As this is the last time we are posting ten films it seems fitting that Barnes waits until his very last group of ten to make his best selections to date. He has three movies that have already appeared on my list, a couple more that probably will down the road, and a few that just missed.
But, does he put up a stupid selection of the week?? There's only one way to find out.
Barnes #30: Happy Gilmore
SEEN IT AND LOVED IT
Barnes says it was cheating that I put both Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison together in one spot because they are two separate movies. For once, he's probably right. But I find it almost impossible to like one without liking the other. Before I made room for Mystic River I had Happy Gilmore exactly one spot higher than Billy Madison. Despite having two dissimilar plots, the comedy is the same. And while I don't know all of the remaining 20 films Barnes has yet to post, I'm fairly certain Billy Madison isn't going to be one of them. And for that, I scratch my head.
Kudos to Barnes for putting Happy Gilmore this high. Although I got a really big kick out of reading Barnes' reasoning. It had such a serious tone to it where if you wouldn't have known any better you'd think Happy Gilmore had a lot of depth and great acting (it doesn't). But it does have a lot of great laughs to be found, and I'm pleased to see it find the #30 spot on Barnes' list.
Barnes #29: The Pursuit of Happyness
SEEN IT AND LOVED IT
The last few times I've gone to Target I've taken a couple of minutes and perused the bargain movie bins. I've only gotten two films, but this was one of them. It only cost me $5. The great bargain allowed me to re-watch this movie because it had been quite a while since I previously enjoyed it.
After I re-watched it I was completely satisfied with where it fell on my list (#70). Barnes mentioned how he thought it might be higher but I can say with complete certainty that it's right where it's supposed to be.
Having said that, I also completely understand why Barnes has it so high. He seems to relate to Chris Gardner more so than I did. Great film and great pick by Barnes.
Barnes #28: Collateral
SEEN IT AND LOVED IT
If we were ranking our favorite 110 films, then Collateral would have been on that list. One of the last movies I had to cut, Collateral fell just short on mine, which makes me happy to see Barnes not only put it on his list but give it such a lofty spot. It really is a great movie.
Barnes' recap is spot-on all across the board. Foxx and Cruise are excellent, the plot is unique, and the ending is pretty good as well. Barnes is also correct when he says Cruise should play the bad-guy more often as he is perfect in this role.
Barnes #27: Million Dollar Baby
HAVEN'T SEEN IT AND WANT TO
This movie was the hit of the 2004 Academy Awards. It won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor. And yet, for some strange reason I've never watched it.
The one and only reason I can possibly think of as to why I haven't sat down and watched this award-winning movie is because I know how it ends. Don't remember who and I don't remember how it was spoiled, but that little fact has probably prevented me from watching it.
It's a poor excuse - I recognize that - and I will put it on the short-list of films I need to watch before I re-do this list.
Barnes #26: Role Models
SEEN IT AND LOVED IT
If we were ranking our favorite 125 films, then Role Models would have been on that list. It's a surprisingly funny film with several great one-liners and memorable moments. Just missed out on my list through no fault of its' own. Didn't like it as much as the ones that did sneak in there. So just like Collateral, I'm glad to see Barnes put it on his list, although I'm a little surprised to see it this high.
Without going back and tallying it up I'm going to go out on a limb and say Paul Rudd is going to win Best Actor from Matt Barnes. It seems he's in a different movie Barnes post each week.
Barnes #25: Any Given Sunday
SEEN IT AND LIKED IT
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Sports movies are hard to do right ... especially the sport sequences. If you took away the sport-scenes of this movie I probably would have liked it a bit more than I do now. It's a good film, but the unrealistic shots of actual football dropped it a couple of notches in my book.
That being said, the behind-the-scenes stuff is pretty impressive. The locker room, the drugs, the agents, etc. It's an eye-opening look to the world of professional sports.
And lest I forget perhaps one of the best monologues of recent memory. Al Pacino giving the "one-inch" speech in the locker room.
Barnes #24: The Dark Knight
SEEN IT AND LOVED IT
Incredible acting including an all-time great performance, a superb plot and one of the best directors in the business all add up to a fan-tastic movie.
Heath Ledger gives the all-time great performance and Barnes does a solid job of explaining just how much depth Ledger took for the role of the Joker. He steals every scene he's in and posthumously or not, he deserved to win that Oscar.
This is a great movie and I'm glad to see Barnes give it the respect it deserves.
Barnes #23: The Shawshank Redemption
SEEN IT AND LOVED IT
I've been talking to Barnes about this movie for as long as I've known him. I can distinctly remember being in dis-belief that he had never seen this film. I also vividly recall telling him he absolutely HAD to see it. Well seven years later and here we are. He's finally seen it and it almost cracks his top-20.
You're welcome Barnes.
Barnes #22: Avatar
SEEN IT AND LIKED IT
I've never seen a 3D movie and probably won't until a female persuades me too. But if there were only one movie I secretly would want to see in 3D, it would be this one. I could see it being a really amazing experience.
Barnes cites that very fact as one of his reasons for putting Avatar so high on his list. And he's also right when he delves into the plethora of metaphors that can be found b/w this movie and our country's history with war.
I thought it dragged on at times and the ending seemed to suggest a sequel was on its' way (something I always hate), but all-in-all, it's a pretty good movie.
Barnes #21: Uncle Buck
SEEN IT AND LOVED IT
Was absolutely stunned that Barnes didn't rip me for this pick last week. Figured it was too old for Barnes and he wouldn't find it funny at all.
Was absolutely blown away when Barnes ranked it 18 spots higher than I did and put it just outside of his top-20. Wow. Had no idea he thought it was that good.
In fact, I was so surprised that it made me like Uncle Buck a little bit more. Wow. Well done sir.
RECAP
Without question the best set of movies Barnes has released. Of the nine movies I've seen, I LOVED seven of them and LIKED the other two. The one film I hadn't seen is one I really want to. Congrats Barnes. In fact, I'll give you a "ATTA BOY."
If I were ranking these movies here's how it would look.
1) The Shawshank Redemption
2) The Dark Knight
3) Uncle Buck
4) Happy Gilmore
5) The Pursuit of Happyness
6) Collateral
7) Role Models
8) Avatar
9) Any Given Sunday
10) Million Dollar Baby
That will do it for this week. The schedule for next week will be a tad different as we are only revealing five movies each for the next two weeks. There will be no trailer post and no Barnes' reaction post either. I'm going to wait until there are ten new films to make for a more substantial column (compared to two smaller ones).
Giddy up boys and girls. We only have 20 more to go.
Until next time, "read it, roll it, hole it."
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