It took nearly a month, but Barnes finally got his act together and put some really good movies on his list. Certainly helped that he picked three (and maybe more) films from my list. We have a couple action-packed dramas, a couple more animated films, and of course, the one ridiculous selection.
Enjoy.
Barnes #70: Home Alone
SEEN IT AND LOVED IT
I knew Barnes and I were going to have several of the same movies, but what I was really curious to see was if we put any of those identical films in identical spots on our lists. After four weeks, Home Alone has been the closest. I slotted it at #77, while Barnes puts it here.
This is a film that is well deserving of the dual recognition. When Barnes and I decide to put up our 2nd edition of this list I'm guessing this one will probably be a little higher on both accounts.
Barnes #69: Casino Royale
HAVEN'T SEEN IT AND DON'T WANT TO
You think you know someone and then they write on their blog about how they love the James Bond series and have seen them all. I don't know how to respond to that because I had zero idea Barnes felt that way about 007.
I've never watched a single 007 film and I'm pretty sure I don't want to. I blame Pierce Brosnan.
Having said that, the trailer didn't look too bad so maybe this film isn't an entire waste of time, but much like the chances of the Indians winning the AL Central, it's not going to happen for me anytime soon.
Barnes #68: Toy Story
SEEN IT AND LOVED IT
Great film and a great selection by Barnes. Although I'm a bit surprised he hasn't seen Toy Story 3 yet, which I thought was an excellent addition to the franchise.
I'm also a bit surprised that it was this low on Barnes' list. Really thought this would be a top-50 film. What will be interesting is to see how many of these animated flicks do find their way into the top half of Barnes' selections.
Barnes #67: Mission: Impossible
SEEN IT AND LOVED IT
Didn't think Barnes would have this Tom Cruise starred flick on his list, but I'm glad he does. Now that I know he enjoys James Bond movies it doesn't surprise me nearly as much.
As Barnes puts it, this film is a thinking man's movie but also one that keeps you entertained throughout. A winning combination for a great film.
Barnes #66: Taken
SEEN IT AND LOVED IT
When I was putting together my list, Taken always just seemed to be on the outside looking in. If Joe Lunardi put together a Bracketology for my movies, Taken would have been in the First Four Out section.
I'm glad Barnes puts it on his list though, because it is an outstanding film. It's short, it's fast-paced, and has a great action-sequences. Liam Neeson is terrific kicking some serious butt throughout.
Go check out the trailer now ... it's really good and I hope it ends up in Barnes top ten at the end of this.
Might be one of my favorite picks by Barnes to date.
Barnes #65: American Pie
SEEN IT AND LIKED IT
Never really got into the American Pie series. I remember it being a popular subject on the school-yard when it first came out. But I also remember thinking it was a decent flick but nothing spectacular.
What really blows me away is Barnes putting this on his list while calling Superbad boring. To me they are pretty similar films. It would be hard to hate on one and love the other. But somehow Barnes pulls it off.
Barnes #64: Aladdin
SEEN IT AND LOVED IT
Another week, another Disney classic. What makes Aladdin stand out is the fact that it is my favorite Disney animated film ever. So there won't be any hating on me whatsoever with this selection.
Just like Toy Story though, I'm a little bit perplexed that he has it this low. And as you will soon see, he has Aladdin and Toy Story ranked behind movies like those at #62. Things like that just do not make any sense.
Barnes #63: 300
HAVEN'T SEEN IT AND WANT TO
When 300 came out I was kind of creeped out by the graphics. It looked and felt like a weird movie. Things were in slow-motion, half-color/half-black and white, some things were animated, others were not. There was too much going on for me to digest, so I gladly passed.
After reading about it on Barnes list and watching the trailer again I think I'm going to give this film a try. To be honest, once Barnes mentioned it in the same breath as Gladiator I was in.
Barnes #62: The Fast and The Furious
SEEN IT AND OKAY'D IT
And the week four winner of the dumb Matt Barnes pick is ... The Fast and the Furious!! The only reason this movie is on the "okay" status is because the racing sequences are fairly entertaining. But everything else about this film is stupid.
The acting is awful, the plot is predictable, and it has Vin Diesel in it. Three elements for a pretty pathetic excuse for a film, let alone one ranked #62.
Yes, I understand Barnes watched it twice at the movies and it's the only film he's ever watched more than once at the theatre, but if that's the only reason it's this high then Barnes made a big mistake. He should have just thrown it at #99 or #100 and called it a day.
Barnes #61: Titanic
SEEN IT AND LIKED IT
Not going to hate on Barnes for this film at all. It does have some great acting along with powerful cinematography. This was a movie that everyone saw when it came out in 1997. It broke numerous box-office records and remains one of the most memorable movies of our lifetime.
For me, it loses a little bit of it's luster over time. Much like Jurassic Park, Titanic just doesn't age well. I also happened to have some inside information before-hand, so I wasn't surprised at all when the ship sank. Kind of saw it coming.
But Barnes, like a lot of people, really liked it and at the end of the day, I'm okay with that.
RECAP
Without question this is the best set Barnes has posted to date. I loved half of them and really was only disappointed in one. Knowing what Barnes has yet to post, I'd be stunned if he went an entire week without at least one disappointing selection, so this will be as good as it gets.
Here is how I would rank these ten films.
1) Aladdin
2) Home Alone
3) Toy Story
4) Mission: Impossible
5) Taken
6) Titanic
7) American Pie
8) 300
9)Casino Royale
10) The Fast and The Furious
Make sure to check out Barnes reaction to my most-recent films HERE and to come back on Monday for our next ten films.
Until next time, "read it, roll it, hole it."
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