  "Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much,
my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst." American Beauty has been called a comedic tragedy. I think it should be labeled as a horror film about the American dream. This film is all about a man who is tired of running the rat race. Not only is Lester Burnham tired but he is sick and infected with the ideal world of a white-picket fence, matching gardening shoes and pliers, and of course fake smiles. Maybe it's just a mid-life crisis but Lester is a hero! American Beauty breaks down many modern ideals and stereotypes with Lester swinging the hammer. It's a lot of fun until it gets messy and overwhelming. It's a bizarre film that's incredibly well acted and at the heart it's a revealing tale that asks it's audience to reexam their own lives.
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  Braveheart was my standard for ambitious cinema as a child. The three-hour war story following the ultimate romantic, William Wallace, and the bloody fight for Scotland's freedom was a story dear to my little heart. This cinematic experience is both emotionally effective and brutally poignant. The war scenes are graphic, unapologetic, and technically impressive. Mel Gibson's work is thoughtful and driven capturing a story of true heroism representing the good in both humanity and freedom. For a long time I considered this one of my favorite films and even now it's a right of passage for film junkies.
  Paul Thomas Anderson makes movies that mostly chose not to take sides and instead present realistic and time specific narratives that encompass many different characters and perspectives while maintaining a consistent theme. Boogie Nights is all about the porn industry of the late 70's. Its story focuses on a dysfunctional group of pornographers and it's pacing is similar to that of a Scorsese film. It's extremely entertaining until it makes you feel uncomfortable. But it doesn't try to do much of either, which makes it also very different than a Scorsese film where the day of reckoning is always just around the corner. Someone could perhaps argue otherwise but I don't think Boogie Night's is very concerned with morality. It's more concerned with history. The switch from film to video in the porn industry has a huge impact on the story and I think a lot of what happens symbolizes the changes in the entertainment industry. It's a dark film but to consider the porn industry through a perfectly clean lens would be simply unrealistic. The cast is incredible, Anderson's camerawork is spectacular, and its runtime really flows by in a blink. It's a must watch of the 1990's and one more reason Anderson is one of today's greatest filmmakers.
  When considering Scorsese's impressive career and specifically his collection of mafia films, Casino is surprisingly different from the others (Goodfellas, Mean Streets). The energy is still there. The quick cuts and rock n roll, the drugs and beautiful women. Watching any scene from this film is a dead giveaway of who made it. Yet, Casino's focus is more Las Vegas than anything else. It tells the story of how Las Vegas ended up being too strong a drink for the eastern men who tried to settle it. Sam Rothstein (De Niro) wants nothing else than to run the casino he was gifted by the gods but made man Nicky Santoro (Pesci) sees Las Vegas as untapped territory. Both of these men end up ruining their lives but that's no secret. The film starts with it's ending like most Scorsese films. The best thing about Casino is that it exposes a bigger underworld. One that eats goodfellas for breakfast. And all we can do is watch it burn. This would be the last mafia film Scorsese would make before returning with The Departed in 2006, which is it's own beast and a new narrative style for Scorsese. Casino was a fitting end to the 80's and 90's mafia classics from Scorsese. He ends it by saying- look, there's so much more corruption out there. Stop being a sheep. Open your eyes. And don't fuck your partners wife or the gods will fuck you.
  This World War II classic was one of the first war films I ever saw. It had a deep and fulfilling impact on me as an aspiring film buff. Today, after being able to experience this film in cinema for the 75th anniversary of WWII, I proudly say that this movie is still absolutely awesome. The anxiety and panic created by the opening D-Day sequence is powerful and immediately transports its audience to the beaches of Normandy. This is where the real plot of Saving Private Ryan begins. Remember, the mission is a man. As many great war films there are many existential questions proposed, but the lingering one here- is one man worth the lives of eight other men? This question takes our very talented cast, who undertook weeks of boot camp preparing for their roles, thorough-out enemy territory in search for Ryan. The ambition of Spielberg's sets and war scenes is fantastic. They are gritty and real. Often placing the audience between the gunshots as if to not to pick a side. There are many moments when the integrity of the American soldiers is questioned, as it should be. The intention of this story is not at all about pride as American's. Its a universal tale about the destitute nature of war and how it effects men, as well as their families back home.
  "Why do you think everybody thinks relationships are supposed to last forever anyway?"
If movies are magic, then Richard Linklater is an unconventional wizard. Using only the naturalist ingredients; conversation, performance, and set. Creating a remarkable romance film about two people from different places meeting on a train and spending one night together. It's simple and handled so delicately. Short and sweet has never defined a film better. Ethan Hawke is great as Jesse and Julie Delpy is warm and gorgeous, as Celine. Their conversation at first is mostly inquisitive, as you'd expect from two strangers. As the night goes on their talk naturally becomes more personal and then endearing. Each scene passing by the sunrise getting closer while they fall in love. A romantic quest into young passion's desire and innate fear of mortality.   Chaos in it's most poetically justified form magically captured for the screen by the rebellious mastermind Tarantino, who's name will reverberate throughout cinematic history. I've always been fascinated with Pulp Fiction. Since I watched it in Highschool drinking one of my first beers thinking I was the coolest kid ever. There's something special about this film that a lot of people can relate with because so many people have seen it. It's a true classic. The script is hand's down one of the best in film. It's funny, intense, and real. Maintaining almost no structural plot for the first hour and a half gracefully piecing multiple storylines together without ever boring it's audience. The performances are iconic. Specifically Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman, who will go on to be stars of Tarantino's filmography. The soundtrack plays a vital role. This could be considered a long f**ked up music video. It's a treat for the ears as much as it is for the eyes. Incredible cinematography from Jack Rabbit slims to injecting adrenaline straight into a heart... This is a must watch and one of my favorite movies.
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