Review: American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (2009) [Reviewed By Clifford Kiyabu]

Directed by: John Putch
Written by: David H. Steinberg (written by) Adam Herz (characters)
Genre: Comedy
MPAA: Rated R for pervasive strong crude sexual content, language and drinking, all involving teens.
Released: 22 December 2009 (USA)
Starring: Bug Hall, Kevin M. Horton, Brandon Hardesty, Melanie Papalia, John Patrick Jordan, Jennifer Holland,

Plot: three friend who are helpless virgins: Rob (Bug Hall), Nathan (Kevin M. Horton) and Lube (Brandon Hardesty). accidentally finds the legendary "Bible" and decides to use it’s knowledge to teach them how to get laid.


Review: 7/10

The Story is about: Ten years after the first American Pie movie, three new hapless virgins discover the Bible hidden in the school library at East Great Falls High. Unfortunately for them, the book is ruined, and with incomplete advice, this leads the boys down a hilarious journey to hunt down those who wrote in the bible and repair so that they can learn it’s knowledge to lose their virginity and possibly find love in the process.

My Thoughts: Raunchy comedies have always been a guilty pleasure of mine, manly because their usually the type of film you’d never watch with another person for a number of many reason, a few of course can range from the humor being too obscene and lewd to watch with loved ones, or simply because the film is beyond the level of cheesiness for you to view with your friends without feeling like a totally A** for having such a film in your library, you know the type of film I’m talking about, too much cheese for anyone one person to handle in front of others, and believe me, we’ve all got at least one of those guilty pleasures laying around.

Which brings me to one of my all time guilty pleasures, American Pie (1999), the franchise which has gone from being just a trilogy has turned itself into an entity quite similar to that of the National Lampoon series, and gone on to make two sequels and four direct-to-DVD spin-offs. Now I’ve argued in the past that the quality and integrity of the franchise diminished after the release of American Wedding (2003) I mean lets face it folks, the Jim and Michelle saga ended on a rather low key note compared to it’s predecessor, which made AW feel like a PG-13 romantic chick flick. Now Band Camp (2005) was a huge improvement in salvaging what respect the film series had left, but that success was unfortunately short lived when a year later American Pie Presents The Naked Mile (2006) was released, suddenly two things became very clear, 1. The writers and the studios felt that trading up decent writing and quality humor for cheep thrills was worth it if it meant more bang for their buck, and 2. Giving the viewing audience needless and uncalled for nudity was the perfect cover for the fact that the acting was a total disaster, and don’t get me started on that soft-core porn rip-off (the plot of Animal House keeps coming to mind when watching it) they called Beta House (2007), that film pretty much buried the franchise under six feet of dirt for me, and left me utterly disgusted in disappointment with the way the franchise was treated and had me hopping that this was going to be the last we’d ever see the title ‘American Pie Presents’ on the cover of a another title in the raunchy genre.

But low and behold I was mistaken, and in some strange turn of events, right for it. I originally had no intention what-so-ever in viewing than alone reviewing American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (2009) because if I’ve learned anything it’s that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks anymore than you can turn the town slut into a saint. But don’t scratch The Book of Love off your list just yet! Despite my deep criticism towards this franchise for it’s lackluster performance in the past, it’s newest installment has in fact manage to do the unimaginable by breathing new life into a series that was once unredeemable until now. The Book of Love takes the entire franchise back to it’s original grass roots of wild teenage adolescence and raging hormones, or in other words, it’s returned back to basics, but don’t think that because it’s gone back to it’s roots doesn’t mean it’s not as raunchy enough for the times, the film still maintains a raunchy title but does so in a more tasteful manner, meaning the eye candy isn’t thrown out there on screen for no apparent reason, much like the original American Pie, The Book of Love is more character driven than it’s predecessor that mainly revolved around senseless humor and over the top nudity everywhere. This time around the film’s main plot focuses on what got the subplot to the very first American Pie film going, the legendry ‘Bible’ which has been sought after by many but only few had been chosen to learn of it’s knowledge to become the ultimate lover.

Now for those who haven’t seen the first film and don ‘t know exactly what I’m talking about, in the fist American Pie, one of the main characters inherits the bible from his older brother after expressing that he wanted to please his girlfriend in the bedroom, but little is ever explained about this mysterious book and it’s origin. In this new spin-off we learn of the origin of the elusive book and who’s it’s true creator, The story takes place at East Great Falls High, ten years after the first American Pie film, with the protagonists of the film being three hapless virgins: Rob (Bug Hall), Nathan (Kevin M. Horton) and Lube (Brandon Hardesty). After Rob accidentally sets fire to the school library he discovers the book, but sadly for him and his buddies, the book is damaged beyond repair, now it’s up to the three of them to hunt down the creator of the book and it’s contributors over the years so they can re-print it. Unlike the last film the viewers can actually relate to the atmosphere surrounding the main characters and for a change the female leads aren’t just gorgeous bodies flaunting themselves on screen with no talent to show for it. Though I greatly enjoyed the film, it doesn’t go without flaws. Despite the film having some pretty big plot holes, the major problem with the film lays in the fact that the main plot doesn’t truly pick up and take off until about the mid point of the film, making the viewer question weather or not the filmmakers couldn’t decade what the film’s main focus was going to be. On the upside I’m glad to see that the Stifler name has rightly returned to it’s roots of being the antagonist of the film and NOT the hero.

As for the acting: as standard for films like this, the acting comes off rather mediocre as usual, but it’s a huge step up from the last film which was so terribly delivered that it wasn’t even passable for the standards of an alcoholic on his second case of beer. But in The Book of Love the acting is very much enjoyable now that it’s returned it’s focus it’s delivery the story and not bare breasts bouncing around. Bug Hall was fairly okay as the film’s lead protagonist, giving a performance that makes you feel for his character (Rob) who seems to have the worst of luck by having all of his embarrassing antics broadcasted on the internet by his younger brother, it’s nice to see such a familiar face like Hall stepping out of his innocent childhood days of acting and into something more fitting his age. Beth Behrs did fairly okay for a film like this, but I think she could have done a lot better, it’s not that she wasn’t the best she could be, but rather holding back on what could have been a fantastic performance. Kevin M. Horton was not very impressive, I mean aside from the fact his character was side tracked early on in the film to provide a bigger part for the other characters, his performance came off very un-impressive and easily forgettable.

Brandon Hardesty is not your traditional style actor, I mean let’s face it people, posting YouTube videos of yourself hardly merits being called an ‘Actor’ in my book, and though he had something going well with his character, it just seemed way too unoriginal in that seen it a million time sense, I’m also starting to get tired seeing al these web-actors popping out of the wood works thinking they can call themselves actors just because they can read lines in front of a camera (But to be fair, I can’t really judge because I’m no better, I call myself a critic just because I write a review on the internet [Laughs]). John Patrick Jordan who plays the latest member of the ever so growing Stifler family, though I appreciated the fact the Stifler name has returned to being the antagonist of the series I was not however happy with Jordan’s performance, which seems like a lousy rip-off of Seann William Scott’s performance of Steve Stifler in the first three American Pie films. Eugene Levy is a real decent actor, who’ve been quite the number of comedic hits over the years, and I respect his style as an actor, I really do, but I cannot be the only one who’s getting just a little sick and tired of him playing a character that shouldn’t even be a part of the storyline anymore, and yet here he is, playing Jim’s Dad in every damn spin-off film in the series. Melanie Papalia, Jennifer Holland and Louisa Lytton, who plays the other leading ladies of the film do fairly decent aside from looking without a doubt stunning, the only disappointment was they weren’t given a good enough development in the story for you to après heat. Aside for the rest of the cast the film is filled with a slew of well known former child stars now grown up which was amusing to see.


Final Say: After sitting with my train of thought over the film I’ve come to realize that, the Book of Love is probably the most soft-core slice of pie in the entire series, trading most of the eye candy opportunities for more comic driven set ups, thus making this film more in tune with the beginning of the series than any other film before it. Though the film has it’s rough spots and slight disappointments I still found the film to be very enjoyable and wouldn’t mind diving back into it again someday. I recommend it!

Copyright 2010 TCWreviews.com
All Rights Reserved

Corey Haim Passes Away At 38!

Growing up in 90s I had a great deal of movie idols, which were mainly from films released in the 80s. And let me tell you, anyone who was alive during the 80s and early 90s can tell you that the two (2) Cory’s (Corey Feldman and Corey Haim) were the ’it’ duo for youngsters, tweens and teens alike. And rather you liked the movies they were in or not, you still rushed out the door to your nearest cinema. Sadly though, for all heartthrobs and childhood actors, time is always your enemy, and as they get older the audience tends to lose interest.

Former child actor Corey Haim past away early Wednesday morning, March 10th 2010. There have been reports by various news outlets that the LAPD has stated his death was likely due to accidental Drug overdose. Haim admitted publicly not long ago that he had battled drug addiction his whole life and claimed that he would never be able to fully beat his addictions for good. While they may be the case at the moment nothing should be ruled out until after a thorough autopsy and toxicology report has been completed. Haim struggled with a drug problem most of his life, but had claimed prior to his death that he had cleaned up and was focusing his time at working hard for his comeback as an actor and was certainly doing so while promoting his newest film, American Sunset, as well as several other projects that has yet to be realest.

Many celebrities came out to show their support and condolences towards Haim’s family on their twitter page.

Alyssa Milano: Just woke up to the sad, sad news that Corey Haim passed away. RIP sweet boy.

Ashton Kutcher: Rip Corey Haim “Childhood hero”

Christina Applegate: My thoughts go out to Corey’s family and friends today. So sad.

Ralph Macchio: Always so sad and disturbing when the addiction and demons prevail. RIP Corey Haim

A&E Television: We are saddened by the tragic loss of Corey Haim who we had the pleasure to work with on the series ‘The Two Coreys…. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.

Khloe Kardashian: So sad! God bless!!!

Lisa Ling: Goodbye Lucus. RIP Corey Haim

Director Kevin Smith: Lost Boy goes home: Corey Haim, dead at 38. G’bye, LUCAS. You gave hope to the weird & unlikely.

Hoda Kotb: so sad about corey haim…..

Marlee Matlin: Another actor dies because of drug addiction. In this case RIP Corey Haim.

Melissa Joan Hart: No way! I just saw him last week at a Lupus event! RIP!

Corey Haim is most remembered for staring roles in such films as; Silver Bullet (1985), Lucas (1986), The Lost Boys (1987), License to Drive (1988), and Prayer of the Rollerboys (1990).

Corey Ian Haim
December 23, 1971 – March 10, 2010
R.I.P.

The Boondock Saints 10th Anniversary Event!

2000 was certainly a year to remember; the majority of Americans were still obsessing over the fact the Y2K panic was simply a scare and nothing more, and many were kicking themselves in the behind for wasting so much money stocking up on supplies. We weren’t as knee deep in national or worldwide debt as we are now. Unemployment was down and our economy was up! Yes folks it certainly were better times with hopes and dreams for a bright and shining future ahead of us.

But what made 2000 truly a good year was the release of what would become some of the most memorable films of the new decade, including Writer/Director Troy Duffy’s masterpiece; The Boondock Saints. What many didn’t know at the time was that this little known film was to going to become a must see film for movie buffs of the new generation and as well of the coming decade.

With such a limited theatrical release and the lack of a major internet community to spread the word around, this film had very little going for it… and yet, it managed to gather a massive worldwide cult following that continues to grow even ’til this day! Now, 10 long years and a sequel later, The Boondock Saints is finally receiving the proper treatment it should have had with it’s 10th Anniversary Event.

NCM Fathom Presents The Boondock Saints 10th Anniversary Event
with an Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Retrospective by
Creator/Writer/Director Troy Duffy in More than 450 Select Movie Theaters

Centennial, Colo. – February 8, 2010 – Ten years after emerging as a cult sensation, “The Boondock Saints” will return to the big screen in a special one-night presentation, The Boondock Saints 10th Anniversary Event, on Thursday, March 11th at 7:30 p.m. local time. Creator, writer and director Troy Duffy will introduce the event and share rare behind-the-scenes experiences and footage as well as exclusive interviews with cast and crew members including Norman Reedus (Murphy MacManus) and Sean Patrick Flanery (Connor MacManus), captured especially for this anniversary celebration. Audiences will also be treated to special performance clips by The Dirges, Ty Stone and Taylor Duffy whose music is part of the upcoming soundtrack to The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day, along with a sneak peek into the mobile games, comic books and graphic novel currently in development.

Presented by NCM Fathom, The Boondock Saints, LLC, and Hot Topic, tickets for The Boondock Saints 10th Anniversary Event are available at http://www.fathomevents.com/ and presenting theater box offices. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, please visit the web site (theaters and participants are subject to change).

“Twenty-ten is already shaping up to be an amazing milestone year for The Boondock Saints and for the millions of fans who have literally carried us to where we are today,” said Duffy. “I know I speak for Sean and Norman as well when I say that it’s going to be a year-long celebration of our connecting with, thanking and entertaining as many fans as possible just for the pure thrill of it all…and it starts on March 11th.”

Initially released in 2000 as a limited engagement to theaters following the Columbine tragedy, “The Boondock Saints” has gained a tremendous cult following, selling more than seven million DVDs to date. Acclaimed by critics and fans alike, “The Boondock Saints” is a story about fraternal twin brothers Connor & Murphy McManus who embark upon a mission to rid Boston of human evil. After killing two members of the Russian mafia in self-defense, these hard-drinking brothers take the law into their own hands. No public outcry is heard and even FBI agent Paul Smecker begins to feel that the brothers are doing a good deed.

“The Boondock Saints” was previously presented by NCM Fathom in 2006 in 130 select theaters.

“’The Boondock Saints’ special event was a hit four years ago as thousands of fans experienced this cult classic in their local movie theaters,” said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom. “For those who have only seen this crime thriller on the small screen, this is a unique opportunity to experience it on the big screen like never before with an exclusive retrospective from Troy and the cast members who are part of ‘The Boondock Saints’ decade-long journey.”

The Boondock Saints 10th Anniversary Event will be shown in 457 select movie theaters including, AMC Entertainment Inc., Celebration! Cinema, Cinemark Holdings, Inc., Clearview Cinemas, Georgia Theatre Co., Goodrich Quality Theaters, Hollywood Theaters, Kerasotes Showplace Theatres, National Amusements and Regal Entertainment Group movie theaters, as well as Arlington Theatre (Santa Barbara, CA), Bainbridge 5 (Seattle, WA), The Carolina (Asheville, NC), Palace Cinema 9 (South Burlington, VT) and Penn Cinema (Lititz, PA), through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network – North America’s largest cinema broadcast network.
The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day Blu-ray™ and DVD will be available on March 9. Both the Blu-ray™ and DVD include two commentary tracks with filmmakers & cast, deleted scenes, and two behind-the-scenes featurettes: the making-of documentary “Unprecedented Access: Behind the Scenes” and “Billy Connolly and Troy Duffy: Unedited.” For more information about The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day Blu-ray™ and DVD, please visit http://www.theboondocksaintsii.com/.

About National CineMedia (NCM)
NCM operates NCM Media Networks, a leading integrated media company reaching U.S. consumers in movie theaters, online and through mobile technology. The NCM Cinema Network and NCM Fathom present cinema advertising and events across the nation’s largest digital in-theater network, comprised of theaters owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) and other leading regional theater circuits. NCM’s theater network covers 171 Designated Market Areas® (49 of the top 50) and includes approximately 16,800 screens (15,400 digital). During 2009, approximately 680 million patrons attended movies shown in theaters currently included in NCM’s network (excluding Consolidated Theatres). The NCM Interactive Network offers 360-degree integrated marketing opportunities in combination with cinema, encompassing over 35 entertainment-related web sites, online widgets and mobile applications. National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCMI) owns a 41.5% interest in and is the managing member of National CineMedia LLC. For more information, visit http://www.ncm.com/ or http://www.fathomevents.com/.

About Boondock Saints, LLC
Boondock Saints, LLC is the official marketing, promotion and communication arm for all things “Boondock.” The company creates and produces special events for the growing community of Boondock Saints fans worldwide, manages media inquiries and requests for personal appearances and operates three websites, http://www.boondocksaints.com/, http://www.boondockfans.com/ and http://www.boondockstore.com/ to provide the public with a dynamic interactive forum for discussion and user-generated content along with instant access to updated information about the films (The Boondock Saints and The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day,) related music, merchandise and a variety of other creative developments in progress.

Review: One Hour Fantasy Girl (2009) [Reviewed By Kelsey Zukowski]

Starring: Kelly-Ann Tursi, Paul D. Nguyen, Joe Luckay, Jon Morgan Woodward
Written & Directed By: Michael Edgar Bravo
Grade: B+

One Hour Fantasy Girl is a striking, beautiful, and heartbreaking film. It’s a wonderfully composed movie with a lot of city shots; almost neon colored, but still muted and blurred. Michael Edgar Bravo plays with the speed during these cuts, making the big leagues of Hollywood, CA seem as chaotic, deceptive, and intimidating to the viewer as the characters feel lost in this atmosphere.

Brandi (Tursi) has been on her own since she was 15, now 20 she is still broke and struggling to just barely make it by. Her dream is to make it big in real estate. She needs $50,000 to invest before she can even attempt to get in the business. To make some quick money she becomes the “One Hour Fantasy Girl”, fulfilling any client’s fantasy. The only catch is she doesn’t actually have sex, kiss, and never goes completely nude. She is still under a lot of pressure to do some pretty twisted stuff as her business partner, Chi (Nguyen), is depending on his cut from her work to pay off his bills and make it big as a musician. One of his highest paying customers, Roger (Woodward), is in to the most out there stuff, having baby, dog, whipping, and other grotesque fantasies. Chi is counting on Brandi to fulfill his every wish as Roger is a record label executive, and could be his ticket to the big time if he keeps him happy.

One of Brandi’s new customer’s Bobby (Luckay), seems to take a much tamer approach. He is dying to see Brandi and when he gets the chance he has her strip, but once that’s done he just lies next to her. He tells her about a story he wrote, that tested a married couple’s self-control on whether they could restrain from sex for a year. Bobby quit college and hasn’t been able to hold down a job for more than a month. He tells Brandi that what he’s really looking for is discipline. He tells Brandi he thinks she’s strong and thinks she can help him be the same way. Most of their encounters are fully clothed with barely even touching, Bobby even often leaving earlier than the time he paid for. Brandi plans on staying emotionally detached, but as things turn even further upside down she finds herself needing someone to help her be strong and make it through. Bobby seems to be the only person who cares enough to do this. Brandi still has to question whether she really knows this guy enough to pack up and go away with him, leaving all of her struggles behind.

The performances were top notch, adding so much realistic emotion and depth. The stand out performance was definitely from Kelly-Ann Tursi as the lead. She brings out the fragility behind her hard exterior. Tursi always carries this overwhelming sadness to her, which is pretty understandable given her character’s situation and how she is degraded. She clearly has limits in what she will do for money, yet still knows how to be resourceful and get by on her own. She had to grow up fast, but she is still a little naïve. It’s really heartbreaking given how distant she is and everything she has to go through that the few times that she does trust someone it’s proven to her that she really is on her own. Tursi deals with all of this with great balance, even though she barely cracks a smile or opens herself up at all throughout the film, she still doesn’t overdue her unhappiness. The believability makes it seem all the more real. Just how disturbing Jon Morgan Woodward is as Roger speaks for itself in how good the performance is. He makes himself completely vulnerable and frightening. Especially seeing him in his everyday life as a record executive really makes you think of all of the dirty little secrets people have and reiterates the point of how little we really know people. Joe Luckay also did a pretty good job as the everyday nice guy. He seemed different, interesting, and caring. Yet even us as an audience we don’t know everything about him, leaving him somewhat unknown to us, but seeming as if he has good intentions all the same.

The one thing that I thought could have been improved on was Brandi’s development. I’m not sure if her character really grows are learns that much throughout the course of the film. She is taken advantage of and used, yet she continues to bit a little more trusting than she should be when she has lost nearly everything. I would have liked to get a little more of her past and just more of her thoughts. She never opens up, but this is still understandable given how many people have let her down and most of the time when we see her it’s her job to be detached and professional. Still when she starts to become a little closer to Bobby it would have been nice to see her share a bit more of herself. It really didn’t take anything away from the film, it just seemed like it could have been even more personal if it went that extra step.

One Hour Fantasy Girl is a completely captivating film; both tragic and wise. The direction it seemed to be going would have made for a good film as well, but I’m glad that some things sort of turned around though. Sure it would have been great for someone to have saved Brandi and to have someone help her out rather than her having to degrade herself just to get by. This isn’t the world that is portrayed in One Hour Fantasy Girl though, it’s much more dark, lone, and illusionary than this.

TCWreviews' Presents: Best of 2000 - 2009!

Someone once asked me what were my favorite movies of the decade, of course this was back in the summer of 1999 and I was in a pre-critique state which meant movies like Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991) and Super Mario Bros. (1993) would have been among the ever so cheesy films that would have come to mind at the time (Remember folks this was before I got my act together and realized just how horrible those films were.) So anyway as we begin this new decade I thought about what that person said all those years ago, and it got me thinking: what are (In my opinion) the best films 2000 to 2009 had to offer to movie buffs of the past, present, and future?

Surely there's a great deal of many films out there worth watching and it would take forever for me to rundown but I won’t bore you half to death writing about every film I thought was worth weatching from the past decade, but instead I will list the top ten films from none other than yours truly, now keep in mind the list is in no way in order from best to least aside from the rating I left beside them, these are the top 10 films I felt were the best the past decade had to offer.

Spider-Man 2 (2004) - 9/10

My Thoughts: Director Sam Raimi wowed me to near death back in 2002 with the release of Spider-Man, and I was so blown away after viewing the film not 1, not 2, or 3, but 4 time in theaters, which is, if you must know a record for me, and after this I could not wait for a proper sequel to follow, and even with my incredibly high expectations for a sequel, Spider-Man 2 surpassed my expectations in more ways than one making this film one of my favorite comic book films of the past decade.

Crash (2005) - 9/10

My Thoughts: Writer/Director Paul Haggis’s film Crash wasn’t really on my must see list when it was realest in the summer of 05 and I almost took a pass on it, but after giving the film viewing I felt compelled to write down my feelings about the film which soon became me first official movie review as an amateur film critic, and now it’s nearing to five years since that day and I still have strong feelings towards this film that will stand the test of time. Why is that you might ask? Well it’s because this film touched me on so many levels that it left me emotionally shocked.


Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) - 9/10

My Thoughts: I can’t say I’m a fan of director Michel Gondry since I’ve only ever seen one other film of his besides this (Be Kind Rewind (2008)) but Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is one of those films that holds a special place my heart as one of the greatest romance films I’ve seen in years, and the best of this decade. I enjoy watching this film so much that since it’s original realest in 04 I’ve made it an un-official tradition of mine to see it once every year on valentine's day.


Watchmen (2009) - 10/10

My Thoughts: The graphic novel Watchmen is probably one of the greatest pieces of literature to come out of the last 100 years and by none other than the great man himself, Alan Moore. So when talks of a live action movie arose some 20 years ago many thought the production on the film hit a dead end when more than 10 years came and went and nothing happening, many looked at the project as 'the film that would never get made,' but than director Zack Snyder proved everyone wrong when he stepped up and brought Moore’s great work to life, followed by legal problems and court proceedings the film than was nicknamed 'the film that would never be seen.' But with luck and a bout load of money later the film was seen by the world, and all the glory (except for one little bit at the end) that was the graphic novel was on the big screen and very much as enjoyable to watch as it was to read.


The Dark Knight (2008) - 10/10

My Thoughts: In 2005 Christopher Nolan did the impossible, he revived a franchise that was long believed to be dead, and when many argued that there wasn’t any way he could maintain the realism he created in Batman Begins in it’s sequel while toping the storyline, he proved them wrong with The Dark Knight, which is being called the greatest Batman film ever made while being highly rated among the top films ever made in history, and let‘s not forget that this film immortalized actor Heath Ledger‘s career, his performance as the Joker surpassed any performance of the past, and it‘s quite possible that it will be a very long time before anyone will have the drive he maintained and commanded behind the role.


Requiem for a Dream (2000) - 10/10

My Thoughts: Director Darren Aronofsky is known for two things, having considerable long grace periods between movies and making eye opening and thought provoking films, one in particular is none other than his work on Requiem for a Dream, a film that took him to a whole new level as a filmmaker which was a serious mind F***! as well as an eye opener to the chilling world of drug addiction, after his outstanding work on Pi (1998) it gained him a following that soon lead him to making one of the most important films of his career. The film Requiem for a Dream follows the hopes and dreams of four ambitious people, who’s lives are forever shattered when their drug addictions begin spiraling out of control, you feel for them yet cannot help but feel anger towards them for taking such a dark and spiraling bath down the road of no return. This is without a doubt Aronofsky’s greatest achievements as a filmmaker.


WALL·E (2008) - 10/10

My Thoughts: Back in the mid 90’s Pixar’s creative team got together and started a think tank on one fateful day, through their brainstorming of random ideas spawned every single Pixar film ever made from 1995 to 2008, and out of all their ideas, there was one that had yet to be given life, the last piece of their genius work was none other than a little lonely robot named WALL·E, In the summer 2008 WALL·E was given life, and audiences fell in love with the little robot who can only mutters a few words yet his action can speak more loudly than words could ever do justice. Such a beautiful and heartwarming film WALL·E was.


Donnie Darko (2001) - 10/10

My Thoughts: Richard Kelly’s Donnie Darko was a redefining film for everything that’s in the WTF category, because the film’s plot musters up a wide rage of questions that merges science and faith in ways that can’t be explained in just one viewing, and the fact this film has both Jake Gyllenhaal and Maggie Gyllenhaal, two real life siblings playing brother and sister in the film is a priceless moment in cinema. Overall, Donnie Darko is one of those rare films that you learn a little more from everytime you watch it.


Avatar (2009) - 10/10

My Thoughts: I was never a hardcore fan of director James Cameron, I truly thought that with a total of 12 years of being absent from the movie scene he’d lost his edge that made him the monumental director of the 80’s and 90’s, ro so some claim, but of course I was wrong, and left shocked with emotion over the shear awesomeness that was Avatar, he created a unique and original world from the ground up filled with so much life for his viewers to experience, and the film contains a very important message for moviegoers everywhere to learn. After viewing Avatar I no longer doubt Cameron’s work as a filmmaker.


American Psycho (2000) - 10/10

My Thoughts: American Psycho was one of the most interesting and engaging films for me in the past decade, meanly because it wasn’t your typical ‘serial killer’ movie and played out as a Psychological thriller that had a twist at the end that left me saying WTF! Plus one cannot deny the film had one of the best kill scenes of the decade, which involved the film’s leading character, Patrick Bateman (Bale) explaining to his co-worker Paul Allen (Leto) his love for 80’s music and the band ‘Genesis’ and why singer Phil Collins stood out, right before he hacks’em to death with an axe! I mean the scene couldn’t have been executed better, plus the fact the film blurs the line between delusion and reality for the viewer keeping most wondering what just happened is indeed priceless!

Honorable Mention:

Below are the films that didn’t make the cut but are still worthy of being mention.

Girlfight (2000) - 9/10
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006) - 9/10
The Pianist (2002) - 9/10
Brokeback Mountain (2005) - 9/10
There Will Be Blood (2007) - 9/10
The Wrestler (2008) - 9/10
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) - 9/10
Up (2009) - 9/10
300 (2006) - 9/10
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001 - 2003) - 9/10