all-time. I had this book on my shelve for a while and with the theme I have this month I finally had the perfect reason to read it. We follow John Dunbar in his journey to discovering the Comache. The great thing about this book is that the American soldiers aren't depicted as heroes and the Comache as bad guys. I got a lot of respect for the Comache and disrespect for the American soldiers. They acted really cowardly and it really broke my heart when they killed Two Sox. The strenght of this books is that it isn't very spectacular but it doesn't bore you for one minute. And I love the change that Dunbar goes through, from being a Settler to joining a Native American tribe and eventually becoming Dances with Wolves. And the lovestory between him and Stands with a Fist doesn't dominate. There is a good balance between drama and romance. A fantastic start for my challenge of 2012.
Rating: 5/ 5