movies i like (and don't like)

a list of movies [permapost]:

The Best Movies:
Philadelphia (1993) "No one would take on his case... until one man was willing to take on the system." Ahhh.. This is my all-time favorite movie. Tom Hanks and Denzel both do such an amazing job. The movie is about a man (Hanks) with AIDS and his wrongful termination suit against his employers. His lawyer (Washington) is homophobic to start but agrees to take on the case. Excellent portrayals from both actors make an extremely powerful and enlightening film.
The Life of David Gale (2003) The plot: A man against capital punishment is accused of murdering a fellow activist and is sent to death row. Kevin Spacey plays David Gale who tells his tale, and once he starts, you're hooked. He just wants pancakes
The Matrix (1999) The best sci-fi movie ever, plain and simple. If you haven't seen this movie, you must have been on Mars for the last several years (therefore I see no need for any kind of plot summary). The possibility and excitement of the movie has something for everyone. The special effects are so amazing, it is enough to make you love the movie alone. Yeah, the Wachowski's (writers and directors) have got George Lucas beat by a landslide.
Separate But Equal (1991) This film documents the NAACP's challenge of racial segregation in schools (Brown vs. Board of Education) which was really the first major victory of the civil rights movement. Sidney Poitier plays Thurgood Marshall and everything and everyone in this movie is both moving and excellent.
Seven (1995) Seven deadly sins. Three great actors. Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, and Kevin Spacey as the bad guy. I guess this would be a police drama, Freeman and Pitt play cops who are in search of a serial killer who kills victims based on the seven deadly sins. Let's just say that Spacey has got the sociopath role nailed to a tee.
The Game (1997) What a unique plot! I can't even tell you anything about this movie. Anything I say could possibly ruin it for you. Alright, all I can say is this: Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas) is a very rich man who receives a present from his brother (sean Penn) for his birthday. The movie is about that present. Really, that is all I can say!!
Fight Club (1999) Who doesn't love this movie? There is mischief, mayhem, and soap (that was their tagline!), all the ingredients for a great movie. Brad Pitt and Edward Norton are superb, which comes as no suprise to me. Oh, and don't forget Meat Loaf! I was expecting a little more violence and gore (since the movie was not released as soon because of it), but it was brilliantly done. I just love those surprise endings!
American Beauty (1999) Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) and his midlife crisis. This movie is hilarious! It is a look at ordinary suburbian life like no other. Every member of the cast deserves an Oscar. Oh wait, it was the Best Movie of the Year.
Pulp Fiction (1994) Once again, I feel that no description is necessary. And to understand the oddness of the movie, all I need to say is "Directed by Quentin Tarantino." Brilliant. "I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger" if you don't love this movie.
Primal Fear (1996) Tagline: Sooner or later a man who wears two faces forgets which one is real. This film is about an altar boy (Edward Norton) who is accused of murdering a priest. But the movie is far from over there. This often overlooked film never received nearly enough attention. It holds your attention from the beginning and does not let go until the very last second. I think I mentioned that I love surprise endings!
As Good As It Gets (1997) Jack Nicholson plays Melvin, a neurotic author who befriends a single mother/waitress (Helen Hunt) and a gay artist (Greg Kinnear). This movie is funny even after you have seen it 100 times. Plus, it is one of those movies that just warms your soul :-)
The Butterfly Effect (2004) Change one thing, cange everything. Good stuff. I am not sure if this will remain in the best movies ever category or if the novelty will wear off, but for now, it rocks. Evan has blocked out memories from his childhood and then they come flooding back to him in an amazing display of cinematography. And who know Ashton Kutcher could really act?
Crash (2005) Wow.
Deja Vu(2006) This is the latest addition to the list. No other movie has reminded of the list, but this one is the best movie I've seen in years.

More Great Movies:
Enemy of the State (1998) I list this one first only because it is often overlooked. Don't automatically dismiss this as another Will Smith movie, Gene Hackman and Jon Voight add great power to the movie. The plot: A lawyer (Smith) becomes a target by a corrupt politician (Voight) when he accidently receives key evidence to a serious crime. The government technology is key to "making the movie," it shows you that paranoia may just be justified.
The Hurricane (1999) The story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, played by the always-amazing Denzel Washington. Thank God he got Best Actor for this film, it was truely deserved.
Usual Suspects (1995) Five criminals all controlled, but not-knowingly, by one man. This is a great movie. Even better the second time, if you ask me. Then you can see what you may have missed before. This film has Gabriel Byrne, Kevin Spacey, Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Pollak, and Benicio Del Toro. It is good stuff.
Stir of Echoes (1999) Kevin Bacon plays a man who, after being hypnotized by his sister in law, begins seeing visions of a girl's ghost. From there, a mystery begins to unfold. Great movie! Remember two things: DIG and drink plenty of OJ. Ha Ha. I could, and have, watched this one over and over.
Erin Brochovich (2000) Maybe it is just my love for Julia Roberts, but this movie rocks. It is good to see (especially in a true story) a single mother find strength, hope, a career, and romance all in one movie! Great corporate/legal drama surrounding a contaminated water supply and it's victims. And, Juilia's great!
O Brother Where Art Thou? (2000) The prophet is always right.
The Big Chill (1983) Tagline: How much love, sex, fun and friendship can a person take? This film is a classic. With an all-star cast, The Big Chill is about a group of friends who come together for a funeral. However, the movie is really about the lives of these friends and how they have changed and not changed in the years that have passed. This is a timeless classic filled with humor that is just as good even twenty years later.
Bridget Jones' Diary 1 and 2 (2001 and 2004) This is the best romantic comedy I've ever seen. Comedy is an understatement, the movie is hilarious. Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger), her boss (Hugh Grant), and her friends will take you for a wild ride of ups and downs that even a guy would like.
Phonebooth (2002) "When a phone rings..." This movie rocks! Stuart Shepard (Colin Farrell) finds himself trapped in a phone booth by a psycho with a rifle. For the entire movie. What really got me is that the whole movie I was trying to place the caller's voice. He is unseen until the very end, and I'm not tell you who it is.... wait for the surprise.
Sleepers (1996) Caution, you may need a strong stomach for this one. Not necessarily for the visual graphics, but for the implied. The plot involves four boys who are sent to a dentention center after a prank goes disastrously wrong. There, they are brutally abused and finally get revenge 10 years later. Great cast, too!
The Mexican (2001) Brad and Julia. What could be better? This film has all the elements: humor, mafia, guns, a little romance, and of course, Mexico.
American History X (1998) Wow! Edward Norton delivers what may arguably be his best role. He plays Derek, a former skinhead who tries to stop his brother from the path he had once chosen. Be careful though, this movie has brutal violence.
John Q (2002) Don't mess with a man trying to save his son's life. Denzel portrays a man on the edge, trying to get a life-saving heart transplant for his son. You'll laugh, you'll cry. All the makings of a great movie.
The Patriot (2000) Tagline: Before they were soldiers, they were family. Before they were legends, they were heros. Before there was a nation, there was a fight for freedom. And you know what? I liked it better than Braveheart!
The Wonder Boys (2000) I admit that this movie is a little slow, but it is worth it. A pot-head English professor and struggling novelist (Michael Douglas) learns a lot this week while he battles with his soon-to-be-ex-wife, affair with his married boss, wild editor, students, and let us not forget the dead dog. The dry humor is fresh and witty, with some really great and thought-provoking lines.
Shrek (2001) & Shrek 2 (2004) I don't like animated movies, but these are great. Who knew? Okay, so everyone but me. When I saw the first one, it was such a shock. Then I was anxious to see the second one when it came out...and I think it was even dirtier (more dirty?)

Movies Worth Mentioning:
What Dreams May Come (1998) Many people didn't like this movie. But I did. The movie makes you think about how you think of God and the afterlife. And the imagery in this movie is very nice, very attractive.
Traffic (2001) A very serious film that looks at the war against drugs. It is a good movie, though I do not agree with the overall message that the war, with our current policies, is appropriate way to handle the drug situation.
Forrest Gump (1994) Everyone knows this movie, and when it was new, it was great. It was at the top of my list. But let us not forget it, now that some years have passed. For Forrest, his fortune is just a series of happenings, one caused by the next.
Back to the Future Trilogy (1985, 89, 90) Remember this? It doesn't get more exciting! And what is really neat about this trilogy is that all three movies take place practically within a day of each other.
Celluar (2004) I was thinking that this was similiar to Phone Booth:
'Larry Cohen worked on the script while he tried to get his screenplay Phone Booth (2002) sold. In a New Yorker article he says he wrote Cellular with the intention that it would be the direct opposite to Phone Booth. (Phone Booth is about a man trapped on a phone in a booth, Cellular is about a man who is still trapped on a phone but can go anywhere). However his friends told him that he had written the same screenplay twice.'

Movies That Suck:
Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) I don't care what people say about the cool animation. The movie is just plain stupid.
American Psycho (2000) Yeah, so Jarod Leto is usually cute and all, but nothing can help this movie. It was the most complete waste of time I have ever spent.
The Blair Witch Project (1999) Why all the hype? People actually wanted to see this movie. I can't believe people liked it, and they did (you know who you are). There is just no excuse for this movie, and no helping it. There aren't even suggestions to make it better. All that can be done is if the Blair Witch ate the movie before it even came out.
The Animal (2001) This genre of movie is not my favorite, I know, but this is the worst of them. It is the only movie that I turned off before I finished it. And, in all fairness, I watched the rest of it later and it was still bad.
The Forgotten (2004) When I saw the previews, I actually wanted to see this movie. I think there was a plot, maybe. A lot of people were wearing black... as if that is supposed to mean something. There were so many ways that this may have been a good story idea, but this movie doesn't show us a one of them.
Sin City (2005) I watched it twice and it still sucks.
oh yeah, and I hate Titanic, too.