Rewatching My 100 Favorite Movies - Final Update

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. And this is my final update, because as of now, I have rewatched all 100 of them. 
 

96/ 100: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
“Raiders of the Lost Ark” is still a barely outdated ode to the adventure film. We meet archeologist Indiana Jones for the first time in this film. He has to contend with an untrustworthy rival, who has been commissioned by Hitler to search for the mythical Ark of the Covenant, a historical relic said to possess magical powers. Exciting and funny, the absolute embodiment of the adventure genre. And in my opinion still the best film of the series.  Read my full review HERE.
 

97/ 100: Die Hard (1988)
New York cop John McClane travels to L.A. to visit his estranged wife at work. Unfortunately, during the company’s Christmas party, a gang of terrorists led by Hans Gruber, has planned a hostage taking/ robberty operation. This is still Bruce Willis’ most iconic role. Where “Raiders of the Lost Ark” is the embodiment of the adventure genre, “Die Hard” is that for the action film. Also had numerous sequels. I liked all but part 5. HERE you can read my full review.
 

98/ 100: Reservoir Dogs (1992)
“Reservoir Dogs” is director Quentin Tarantino’s masterful debut film, about a jewelry heist that gets completely out of hand. The surviving robbers try to figure out what went wrong and if there may be a mole in their midst. The story is told in a non-linear way, where we get to meet certain characters before the heist, how the heist is planned, the actual day of the heist and the aftermath. A beautifully crafted screenplay with clever and funny dialogue and brilliant acting. Still my favorite Tarantino film to date. Check out my full review HERE.
 

99/ 100: Sin City (2005)
In this film noir  film, based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel, we follow three stories of violence in Basin “Sin” City. A big, tough criminal seeks revenge on the killer of his dream woman. A troubled policeman hunts a psychotic child killer. And a private detective tries tot prevent a massacre of “ladies of the night”. The film amazed me the first time and it still does. It’s like your reading the graphic novel, but the images are moving this time. It looks fantastic. I love that this film is black and white, with the occasional touch of color. HERE you can check out my full review.
 

100/ 100: Drive (2011)
Director Nicolas Winding Refn has a very distinctive style and it shows in “Drive”. We follow an unnamed stunt driver who earns extra money as a getaway driver. The camerawork and direction are fantastic, and with the 1980s vibes of the soundtrack Refn creates this stye. Ryan Gosling is amazing as ‘driver’. And an excellent supporting cast with Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks and Oscar Isaac. Check HERE my full review.

00s Movie Review - Sin City

Director: Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller, Quentin Tarantino
Genre: Crime/ Thriller
Runtime: 124 minutes
Year: 2005
Starring: Bruce Willis, Benicio Del Toro, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Elijah Wood, Nick Stahl, Jaime King, Josh Hartnett, Carla Cugino, Michael Madsen, Rutger Hauer, Powers Booth, Brittany Murphy, Alexis Bledel

Description: An exploration of the dark and miserable Basin City and three of its residents, all of whom are caught up in violent corruption.

Review: “Sin City” is a film noir-like movie which is very faithful to the graphic novel it’s based on. A perfect job for director Robert Rodriguez, who is accompanied by “Sin City” novel writer Frank Miller and director Quentin Tarantino. 

All these creative minds are a guarantee for an explosive and inventive film. “Sin City” looks breathtaking and is groundbreaking. The graphic novel isn’t just made into film, it looks like the novel actually came to life. De original pictures are used for the story

board and stayed intact. The actors had to film in front of a so-called ‘green screen’.
The presented world and its citizens is shown in black and white. Sometimes things as a red dress, golden blonde hair and blood are highlighted with color. The contrasts look great. 

There are lots of extravagant characters in “Sin City”. Like ‘Yellow Bastard’, a violent pedophile with rubbery skin and unhuman physical forms. And Jackie Boy, a corrupt cop. But most memorable is cannibalistic Kevin, a slick man with a sardonic grin on his face. The anti-hero is Marv, played by Mickey Rourke who you barely recognize. As a storm he rages through the city. For the women, it’s Jessica Alba that catches your eye. As a kid she was rescued by John Hartigan, played by Bruce Willis. Now she is a gorgeous, young woman turned stripper. 

Like I said before, “Sin City” is a groundbreaking film and it amazes me every single time.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Bruce Willis Movies

People see Bruce Willis as an action star. He is, but he is so much more. Willis is actually one of my favorite actors and I’m always entertained by him. So I made a list of my favorite movies. This is the selection I eventually made. My five best Bruce Willis movies.

5. The Sixth Sense
Bruce Willis shows us he can be a dramatic actor as well. His performance is timid and subtle, he is a troubled man. And that ending, it really took my breath away and kept me thinking of it for days.

4. Moonrise Kingdom
Not your typical Bruce Willis movie, but maybe that’s why I like him in this movie so much. Wes Anderson really made another masterpiece with “Moonrise Kingdom”.

3. Die Hard with a Vengeance
This just has to be on the list. I think of all the “Die Hard” movies, this is the one I saw most often. I always watch it when it’s on. Bruce teaming up with Samuel L. Jackson, just so awesome!

2. Sin City
This movie really surprised me. I wasn’t into comic books at the time “Sin City” came out, but decided to watch it anyway. Now, it’s one of my favorite movies ever! It’s like the comic book comes to life, such an uniquely made movie.

1. Die Hard
Is this the most obvious choice? I think it is, but I really do love this movie. To me “Die Hard” is the definition of a good action movie, probably even the best action flick ever made. And John McClane is also one of my favorite movie characters of all time.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Unbreakable, Pulp Fiction, Twelve Monkeys, The Fifth Element, Looper

Top 5 Thursday: Movies from 2005

This was actually a very good year for movies, at least for me because some of my all-time favorites came out that year. Here are my five favourite movies from the year 2005.

5. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Here is where I fell in love with Robert Downey Jr. I think modern day film noir meets comedy is a great concept. I laughed really hard while watching “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”. And we finally got to see Val Kilmer again, he also cracked me up.

4. King Kong
I’m not a fan of remakes. The original is a classic, but it was time they did a remake for this one, because it was pretty outdated. Peter Jackson did a great job and although it’s a very long movie, it’s very entertaining and gorgeous looking.

3. Sin City
I can’t wait for the sequel, but I can rewatch “Sin City” anytime. It’s so fantastic how Robert Rodriguez kept the actual comic book elements in there, without making it look fake. Fantastic movie!

2. Brokeback Mountain
No, it’s not a movie about gay cowboys! It makes me mad when people say that, because they don’t care to look past that. “Brokeback Mountain” is so much more, it touches me every single time. Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger are fantastic in this movie.

1. Pride & Prejudice
Another movie based on my favourite book, but the best one so far. Keira Knightley’s performance is spot on and I love Matthew Mcfadyen as Mr. Darcy. I didn’t know him, but he was perfectly cast. I love this movie!

They Almost Made the Top 5: Batman Begins, The 40-Year Old Virgin, Red Eye, North Country

50 Books Challenge 2013 - # 13: A Dame to Kill For by Frank Miller (Sin City # 2)

Title: A Dame to Kill For (Sin City # 2) Author: Frank Miller Story: Dwight's thinking of all the ways he's screwed up and what he'd give for one clear chance to wipe the slate clean, to dig his way out of the numb gray hell that is his life. And he'd give anything. Just to feel the fire. One more time. But he can't let himself lose control again, can't ever let the monster out. And then Ava calls.
Start: april 11th 2013 2013
End: april 14th 2013
Comment: The second volume in the "Sin City" series stars Dwight. He's a good guy with two bad habits: drinking and women. And one weakness: Ava Lord. Although it's a different story, it's easy to recognize Frank Miller's signature. And you really can't compare it to anything else. There are some characters in this story we already met in "The Hard Goodbye", like stripper Nancy, waitress Shelly and off course the brutal Marv. The story also overlaps a little with Marv's story. There are also some new characters. Our leading man Dwight, who only wants to do the right thing, but ends up in extreme situations almost every time. And femme fatale Ava Lord, who can play a man and she makes him do whatever she wants. She always ends up with stabbing the guy in the back. We meet Bob and Mort, two dirty cops. And some of the ladies in Old Town. Gail was in "The Hard Goodbye", but we get to know her a little better. And Miho, who is a real killer woman. It's really hard to say which of the two books I like more. I love them both equally. I'm just a big fan of the way Frank Miller made this comic, I love his style.
Rating: 5/ 5

50 Books Challenge 2013 - # 11: The Hard Goodbye by Frank Miller (Sin City # 1)

Title: The Hard Goodbye (Sin City # 1)
Author: Frank Miller
Story: It's a lousy room in a lousy part of a lousy town. But Marv doesn't care. There's an angel in the room. She says her name is Goldie. A few hours later, Goldie's dead without a mark on her perfect body, and the cops are coming before anyone but Marv could know she's been killed. Somebody paid good money for this frame . . .
Start: april 1st 2013
End: april 2nd 2013
Comment: I couldn't have started this month better. My brother lend this book to me and when I started reading, I had to continue. Off course I saw the movie and this first story is featured in it. "The Hard Goodbye" is sort of a noir detective story, but with Marv as the 'detective'. He's the protagonist of the story. He's not superpowered, but takes an unrealistic amount of injury without dying, and does a few impossible things through sheer brute force and blind determination. And all for one reason: finding the killer of Goldie, the woman who gave him the night of his life. Frank Miller's style is fantastic. It's all in black and white, but there is so much detail in some drawings. You would think you need at least one other color to make it more detailed, but Miller did it his way. And I'm glad he did. It's absolutely sublime how he created this comic. Although this novel is extremely violent, it's a must for every graphic novel fan. Now I love the movie even more, because it stayed so closed to Miller's comic.
Rating: 5/ 5

In the Picture: The Characters from "Sin City"

"Sin City" is one of the best movies of its decade. I was blown away by it when I saw it for the first time and there are so many interesting characters in the film. So that's why I decided to take a closer look at them. Here are the characters from "Sin City".

Marv
Played by: Mickey Rourke
Marv is a 7 foot tall, scarfaced man with an incredible level of strenght. He suffers from an unnamed mental condition which causes him to get confused. Marv doesn’t think he has a particular high intellect, but he shows some suprising amount of intellegence when needed.

Dwight McCarthy
Played by: Clive Owen
Dwight has a history of violence, bad tempers, drinking and wild romances. He is known for his chivalry and treats all the woman with the utmost respect and he offers the prostitutes of Old Town his protection. Dwight is a man who simply wants to do the right thing and find his place in this world.

John Hartigan
Played by: Bruce Willis
John is a veteran police detective in Basin City. He is brutal, stoic, cynical and completely selfless. It doesn’t care about his own well-being in order to take care of his fellow citizens. John is willing to risk his own life to save someone elses.

Nancy Callahan
Played by: Jessica Alba
At age 11 Nancy was kidnapped by Roark Jr. and then saved by John Hartigan. He’s Nancy’s hero. She keeps writing him letters when John’s in jail. Now, Nancy is a stripper and in love with John. Because of the age difference, John doesn’t want to give in to his feelings for her, but she is in fact the only person who ever cared for him.

Gail
Played by: Rosario Dawson
Rosario is a prostitute and one of the autorithy figures of Old Town. She has a love-hate relationship with Dwight McCarthy. You don’t want to mess with Gail, because she can handle a machine gun very well.

Jack Rafferty aka Jackie Boy
Played by: Benicio del Toro
Jack is a cop, but ended up being corrupted and worn down from the job. While cops are forbidden to enter Old Town when on duty, Jack is often found there but he’s not loved by the girls. He’s a threat to Dwight McCarthy.

Goldie/ Wendy
Played by: Jaime King
They are the twin prostitutes who are currently in charge of Old Town. Little is revealed about Goldie, but she physically is an exact copy of her sister Wendy. Goldie was murdered after spending the night with Marv, who fell in love with her and is destined to find her killer. Even he is fooled when he mistakens Wendy for the late Goldie.

Kevin
Played by: Elijah Wood
Kevin is a sadist. He sneaks up to people and kills them in all sorts of cruel ways. He likes to torture people, sometimes eats them and he keeps their heads as a souvenir. He was the one who killed Goldie.

Roark Junior aka Yellow Bastard
Played by: Nick Stahl
Roark has the physical appearance of a handsome young playboy but he is in fact a sadistic pedophile and a rapist of young girls. After kidnapping young Nancy Callahan, John Hartigan shoots of his hand, ear and genitals. Due to the surgeries, Roark is left horribly disfigured with yellow skin and a penetrating stench.

The Man
Played by: Josh Hartnett
The Man seems very charming and plain, but he’s a ruthless hitman. He does his job without feeling any remorse.


Favorite Character: John Hartigan