The Haunting (1963)

Harris plays Eleanor Lance, a young woman who is invited by a scientist named Doctor Markway to stay as a guest in a creepy mansion called Hill House. Along with two other people, Eleanor is invited to the house as an experiment the doctor is conducting to prove that supernatural powers exist within the walls of Hill House. Not long after they begin their stay do they realize the evil that is with them in the house, as Eleanor begins to think that it wants her there. Eerie and chilling, Julie Harris is sensational. Adapted from the novel The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. Starring Julie Harris, Russ Tamblyn, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson 7/10 Rated G

Film Quote of the Day

Ray Peterson: It's Walter's toupee...very nice, right on the stove. 
Mr. Rumsfield: One thing about these old guys - they never leave the house without their hair. Walter left this house in a big hurry. 

-The 'Burbs, 1989

The Virgin Suicides (1999)

This is the story of the Lisbon sisters; Lux, Cecilia, Bonnie, Therese, and Mary, who reside in Michigan in a nice suburban neighborhood. Four boys who live near them become obsessed with the girls in the summer of 1974. When their youngest sister Cecilia takes her own life, the boys start to collect souvenirs of them as they learn about the girls' lives. When Lux gets in trouble after coming home late one night, she and the other girls are taken out of school and isolated from everything and everybody, except for the four boys whom they secretly contact. Emotionally tragic and haunting film, based on the novel by Jeffrey Eugenides and wonderfully directed by Sofia Coppola. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett, James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Scott Glenn, Danny Devito, A.J. Cook 8/10 Rated R

Film Quote of the Day

Stupid Soldier: Hey... I thought you were tied up.

Joaquin Murrieta: That is because you are stupid.

-The Mask of Zorro, 1998

My Ten Favorite On-Screen Kisses

10. The Illusionist - 2006 

9. Breakfast at Tiffany's - 1961 

8. Titanic - 1997

7. Moonstruck -1987

6. The Wedding Singer - 1998

5. Rebel Without a Cause - 1955

4. Spiderman - 2002

3. From Here to Eternity - 1953 

2. The Notebook - 2004

1. From Hell - 2001

Film Quote of the Day

Heather McNamara: Suicide is a private thing.
Veronica Sawyer: You're throwing your life away to become a statistic in the U.S. fucking A. Today; that's about the least private thing I can think of.

-Heathers, 1988

Les Miserables (1978)

Woodcutter Jean Valjean is sentenced to five years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread. After many failed escape attempts, which adds more time to his sentence, Jean does eventually succeed, and after being welcomed in by a kind bishop repents his criminal ways. But always on his trail is the cold, unrelenting Police Inspector Javert that will not give up until he has captured Valjean. One of the best adaptations of Les Mis; engaging and moving, with great performances all around. Most especially Perkins, who is supberb as the merciless, never bending Javert. Based on the novel by Victor Hugo. Starring Richard Jordan, Anthony Perkins, Cyril Cusack, Claude Dauphin, John Gielgud, Ian Holm 8/10 Unrated

Quote of the Day

Prince Humperdink: First things first, to the death. 

Westley: No. To the pain. 
Prince Humperdink: I don't think I'm quite familiar with that phrase. 
Westley: I'll explain and I'll use small words so that you'll be sure to understand, you warthog faced buffoon. 

- The Princess Bride, 1987

Big (1988)

Twelve-year old Josh Baskin is an average kid who is frustrated with being a kid. So one night while at a carnival he discovers a machine that can supposedly grant wishes. And John decides to make a wish that he was big. And not surprisingly he wakes up the next morning to discover that he is grown up and in a man's body. He temporarily lives like an adult, working for a toy company and with his best friend Billy's help, he tracks down the wishing machine to transform himself back to his original self. Very funny, one of Tom Hanks' best early roles, for which he was nominated. Starring Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Jared Rushton, Robert Loggia, John Heard, Jon Lovitz 7/10 Rated PG

Film Quote of the Day

Bethany: Is your house on fire, Clark?
Clark: No, Aunt Bethany those are the Christmas lights.

-National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, 1989

Film Quote of the Day

Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: I am a scientist, not a philosopher! You have more chance of reanimating this scalpel than you have of mending a broken nervous system! 
Medical Student: But what about your grandfather's work, sir? 
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: My grandfather's work was doodoo!

~Young Frankenstein, 1974

Hitchcock (2012)

It is 1959, and after the success of his film North by Northwest, director Alfred Hitchcock is frustrated by Hollywood thinking he's lost his touch. However after finding himself intrigued by a book based on serial killer Ed Gein titled Psycho, Hitch decides that this will be his next picture, to everyone's astonishment of the horrific subject matter. Hopkins is outstanding as The Master of Suspense, as well as Mirren's Alma, Hitch's doting wife. I also found D'Arcy, whose uncanny liking to Anthony Perkins, is quite intriguing to see. The making of the Psycho film is the most interesting, with Hitch sparring with the censor board and Paramount execs; however the marital problems between Hitch and Alma left much to be desired. Based on the book, Alfred Hitchcock and The Making of Psycho by Stephen Rebello. Starring Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson, James D'Arcy, Jessica Biel, Toni Collette, Danny Huston, Michael Wincott 7/10 Rated PG-13

Character Spotlight: Clark Griswold

Clark W. Griswold lives in the windy city of Chicago, with his wife Ellen, son Rusty and daughter Audrey. He's a food additive designer, and a family man with the best of intentions. However this seemingly average man has very a short temper, and he may resist it for a little while. But if his buttons are pushed watch out because he will just about literally go berserk. He and his family have vacationed in such places as Las Vegas, Europe and Wally World Theme Park, but the experiences haven't gone as smooth as planned. Played by Chevy Chase in four hilarious National Lampoon movies, Clark Griswold is a character that even though he may say and do stupid things we can still relate to him when vacations go badly.

My Week with Marilyn (2011)

Colin Clark, a young man travels to London for his first job; landing the position in film production as Laurence Oliviers' assistant as the actor is filming his new picture, The Prince and the Showgirl, alongside the world's most famous actress, Marilyn Monroe. But being in the movies isn't easy, as Colin soon witnesses; her insecurities about herself and her work take a toll on everyone on set. Despite constant warnings not to, Colin strikes up a friendship with her and soon comes to realize that the Marilyn off screen is much different from her persona on screen. Michelle Williams is absolutely breathtaking to watch, giving a most beautiful performance of one of the world's most iconic sex symbols of all time. Starring Michelle Williams, Kenneth Branagh, Dominic Cooper, Eddie Red Mayne, Julia Ormond, Toby Jones, Judi Dench, Emma Watson, Dougray Scott 8/10 Rated R

Film Quote of the Day

Caroline: You getting a headache?
Marion Crane: It'll pass. Headaches are like resolutions...you forget them soon as they stop hurting.

-Psycho, 1960

Film Quote of the Day

Mr. Braddock: Ben, this whole idea sounds pretty half-baked. 
Benjamin: Oh, it's not. It's completely baked.

- The Graduate, 1967

Character Duo Spotlight: Harry and Marv

Harry Lyme and Marv Merchants are known as the "Wet Bandits" because of their calling card for always leaving the water running after robbing a house. Around the holidays when burglaries most often occur, Harry poses as a police officer to check out the security of a suburban neighborhood to make sure they are taking the proper precautions, when really he and his partner plan to rob them when they're away on vacation. But the two bumbling bandits don't count on an eight-year old mistakenly being left behind and will stop at nothing to defend his home. Played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern in the 1990 family comedy Home Alone and its 1992 sequel Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

Melancholia (2011)

Newlyweds Justine and Michael have their wedding reception party at her sister Claire and her husband John's lavish mansion, however there is trouble brewing in paradise between families which puts a strain on Justine, making her wonder if she'll ever really be happy. Meanwhile a planet called Melancholia is slowly approaching the earth, supposedly referred to as a "fly-by", that may or may not pass by without impact. The visual effects are stunning, as well as the extraordinary musical score in this tense family drama. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Alexander Skarsgard, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, Stellan Skarsgard, John Hurt 7/10 Rated R

Film Quote of the Day

Danny Vinyard: So I guess this is where I tell you what I learned - my conclusion, right? Well, my conclusion is: Hate is baggage. Life's too short to be pissed off all the time. It's just not worth it.


-American History X, 1998

Character Spotlight: John McClane

John McClane is a tough, crude, wise-cracking, chain-smoking New York City cop whose been on the force for many years. This has greatly effected his personal life so much so that his marriage to his wife Holly is dwindling. John always seems to find himself at the wrong place at the wrong time, and being the good guy that he is he reluctantly steps in where there's trouble because no one else will. This is what makes him someone we will most always root for because of his relentless efforts to not give up and get the job done by whatever means necessary. Played by Bruce Willis in four of the Die Hard films, John McClane is one of our great heroes in cinema that everyone would want to be there in a life and death situation.