- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind -
Without a doubt my favorite movie of all time. I like it for a number of reasons. Though I can’t relate to the relationship Joel, (the main character), had with Clementine, (his love interest), I CAN relate to Joel’s character. I love the way his story is told, and I like the way Kaufman, (the screenplay writer), handled the means in which the story was told. I read the script before the movie came out and when I tried explaining the premise to my friend, it sounded awful. I like that the ‘procedure’ Joel went through wasn’t taken extremely seriously, and just used as a way to tell the story. The doctor’s office looked like it could be located in a strip-mall, and though it wasn’t part of the actual movie, the trailers presented us with what seemed to be a low budget commercial for the procedure. I loved that the story of the romance “started” at the rocky end, then worked it’s way towards the beautiful beginning. I could go on-and-on about what I loved about this movie.
- Punch-Drunk Love -
It’s not the most popular movie out there, but I loved it. Once again I could relate to the main character, (without the crying problem and fits of rage.) The way he acts around women, (and other people in general), is often the way I feel I act. I also think Sandler was actually amazing in this role. As Rodger Ebert said; Sandler can act, and quite possibly hit notes that other actors can’t. I love the subtle changes in Sandler’s character as he steps out of his comfort zone for love. It’s a romance movie that I can relate to.
- The Truman Show -
I love the premise of this movie. Aside from a made-for-TV movie, I believe this was Jim Carrey’s first REAL drama. He was perfect for the role. The movie touched on voyeurism, privacy, romantic love, parental relationships, the human condition, best friend relationships, and even God. Who DOESN’T feel trapped at some point of their lives? Who doesn’t wonder what would happen if they broke their routine? Who doesn’t feel like a product of their own environment? Like ‘Eternal Sunshine’, I see it as more of a ‘fantasy’ than a ‘Sci-Fi’.
- Adaptation -
Another Kaufman movie. The third act sucked, but it was supposed to suck. If you review the movie closely, you can tell exactly when the Kaufman, (the character), finishes the non-fiction book ‘The Orchid Thief’, and the story turns into full-blown fiction. A lot of people didn’t understand the ending. I had to explain to my brother what parts of the movie were based on reality and what was not real. Once again, I can relate to the main character, (Kaufman.) “She thinks I’m bald. I have t STOP sweating. She’s thinking, ‘I would never in a million years sleep with this guy’”
…and the rest, in no particular order:
Wreck-It Ralph
Moonrise Kingdom
Little Miss Sunshine
Toy Story 1,2,3
Best in Show
500 Days of Summer
The Graduate
2001: A Space Odyssey
Ghost World
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
Dr. Strangelove
One Flew Over the Cucoo’s Nest
High Fidelity
Nosferatu
Metropolis
Dogma
There Will Be Blood
Garden State
Fargo
Bride of Frankenstein
Office Space
Harold & Maude
To Kill a Mockingbird
Citizen Kane
Better Off Dead
The Artist
Network
American Splendor
Election
Eraserhead
WALL•E