Baumer's Top 100 films you have probably heard of but more than likely haven't seen. #1: Cute Clever Mischievous, but don't feed them after midnight!

[The Stingray]

1 hour ago, Baumer said:

 

I'm saving the horror for top twenty @The Stingray

[baumer]

Number 36

Unfaithful (2002)

Directed Adrian Lyne

Starring Richard Gere, Diane Lane, Olivier Martinez, Michelle Monahan

Box office:  119M WW

 

Adrian Lyne's Unfaithful is sensational sex-and-its-consequences melodrama at it's very best. It's a movie in which an ordinary woman from the New York suburbs, played with startling conviction and amazing range by the beautiful Diane Lane, begins to sneak away from her beautiful white dream home in the Hudson Valley, deceiving the family she loves so much in order to indulge in a cathartic sexual fling with a simply gorgeaous French hunk who's built like an Adonis. Her husband slowly suspects and then learns of the affair, and when he discovers how far it's gone, his reaction comes as as big a shock to him as it does to us.

''Unfaithful'' is a domestic thriller that's been made with so much sultry juice and power that it is bound to have you thinking and talking about it long after the end credits roll. What the film observes very, very well is the deep, rich comforts of family life aren't always enough to keep even a contented person from straying.

Connie Sumner (Lane) loves her doting, slightly fuddy-duddy security contractor husband, Edward (Richard Gere), as well as the life they share with their perky 8-year-old son. So why does she let herself be seduced by Paul (Olivier Martinez), the insinuating Gallic book dealer who rescues her from a SoHo, New York windstorm? Is it because he's the sort of philosophe stud who drops pensées like ''There's no such thing as a mistake -- there's what you do, and what you don't do''? The film refuses to offer the usual excuses (e.g., cold-fish husband), and that makes the real reason all the more compelling. Connie slides into a fling because she's a sensual woman whose contentment is tinged with complacency, and because the opportunity presents itself in a way that's too sexy to resist.

Once she gives in to Paul's charms, though, she gets addicted to them. The further he pushes her (a bit of S&M; a shag in a bistro bathroom), the further she wants to go. Lyne shoots the sex scenes like slivers of delirium that flirt with but never slide into fantasy, and Lane, in the most urgent performance of her long career, is nothing short of incredible -- a revelation. The play of lust, romance, degradation, and guilt on her face is the movie's real story. I hope the Academy remeber this performance, because it is Oscar worthy without doubt.

Diane Lane's work in the film's intriguing and gripping second half, however, wouldn't be possible without Richard Gere's own understated performance that is one of his very best. As these two circle each other, their marriage held together by the very cycle of forbidden acts that's also tearing it apart, ''Unfaithful,'' like a more languid ''Fatal Attraction,'' becomes a thriller myth of the perils of adultery, which few filmmakers can heighten like Adrian Lyne.

"Unfaithful" is a first rate, sexy, cool and engrossing Hollywood thriller that is also refreshingly intelligent.

 

Trivia:  George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Robert Redford, John Travolta and Bruce Willis were offered the role of Edward.

 

 

 

[baumer]

Number 35

Martyrs (2008)

Directed by Pascal Laugier

Starring: Morhana Alaoui, Mylene Jampanoi

Box office:  Unknown

 

About four years ago, I started watching some French horror films. There was one name that caught my attention and that was Richard Grandpierre.  He is responsible for films like Ils (Them), Irreversible and this one, Martyrs.  To say his films are hard to watch is like saying there's nudity in porn.  This is a producer who specializes is pushing the envelope to make you feel as uncomfortable as possible.  Martyrs might be one of the toughest films I've ever say through, and most of it is because of one scene near the end.  If you don't know what the word excoriation means, the best thing to do is the keep it that way or if you really need to know, look it up.  That's all I'll say about that.  

 

This movie is different than most horror movies, it is gory and brutal, but it also is very deep and mysterious, without being confusing. You never really know what direction it is going in which is something I love. It has great acting and an amazing story. The makeup and effects are so realistic that you feel like you are experience something vicarious. Martyrs is one of the few movies that has made me feel this way.  Another movie I'd recommend that is in the same kind of vein as this one is Inside.  They are similar in ways but Martyrs has a deeper plot, and more mystery.

 

Trivia:  Pascal Laugier has stated he was inspired by Hostel (2005) but instead of making a movie about suffering he wanted to make a movie about pain.

 

 

 

 

I assume you have seen this one @The Stingray.......what about you @75live

[baumer]

Number 34

The Sandlot (1993)

Directed by David M. Evans

Starring:  Art LaFleur, Denis Leary, Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar

Box office:  32.4M

 

This movie is a complete classic. Tom Guiry is great as the part of Scott Smalls, and the movie smoothly moves from one great subplot to the next in this great adventure about a nerdy child who experiences the summer of his life through the summer baseball group he joins in the summer.

Once in a while there is a movie that is considered a "children's movie" that comes out and is greatly appreciated by people of all ages. This strictly applies to live action children's movies. This movie falls perfectly into this category. When you see it as a young kid it mystifies you completely. As a child it almost has a supernatural feel. With "The Beast" taking the stage as the element of supernatural feel. The characters in the movie keep talking about the beast as though he is a mythological monster. It brings back memories of your childhood when you used to talk about those monsters and things that go bump in the night. The best thing about this movie is that it brings to mind exactly that childhood. You know these kids and you grew up with them. In the end that is why this movie is great and classic. The childhood you had is lived forever for all to see through this film.

 

Trivia:  Writer-director David M. Evans has stated that all the child actors had such a wonderful summer working on the film to the point that they considered it the greatest summer of their lives.

 

 

 

[The Stingray]

34 minutes ago, Baumer said:

 

I assume you have seen this one @The Stingray.......what about you @75live

 

Yep, it's fantastic.
 

[narniadis]

Heh the Sandlot.... I have never understood the praise the film gets and I like most films of its ilk.... 

[Eric Prime]

7 hours ago, Baumer said:

Once in a while there is a movie that is considered a "children's movie" that comes out and is greatly appreciated by people of all ages. This strictly applies to live action children's movies.

(P.S. Love the inclusion of Sandlot, btw)

[Ethan Hunt]

I feel like most people my age have seen The Sandlot

[WrathOfHan]

I think it's been a decade since I saw The Sandlot on TV  

[75Live]

9 hours ago, Baumer said:

 

I assume you have seen this one @The Stingray.......what about you @75live

 

Yep and I rather enjoyed it

[baumer]

Wow. I'm impressed 75.

[baumer]

Number 33

Indecent Proposal (1993)

Directed by Adrian Lyne

Starring:  Robert Redford, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, Oliver Platt, Billy Bob Thornton

Box office:  266M WW

 

What would you do if you and your partner, who you loved dearly were in some financial difficulty and in order to alleviate your difficult circumstances a stranger offered you one million for one night with you? What would you and your partner do? Would you immediately dismiss the proposal, regarding it as preposterous? Would you accept basing your argument on it being only a one-night stand and therefore meaningless? Would you do it for the much-needed money? Or would you refuse saying that money cannot buy love and that such an act would reduce you to the likes of a prostitute?

Confused? Well that is exactly the complex story this film weaves excellently. With a thought-provoking script that manages to challenge our every day perceptions of love and money and the depths we'd go to achieve them, along with some seriously moving moments guaranteed to shed a few tears from the female members of the audience and even managing to throw in a few comic moments this film is something special. A moral dilemma and it's repercussions on relationships and lives is played out with strong performances from the leads. Gripping, heartbreaking, entertaining and thought provoking, this offers a lot more than much of the 'fluff' produced today.

 

Trivia:  Originally designed as a star vehicle for Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, with Warren Beatty taking the part of the millionaire.

 

 

 

[baumer]

Number 32

A Walk in the Woods (2015)

Directed by Ken Kwapis

Starring:  Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson, Mary Steenbergen

Box office:  29.5M

 

I have to admit, this movie didn't really interest me at first. The trailers weren't really doing anything for me but I decided to go see it based on the star power alone. I mean, Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, and Emma Thompson? That's some damn fine casting right there. I'm glad I gave this one a chance though, it's actually a very good little movie. The acting is fantastic and the scenery is downright gorgeous. The film is directed very well by Ken Kwapis who manages to bring a homeliness to the film that I don't see much of nowadays. Let's talk about the story a little.

Billy Bryson (Robert Redford) is a travel author that hasn't really written anything in a long time and is in a bit of a rut. He has a wonderful wife (Emma Thompson) and family but he's getting bored of staying at home and doing the same old thing. He decides to walk the Appalachian trail as a way to learn more about his own country and to get out of the house and have one more adventure. Everyone tells him he needs help so he looks to his friends to accompany him. Unfortunately, no one is interested until he gets a call from a man named Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte), an old traveling buddy of his that he fell out of touch with. They decide to take the journey together but neither of them realize just what they are getting themselves into.

Man, you really can't go wrong with this kind of casting. Robert Redford and Nick Nolte are the stars of this film and they both do a fantastic job, no surprise really. Redford's Bryson is straight and narrow but is looking for some kind of catharsis on the trail that he doesn't believe he can find anywhere else. Nolte on the other hand is lazy, out of shape, and a womanizer that just wants to stay out of trouble. It's not exactly a story we haven't seen before but it's always fun to see how two complete opposites learn to get along and become the best of friends. These two are just fun to watch and I honestly would have liked to see another half hour of them just talking to one another. Emma Thompson and the others do a great job as well but very little of the movie focuses on them. It's really all about the relationship between Bryson and Katz.

One other thing that I have to mention is how incredibly beautiful this film is at times. I've never been on the Appalachian trail but this movie makes me want to go out and see what I can do on it (I'll get tired after two miles...). The mountains, forests, waterfalls, and even the towns are beautifully shot and I want to go out and see it all with my own eyes. I've been in most of these states but I never realized just how wonderful all this country is that is right outside my doorway. If you're into seeing beautiful vistas and visiting wondrous areas in your films then I definitely recommend this one.

There really isn't a whole lot that I want to give away about the film. It's nothing out of the ordinary but the directing, acting, and scenery is great and I wholeheartedly enjoyed the film. The resolutions are predictable but the journey is fun and memorable. I recommend everyone give it a shot.

 

 

 

 

[baumer]

Number 31

Barney's Version (2010)

Directed by Richard J. Lewis

Starring:  Paul Giamatti, Minnie Driver, Paul Gross, Dustin Hoffman

Box office:  7.5M

 

Barney's version is and incredible piece of acting by Paul Giamatti. In my opinion, he should have won best actor for this role....simply incredible.  He manages to pull off every character that he portrays with certain dignified quality few actors possess. He is able to transcend the role of the character in the film and bring it to life like few actors of this time or even few actors that have come before him. Mr. Giamatti is a talent who by most standards, flies under the radar. Barney's Version is a movie about the life of a character named Barney Panofsky. In the film Barney is able to live his life without inhibition or playing by the standard rules of society. Barney is able to be his own man. In the film. Paul Giamatti is co-starred with Scott Speedman, who plays Barney's best friend "Boogie." The film also features Minnie Driver as Barney's second wife, a relationship that does not last long, but is entertaining non-the-less. Barney meets and falls in love with the character Miriam Grant played by Rosamund Pike and she is just fabulous in this role. I have never seen her in a feature role before, but she is masterful in her talent and acting ability playing the true love of Barney's life. In becoming Barney's true-love and wife is dynamic in her portrayal of a woman who is true to her beliefs and true to her word. 

Barney's Version is a film worth watching for any film buff who admires character driven movies. I should also mention Barney's father is played by the great Dustin Hoffman, and he adds just the right spice and flavor to the film. His portrayal of an old retired Jewish police officer of the Montreal Police force is rather quietly humorous. As a viewer of the film we ultimately learn to like Barney with all his many character flaws and quirky habits. But all his quirky habits and flaws make Barney the man that he is. Barney is not ashamed or has any embarrassment of even his most appalling character flaws, in fact, he embraces his flaws, they make him the man that he is. And the man that Barney is, we find truly lovable. The movie is genuinely funny, in a dry-wit sorta way. And unlike many films made today. It is actually very, very entertaining. If you are lucky enough to find it Cinemax or Showtime or maybe even Starz, possibly a copy in the bargain bin at Walmart, buy it. Watch it. Barney's Version is a movie you will watch over and over again for the sheer entertainment value. The film puts a smile on your face as you watch the characters interact from scene to scene. 

Barney falls victim to one of his character flaws that doesn't appear in the film till late. He loves his wife so deeply and genuinely, and how can love be a flaw in his character? It comes to a point in their twenty-five year marriage that Miriam, his wife, wants a little space and goes to visit her son in New York City, leaving Barney at home alone in Montreal. He finds jealousy hidden behind his love. The jealousy that is hidden behind his love for beautiful wife Mirium ultimately becomes one of his biggest and unexpected short-comings in his character. Which, as a the audience we find sad and unfortunate. Still, we love Barney and all his character flaws as they make him the man that we learn to love and admire through-out the entire film. A tip of the cap, to Mr. Giamatti again, for breathing life into a script that many other actors would have left flat on the page. Enjoy an evening with your big-screen and watch Barney's Version, a film you won't soon forget.

 

Trivia:  Four noted Canadian film directors make cameo appearances in the film. We see Atom Egoyan as a director of O'Malley of the North, Ted Kotcheff as the conductor on the train, David Cronenberg as another of O'Malley's directors, and Denys Arcand as the head waiter at the Ritz. And, although better known for their acting, Paul Gross and Saul Rubinek are also movie directors.

 

  

 

 

[narniadis]

Indecent Proposal is thought provoking from the "what if that was me" perspective... but its been years since I have seen it.

 

Walk in the Woods and Barney are both on my Netflix and have been... finally hitting later 2013 films lol so maybe I will get to them in a year or so

[75Live]

Somehow I missed Barney's Version.

[baumer]

Find it @75live. It's a true hidden gem

[Daxtreme]

I've seen Barney's Version.

 

There are dozens of us, dozens!

[75Live]

3 hours ago, Baumer said:

Find it @75live. It's a true hidden gem

 

I know I've seen it on channel guide but never had a chance to sit down to watch it.   Hopefully I will at some point 

[baumer]

Top 30 coming up. @The Stingray will be happy.