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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Panic Room (2002)

Foster plays Meg Altman, recently divorced who moves into a fancy brownstone in New York City with her eleven year old daughter Sarah. Previously owned by a millionaire, the house has a panic room so in case of intruders, they are safe in that room. Lo and behold three burglars show up on the day they move in, to steal three million dollars in bearer bonds. After Meg discovers from the security cameras that they're in the house, she and her daughter run into the panic room, not knowing that the money is hidden in there with them. A white knuckle thriller that'll keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Easily one of Foster's best films. Starring Jodie Foster, Jared Leto, Forest Whitaker, Kristen Stewart, Dwight Yoakam, Patrick Bauchau 8/10 Rated R

My Top Ten Guilty Pleasures

Have you ever seen a movie that was deemed a bomb, yet you couldn't help but watch it over and over? Despite terrible dialogue, corny cliched moments and bad acting? We all have a few. These are my top ten guilty pleasures.

 

10. Sin - 2003
Starring: Gary Oldman, Ving Rhames, Barry Cox
The Premise: A cripple ex-cop seeks vengeance after his drug-addicted sister is brutally raped.
Why I watch it: If it wasn't for Oldman and Rhames I wouldn't bother to stomach this cliched editing mess that has no plot and horrible writing.

9. Pee Wee's Big Adventure - 1985
Starring: Paul Ruebens, Elizabeth Daily, Mark Holton
The Premise: After his beloved bicycle is stolen, man-child Pee-Wee goes on a big adventure to find it.
Why I watch it: Okay so it's a lame story and the main character is immature, but it makes you laugh. And it's Tim Burton, 'nuff said.

 

8. Ernest Saves Christmas - 1988
Starring: Jim Varney, Douglas Seale, Oliver Clark
The Premise: A goofy cab driver tries to help Santa Claus find a replacement before Christmas Eve.
Why I watch it: It's Ernest! He's zany, he's wacky, he's hilarious and he's going to help out Jolly Old Saint Nick! 


 

7. UHF - 1989
Starring: Weird Al Yankovic, Kevin McCarthy, Michael Richards
The Premise: Daydreamer George can't keep a job until his uncle lets him in charge of a dying UHF television station.
Why I watch it: Seeing Weird Al spoofing on Indiana Jones and Rambo is enough to sit through this outrageously silly comedy.

6. Supergirl - 1984

Starring: Helen Slater, Faye Dunaway, Peter O'Toole 

The Premise: Superman's cousin arrives on Earth seeking the power source to save her city, while an evil woman named Selena wants to rule the world.

Why I watch it: A good cast for one, and the effects aren't bad, plus Dunaway makes such a great villainess.

 

  5. Conan the Barbarian - 1982
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Earl Jones, Sandahl Bergman
The Premise: A warrior of great strength wants revenge after an evil warlord murders his family and village. 
Why I watch it: Arnold may not be the greatest of actors, but this adventure story is epic, with awesome music and cinematography.

 


  4. Conan the Destroyer - 1984
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wilt Chamberlain, Sarah Douglas
The Premise: Conan the great warrior is asked to bring a young girl on a perilous journey to find a key that will fulfill her destiny.
Why I watch it: Yeah it's a lame sequel with some really stupid moments, particularly a one-horned monster at the finale, and it's extremely campy but in a fun way.


 

3. Howard the Duck - 1986
Starring: Lea Thompson, Tim Robbins, Jeffrey Jones
The Premise: A walking, talking duck is transported to Earth to save the planet from evil dark overlords while wooing a girl in a punk rock band.

Why I watch it: It's lighthearted with good special effects and a lot of duck puns, despite the strange relationship between Howard and human Beverly.




  2. Masters of the Universe - 1987
Starring: Dolph Lundgren, Frank Langella, Courteney Cox
The Premise: A warrior and his friends try to find a cosmic key so they can save their city from the evil Skeletor.

Why I watch it: Again another cheesy film, but a lot of fun. Skeletor is such a devilish villain who loves dramatic turns and overlong speeches.




1. The Pirate Movie - 1982
Starring: Kristy McNichol, Christopher Atkins, Ted Hamilton
The Premise: An ex-pirate falls in love with the major general's daughter, but she can't marry until her older sisters do.

Why I watch it: Tacky songs, corny jokes and lots of sexual innuendo, this spoof of the Pirates of Penzance has such catchy music it's guaranteed to have you singing along.

Character Spotlight: Lex Luthor

Deeming himself, "The greatest criminal mind of our time", Alexander Luthor (nicknamed Lex) resides in his secret lair two-hundred feet below ground level in the city of Metropolis, along with his girlfriend Eve Teschmacher and bumbling sidekick Otis. After finding about the invincible being called Superman, Lex and his two loyal followers devise an evil plan to destroy Superman and everything good that he stands for. Lex Luthor has been played by Kevin Spacey in the 2006 film Superman Returns, as well as Michael Rosenbaum in the television series Smallville, but for me there is none that's more memorable than Gene Hackman's performance in the 1978 film Superman the Movie. He is evil yes, but in a comedic way that despite being the villain you can't help but find him like-able.

The Blob (1988)

In the small town of Arborville, California, a meteor crash lands in the woods. An old man discovers the meteor rock and inside is a gooey, jelly-like substance, which attaches itself to his hand and ends up killing him. Unsure what it is or where it came from, this bizarre life form is growing in size as it starts killing the townspeople, while teens Brian Flagg and Meg Penny try to stop it. Remake of the 1958 film starring Steve McQueen has some scary special effects, is well paced, and in my opinion is a lot more entertaining than the original. Starring Kevin Dillon, Shawnee Smith, Donovan Leitch, Jeffrey DeMunn, Candy Clark, Joe Seneca, Ricky Paull Goldin 7/10 Rated R

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011)

After his father dies in the World Trade Center on 9/11, eleven year old Oskar Schell finds a key in an envelope that had once belonged to his father. Soon after his discovery, he sets out on an arduous adventure through the city to find whatever it unlocks, hoping that somehow it can get him closer to his father. Extremely moving and incredibly heartbreaking story of an amazingly smart young boy coming to terms with grief. Starring Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Thomas Horn, Viola Davis, John Goodman, Jeffrey Wright, Max von Sydow 7/10 Rated PG-13

Character Spotlight: Edward Scissorhands

Amid rows of pastel houses and perfectly trimmed lawns, stands a huge dark castle on top a hill. And in that house lives a very extraordinary creature named Edward. Isolated from people, Edward isn't like normal humans because he has sharp scissors for hands, making simple everyday tasks rather difficult. Unfortunately the inventor who had made him died before he got the chance to give Edward hands. But despite his unusual outward appearance, Edward is sweet and kind. He also had a wonderful talent of trimming hair and making shapes out of hedges. He is played by Johnny Depp in the 1990 fantasy film Edward Scissorhands.

Dazed and Confused (1993)

It's the last day of school at Lee High School, Austin, Texas, 1976. The senior students are doing degrading initiation rituals on the new freshman, and later that night planning to cruise around and have one wild party consisting of drinking, getting laid and stoned. Hilarious coming-of-age film with an awesome ensemble cast and a kick ass soundtrack; think the American Graffiti of the 70's. Starring Jason London, Rory Cochrane, Sasha Jenson, Wiley Wiggins, Michelle Burke, Matthew McConaughey, Adam Goldberg, Anthony Rapp, Marissa Ribisi, Shawn Andrews, Cole Hauser, Milla Jovovich, Joey Lauren Adams, Ben Affleck, Parker Posey 7/10 Rated R

Showgirls (1995)

Nomi Malone is on her way to Vegas to be a dancer, where she meets a girl named Molly Abrams, who becomes her friend and roommate. Molly is a costume designer at the Stardust Casino, while Nomi is a stripper in the Cheetah's Topless Club. Molly brings Nomi along to watch the dance show Goddess where she meets the star Cristal Connors. Cristal begins to notice and arranges an audition for Nomi, but James, one of her bouncer friends think she has too much talent to be showgirl. What can you say about this God awful piece of junk? It's degrading, disgusting, the characters are boring, the acting is horrible, and the dialogue is even worse. Despite it being such a box office flop, it has since had a big cult following, but it's bad, really, really bad. Starring Elizabeth Berkley, Kyle MacLachlan, Gina Gershon, Glenn Plummer, Robert Davi 4/10 Rated NC-17

Character Duo Spotlight: Ollie Dee and Stannie Dum

Ollie Dee and Stannie Dum live in a magical place called Toyland, where they work for The Toymaker making toys for the holiday season. They live in a shoe along with Mother Peep, her daughter Bo Peep and several other children. While Ollie is the smarter of the two, Stan is a little slower, but both are good and loyal friends who help out when there is trouble afoot. Trouble being in the form of the nasty and villainous Silas Barnaby, owner of the shoe looking to collect the mortgage. But Ollie and Stannie assure Mother Peep that they'll ask their boss for the money without any trouble, and hilarious hijinks ensue. Played by the wonderful comedy team of Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel, in the 1934 musical comedy film Babes in Toyland (aka March of the Wooden Soldiers).

The Deep End of the Ocean (1999)

Beth Cappadora and her family live in Massachusetts. They go traveling to Washington D.C. because she is to attend her high school reunion when her youngest son Ben suddenly disappears in the crowded hotel lobby. There is a worldwide search to find him but are seemingly unsuccessful. Nearly a decade later, the Cappadora's have relocated to Chicago, where Beth just by sheer coincidence thinks she may have found her long lost son. The performances are poignant but as far as story is concerned, it seems a little far-fetched. Based on the best selling novel by Jacquelyn Mitchard. Starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Treat Williams, Jonathan Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg 7/10 Rated PG-13

The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)

Bob Wilton is a journalist for the Ann Arbor Daily Telegram. When his wife leaves him for his editor, Bob decides to travel to Kuwait to write about the Iraq War. While there he meets Lyn Cassidy and discovers that he is an agent of a special forces operation in the U.S. New Earth Army, soldiers who claim to have psychic powers by staring at goats and killing them, among other things. Thinking this is a story that should be told, Bob helps Lyn in trying to find the leader who is missing. In all honesty I found this movie both uninteresting and unfunny; but despite the film itself being very bizarre (which was supposedly based on actual events), McGregor and Clooney make a really good pair, as well as the always memorable Bridges and Spacey. Starring Ewan McGregor, George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey, Robert Patrick 6/10 Rated R