Rewatching My 100 Favorite Movies - Update 20

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.
 

67/ 100: Knives Out (2019)
That the Agatha Christie formula is still working, proves director and screenwriter Rian Johnson with this ingenious murder mystery that simultaneously honors, mocks and turns the rules of the genre inside out. A successful thriller author who celebrates his 85^th birthday at his mansion, surrounded by family, is found dead. Eccentric sleuth Benoit Blanc arrives to solve this crime. A cleverly written whodunnit that requires at least a second viewing, to see if you spotted the later unraveled clues. HERE is my full review.
 

68/ 100: The Princess Bride (1987)
A grandfather visits his sick grandson and wants to read to him a book. The boy doesn’t think much of it at first. Then a sparkling fairy tale unfolds about a young woman, Buttercup, who no longer believes in love after the man of her dreams goes missing at sea. When she is kidnapped, she meets numerous unusual characters. The film has much to offer: an original take on the genre, enthusiastic performances and a fun story for young and old. One of those romance movies that even men like. Read my full review HERE.
 

69/ 100: Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Shaun is suffering greatly from his breakup with his girlfriend Liz. He doesn’t have much use for his roommate Ed, who is too busy gaming, drinking and hanging around Shaun’s house. Still, Ed proves convenient when residents of a London suburb turn out to be infected by a zombie virus. A brilliant comedy, with a touch of gore. The first in Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s  “Cornetto trilogy”, all directed by Edgar Wright. Check out my review HERE.
 
Still to watch: 31

Ranking the Franchise - Cornetto Trilogy (Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy)

Probably my most favorite trilogy of all-time is the so-called Cornetto trilogy, containing of the three films directed by Edgar Wright and starring Nick Frost and Simon Pegg. They are some of the funniest, smartest, cleverest and most inventive comedies you will ever see. It’s British humor, not so much in-your-face, and that’s just my kind of comedy. Even though it’s not a trilogy with sequels, since it’s three separate stories where Pegg and Frost play different characters, it is a trilogy and I can share with you what I think about them. It’s also the hardest ranking I had to do, because I want to put them all at the number one positions (since I rated all of them 5 out of 5). But I eventually did come up with a top 3.

3. The World’s End (2013)
This final part of a loosely connected trilogy focuses on five childhood friends who, twenty years after a failed pub crawl in their hometown, make a new attempt. But in the old village not everything turns out to be okay. It’s an unconventional mix of nostalgic tragicomedy and sci-fi-spectacular, with a strong cast, infectious humor and cleverly choreographed action and fight scenes.

2. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Shaun suffers greatly from the breakup with his girlfriend Liz. His roommate Ed doesn’t have much, he’s too busy gaming, drinking and other shenanigans. Yet Ed turns out to be handy to have around, when residents of a suburb of London appear to suffer from a zombie virus. It’s the first film in the trilogy, with subtle hints and great visual humor.

1. Hot Fuzz
In Sanford, ominous things happen. The gardens are too neat, the facades too clean. No town can become ‘Village of the Year” three times in a row, without a bad practice behind it. Policeman Danny Butterman and his over-ambitious colleague Nicholas Angel are investigating. It’s a cheerful, humorous film with a great eye for detail, in which melancholy uncomfortable and masterly jokes alternate.

00s Movie Review - Shaun of the Dead

Director: Edgar Wright
Genre: Horror/ Action/ Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2004
Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Bill Nighy, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran, Nicola Cummingham, Peter Serafinowicz, Penelope Wilton

Description: Shaun (Simon Pegg) decides to turn his moribund life around by winning back his ex-girlfriend (Kate Ashfield), reconciling his relationship with his mother, and dealing with an entire community that has returned from the dead to eat the living.

Review: Leading man and co-writer Simon Pegg didn’t give himself the most heroic role. Shaun is maybe one of the biggest losers on the big screen. But that is what makes him so common and recognizable.
It takes some time for Shaun and his friend Ed to realize that London is filling up with zombies. When they finally find out, their responds is just as ‘realistic’: throwing everything as long as it didn’t cost anything. The two think of a plan of rescuing Shaun’s mom and girlfriend and then taking shelter in their pub the Winchester.
“Shaun of the Dead” is first and foremost a romantic comedy, with a splash of horror elements. You wouldn’t expect that of a zombie movie, but that’s exactly the power of the film. The humor is typical British en when you’re a fan, like I am, this is just your movie. It’s subtle and very clever.
For fans of black comedies, “Shaun of the Dead” is the perfect movie. And this is the start of a great series of films, that made me fall in love with Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. What a threesome!

Rating: 5/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Comedies from the 2000s

It’s time for the 2000s and this decades best comedies. Comedy is different here, but not bad at all. Here are my favorite laughs of the 2000s.

5. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

Not that popular when it came out, but it reached a cult status later on. It even got a sequel. That wasn’t as good, but “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” is hilarious. It’s silly, but maybe that’s why I like it so much.

 

 

4. The 40-Year Old Virgin

This movie put Steve Carrel on the map (beside “The Office” off course). His portrayal of virgin Andy is so endearing and you can’t help but like the guy.

 

 

3. Old School

Somehow Will Ferrell always makes me laugh, he is such a funny actor. And his character of Frank the Tank is the best thing about “Old School”. Him singing ‘Dust in the Wind’ or doing gymnastics, if that doesn’t make you laugh.

 

 

2. Shaun of the Dead

It’s a horror comedy and it’s hilarious. “You got red on you”. Edgar Wright directs and Simon Pegg and Nick Frost star in this amazing comedy. Can’t get enough of it.

 

 

1. Hot Fuzz

Off course this is my number one. I stated my love for this movie (and the trio Wright-Pegg-Frost) so many times. It’s actually in my top 10 of all-time favorite movies. It doesn’t get funnier than this.

 

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Superbad, Meet the Parents, Knocked Up, Wedding Crashers

Movie Favorites: Shaun of the Dead

Synopsis: Shaun (Simon Pegg) doesn't have a very good day, so he decides to turn his life around by getting his ex to take him back, but he times it for right in the middle of what may be a zombie apocalypse. But for him, it's an opportunity to show everyone he knows how useful he is by saving them all. All he has to do is survive. And get his ex back.

Unique Selling Point: This is the kind of comedy I like, a zom-com in fact. And with this movie we’re also introduced to an amazing trio: Wright, Pegg and Frost.

Most Valuable Player: Nick Frost as the numb nuts sidekick Ed, who doesn’t really do anything useful.

Best Moment: Whacking zombies while “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen is playing on the jukebox. “It’s on random”.

Top 5 Thursday: Movies from 2004

Ten years ago now, I feels like just two. Some great films came out that year, here are my favorites. 

 

5. Hotel Rwanda

A real beautiful film, which touches you and grabs you entirely. 

 

 

4. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

Completely different from the number five, because this is one of the most ridiculously funny films I’ve ever seen. But when you let Will Ferrell play your lead character, you can expect that.

 

3. Million Dollar Baby

I looked like just another boxing movie, but there was a very dramatic twist. One of my favourite Clint Eastwood films. 

 

 

2. Kill Bill Vol. 2

I like this part even better than the first, not a lot of people would agree. But I love this movie, it’s my favourite Tarantino directed film. 

 

 

1. Shaun of the Dead

British humour is brilliant and this is a great horror comedy. If you don’t think it’s funny, you’re nuts! Ever since I saw this movie, I laugh every single time I hear “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen.

 

They Almost Made the Top 5: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Notebook, The Bourne Supremacy, The Incredibles

Me & 3 Cornetto Movies

Now that I finally saw “The World’s End” I can finally put these three amazing films in this item. I love all the movies that Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost made together. They are just genius.

Shaun of the Dead
Genre: Comedy/ Horror
Year: 2004
Director: Edgar Wright
Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Dylan Moran, Lucy Davies, Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton, Martin Freeman
Description: Shaun (Simon Pegg) decides to turn his moribund life around by winning back his ex-girlfriend, reconciling his relationship with his mother, and dealing with an entire community that has returned from the dead to eat the living.
Opinion: This is what started it all. I laughed so hard when I first saw it, and maybe even harder the second time.
Favorite character: Ed (Nick Frost)
Most memorable quote: “Who died and made you fucking king of the zombies?” - Ed -
Best scene: While the jukebox (which is on random) plays “Don’t stop me now” by Queen, Shaun, Ed and Liz are beating up zombies.

Hot Fuzz
Genre: Comedy/ Action
Year: 2007
Director: Edgar Wright
Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jim Broadbent, Timothy Dalton, Martin Freeman, Bill Nighy, Steve Coogan, Paddy Considine, Rafe Spall
Description: Exceptional London cop Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is involuntarily transferred to a quaint English village and paired with a witless new partner. While on the beat, Nicholas suspects a sinister conspiracy is afoot with the residents.
Opinion: I remember that my brother and I leaned this movie from someone, saying it wasn’t all that funny. Well, they obviously don’t have a great sense of humour, because British humour doesn’t get any better than this. The story is fun and they way it’s executed is just simply brilliant.
Favorite character: Danny Butterman (Nick Frost)
Most memorable quote: “[shouting] Have you ever wondered why, why the crime rate in Sandford is so low, yet the accident rate is so high?” – Nicholas Angel -
Best scene: Danny tries to jump over a fence, like Nicholas did. Only Danny isn’t as good at it.

The World’s End
Genre: Comedy/ Action/ Science-Fiction
Year: 2013
Director: Edgar Wright
Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, Eddie Marsan, Rosamund Pike, Pierce Brosnan
Description: Five friends who reunite in an attempt to top their epic pub crawl from 20 years earlier unwittingly become humankind's only hope for survival.
Opinion: It was worth the wait. Very subtle British humour and a great way to end a trilogy.
Favorite character: Gary King (Simon Pegg)
Most memorable quote: “What the fuck does WTF mean?” – Gary King -
Best scene: The fight scene in the bathroom.

Favorite of the 3: Hot Fuzz

Movie Battle: Shaun of the Dead Vs. Zombieland

Another new item. In Movie Battle I will compare two movies which have certain similarities, like a theme, director or actors. I will judge both movies on their cast, story and effects. Eventually I will announce one winner.

First it's zombies. My two favorite zombie movies go head to head, who will win this battle? Lets find out.

CAST

Shaun of the Dead: At the time this movie came out, the actors weren’t all that well known. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are now one of the funniest comedy duo on the planet, but the only person that we knew well in this film was Bill Nighy. This movie put Pegg and Frost on the map for me and would soon be unforgettable.

Zombieland: With this movie my light obsessions for Emma Stone. She is great. Jesse Eisenberg is a bit typecast as this nerdy, losery guy. He does that well. Abigail Breslin is no longer a kid and Woody Harrelson play my favourite part in “Zombieland”. He kicks some zombie ass! So all four actors in this movie did a good job.

STORY

Shaun of the Dead: England has already been taken over by zombies, but Shaun doesn’t realize it yet until there is a strange girl standing in his yard. When she is speared and still gets up, Shaun and Ed know something’s wrong. It’s hilarious how they try to fight them.

Zombieland: In this movie the world only has a few living people. Besides the four I mentioned earlier, Bill Murray is also one of them. Columbus has made a list of rules for survival, which he mentions throughout the movie.

EFFECTS

Shaun of the Dead: Not a lot of effects needed, but the zombies look very real. And so does the blood (you got red on you).The movie is well filmed, with these earthy tones.

Zombieland: There were more effect needed here, as for the zombies are a bit faster in this movie. Especially the scene where we get to see the zombie kill of the week, needed some extra touches. Everything looks a bit more flashy.

WINNER

I love both movies a lot. I always like zombie movies, funny or just scary (ok, I prefer funny). But I have to go with “Shaun of the Dead” because British humor is just a little bit better.

Movie Moments: "Shaun of the Dead"

"Shaun of the Dead" is my kind of humor. Everything about is just funny and I can watch it over and over again and still laugh at the same jokes. Here are my favorite moments from "Shaun of the Dead".

Moment # 1: Don’t you have work?
Shaun wakes up and joins his friend Ed for a videogame. Shaun logs in, but when he asks him if he doesn’t need to go to work, Shaun logs out again.

Moment # 2: “You got red on you”
Shaun is at work and he’s in charge today. His employees are not paying attention and one of them is even talking on his cell. When Shaun tries to step up to him all he say is “you got red on you”, meaning a leaking pen in his pocket. When his stepdad pays him a visit at the store, he says the same thing.

Moment # 3: The shop
After Shaun wakes up, he asks Ed if he wants something from the shop. Ed wants a cornetto. On his way to the shop, everything seems awfully quiet, people are walking around funny, there’s blood. Shaun doesn’t seem to notice any of it.

Moment # 4: First zombie encounter
Ed notices that there is a girl standing in their backyard. They try to get her attention and when they do they think she’s drunk. The girl, Mary, is actually trying to bite Shaun so he pushes her. She falls on a pole, but gets up with a huge hole in her body. When Shaun and Ed want to flee inside, a fat guy appears. In the house, a bleeding guy with only one arm enters and they knock him out. The two friends decide to take care of the two people in their yard by throwing things at them. When they are out of stuff, they start throwing old record. But not before they select which albums they can throw and which not. Eventually they beat them to death.

Moment # 5: The plan
Ed and Shaun want to think of a plan to save Shaun’s mom, kill Phillip who has been bitten and to go over to Liz. The plan changes a couple of times before they decide what to do.

Moment # 6: Going to the Winchester
Shaun, Ed, Liz, Barbara, Dianne and David are almost at the Winchester. Shaun just has to check if the coast is clear. He gets up on a small children’s slide. When he gets down they ask him if it’s clear. His response: “No”. There are lots of zombies waiting outside the Winchester.

Moment # 7: Act like a zombie
Dianne has a plan. If they act like zombies they won’t stand out and they can get to the Winchester safely. First they have to practice, but not everyone puts in an effort.

Moment # 8: Don’t stop me now
While in the Winchester, the group is attacked by its zombie owner. The jukebox starts playing “Don’t stop me now” by Queen and Shaun, Ed and Liz start beating the zombie. He ends up with his head smashed into the jukebox.

Moment # 9: Zombie Ed
Four months after the zombie outbreak, Liz and Shaun live together. When Shaun goes to the shed, he starts playing a videogame with Ed, who is now a zombie.

Favorite Moment: Moment # 8: Don’t stop met now

In the Picture: The Characters from "Shaun of the Dead"

“Shaun of the Dead” is one of the most hilarious and unforgettable movies ever made. This film is mainly so fantastic because of the genius script and its great characters.

Shaun
Played by: Simon Pegg
Shaun is a 29 year old man who manages an electrical goods store. He really has to grow up and learn to take some responsibility. Mainly in his relationship with Liz.

Ed
Played by: Nick Frost
Ed is Shaun’s best friend, he has no job and is extremely lazy. He came to his house a couple of years ago and just never left. Ed is maybe even more immature than Shaun, but he never judged Shaun and that’s why they are such good friends.

Liz
Played by: Kate Ashfield
Liz is Shaun’s girlfriend and she really wants him to change. She broke up with him because she wanted things to move on. Liz is sick of hanging out in the Winchester with Ed. She does love Shaun very much, but things need to change for her.

David
Played by: Dylan Moran
David is Dianne’s boyfriend but actually very in love with Liz. He has something to say about everything and doesn’t like Shaun at all. Somehow David isn’t happy with how things are going now, he always seems to be sure that others are having a better time than him. David feels excluded.

Dianne
Played by: Lucy Davis
Dianne is Liz’ best friend and has a relationship with David. She’s an actress, a bit odd but she means well. Dianne really wants to help and actually comes with the brilliant idea to act like zombies so that they won’t stand out. She knows that David is in love with Liz, but Dianne’s learned to live with it.

Barbara
Played by: Penelope Wilton
Barbara is Shaun’s mother. They don’t see each other much, but they have a good bond. Barbara is very caring, kind and cheerful.


Favorite Character: Ed