#10:
Quick story: When I was 14 my buddy Eric and I bought tickets to see “A Goofy Movie” one Friday evening. We never had any intention of seeing said film, you understand, so after 5 minutes of over-hip animation we set out in search of a more rewarding cinematic experience. We found this movie, and it blew our faces off.
And not just because Jean Grey was in it
Watching it 13 years later, I was surprised to find how well the movie holds up. The themes of blind loyalty, friendship and being true to yourself are universal, expressed here in a story that is told almost entirely through quiet character beats and authentic dialogue. Not to mention the most exciting representation of a card game ever caught on film (we’ll get back to that in a minute).
The movie centers on Mike, a down on his luck rounder (fellow who earns a living playing poker) who’s quit the game after being wiped out by a mobbed up club owner (played gloriously over the top by John Malkovich).
Hmm... doesn't quite capture it...
A little better...
Close enough.
When his buddy Worm is released from prison, he drags Mike kicking and screaming back into the life he loves, losing his career and girlfriend in the process. What I love about Ed Norton’s character is that we all have a friend like this, a guy who knows us better than we know ourselves but is in a constant state of getting us into trouble.
"Ok... I feel like we can work this out..."
Mike’s loyalty to his friend, even to the point of putting his life on the line, works so well because everyone has someone in their lives that they would do this for, even if they don’t deserve it.
There's a trustworthy chap
Their friendship is powerful on another level, as well: Despite his protests that he’s changed, Worm understands his friend so well that when he practically forces Mike back into the game, you almost get the sense that he’s doing him a favor, even as it systematically destroys his life. Mike can’t turn away from who he is and what he loves, even if it means leaving everything else behind.
Life lessons, Landau style
Really, though, the most fun in this movie comes from the card games. I’ve heard it said that there’s one thing in a movie that’s almost guaranteed to bring enjoyment to audiences: People who are good at a thing, doing that thing. It worked in Oceans’ 11, it worked in Iron Man (somehow, a scene in which Tony Stark just builds a machine is riveting), and it works here. The card scenes are fun and exciting, as we hear Mike’s descriptions of the ins and outs of no limit Texas hold-em. Here we see the characters as they truly are; be they honest hard workers or slick con-men, it all comes out in the cards.
Pictured: 2 Oscar Nominated actors and the guy that talked about robot balls
And even now, years later, Eric and I will always throw together a game of Texas hold-em whenever we’re in town together (even if I am still the worst poker player known to man).
Best Moment: Mike owns the World Champion of Poker.
"Did you have it?"
"Sorry, John... I don't remember."
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#9:
Jeez, how much do I really need to say about this movie? A true tale of real American heroes (and minus blue lasers, no less) overcoming the most incredible odds with the hopes of a nation on their shoulders. From the men in the shuttle to the team at mission control to the families left behind, we see levels of bravery and sacrifice in these 140 minutes that have never been equaled on the screen.
After Footloose, of course
I won’t go on too long here, seeing as how the odds are that you know why this movie is amazing. What I will do is give credit to Director Ron Howard and Writers William Broyles, Jr. and Al Reinert for keeping so much of the movie focused on the crew’s families, because it’s here that the true tension and power in the movie lies. We get to know these people, not just as characters in and of themselves, but also as the families of astronauts, routinely watching their husbands and fathers fly off into the unknown with an excellent chance of never returning. When Houston learns that they have a problem, we feel the impact through these loved ones, as their worst nightmare is realized and we watch them try to cope. And during the absolute climax of the film, the nail biting seconds during the shuttle’s re-entry we are holding our breath alongside the Lovells, hoping against hope that the movie will end the way that we already know that it’s going to end.
The real reason why any of this shit matters
I’ve seen this movie dozens of times and I still tear up when they re-establish contact, even though I know the ending like the back of my hand. The tension is so expertly built throughout the movie, and the stakes so clearly represented in the families we’ve grown to care about, that I’m still on the edge of my seat right to the end. I can’t ask for more from a movie than that.
Best Moment:
WIN!
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#8:
Here’s the thing about Scott Pilgrim: It’s not for everyone. The folks who enjoyed the film when it came out seemed shocked that it didn’t take the world by storm, while I was just shocked that it made its’ money back (EDIT: It did not). This movie is weird. It’s loud, it’s seizure-inducingly bright and it’s got the attention span of a 1st grader.
And it feels like it was made just for me.
No time to laugh! There's another joke coming up in .04 seconds!
Scott Pilgrim (Age: 22, Rating: Awesome) is just trying to keep his life simple after college, avoiding the trappings of adulthood through unemployment, dreams of rock stardom and dating high school girls.
Set your hearts to "adorable," gang
All that changes when Scott meet the literal girl of his dreams, setting aside all thoughts of anything else in order to win her over. The catch? Winning her over means defeating her Seven Evil Exes in mortal combat.
Worth it
I could talk for days about how the effects, both large and subtle, not only create a new world but skillfully emphasize the quirks of the one we already live in. I could talk about how Edgar Wright and Michael Bacall’s air-tight script leaves no moment empty, filling the movie with hilarious dialogue, hidden jokes and rapid fire truisms. I could talk about wearing sandals when watching it because the music will knock your socks off. I could talk about how the entire cast lives and breathes within their characters, committing to the everyday madness of this universe like masters of their craft.
Not even an MTV Movie Award? Fuck you, America.
But I’m not. Instead, I’m gonna talk about Scott.
Throughout the film, we’re taken on a fairly routine romantic comedy plot…
*yawn*
… as Scott tries to win the love of Ramona, callously ignoring the impact that his cretinous actions have on those who tolerate him. He fights his heart out against warlocks, psychics and pop-stars for reasons that even he doesn’t really understand. It’s only at the end of the movie that Scott finally figures out that all he’s really been doing is avoiding taking any responsibility for his actions, refusing to grow up. With this realization, he’s powerful enough to defeat his nemesis and move forward with his life… even just a little bit.
Hmm... why does this sound familiar...?
Like High Fidelity, it’s a movie about learning to take responsibility for your own life and think outside of yourself. But where Rob’s story spoke to thirty-something music nerds in the year 2000, this movie was made with the mentality of a twenty-something video game/comic nerd in the 2010’s. Every frame hit home for me, from the Zelda intro to the leveling up allegories to the desperate efforts to cling to a life that was simpler. Not only was I ridiculously entertained, but I was also reminded of my own strengths and shortcomings, and the very important need to take a long, hard look at myself once in a while.
Best Moment:
In case it's not clear, this is a musical number
Next up: 7 through 5!
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