Wall Street (1987)

Bud Fox is an ambitious accountant executive who resides on New York City and is dying to climb up the corporate ladder. Enter Gordon Gekko, the tough and top businessman who gives Bud the chance he's been waiting for; to become a filthy rich stockbroker of Wall Street. But as Bud becomes more successful under Gordon's direction, he ends up getting deeper and deeper in a world of greed and corruption. Douglas is fantastic as the hotshot Gekko, and Sheen also gives an impressive performance as the young and naive Fox. Starring Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, Daryl Hannah, Martin Sheen, Terence Stamp, Hal Holbrook, John C. McGinley, Sean Young, James Spader 8/10 Rated R

Top Ten Films of John Candy

1. Planes, Trains and Automobiles - 1987
2. JFK - 1991
3. Spaceballs - 1987
4. Uncle Buck - 1998
5. Home Alone - 1990
6. The Blues Brothers - 1989
7. Vacation - 1983
8. The Great Outdoors - 1988
9. Splash - 1984
10. Only the Lonely - 1991

Stone (2010)

Jack Mabry is a parole officer soon to be retired. But before he does he reviews one last case; a convicted arsonist named Gerald "Stone" Creeson who is up for parole. Soon Jack finds himself finding sympathy in Stone and in his life, but Jack has no idea that Stone will do just about anything to be set free from prison, including using his beautiful young wife Lucetta to seduce and manipulate Jack. I had high hopes for this because I'm an Edward Norton fan who likes most of his work but this film isn't one of them. Norton's southern accent got on my nerves after a while, Jovovich's acting was awful, and it just didn't pull me in, I didn't really empathize with any of these characters. Starring Edward Norton, Robert DeNiro, Milla Jovovich, Frances Conroy Rated R 5/10

Top Ten Films of Alan Rickman

1. Die Hard
2. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
3. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2
4. Love Actually
5. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
6. Sense and Sensibility
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
8. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
9. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
10. Alice in Wonderland

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)

Narrated by the legendary John Hurt, Perfume tells the story of a man named Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a French peasant who from the time he was born had an incredibly acute sense of smell. Then one night Jean stops into a shop run by an old and forgotten businessman, where he concocts the world's best perfume; but when he asks the man to teach him how to capture the essence of a person's scent he cannot. So Jean starts to capture and murder young maidens to capture the scents of their bodies. Dark and eerily strange but an interesting tale that is worth watching. Starring Ben Whishaw, Alan Rickman, Dustin Hoffman, Rachel Hurd-Wood 7/10 Rated R

Character Spotlight: Dorothy Gale

Dorothy lives on a farm in Kansas, with her Uncle Henry, Aunt Emily and dog Toto. But when Almira Gulch, who owns half the county is bitten by Toto, Dorothy is forced to hand him over to her otherwise she'll take legal action. Luckily Toto, being a very smart pooch runs back to Dorothy who is both delighted he's returned but afraid that Miss Gulch will eventually be back for him. So she decides to run away. While traveling she meets Professor Marvel, who tells her that her aunt is sick and she should return home. But a terrible tornado sweeps through Kansas and Dorothy is accidentally knocked unconscious, where she begins to dream of a wonderful world of munchkins, witches and an Emerald City with a mysterious wizard. Despite this all she wants is to go home, so along with the help of a Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion, Dorothy and her friends travel to see The Wizard. The character of Dorothy was first featured in the famous children's novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, and is most notably portrayed by Judy Garland in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Ichabod Crane, a skittish investigator from New York is sent to a little town called Sleepy Hollow to solve a series of murders where the victims have had their heads cut off. The people of Sleepy Hollow believe it is the work of the Headless Horseman, a man who has come back from the dead for revenge. Based on the story by Washington Irving, Sleepy Hollow is a dark and exciting tale; Johnny Depp is terrific as the quirky and eccentric Crane. Starring Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson, Michael Gambon, Casper Van Dien, Jeffrey Jones, Christopher Walken 8/10 Rated R

Top Ten Romantic Films for Valentine's Day

1. Ghost - 1992

Most Romantic Moment: Swayze and Moore engaging in a little pottery wheel making in the middle of the night, with the Righteous Brothers Unchained Melody playing in the background, would make any couple get in a frisky mood.


2. Pretty Woman - 1990

Most Romantic Moment: Gere, with flowers in his hands, and despite his fear of heights climbs up the fire escape to Roberts, like a Prince to his Sleeping Beauty. How can any woman possibly resist?


3. Dirty Dancing - 1987

Most Romantic Moment:  Despite her father's objections to stay away from him, Grey goes back to see Swayze and impulsively tells him how she feels when she's around him, then asks to dance with him, dirty style.

4. Chocolat - 2000

Most Romantic Moment: After having a party and things quiet down, Binoche and Depp share a beautiful slow dance.


5. City of Angels - 1998

Most Romantic Moment:  When angel Cage hitches a ride to Lake Tahoe to go after Ryan, and she realizes that he has given up eternity to be with her. Now that's love.
 
6. William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet - 1996

Most Romantic Moment: After taking a love drug, Romeo (DiCaprio) looks over and sees Juliet (Danes) across a fish tank looking back at him, and they both know it's love at first sight.




7. Moonstruck - 1987

Most Romantic Moment:  After telling Cher why she shouldn't marry her fiance, the fiance's brother Cage grabs her and sweeps her up in a passionate kiss.


8. Return to Me -  2000

Most Romantic Moment: After learning Driver has Duchovny's dead wife's heart, he flies after her to Italy to confess his love for her. Even distance can't stop true love.


9. Casablanca - 1942

Most Romantic Moment:  Bogie telling former lover Bergman she better get on the plane with her husband otherwise she'll regret it, and that they'll always have the memories of their time together in Paris. Heartbreaking and romantic at once.


10. Titanic - 1997

Most Romantic Moment:  DiCaprio and Winslet standing on the bow of the ill-fated ship, sunset in the background and share such a breathtaking kiss that would melt any iceberg.

Top Ten Films of Kevin Bacon

1. Murder in the First
2. Footloose
3. Mystic River
4. JFK
5. Stir of Echoes
6. Taking Chance
7. Rails & Ties
8. Where the Truth Lies
9. Wild Things
10. Criminal Law

Nowhere Boy (2009)

The year is 1955, the place Liverpool, England. John Lennon is a rebellious young man of fifteen, living with his strict aunt Mimi because his father left and the whereabouts of his mother unknown. Until he locates his mother Julia, a warm and free-spirited woman who vies with Mimi for John's affection. Greatly influenced by the music of Elvis Presley, John decides to start his own rock band, The Quarrymen. Two years later John meets Paul McCartney, another young musician who sees him performing on stage. They soon become friends, sharing an interest in music. Paul becomes a member of John's band and while teaching him about the guitar they start to write and play their own music. A wonderful and emotional coming-of-age story about the birth of one of the most iconic music legends in history; Aaron Johnson is simply impeccable as Lennon. Starring Aaron Johnson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Anne-Marie Duff, Thomas Brodie Sangster 8/10 Rated R

Top Five Most Underrated Character Actors

Gary Oldman - Most Iconic Character: Dracula (Bram Stoker's Dracula)
Christian Bale - Most Iconic Character: Patrick Bateman (American Psycho)
Alan Rickman - Most Iconic Character: Hans Gruber (Die Hard)
Michael Wincott - Most Iconic Character: Top Dollar (The Crow)
Steve Buscemi: Most Iconic Character: Carl Showalter (Fargo)

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

When Emily Rose dies of an exorcism gone wrong, their priest Father Moore, who performed the ritual, is put on trial and defended by attorney Erin Bruner to find out if what happened to Emily was an accident or homicide. Shown in flashbacks, after Emily goes away to college she starts to get frequent demonic attacks and convulsions. As her condition worsens, she is brought back home, and that's when Father Moore is asked to come in to help drive out the dark forces possessing Emily's body. As terrifying as The Exorcist, and is actually based on a true story. Laura Linney is superb. Starring Laura Linney, Tom Wilkinson, Jennifer Carpenter, Colm Feore, Campbell Scott, Mary Beth Hurt 7/10 Unrated

Character Spotlight: Norman Stansfield

A corrupt agent of New York City's Drug Enforcement Administration, Norman Stansfield hires a holder to keep some of his drugs in the guy's house. However when he finds out that the guy has been taking some of it for himself, Stan and his men invade his house and kill him and his family. All except one; a young twelve-year old girl named Mathilda, who seeks the shelter of neighbor Leon, who just happens to be a professional hitman. With Leon's help, Mathilda is able to seek the revenge of her murdered family. Norman Stanfield is one of those icy villains, both cold and heartless, he has no remorse or pity for anything or anyone, yet his eccentric nature makes him in a way a bit comedic. Chillingly played by Gary Oldman in Leon the Professional, Stansfield is one memorable character in one unforgettable film.

Easy A (2010)

Olive Penderghast is your average high school student who's not too popular and is basically ignored by her fellow classmates. Until she spreads a little rumor that she lost her virginity to a college guy, which spreads like wild fire around school and gains her instant popularity but also a reputation of being a slut. Ironically, she is studying The Scarlet Letter in class, about Hester Prynne who was ostracized when she committed adultery with a man of the church. However Olive made the rumor up, and does a webcast to set the record straight. Laugh out loud funny, Emma Stone is great as the quirky girl who starts to understand about the consequences of her actions. Starring Emma Stone, Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson, Amanda Bynes, Thomas Haden Church, Malcolm McDowell, Aly Michalka, Cam Gigandet, Lisa Kudrow 7/10 Rated PG-13