Dirty Dozen Favorites After 1990

           My first Dirty Dozen Favorites are time tested films that were made before 1990.  Today's list includes some of my favorites between 1990 to the current date.  As with the previous list, these are films that made a particular impression upon me that synced with my taste in films.  There are some moral issues in some of these picks such as language, sex, and violence that one might consider before viewing, but I am not going to address those issues here today.

Arlee Bird's Newer Movie Dirty Dozen Favorites:

The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) -- Very satisfying version of this story that is suitable for family viewing.  It is a story about justified revenge.

Pulp Fiction (1994) -- This one gets a pretty hard R rating for violence, language, and sex.  Very cleverly directed film that was inspired by Kiss Me Deadly (see my review from yesterday).  When I saw this film in the theatre I disliked it intensely at first, but after thinking about it I viewed it a second time and liked it a great deal more.  I have since watched this many times.  It is a film that holds up well with repeated viewings if you can deal with the violence and language.

The Patriot (2000) -- This film stars Mel Gibson and I am a fan so that's the first plus for me.  Heath Ledger also co-stars in this film.  It is a story the takes place during the American Revolution and had me cheering for the American patriots.  There is some good war action and a decent story.

Gladiator (2000)--My wife loves Russell Crowe but agrees to stay with me as long as I take her to see his movies.  This one is a really fine sword and sandal epic with some spectacular scenes of warfare and colisseum battles.  Great story that will satisfy with good acting as well.  One of my all time favorite films. 

The Passion of the Christ (2004) -- Several years ago I heard a radio program where a doctor described what the torture and crucifixion of Jesus Christ would have been like and how it would have affected him physically.  I thought to myself that this had never been depicted this way in any of the Jesus movies I had seen and why didn't they make a film that was realistic.  Well, this film does it and does it very effectively.  In Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin with subtitles, this is a hard hitting film that can have a highly emotional effect upon viewers.

Mulholland Drive (2001) -- A very strange surrealistic experience from the great director David Lynch, who was also responsible for the bizarre television program Twin Peaks.  The film has a hard R rating and not recommended for anyone who is easily offended.  In fact I don't recommend this for anyone who has to have a story that is easily explainable and makes sense.  This is more like a dream than an actual story.  Since I am a fan of this genre, I like this movie a great deal and have watched it several times.  However, there are some moral issues with this film.

Knowing (2009) -- I am a fan of apocalyptic end of the world films and Nicholas Cage.  This movie covers both bases.   Good special effects depicting major disasters and an interesting story.

Apocalypto (2006)-- A film about the Mayan culture before Europeans arrived.  In the Mayan language with subtitles, the dialogue is not as important as the spectacle and the action.  This is an amazing film that is part road trip and part chase.   The scene of the Mayan city is incredible and very realistic feeling.

Being John Malkovich (1999) -- One of the funniest movies on either of my lists, this is truly an original film concept.  The film is mostly funny because it is so bizarre and absurd.  John Cusack plays the part of a puppeteer who, while working at a job as a file clerk, discovers a portal behind a file cabinet.  Anyone who enters this portal is transported into the mind of John Malkovich.  The craziness ensues from this point to become a somewhat tragic story. The cast of characters is strong and John Malkovich is excellent in the role of, well, an imaginary John Malkovich.  This is a thought-provoking, mind-bending philosophical film.





War of the Worlds (2005) -- The 1953 version is a top notch version that ranks high on my list, but this newer version with Tom Cruise is also very good.  The story is set up well with Cruise as just a regular guy caught up in this alien invasion and he must find a way to save himself and his kids.  Some really great special effects.

Gods and Generals (2003) / Gettysburg (1993) -- These films are companion pieces based on source material by the same author, directed by the same director, and with some of the same actors.  Based on the Civil War battle at Gettysburg and events leading up to the battle, the films depict the leaders of both sides as godly men caught up in doing what they believe is right.   There is no real good or bad depicted here other than what comes from war.  The generals question God and themselves as to what they should be doing.  Very faithful look at this tragic era of American history.

          Men With Guns (1997) -- This is a film by the excellent director John Sayles.  The story takes place in an unnamed Latin American country where there is guerilla activity in the back country.  A professor hears that some of his former students are missing and may have been killed by guerillas.  He decides to find out for himself.  From here the film becomes a road journey movie as the professor picks up fellow travelers along the way.  The film is allegorical and spiritual.  It is mostly in Spanish with subtitles except for some American tourists who offer some comic relief.

        Come back the rest of the week as I look at favorite show biz and musical movies, scary and other darker films, and a debate question on Thursday about moral issues in film.    Next Monday June 28 I will be offering a chance to join me in listing 10 FAVORITE LOVE SONGS AND 10 FAVORITE BREAK UP SONGS.   Sign up on the Linky list if you'd like to participate.

Create a MySpace Music Playlist at MixPod.com