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Now to the hard part. (Max, you know you're gonna do this too)


Steven Spielberg: Sometimes I just wish this guy will just retire or something. Most of the most memorable films I've seen were made by him, and Kubrick. He's quite simply my favorite Jew. I'm not anti-semitic but there aren't many of these guys around ya know. After all he shoved delicious Schindler's List down our throats. Also, he's the main reason why I started to appreciate the input of directors in movies. Hitherto, when I was a kid, I thought the actors deserved ALL the credit as they chose to portray things at their own discretion. E. T. made me wonder how kids could get so witty with Uranus. Enter Stevie and I forever more fell in love. Easy JeSoul. His films resonate with the youth, I daresay and makes fans of them so that when you get older you still have a giant soft spot for his stuff. He knows how to awe his audience (those who are patient enough) and this is something I find lacking in many films. The awe-factor. I could go on and on about this guy. A repertoire is in order in case y'all have forgotten: Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Schindler's List, E. T., Minority Report, Catch Me If You Can, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, All other Indie Jones movies, Jurassic Park, Munich, A.I. and Saving Private Ryan. I haven't seen some other of his films but dude, c'mon, what more can you ask for? Ermm, disregard that he made 1941 and Hook. Hehe (nervous laugh)

Martin Scorsese: This is the small dude that makes me believe "if he can do it, I can". Dumb Vesc. This is also the dude that makes life difficult for my guy Spielberg. Lucky that I love his bespectacled behind. Eeeeeasy JeSoul. This fella makes it veeeery easy for you to love him. His stuff is easy, straight to the point, no mumbo jumbo. What you see is what you get. If I ever have the chance to interview QT, I'll ask him if he secretly wants to be the new Scorsese. Scorsese brings to the screen the unspoken code of honour of the street guy. The Honorable criminal thing to do. It's ok to steal, just don't hurt women while doing so. Never ever shoot a man in the back. If you wanna be a wiseguy, you better learn to keep your mouth shut. Oh man, I wish Marlon Brando and Edward G. Robinson were both born 40 years later for Scorsese to turn into something. My favorite films of his: The Aviator, The Departed, Gangs of New York, Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and Casino. I'm still hunting some older films down.

Peter Jackson: This guy quite literally forced his way up there with one massive statement. He leaves you little room to squirm. Disregarding him is disregarding common sense. He's the selection by adoration. A voux populi affair. Frankly not much in the way of previous cinematic achievements but all it took him was his one shot and he did not miss his chance to blow, his opportunity of a lifetime (Lyrics by Eminem). Now I've already assigned him grand master. He's to prove he's not a fluke. And who can fluke a trilogy of that immensity, that allure, that oomph! Only older people now who the hell Tolkien was before Peter came forth. People attempt to read the books and give up. Hehe, Vesc is one. I just can't do it. I wish i did before the movie. The guy made King Kong (a dream project he says) and is up to make a second part of Tin Tin. I hope you don't fail to see his involvement with District 9?

Quentin Tarantino: The coolest thing about this guy is that I just have the feeling he has this masterpiece locked away in his mind and he's planning on getting an oscar post-humously. He's the guy who thinks like me (if Scorsese can do it, why not me?) only he's way more successful and formiddable. I still wear better glasses than him though. His movies for me are very similar to Scorsese's in terms of the underlying codes of conduct among criminals. But why I'm so crazy about him (JeSoul, you need to take a pill and sit down) is because he spreads his scenarios around different climates. For such a meek looking fella, he has an uncanny understanding of the violent nature of man and probably an uncannier ability to tell of this nature. You watch his movies and you feel like you're part of the story. No character is predictable or less unique or significant. Someone just has to fill the shoes of lead actor. His movies: Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, vols. I and II, Inglorious Basterds, Jackie Brown and Reservoir Dogs.

Jeez, this is hard work!

Clint Eastwood: If I were Clint, the favorite part of my house will be wherever he puts his awards. This guy is probably the only Jack of all trades, master of all. What a guy! And to think he's making strides when his mates are tending sheep in the country. The guy no gree retire. Im just dey chop all the choppables. Many people at the Oscars wear fake smiles when he wins something. They'll be like "darn geezer won't just die". I think he reads minds so he upped and went and made Gran Torino. Haha! Take that kids, Gramps ain't going nowhere yet. Who gets nominated for best director and best actor in the same film? Eastwood and Warren Beatty. Who does this twice? Eastwood! The guy's got the midas touch. Finito. Ok. enough and onto real analysis. His stuff is gritty. His stuff is bold. His stuff is no nonsense you-mess-up-and-am-a-hit-you-in-the-face. Who wants to mess with Blondie? No one. Who wants to mess with him in Million Dollar Baby or Gran Torino or in the Dirty Harry installments? No one, that's who. It's not all about big lugers and hollow point bullets. Million Dollar Baby and Mystic River and easy examples. This guy is so awesome that I can't even do a sensible review of his staggering work. I should have started with him. I'm losing steam. I've already mentioned some of his films. Others are: Unforgiven, Letters from Iwo Jima, I think Flags of our fathers too.

Stanley Kubrick: A master of the epic. He's the one that comes close to Spielberg when it comes to awing me. Such films as 2001: A Space Odyssey makes you wonder what it would have felt like to have this when it came out. I presume A Clockwork Orange still has the same effect anytime. I like this guy also cuz he's not overly lauded or maybe his time has passed. He looks like the great wizard that he is too. His other notable films: Spartacus, Lolita, Dr. Strange Love, The Shining and Eyes Wide Shut. Unfortunately people don't readily think Kubrick when they remember The Shining.

Christopher Nolan: If I had to put in a director of our age of computers and special effects, it would have to be this guy. I like him cuz he makes you forget the effects when he uses them. He makes you pay attention. He makes his characters unforgettable. There's usually no good or bad guy is his movies. Just people with different philosophies. He had his break with Batman Begins and he transformed that unworkable gothic thing that even Tim Burton struggled with and could only barely cope with if not for black humour. He made Batman worth it and way ahead of the Superman nonsense. TDK is a film I'll be proud to tell my kids was made in my generation. A complete article. It had everything but the kitchen sink. Batman wasn't even the character that made the film for me. It was the Joker and the two-face guy. See dialogue! I have the script of this film, O' Brother, Where Art Thou and V for Vendetta. That's something. Other films are: The Prestige and Memento.

Ang Lee: If you're in a film academy and Sense and Sensibility happens to be under review and you were told that this film was made by a Taiwanese dreamer, what would be your reaction? I thought so. Me too. So what does my guy do afterwards? He goes on to make Brokeback Mountain. He's telling a story about people who if he ventures into their pub would probably give him a black eye at the very least. Ang Lee is the American Dream come true and it's not like he isn't worth his mettle. He earned it, as Max will undoubtedly point out. He has a way of telling his stories that makes you feel you're watching people acting out their normal lives and really aren't acting at all. He gets the best out of his characters and you wonder if this were live footage. He appreciates subtlety which I'm very big on. All in all, he's a masterful storyteller. A bit too adventurous to be taking on Hulk but I guess the oriental has bills to pay.

Frank Capra: What's oldies without his mention? I cannot explain the feeling when you watch the films he makes. You forget about such grim things like death, disease and famine. You get lost in a world where everything else is alright. All that worries us are the little things. I'm a fan of the bygone era. I'm a fan of Capra. Spikyn must be somewhere feeling happy for no reason. He's even more enthusiastic about Capra than I am. It's A Wonderful Life, Mr Deeds Goes To Washington, and a lot more are his achievements. Three Oscars in four years! No be beans! Even in those days.

Francis Ford Coppola : Even though Marlon Brando is dead, I am happy you're alive dude. This guy doesn't do much apparently but I'm sure everyone will wanna say a big thank you to him for bringing us The Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now and I personally wanna thank him for Bram Stoker's Dracula and everybody will wanna say a big No, thanks for his being related to Nicholas Cage who despite changing his name still had it easy in Hollywood if you ask me. The guy makes you feel old and wise and important when you watch his films. It was all I could do to refrain from getting a pipe and scotch while watching The Godfather.

James Cameron: I'm kinda surprised this guy is not labelled a recluse or something. I don't know how he does it. He just manages to steer clear of attention. Abi na me no dey get the buzz? Anyways, Terminator is probably the first attempt at showcasing artificial life in the form of cyborgs. There was no respite for the characters in the film and it's the first I can remember of the whole time travel thingie being central to a storyline. It's not far from The matrix or the 4400 series. Great achievement, right? Then came Titanic. I thought, ok, highest budget for a film, Titanic, highest budget before Titanic, Terminator. Both Cameron. If Eastwood has got the midas touch, this guy can sweet talk Shylock out of his pound of flesh. He doesn't go around shooting and hitting and missing but we'll see what he'll make of Avatar.

The Coen Brothers: I gotta tell you, if they had made only either one of There will be blood/No Country for Old men or O' Brother Where Art Thou, they won't be on this list. But I just can't figure out how they can have such width. I'm flabbergasted. More directors have a comfort zone or a comfort theme. Me, I'm confused with these guys. Most don't like There Will Be Blood but I think I'm proud that I could finish it. It was indeed boring. But in a nice comfortable way. I'd see it again. And they're guys you know will deliver more goods.


Jeez, my head hurts. Max. If you get away with not doing something similar to this, then you owe me three. I did this for you o. And cuz I'm jobless. yab yourself before they yab you.

Before I go, I just wanted to add, Max, that I didn't even mention George Lucas, Alfred Hitchcock and Charlie Chaplin. Though that Lucas guy too dey produce. But there you go.

All else, I didn't cross check this so pardon the many mistakes that are bound to be in it. If you ever read it, that is. Ok, I'll go plug my butt and sleep through winter.

Crap. I get interrupted. I think 3D should rock na. I've never seen a film in 3D but I reckon it would be some experience. But sometimes they make films like Spy kids that I wouldn't see even if it weren't on 3D. I hear The Final Destination is on 3D. Cool. Max no like am, the 3D thingie I mean, but I no sabi why. Oya Gamine, scoot.

Ok. That's over with. Now onto the Rick Dee's top 40, sorry my top 40 films (as at 1.00am, 17th September 2009). No order here either but since it's straight from my mind I guess there'll be a subliminal ranking within the list.

E. T.
The Godfather
Casablanca
Rashomon
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Apocalypse Now
Citizen Kane
Gone With The Wind
The Maltese Falcon
It's a Wonderful Life
Toy Story
Schindler's List
The Wizard of Oz
Sin City
Gandhi
Silence of the Lambs
Goodfellas
The English Patient
Fight Club
Snatch
A Clockwork Orange
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Lord of the Rings
The Matrix
Gladiator
The Ladykillers
Saving Private Ryan
Terminator 2: Judgement Day
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
The Lion King
Singing in the Rain
As Good As It Gets
The Great Dictator
The Dark Knight
The Sound of Music
Phenomenon
Jumanji
The Bourne Ultimatum
The Usual Suspects
Surf's Up

I know I'll regret this even more than the list of actors. Oh boy  

Ok. It's tomorn, lol.

I'll start with the easy ones. The list of actors and the list of movies.

My 20 favorite actors (as at 12.40am, 17th September, 2009)

Marlon Brando
Jack Nicholson
Humphrey Bogart
Bruce Willis
Michael Caine
Bette Davis
Al Pacino
Meryl Streep
Gary Oldman
Robert De Niro
Cate Blanchett
Emma Thompson
Rachel Weisz
Sir Anthony Hopkins
Sean Connery (Don't remember if he was knighted)
Tom Hanks
Leonardo D'Caprio
Nicole Kidman
Julia Roberts
Ralph Fiennes

I know I'm gonna forget somebody and wish I never did this list thing. And this is not in order jare. That thing is harder than I thought.

I thought you said you stopped following the story of the girl years ago. I must have misunderstood for that was what led me to believe she was murdered (gone missing) years ago.

I'll drop all the lists I initially promised tonight, tomorn, lol. Them kill my morale but you ressurect am back.

Ms. Vowels! Long time no see. What brings you to these parts?

iice, show me more. Me like. No, me love

Max. You're like the blue moon that says I won't be around a while. I hope your mood improves soon. Me, I'm doing a good job doing that too. Need tips?

You're right Max. I only saw one slasher like horror movie once and it didn't blow me away. You're also so very right that a film I like does not a good director make. That's why my opinion doesn't cut it on it's own. It's you guys that'll curb my excesses. The academy is something else jare. They're like me, all of them. A guild is supposed to bring forth something sturdy that can withstand scrutiny. The academy sounds like only one man's opinion. That's why I was discouraged to do this thing cuz I figured what's the point, lol. Oya, it's your turn Max. I wanna see who you have bias for. And twilight is both. I think.

I'll be doing the WHYs later,

I heard about the murdered girl from a CNN mobile alert. I didn't know what they were talking about. I certainly didn't she'd been murdered all those years ago. I thought it was a recent thing. What a waste.

You're right Max. I only saw one slasher like horror movie once and it didn't blow me away. You're also so very right that a film I like does not a good director make. That's why my opinion doesn't cut it on it's own. It's you guys that'll curb my excesses. The academy is something else jare. They're like me, all of them. A guild is supposed to bring forth something sturdy that can withstand scrutiny. The academy sounds like only one man's opinion. That's why I was discouraged to do this thing cuz I figured what's the point, lol. Oya, it's your turn Max. I wanna see who you have bias for.

I'll be doing the WHYs later,

I heard about the murdered girl from a CNN mobile alert. I didn't know what they were talking about. I certainly didn't she'd been murdered all those years ago. I thought it was a recent thing. What a waste.

Lol, Max.

'I'm open to anything' lol. I love this guy. Nice comparison, iice. Jerry and J. J. are birds of a feather. Though Jerry's a little more behind the scenes. J. J. is like Luc Besson

And iice, I hope the deceased isn't someone too close to you.

You're probably right Morph but I, personally wasn't yet tired of all the effects jare. Even if films from Osmosis Jones to Kungfu Hustle used the same tricks, I hadn't had enough.

iice, I told you you were changing. You do good without thinking about it now. You're probably infected with some virus. I hope it doesn't have a cure. I've been watching some movies but nothing notable except maybe Push and Bolt.

Are you kidding JeSoul? By the time Tim is through with Alice, you will think you were watching The Ring and wonder when the spooky well took the shape of a rabbit hole.

iice, you dey try. You're making me miss the good old days of that my defunct thread

Checked out J. J. Abrams cuz I wasn't sure. It seems this guy produces way more than he directs. I don't know how he steals the show and thunder from the stuff he worked on. I still love him though. He must be doing more than he's getting credit for. Or he's doing far less. One of the two.

At Peachie. I thought it was Del Toro who made Pan's labyrinth. I must be getting rusty. I even forgot to mention iice's uncle Tim Burton. Creepy creepy dude. The creepiest dude. The creepiest dude with the creepiest wife. That new animation 9 is surprising o. What iice posted surprised me. I thought it was one of those family movies. I didn't know it would be this dark. I'll be looking forward to seeing this especially as Tim is doing the CGI thing for the first time I think.

Oh Max. You're gonna make me do all the hard work before I'm ready. So can I infer you only have a problem with Nolan? This guy would be right up there if TDK was the only movie he made. But he made Memento, The Prestige and one other film I like though forget the name. Plus the guy started out humbly with his brother fooling around with a camera. Like Jackson, QT and Spielberg, I think he has the genes. I think the most formidable film makers have nothing to do with formal training.

Ritchie made those cool films but I didn't mean he was in the league of the extraordinary directors na. Him along with the rest I mentioned. They're on the right track though. My boy J. J. was responsible for Cloverfield and Star trek. Abi I'm mistaken? Lost, Fringe and Alias though they den't count per se still gives you an insight into his credentials. Michael Mann deserves more than a mention. I didn't even mention M. Night. Lol. The point I was trying to make is that there're a lot of these guys who're impressive. The list outside the 'ten' is by no means exhaustive. The crap Peter Jackson made doesn't look like crap if you consider the meagre resources at his disposal and how far back they were made. After all, his crap was enough to convince Newline to hand him a three year project worth nine figures. Him and Spielberg are the reasons why I think there're a lot of unrealised great directors who just need a break or a good story to tell. You won't believe that I like Cameron for his ability to not jump at anything that comes across him. The guy can shako. And he makes great stuff. Snyder was responsible for 300 and Watchmen and I heard he'll be making the overdue God of War. Like him now? And I almost forgot. It takes just one or two films one likes to really like a director na. I don't know what else Minghella made but me love him long time. Aronofsky made The Fountain and some other creepy movies. De Palma made the first Mission impossible which was almost as cool as The Matrix as that time. He also made Bonfire of the Vanities which I like for many many reasons. But I suspect I like his name and that sways me just a little.

@wavemasta. You're right about the high wearing off. It had an effect on the next two films (Transformers is a good example) but I daresay the second one had way more stunning effects than the first. What killed the sequel and conclusion is not effects but story and plot and some more. The high expectations just drove the railroad pike into the coffin. I liked as Neo died jare. I don't really care either way about the symbolism. It's not the first time and only those who will take notice will take notice. Me, I like him dead cuz there's no use for him any longer and cuz they won't have a chance to continue a franchise that really needs closure and spoil everything.

@iice, did you know you were the reason I went to look for animatrix? What's up? Any notes from the underground?

I was beginning to think you wouldn't bite the Ang Lee bait. If he wasn't bait, I'd have said 'it's my list na' Rest assured he's on the list and indeed he's better than a few of them. But I still think there're a lotta good directors o. It's the legendary ones that are few and it takes time and opportunity to become a legend. Take Peter Jackson for example, he was so stuck up with making his small films in New Zealand that I think if the LotR thing wasn't to be shot in New Zealand, the guy might not have been the great he is now. I appreciate youth in directing like I appreciate age in acting. The younger folks radicalise a lotta things. On my list there are a few old timers but the reasons why they're on the list is mostly cuz of what they achieved in their youth, or younger days. I could watch any film that any of the guys on my list made solely cuz they made them. Other very good directors, though less bankable for me are: Aronofsky, Boyle, Ritchie, De Palma, J. J. Abrams, Ridley Scott, Snyder, Brad Bird etc You see? They plenty now. And some of these guys are the greatest for some people. I'll have get back on the whys o. Some people don dampen my enthusiasm. I gotta rebuild it

I forgot to mention that the list is not in order though it comes close for the first two are reproducible.

Lol, Max. I must be exasperating. Here you go. Nevermind that if you ask me later, this list is subject to change. Both from my epileptic disposition/taste and the performances of new directors.

Steven Spielberg
Martin Scorsese
Peter Jackson
Frank Capra
Francis Ford Coppola
Quentin Tarantino
Christopher Nolan
Stanley Kubrick
Clint Eastwood
The Coen bros
James Cameron

I'm undecided about the last one. Ang Lee is a forerunner though. I didn't know you liked movies that old. I mean Singing in the rain. I don't know how Gene Kelly makes me bob my head like a kindergarten teacher. The films you mentioned all made my list. Funny huh?

I forgot to add that I've read the book On Stranger Tides and if the new PotC is anything like the book, then we're in for a helluva ride.

The animatrix was way cool. I liked the one with the sprinter best. Also the one with the boy who broke out of the matrix by himself. I didn't enjoy the one with the creepy colour cacophony.

The animatrix was way cool. I liked the one with the sprinter best. Also the one with the boy who broke out of the matrix by himself. I didn't enjoy the one with the creepy colour cacophony.

Wow, iice. Thanks! Didn't see this on time. I'm frankly appalled. I saw 2011 and I thought, ok, maybe early 2011 then, wham! Dec 23! Well, I think it will be worth the wait. I mean, c'mon, it's Spielberg. There's some hope for the Matarese circle coming out earlier. O boy, I can't wait. I hope that director makes his mark with this movie or else Ludlum will turn in his grave. By the way, I recently found out that Miramax was bought out by Disney way back in 1993. How do you like that. In fact, I found that all these studios are just subs of subs of the real big media companies like Time Warner which was itself a merger. In short it's a confusing labyrinth of a maze, these corporations.

Never heard of it o. What's it about?

I think people more or less die at the same rate. We just take more notice of the people we know or are close to and perhaps the modes with which people die. Sorry, JeSoul. I hope I won't say that again soon.

Max, I'm not posting again jare. Except you're especially curious.

:-)

Jeez, I just saw a film he was in with Billy Bob Thorton. May his soul rest in peace. And Gamine, I was trying to get my mind off some stuff. I thought this would be a good idea. Apparently it's not. Don't know what I was thinking.

Max, you were being polite abi?

Karma, I thought you were on a honeymoon with bros you know who. What gives?

I think I've sacred everyone off

:-)

:-)