New Portugal. The Man Song "Once Was One"

There are many of you out there who haven't heard of Portugal. The Man yet. Well, that is about to change with the release of their freshman album on Atlantic Records. With 6 albums made already, Portugal are veteran musicians and perfected psych-pop rockers who haven't made a bad record yet. It will be exciting to see what the band has in store on their yet to be named new record. More after the jump...



What do you think? If you have listened to them before, there is a lot of resemblance towards their Censored Colors album, especially the songs "And I" and "Colors." The album, you can tell from the teaser, is extremely refined and well produced especially since Grammy award winner Andy Wallace mixed the album. I'm excited for these dudes, it should be interesting to see how well the album is received by the "indie" population. Hopefully they will transcend that group and catch a more wider audience too. Who knows? With a band that works as hard as they do, it sure as hell possible...

Sci-Fi Genre (Must-See)

Science Fiction is a genre that is very hard to describe. It’s a genre that is discussed and contemplated over and over again, with different meanings and themes subjective to each viewer. It’s like reading the best of Nietzsche and Ayn Rand, or, contemplating the brothers Karamazov of existentialism. The best sci-fi movies bring up these fundamental questions of philosophy about society and the human being. Why are we here? Is reality what we perceive it to be? What is the meaning of life? The best science fiction films contemplate these enumerable questions with fiery anxiety. I’ve seen many of these movies countless times, with every viewing trying to catch something new in the glorious landscape of these stories and always in awe at the amazing concepts from the visuals these filmmakers create. With “Source Code” coming out this weekend, another sci-fi film I am excited to see, I feel that now is the best time for me to unleash my favorite sci-fi films. But, instead of 5 films I am going to write about 15 films you must-see.

1. Inception

In a movie that is as complex as Inception is, there is no better way to describe this movie than as a dream within a dream. Inception stars Leonardo DiCaprio in one of his most complicated roles to date. The first hour of Inception is all exposition, aiding the audience to understand the rules of the dream sequences that occur in the last hour of film. Not only is this film a big budget blockbuster but it is also a film that requires the audience to think. Inception is a puzzle, propelled through the story and character driven plot. The layers of the dream world are complex in their execution; the only way to understand what you are seeing is by reminding yourself of the rules or what was set up by the exposition from the movies first hour of storytelling. With all the complicated and visceral layers of this film, it really shows what Hollywood can do with a visionary filmmaker and a large budget. This film has it all from epic fight scenes, a complicated sci-fi plot, themes that are not caught on too easily, and by far one of the most epic “wtf” twist endings ever in cinema. I will say that this film is complicated, maybe even hard to understand at first. Yet with all its over indulgence in complexity, Inception is a ride like no other in cinema. It’s a special film that deserves repeated viewings.

2. Children of Men

Alfonso Cuaron is the filmmaker behind the best installment in the Harry Potter franchise, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. After he made that movie, Hollywood realized this filmmaker has talent. It wasn’t until after everyone saw his film Children of Men, that we all realized he is one of the most innovative and revolutionary filmmakers in the business. Children of men was a godsend in sci-fi cinema, and was based on one of the most beautifully written and ingenious dystopian sci-fi novels, Children of Men by P. D. James. This novel was held dearly by many sci-fi fans, so when we heard Alfonso Cuaron was making it into a movie, everyone was pleased. And the pleasant euphoria from this news wasn’t pre-judged. The movie turned out to be better than what the hype had lead us to believe, it was a masterpiece of storytelling, cinematography and one of Clive Owen’s best performances in his titular role, Theo Faron.  With takes lasting more than 10 minutes long or even the perfectly choreographed war sequence all shot in one take, this movie was simply perfect. The music is great, the story is epic and the acting is superb. Nothing can really be asked more out of a sci-fi film.  

3. A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange will not work for everyone. Despite its name, this movie is very hard to watch. The reason why I put this film on the list is because of two reasons. One, A Clockwork Orange is one of Stanley Kubrick’s finest films, and two, A Clockwork Orange is one of the best sci-fi movies ever made. Yes, there is rape in this film, gratuitous violence and a disgusting main character; I’m looking at you Alex. But, there is no other film that captures the insanity of a dystopian future and the rule of a corrupt government over oppressed people quite like Stanley Kubrick’s film. Even though there are a lot of disturbing aspects to A Clockwork Orange, it is understandable because of the time frame that this film takes place. We could all imagine a society broke down into the lowest form of animalistic ways because of an oppressive government and streets run by the corrupted youth. Stanley Kubrick was brave enough to show his vision of this film to the world. Unlike most sci-fi films with the same ideas, A Clockwork is a graphic yet true depiction of what a society and government would succumb to in its darkest hours.

4. Back to the Future Trilogy

The Back to the Future trilogy is best held together as a trilogy. Yes, the first installment was great, so was the second, but the third has to be added because it closes out the franchise in a way that the trilogy desperately needed. In a sense, you can call this list the “18 movies you must-see,” (I am including the original Star Wars trilogy) but the Back to the Future Trilogy is supposed to be seen as whole, not in separate films. Back to the Future, the first installment, tells the story of Marty Mcfly who travels to the past with Doc Brown and while there, he prevents his parents from ever meeting. Because of this, he must race through time, literally, to influence his parents to meet while trying to save himself. If his parents never had met, he would never have been born. After the first film, he travels to the future to save his son. While there, he creates an alternate universe of where his mother and enemy Biff marry and his original father is killed. Confused yet? The third one I will leave open, but you understand what is going on. The Back to the Future trilogy is an epic affair, and it is a must-see sci-fi franchise for everyone.    

5. The Matrix

The formally known Wachowski brothers, one of them had a sex change, created a visionary film with The Matrix. There is no wonder why film after film parodied and mimicked all of the extraordinary special effects and filmmaking techniques that The Matrix revolutionized. This film wasn’t only a visionary piece of action cinema, nor was it only just a CGI spectacular with special effects far beyond its time; but it was also an amazingly sci-fi, trippy, and heady story about a reality that isn’t real. And, if you take the red pill you find out the actual reality and exit the artificially fake computer generated world, which they rightfully call The Matrix. The Matrix makes you think, but it also feeds the hunger of any action and sci-fi fan, supplying a great amount of action and special effects with a large hint of deep and meaningful sci-fi cinema. It is philosophy driven, action intensive, and a science fiction epic.

6. Moon

Who knew David Bowie’s son, Duncan Jones, could write and direct a great sci-fi film. Yes, Ziggy Stardust’s prodigy was the filmmaker behind the ludicrously brilliant Moon. I say ludicrously brilliant because there has not been a science fiction film quite like this since 2001: A Space Odyssey. Its philosophical, desolate, and only a one man show. Yes, actor Sam Rockwell carries the entire movie by himself. Moon is eerily similar to 2001, but it creates a whole new universe of loneliness and losing oneself into insanity. With a low-budget and extremely limited set’s Moon brings to mind the less is more virtue, and that could not be truer with this film. It will be interesting to see how his new movie, Source Code, stacks up to the limited budget Moon. Source Code was given a lot more money and higher caliber of actors, so it’ll be interesting to see which one ends up being better.

7. Blade Runner

Blade Runner is special in the realm of sci-fi movies. It was made after Ridley Scott’s thriller/horror film, Alien. Like Duncan Jones did with Moon, Ridley Scott started off making sci-fi films with a minimal budget and after his first foray into sci-fi took off, he was given a larger budget and a behemoth of a screenplay. Blade Runner originally was a short story by Phillip K. Dick, one of the most philosophical science fiction writers of his time. Blade Runner is the story of replicants, robots that look identical to humans but are smarter, more physically fit, and have no emotions. Yet, as the movie goes on the audience starts to see that replicants are growing emotions and are acting similar to human beings. This is one of the underlying questions throughout the film. What actually makes a human? It’s a fascinating film, and who doesn’t love Harrison Ford?

8. Total Recall

Total Recall is another film that was adapted from a story written by Phillip K. Dick. This man was a prolific writer with fascinating tales of the human condition and questioning the world around him. While also developing quantum ideas throughout his career to whether or not the reality we perceive is real, or if this is all a dream state. Dick was a visionary for the science fiction genre. Total Recall stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as Douglas Quid, a man who wants to take a virtual vacation to Mars. In his trip, he starts to believe that he really did take a trip to Mars and that he is also a secret agent fighting against an evil Mars Administrator. So, he ends up actually going to mars to fight this man; or does he? That is the fascinating thing about Total Recall because the filmmakers really never let you know whether or not he really does go to mars. They instead have the audience question the reality that Arnold is in. Was it real, or just a dream vacation?

9. Star Wars: Episodes 4, 5, and 6

Star Wars… What can possibly be said about these films that haven’t already been said countless times? It’s an epic on a massive size. The Star Wars films aren’t as much of science fiction movies as they are action adventure films set on a universal scale. I would not put the first 3 films of the Star Wars Saga on this list because those are the films that, you know, feature endless CGI and countless absurdities to the entire franchise and were all made by the greedy George Lucas. It can also be said that Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace doesn’t even need to be seen in order to appreciate the original 3 films made in the 70’s and 80’s, respectively. Star Wars will go down in history as some of the best films ever made. They are filled to the brim with odes to epic tales and philosophical ideas of the past. Star Wars is a masterpiece in its own right.

10. Alien

Ridley Scotty made Blade Runner after making Alien. Yes, Blade Runner is a much more complex film dealing with far more complicated subject matter, while Alien is a simpler film relying on horror to convey its sci-fi plot. But, Alien is a horror story and it is told in a thrilling way. Alien is about 7 astronauts who go to an alien planet to study a spaceship that has crashed there. After they leave when finding no life in the craft, a special visitor travels along with them for the ride back to earth. That visitor is the Alien. Millions of miles away from home, these astronauts now have to keep themselves alive until they can either find or kill whatever is on the ship with them. It’s a scary film with very slow pacing. It’s a must see for any horror or sci-fi fan.

11. They Live

They Live has a silly concept. There are these special sunglasses and if you wear them, you can see the aliens who inhabit earth because, they are disguising themselves as the wealthiest people in America. Indeed, the plot is silly but it is a very good movie. John Carpenter, the writer and director, who also made The Thing and Halloween, has said that this film is his most adored. He never “made another film quite like it.” And it definitely shows, because with or without the silly plot it’s still a well executed film with fascinating ideas. The plot of They Live questions the way a person perceives reality, and if what we see is controlled by aliens. Dear reader, if you enjoy creative films then They Live is the movie for you.

12. 2001: A Space Odyssey

Stanley Kubrick’s seminal masterpiece is a fascinating work of art. This film pushes the boundaries of many science fiction films. 2001: A Space Odyssey is very hard to describe, it is a movie that a person could only understand if they have seen it themselves. Yet, even then it’s hard to comprehend. 2001 is also a science fiction film that is not easily comprehended. It is filled with deep metaphors and burning philosophical questions. I highly suggest this movie to any cinemphile, but to the regular viewers out there 2001 might seem too long and convoluted. Nonetheless give it a try if you’re daring.

13. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial

E.T. is a special movie that won the hearts of millions in the 1980’s. E.T. is still cherished by many young kids of today and rightfully so. Like many of Steven Spielberg’s films, E.T. is a movie that is bound to win over anyone with a sense of being a kid, the optimistic approach that anything is possible and life is beautiful. E.T. tells the story of neighborhood kids who find an alien. They are trying to find a way home for this alien, and also go through a series of youthful angst and events. E.T. is not necessarily a deep or heavily metaphorical film, it’s actually the opposite. But, if we as viewers watched these heavy films all the time, there would be no room for imagination and feeling like a kid again. E.T. brings that feeling out in viewers every time.

14. Twelve Monkeys

In a future devastated by disease, a convict is sent back in time to destroy the man who started the virus. That is only the beginning of this deep and heady tale, Twelve Monkey’s. Filmmaker Terry Gilliam, who made Brazil and Time Bandits, brings out his special craft for creative imagination to the science fiction genre and develops a story that is very unique in its execution. Instead of having a seemingly linear plot lone, the film strays off into its own world, creating a gravitating experience for the audience. Terry Gilliam is known for making films with an abundance of imagination, with gorgeous set pieces and great cinematography.  Twelve Monkeys’ takes all of Gilliam’s best ideas and throws them into one beautiful and complex movie. It’s a masterpiece of sci-fi cinema.

15. Donnie Darko

Filmmaker Richard Kelly has not made a good film since Donnie Darko. Surprisingly, it is his freshman effort. Well, I don’t have to tell you that his newer films, Southland Tales and The Box, sucked. If you’ve seen them, gods rest your soul they’re disgraces to cinema. It’s hard to understand why a once great filmmaker like Richard Kelly started making such horrible films, but maybe he’s a one hit wonder like our other pal M. Night Shyamalan. Ok, back to Donnie Darko. Donnie Darko is a peculiar film that really is not easy to understand. I will suggest this film to any reader out there, but my warning to you is that Donnie Darko is weird film which doesn’t give concrete facts or evidence to the answers that Richard Kelly throws at you.  At its simplest form, Donnie Darko is a complex tale about growing up and learning to control the emotions of loneliness and angst we all have. It’s an oddity from sci-fi cinema.

Drama Genre (Must-See)

For years filmmakers have attempted to create their own unique installment into the drama genre. With endless films about death, love, hate, and misfortune. The only problem is that with all these entrees, only few have been distinguishable enough, and good enough, to really be recognizable and actually seen. As an aspiring screenwriter and filmmaker, I understand how tough it is to emulate the human emotion, to portray the life that others lead in their most desolate hours. It’s tough, and only few filmmakers have really made drama’s that truly stand the test of time and emulate what it is so hard for many to do, portray human emotion and give a real sense of attachment for the audience towards these characters. Here are my five “Must-see” films in the Drama genre.

5. Magnolia

“Magnolia” is a special type of film that stands out amongst the other films classified as dramas. The reason being is that it runs nearly three and a half hours long, and not only does it depict suffering in a hyper-real sense, but it shows all forms of suffering, from an abusive father to his son, to a dying old man grasping to make a penance with his only son. The special thing about this film is that not only does it bring a plethora of seemingly interrelated stories together, but it ties them all together in an ending that has been dissected and contemplated for years after the film’s release. Paul Thomas Anderson writes and directs this film with a frivolous passion for the dramatic, creating a truly epic spectacle of the human condition in its darkest hours of life and death.

4. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

We all know Jim Carry is a very funny man. He’s a stand-up comedian and he is a comedic actor unlike anyone has ever known. The most important thing he had ever done in his career was to transform himself into not only a funny man, but to also portray and take on more dramatic roles in films like “The Truman Show” and the film on this list “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” The fascinating thing about this film is that director “Michel Gondry” blends a fascinating mix of drama, romance, and science fiction into an easily digestible soup of emotions and out there philosophy. This film speaks to a generation of dreamers, a generation of people who don’t want to forget how to be creative and think of the most unimaginable things. “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” brings forth all of these ideas ten-fold and effortlessly creates a spectacle of drama and sci-fi like no other film has done.

3. Requiem for a Dream

“Requiem for a Dream” is a very sad movie. I cannot exemplify that enough. If you are in the mood for a downer, than you absolutely need to see this film. No other film that comes to mind shows the dark side of addiction and sadness like Darren Aronofsky’s sophomore effort does. A rough blend of cascading music and hip-hop editing techniques, the movie bustles into your mind and rips every fabric of your being. Yes, the movie is gruesome, depressing, real, and shocking, but it depicts a subject that is more than real in our society today. Aronofsky creates a masterpiece with this film and it will rock you, move you, and most importantly stay with you for a long time.

2. The Shawshank Redemption

Unlike the other films I’ve mentioned on this list, “The Shawshank Redemption” is in fact an uplifting film. This film gives the audience a clear view of the true grit of prison life and the unmistakable actions of officials who run our prison systems. This is one film in which I would not want to give any spoilers nor ruin the epic spectacle that is watching this film. Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins are a perfect duo who works so well together; I wonder why they haven’t worked together since this film. The most amazing thing about this Academy Award Winning Drama is that this was the FIRST film by writer and director Frank Darabont. He adapted this short story by Stephen King, one of our generation’s most talented horror and sci-fi writer, and created a drama unlike any other story you will see on the silver screen.  

1. Forrest Gump

What is there to say that hasn’t already been said about “Forrest Gump?” This movie is happy, sad, loveable, one of Tom Hanks best performances, and most of all dramatic. The titular character, Forrest Gump, explains this film and life in general the best, “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.” And the audience really never knows what they are going to get with this film. The reason why this is at the top of my list is that it shows an entire life of a man who wasn’t greedy, of a man who wasn’t mean or faced indescribable perils. He was just a simple man, observing life and the world around him as the world changed, as society changed. From his adolescent point of view, we see the horrors of war, the insanity of the Vietnam protests, and the downfall of his friends, family, and loved ones. This movie speaks to us all, to not take life to seriously and enjoy the little moments, to look at life in a glass half full type of view. Isn’t that what dramatic films should do?

Romance Genre (Must-See)

Editors Note: I wrote this before valentines day, so thats why it was written in past tense. Don't be hatten...

Valentine’s Day is coming soon and no matter how you feel about the holiday of love, either it’s a gimmick or truly the lovers last bastion of hope, its celebrated by most people who are in a relationship or by children in elementary school giving out those silly cards with cartoon characters on them, with the candy that tastes like chalk. Point being, Valentine’s Day is holiday and we all celebrate whether we like or not. Hollywood celebrates it too, by releasing a slew of films that plague movie theaters every mid-February claiming they know the true meaning of love, or that they are this year’s best Romantic Comedy. These films are my favorite movies about love, hate, and the trials and tribulations that most people in love go through. These are the 5 movies you must see during Valentine’s Day.

5. The Last Kiss

“The Last Kiss” is one of few movies that Zach Braff, of “Scrubs” fame, stars in. Like his previous movie that he wrote and directed, “Garden State,” this movie is about love. But not the kind of love that movies normally show. In a normal Hollywood movie about love the lovers are thrown apart, the lovers go through extreme circumstances to come back to each other. This movie throws that unrealistic perspective out the window and shows the true face of love. The movie throws at you like a ton of bricks the reality of love, that it is tough and not only can we make mistakes, but love is at a price. This movie was done so brilliantly that when audiences came out to see it, they did not expect the “real” take on love and relationships that this movie had. It was advertised as a romantic comedy, but this isn’t your moms “Wedding Planner,” or “Gone with the Wind.”

4. Garden State

Again, Zach Braff knows Romance movies. With “The Last Kiss” he showed us all the reality and consequences that come with love and having children, pretty much starting your new life. But a few years before “The Last Kiss,” he showed us what love can do to our soul. It changes us, whether we want it to or not. Zach plays Andrew, a man who is prescribed anti-anxiety medicine and for a long time he is passive and doesn’t make any effort to change his life, until he met Sam, Natalie Portman’s character. She changed his life, and his taste in music. After meeting Sam, he was thrust into feelings and a whole new perspective on the world that only love and being with the person you adore can do. Zach Braff truly made a special film with this one. Let’s just hope he makes another film soon…

3. Amélie

“Amélie” is a special kind of love story that only the French could tell. “Amélie” is about our titular character Amélie, a young girl who resorts to her own fantastical dream world to view her visions of love and beauty. She meets people in her life who only see her as an object, a woman to sleep with and idealize as a goddess of sex and monetary beauty. Yet, she is much more than any of that. The audience starts to see the real beauty in the world through her eyes and her dreams. “Amélie” will take you on a journey like no other through her world and give you a fresh perspective on love and beauty like no other American film has done.

2. Love Actually

First, I have to say that I really enjoy all things that are British. The Brits really know how to make a wonderful love story. Like the French, they understand that love is far more than just sex and looks. In “Love Actually,” we see a large ensemble cast go through love, hate, loneliness, regret, and sadness; all within the span of the day before Christmas. And to be honest, isn’t that what love is? It’s a mixture of all these feelings and emotions, and this movie truly understands the sentiment of unrequited love. Whether that be for a friend, a family member, a person you just met, or the women of your dreams. Love is all around us. This movie understands love, and like The Beatles song that this film plays at its climax, “All you need is love, love, love is all you need.

1. Lost In Translation

The reason why I put this at the end of my list is because of many reasons. Yes, I love Bill Murray. Yes, I love Scarlett Johansson, and yes, I love Sofia Coppola, the writer and director of this film. But, I am not putting this film on this list because of those reasons. It’s on here because of one simple fact. This movie shows that love doesn’t have to be loud, obnoxious, and screaming out at the top of your lungs for the whole world to hear. Love can just be quite, it can be between friends or somebody you just meet over a short weekend and will never see again. You don’t have to sleep with someone in order to love them. This movie understands that. Bill Murray plays a character lost in Tokyo, Japan. He meets Scarlett Johansson character, a lonely newlywed who is locked in her room without her husband. They meet, they fall in love. But they don’t kiss and they don’t have sex. They just love each other; they love the moments they spent together. Isn’t that what love is?

Portugal. The Man

Portugal. The Man has been my favorite band for quite a while now. No other band in the "indie" genre, I use "indie" in the most loose form, has been as rock n' roll as Portugal. The man have. Releasing 6 albums in 5 years, having the most visceral and proggy live performances, they are a band to keep an eye out for. Its fascinating, because their live shows are more like Pink Floyd, then their indie rock contemporaries. They change their songs to suit the live setting. It's groovy.

Check out Aka M80 The Wolf. 

"Unknown" Movie Review

As a film critique I am supposed to be as critical as possible. I am supposed to watch a film in an un-biased viewing, yet, still critique in the upmost critical way. Have you ever seen a film where in the first 15 minutes of the run time you think to yourself, "Hey, this movie has a lot of potential?" Most movies start off with that same promise of entertaining, but intelligent story telling. Then bam, the transforms into a meandering mess with a rushed third act and an ending that really is not developed enough, nor do you care enough to really be dazzled by the end product. "Unknown" falls into this category of could have, would have, and should have.

"Unknown" tells the story of Dr. Matthew Harris (Nesson), a professor of biotech engineering and his wife Dr. Liz Harris who fly into Berlin, Germany for a medical conference, where a famous Biotech engineer will unveil his top secret research project. This is only the begging of where things get a big foggy, literally for our titular character, and metaphorically for the poorly executed plot. After Matthew leaves his briefcase at the Airport, he rushes back there to go find it, but his cabdriver ends up getting into a car accident where he is hit on the head from impact and forgets portions of memories.

The problem with this story is not the specific events that occur during the unfolding of this thriller action film, quite the contrary actually, the individual events that happen in this film are interesting and well developed, but how they are executed and unfolded for the audience is mundane and rushed. This movie could have been a unique entry into the "memory-loss" genre. But, the filmmakers behind "Unknown", respectively Jaume Collet-Serra, obviously saw too many films like his own, ala "The Bourne Identity" and tried so hard to imitate that formula, but lost sight of what makes a movie revolutionary; intelligence, uniqueness, and entertaining, not copying an already trite formula and calling it "new."

Believe me; I understand that the running theme in this review is "could have been so much more." "Unknown" really could have been surpassed other films in the same category. Except, with a rushed third act and a supposedly "twist" ending, the film really didn't know where it wanted to go, and how it wanted to be taken by its audience. The ending was truly the icing on the shit cake.

Normal thrillers place key story elements throughout the movie, not rush everything into a 5 minute scene that doesn't even really feel that important. That is where the writers of this film, Oliver Butcher and Stephen Cornwell, really went down the wrong path. "Unknown" is just a plethora of poorly shot fight and chases scenes, with no actual semblance of thrill in the plot, and, instead opted to put all of the important information at the end of the film in a poorly executed scene.

With actors like Liam Nesson and Diane Kruger giving out spectacular performances, you start to think of this movie being on par with "The Bourne Identity." But, immediately in the beginning of the film, you start to see a bustling of bad acting, especially from January Jones, the amazing actress from Mad Men whom I expected so much more from here. But, you can obviously tell that she did not put as much effort in as the always great Liam Nesson, or even Diane Kruger.

Those fight scenes. If there is one other large complaint about this movie, other than the rushed third act and poorly executed plot, is that the fight scenes and chase scenes weren't shot well. I did not get the real feel of these men fighting, nor did I feel the thrill of these chase scenes. More than anything, I thought to myself "When will these scenes be over with?" It's a complaint that I've had for years now with modern action and kung-fu films. They don't show the damned fight. All the cinematographers do is shot a half second clip of, let's say a fist punching someone in the face, then a half second clip of a knee hitting someone in the ground, you get where I'm going with this. It's poorly shot, and the audience does not really get the scale or the thrill of the fight. It's annoying, trite, and to be honest the antitheses of exciting, boring.

Though "Unknown" has many flaws, and it probably does come off as I hated this film, there were some redeeming aspects to the movie. The characters where at least interesting and no matter how much I see Liam Nesson nowadays, I still think he's an awesome actor who pours every fabric of his being into his rolls. The "twist" ending, though it was rushed and kind of unoriginal, was still pretty cool. The writers just needed to execute the ending better, but like I said in the beginning, would have, could have, and should have.

It really is tough critiquing a movie. Sometimes I want to see a film and just watch it for what it is. Enjoy it, and just absorb the entertaining and thrilling aspects that bring you along for the ride. Everyone else in the theater with me was well over 50. They all loved it. Seriously, they all thought this movie was spectacular. When walking out the theater all I could here was, "Wow I did not expect that," or "That girl was so good, she really did put on a good performance." Sometimes I wish I couldn't be as critical as I have to be, but this is the line of work I choose. This movie sucked, and I will stand by my word.

Frank Zappa craziness

Have you ever listened to Frank Zappa before? If so, good for you. Most likely if you have, and you liked his music, you're a geek like myself. If you haven't though, heres a good starting off point into the enlightenment of mustache-dome that is Frank Zappa. He's pretty ridiculous. Enjoy!

Twist Endings (Must-See)

It is very tough to make a film with a good twist ending. Many filmmakers attempt it, but it can either break, or make their film. M. Night Shyamalan did it perfectly with The Sixth Sense, a film on this list, but he ended up ruining his films Unbreakable and The Village with their so-called “twist endings.” No matter how you feel about them, they do add certain amount of suspense to the film, because if you go into a movie aware of a twist ending, then you try to add up the pieces to the puzzle during the run-time. It is also hard to write an article on movies that involve twist endings without giving away any spoilers of the actual ending. I will do my best to keep away from any spoilers about these films. This is my “must-see” films with the best twist endings. (In my own opinion at least.)

5. Shutter Island

Shutter Island tells the story of U.S. Marshall Teddy Daniels, played by Leonardo Dicaprio, who goes to an isolated insane Asylum on Shutter Island. Things only get stranger from there as Teddy starts to investigate a disappearance of one inmate. It seems as though the nurses and orderlies from the hospital are conniving on imprisoning Teddy at the hospital. It even seems as though Teddy’s partner Chuck, played by Mark Ruffalo, has plans of his own while on Shutter Island. This film is filled with paranoia, schizophrenia, hallucinations, and most of all more twists and turns that I haven’t seen since a Hitchcock film. This movie really does its best to emulate the Hitchcockian genre. But, it’s all in the ending; it will move you, rock you, and most importantly, as you watch the film again countless times, it will be an entirely different experience the second time around.

4. Psycho (1960)

Hitchcock was the master of suspense. He created countless films thathad people of all ages on the edge of their seats, and his films still hold that same resonance today. From his movies North by Northwest to The Birds, his films have a special quality that only few have emulated, I.E. Shutter Island. Psycho is a perfect example of how talented of a filmmaker that Alfred Hitchcock was. He used music, camera angles, and acting in a way that only he pioneered. First of all, he made the first film to feature blood in a gruesome way. He also used music not as a tool for enjoyment, but to make the audience cringe, and to set an uncomfortable feeling of dread and insanity throughout the films runtime. This is a horrific film, with an amazing twist ending that is so unexpected, you will watch the movie over again to just catch the suitable hints that Hitchcock lays out for the audience throughout his masterpiece.

3. The Usual Suspects

Who is Keyser Soze? Is the seminal question that the audience will be asking themselves throughout the entire film. The Usual Suspects is a fascinating film about a group of criminals who have just heisted a truck and are looking for the man they call Keyser Soze. As each man has wronged Keyser Soze in the past, they are killed off one by one, and the police are left with the same question that all of the characters are asking throughout the film, who actually is Keyser Soze? The Usual Suspects is the best film, in my opinion, from director Bryan Singer. No other film of his holds the award for best twist ending like this movie does, because, when you find out who Keyser Soze is, you will scream at the television with fiery anger, then hold your breath for a moment to gasp in the genius of what you just witnessed.

2. The Sixth Sense

Was this film just a fluke? I mean, really. No other film by M. Night Shyamalan has been as good as The Sixth Sense, and this filmmaker continues to make bad movies. Maybe Unbreakable was good, but no other filmblew us away as much as The Sixth Sense did. First time viewers of this film have no idea what is in store for the ending. So many movies and television shows have made fun of people ruining the ending of this film for new viewers. It’s funny because, no matter how many times I see this film, it still shocks me every time. “I see dead people,” is the perfect line, because I did not see that ending coming. Also, who can’t complain that Bruce Willis was bigger than ever after this movie came out? He rocks.

1. Memento

What is there to say that hasn’t already been said about this movie? It is told in backwards chronological order, Guy Pearce, the lead actor, is phenomenal in his portrayal of Leonard, and Christopher Nolan in his sophomore effort created a masterpiece as simple as telling a story backwards about a man who cannot make new memories. Whether or not you think this is a confusing plot, it really isn’t. Chris Nolan’s intensions where to put the audience in the same dilemma with this man who cannot make new memories, by telling the story backwards to keep them as much out of the loop as possible. And that is exactly what Nolan does. The ending to this film is so mind blowing; you will want to watch this film over and over again to see the insanity for a second, third, or even fourth time. Memento is talked about, critiqued, analyzed, and dissected in most film classes across the world, and there is a good reason for that. This film is so well done, it begs the question. Why aren’t other films daring enough to tell a story backwards?

Crime Genre (Must-See)

The crime genre, more commonly known as gangster movies, has been a staple in cinema since the dawn of polarized film. Filmmakers of every generation have attempted to understand and visualize the runners, gunners and pushers who capitalize on the weak and hurt the innocent.

From films like "Scarface" to "Goodfellas", Hollywood has not left one stone unturned for those gangsters who prowl in the night. It's good though for moviegoers, because there is an endless world of fascination to be had in the interesting and crazy lives that gangsters and criminals lead. But, only few filmmakers have really made an impact on Hollywood with these kinds of films, and even less movies have been made in the crime genre that evoke emotion, assess why these criminals are the way they are, and entertain while creating a unique and quality experience. Here are my must-see films in the crime genre.

5. "L.A. Confidential"

"L.A. Confidential" is a modern classic in Noir-Crime dramas. It is so heavily influenced by films from the 1950s that it shows the essence of life in that era, but adds a modern style in its direction and effortless storytelling. "L.A. Confidential" tells the story of three cops in the Los Angeles Police Department and how they all research, investigate, and start to understand the mystery behind a coffee shop shooting in their own unique ways. The writing is so tight in this movie, adding its own special flair to critique the 1950s era of cinema, but to also pay homage to the not-so- innocent Hollywood of the era. As Sid Hudgens (Danny DeVito) says in the opening monologue, "Life is good in Los Angeles ... it's paradise on Earth. Ha, ha, ha, ha. That's what they tell you, anyway." "L.A. Confidential" is a movie that twists and turns with interesting characters and a far more mind-blowing conclusion that will have you screaming at your television screen.

4. "The Departed"

"The Departed" is a fabulous film that studies the psyche degradation of a cop who goes undercover into the world of crime. Leonardo DiCaprio is here, in arguably his best performance yet, and plays the man character, Billy Costigan. Billy just finishes police school for the Massachusetts State Police and he is asked the simple question right off the bat. "Do you want to be a cop? Or,do you want to pretend to be a cop?" This question leads Billy to accept the duty of going undercover into a world of crime with mob boss Frank Costello, played perfectly by Jack Nicholson. Things get more complicated from there as Costello already has a Massachusetts State Police insider, Colin Sullivan, played by Matt Damon. It is very interesting to see the two lifestyles these characters lead as Billy goes in a downward spiral of drug use and depression, and as Colin becomes the lead detective on the case for arresting Frank Costello. This movie is truly a masterpiece and rightfully won filmmaker Martin Scorsese his first Best Picture and Best Director Academy Awards.

3. "The Godfather"

According to many, nothing passes the seminal work of gangster cinema like "The Godfather." Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece, which some consider to be the best film ever made, is a movie that catalogues the events in the life of crime family the Corleones. Marlon Brando plays Don Corleone and is the best part of this movie. He plays this character so spot on. With blood, sex, violence and character-driven drama, this film brought together most aspects of cinema that weren't even used in major Hollywood films. This was a time when films did not even use violence as graphic as it was used in this film. By today's standards, the film is not violent at all, but in the 1970s when it came out, this film was gory. It was good, and it will always be epic.

2. "Pulp Fiction"

Imagine a film that incorporates gangsters, boxers, bondage, rape, dialogue, and drugs all wrapped around a flawless story about a secret briefcase, a fixed fight and a night out on the town. If you throw all these into a blender of cinema you'll have "Pulp Fiction." John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson pay Vincent and Jules, and they are sent out on a mission by their mob boss Marsellus. Or is it a mission from God? The same mob boss, Marsellus, is after a boxer Butch, who wins a fight that he was supposed to lose and they both get caught up in the most horrifying incident a man can endure. Vincent, the man gangster from before, also takes Marsellus's wife out on a "friend" date while his boss is out of town, and they fall into trouble as well. Quentin Tarantino's best film to date is filled with superb dialogue and storytelling that truly makes this filmmaker one of the best of his era. With snappy and intelligent dialogue passing you by, even the characters, story, and music help you watch this movie, even in repeated viewing, with your jaw dropped waiting to see what happens next.

1. "Goodfellas"

Even though Martin Scorsese created a masterpiece with "The Departed," his best film hands down is still "Goodfellas." The reason being that Goodfellas is flawless, with no creative faults or mistakes. The writing is perfect, the editing is perfect, and so are the amazing performances by Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci. So good, actually, it won Joe Pesci an Academy Award. This film speaks to all the film buffs of the world, cascading you into a world of crime and drama unseen in any other film that comes to mind. Yes, The "Godfather" was the first gangster movie to feature blood and language, but "Goodfellas" said "F" you and slapped a whole new meaning to the word gratuitous. "Goodfellas" will rock you to the core, with its endless use of language, violence, and a near-perfect soundtrack. "Goodfellas" is a must-see.