Rewatching My 100 Favorite Movies - Update 28

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.

92/ 100: Atonement (2007)
Working class boy Robbie (James McAvoy) is falsely accused of rape by his girlfriend’s thirteen-year-old sister Briony (Saoirse Ronan). His relationship with Cecilia (Keira Knightley) is on the rocks, but on the battlefield around Dunkirk, Robbie’s longing for great love proves not a fraction lessened. The acting is excellent by McAvoy, Knightley and especially Ronan is the strongest part of the film. Based on the novel by Ian McEwan, which is also a favorite  of mine. And it’s very true to the book. The way the story I told is very unique and why this movie is on my favorites list. Check HERE for my full review.
 

93/ 100: Psycho (1960)
Still, after so many years, the film gives me (and a lot of people with me) chills. The film was very ahead of its time for so many reasons. One of Alfred Hitchcock’s best film ever made. HERE you can read my full review.
 

94/ 100: Thunderheart (1992)
A thriller set on an Indian reservation. FBI Agent Ray Levoi arrives there to investigate a murder and discovers there is more to it then meets the eye. I never, ever, heard anyone talk about this film. I literally know no one who has seen this movie, let alone love it as much as I do. It’s one of the most overlooked films and I think it deserves more praise. See my full review HERE.
 

95/ 100: You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Two opposites in everyday life discover each other through an anonymous correspondence. Tom Hanks plays Joe Fox, who is opening a large book store (think Barnes & Noble size) and Meg Ryan play Kathleen Kelly, the owner of a small children’s book shop called The Shop Around the Corner. This film is a favorite because of the vibe, the natural charm of Meg Ryan and of course Tom Hanks, who can do no wrong in my eyes. I want to be Kathleen Kelly, I identify with Kathleen Kelly, she lives the life I would love the live myself. HERE is my full review.
 
Still to watch: 5

90s Movie Review - Thunderheart

Director: Michael Apted
Genre: Drama/ Crime/ Thriller/ Mystery
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 1992
Starring: Val Kilmer, Graham Greene, Sam Shepard, Fred Ward

Description: A young mixed-blood FBI agent (Val Kilmer) is assigned to work with a cynical veteran investigator (Sam Shepard) on a murder on a poverty-stricken Sioux reservation.

Review: Ever heard of the movie “Thunderheart”? No? That’s not a surprise, because not a lot of people know this movie. Which is a damn shame, because “Thunderheart” is definitely worth watching. “Thunderheart” is about the conflict between the Indians and the American government. FBI agent Ray Levoi is sent to the Badlands, South Dakota, to investigate the murder of an Indian. Jimmy Looks Twice is the main suspect, a member of the Aboriginal Rights Movement. The ARM has committed murders before. Indians are the victims; there is a civil war going on. At least that’s what Frank Coutelle, Jack Milton and his GOON’s make you think. When Ray starts working with Walter Crowe Horse and other local Indians, he slowly discovers the actual truth.

The plot is based on actual events, in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in the 1970s. Director Michael Apted also made a documentary, “Incident at Oglala”, that shows us the experiences he had while visiting that area in the 70s. Themes like drilling for uranium, illness amongst Indians because of the radiation in the water and the conflict between Indians and GOON’s were pictured in that documentary. The character of Jimmy Looks Twice is based on Indian activist Leonard Peltier, who was wrongfully accused for killing two FBI agents. It’s strange to see that those things are reality. It makes you feel guilty.

Another important theme in the movie is Ray’s inner struggle. Ray, an FBI agent with talent, has showed some impressive work. He is part Sioux Indian, from his father’s side. Because of Ray’s heritage, he is chosen to investigate this case. So he can easily connect with the Indians. But that’s not as easy as you might think. At first Ray is ashamed of being part Indian, but that later grows out into respect and pride.

Val Kilmer does a great job as FBI agent Ray Levoi, especially because he shows us that inner struggle so well. Funny detail: Kilmer is actually part Cherokee. We also see Sam Shepard as Frank Coutelle and Graham Greene as Walter Crow Horse. Both deliver a solid performance. Most surprising is maybe Ted Thin Elk who, as the 72-year old Grandpa Reaches, debuts in “Thunderheart”.

“Thunderheart” is a forgotten film, sadly enough. The movie has so many great elements and has a good, intelligent plot. If you haven’t seen it, please do and spread the word. More people should see “Thunderheart”.

Rating: 5 / 5

Top 5 Thursday: Movies from 1992

This is probably the weirdest movie top 5 I’ve ever made. It’s very diverse, but I like all of them. Here are my favourites of 1992.

5. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me

I always have this creepy feeling when I watch this. But that is just what David Lynch does with me.

4. The Muppet Christmas Carol

From David Lynch to the Muppets. It’s not Christmas until this is on TV. The best movie version of the classic story.

 

3. Thunderheart

I don’t think many people even saw this film, but I’ve always had a weakness for it. At the point when I saw this for the first time, I was a bit in love with Val Kilmer. It only lasted for a short while though…

2. A League of Their Own

“There’s no crying in baseball”! This film is one of Tom Hanks’ best and one of my favourite movies. I really want to see it now, because I haven’t seen it in a while.

1. Reservoir Dogs

One of the best movies Quentin Tarantino has made. It’s basically set in one location and it still manages to keep my attention at all times.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Batman Returns, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Malcolm X