#6 - Schindler's List

Okay, I'm tired of long movies. I mean come on, 3 hours? But, whatever, at least the next one isn't that long.

Anyway, to the movie. I've never seen this one, but for some reason it's not one of those that I've always meant to watch. For some reason I've just never had much of an interest to watch this one.

Now that I have watched it, my impression is about the same. I mean it's a good movie, but I just couldn't get into it. I think it's just one of those movies that I have to be in the right mood to watch, and I just wasn't in the mood for it.

I got more into it towards the end, though, the last hour or so kept me interested enough to finish now, and not put it off. Like I said though, it was a good movie, I just wasn't in the right mood. If I'd go back and watch it at some other time, I'd probably have liked it more.

And again, here are some random IMDb facts about the movie.
-Steven Spielberg was not paid for this film. He refused to accept a salary citing that it would be "blood money".
-The only film released in the last quarter century to make it onto the American Film Institute's top ten list of best American movies of all time.

#5 - Pulp Fiction

Now, this is finally a movie I've seen all of on the list, the first one, I think. I'd seen most of Shawshank Redemption, so I counted that.

Anyway, this has always been my favorite Tarantino movie, which is saying a lot. Reservoir Dogs is great, so are the Kill Bill movies, but this one tops them all. From the opening scene, it just keeps you into it, with all of the stories it tells, and doesn't really stop until the credits roll. It's just one of those long movies that doesn't really seem long.

As for it's number 5 place in the list, yes, it deserves it. It's always been one of my favorite movies, and is definitely my favorite Tarantino movie. If you haven't seen it, then slap yourself. Then watch it. If you have seen it, watch it again. It's one of those movies that you notice a few new things about it with every viewing.

I can't wait until we start getting to the movies that ar 2 hours, though. The shortest one so far was still 2 hours and 22 minutes. But, seeing as the next movie is Schindler's List, it could be a little while before I get a shorter one.

Oh, and here are some IMDb fun facts.
- The shot of Vincent plunging the syringe into Mia's chest was filmed by having John Travolta pull the needle out, then running the film backwards.
-John Travolta's character, "Vincent Vega", is the brother of "Vic Vega", aka "Mr. Blonde" from Reservoir Dogs (1992).
- The passage from the Bible that Jules has memorized was mostly made up by Quentin Tarantino and Samuel L. Jackson. The only part that's similar to what the Bible says is the part where he says, "And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger. And you will know My name is the Lord when I lay My vengeance upon thee." However, the parts about the righteous man and the shepherd are not real.

#4 - The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Well, I started the movie thinking that I hadn't seen any of it, but once it got to the final scene, I realized that I'd seen the ending. It had been a long time ago, though, so it didn't really ruin anything.

This was a really good movie, though. I usually don't get into westerns, but this has to be pretty much the best. Plus, it has Clint Eastwood. I don't really have too much to say, though, it was a great movie, and that's about it.

So, the movie probably deserves it's spot, but I've like other movies better, that are lower on the list. But I'd say this appeals to more people than those ones, so I'd say it deserves it's place. I'd recommend watching it if you haven't seen it.

But, since I don't have anything else to say, here is a random fact about it from Wikipedia.
-The cast for the movie was from all around the world; actors spoke in their native languages. Eastwood, Van Cleef and Wallach spoke in English, and were dubbed in Italian for the debut release in Rome. For the American version, their voices were left alone, and the other cast members were dubbed into English. This is noticeable in the synchronization of voices to lip movements on screen. In fact, none of the dialogue is completely in sync, because Leone rarely (if ever) shot his scenes with synched sound. Various reasons have been cited for this: Leone often liked to play Morricone's music over a scene (and possibly shout things at them as well) to get the actors in the mood; Leone cared more for visuals than dialogue (his English was limited, at best); and given the technical limitations of the time, it would have been difficult to record the sound cleanly in most of the extremely wide shots Leone frequently used. Whatever the actual reason, all dialogue in the film was recorded in post-production.

Oh, and next is a really good movie - Pulp Fiction

#3 - The Godfather Part II

So, it took a bit longer than I expected for me to finally sit down and watch this movie. But, I finally finished it tonight.

My first impressions - I'm actually kind of disappointed. I loved the first movie, and despite how long it was I was into it the entire time. However, during this one, I just got bored at some points. It's not to say that it isn't a good movie, because it is. It just doesn't live up to the original.

There was something this one lacked from the first, I guess. But really, now the more I think about this one, the more I like it. It's not like I didn't like it the first time, it definitely deserves to be on this list. I just don't know if I think it deserves #3.

I think one of the bigger problems I have with it is it's length. 3 hours and 20 minutes is a bit long, I think. It could have pretty easily been shorter, while still telling the same story, and it probably would have kept my interest for longer. I've never really liked movies this long, though, so that could just be me.

Don't get me wrong, though, this isn't meant to be a negative review of the movie. It's definitely a great movie, and if I'd review this a few hours after watching it, it would probably be very different. If you've seen the first Godfather, definitely watch this one. It's worth it. Just watch it in a few installments if you don't like long movies. I have a good feeling that would help.

Next movie on the list: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

However, depending on how this weekend is, the next reviewed movie might be Psycho, as we're watching it in English.

#2 - The Shawshank Redemption

Now, when I reviewed the Godfather, I said I almost wanted to skip this movie. I wanted to mention that that isn't because I didn't want to see this one, or didn't like it. I've seen most of it, but only on TV and I never got a chance to watch the very end.

From what I had seen before, I loved the movie. It was always one of my favorite movies that I'd never completely seen and always meant to finish. Really, that's one of the reasons I'm doing this list, it gives me an excuse to watch those movies that I've always meant to see. But anyway, onto the actual movie.

Like I said, this was already one of my favorite movies from what I'd seen, but after the ending I like it even more. I know it's one of those endings that you hope for the whole movie, and it's pretty expected, but it's still pretty good. And at least there is the element of surprise.

Bottomline, if you haven't seen the movie, see it. Definitely see it. If you haven't watched it all, watch it all. If you've seen it, well watch it again, it's worth it.

The next movie on the list - The Godfather II

#1 - The Godfather

Let me start this off by saying this - I've never seen The Godfather. Not for any particular reason, I've just never gotten around to it. I've always heard about how good it is, and to be honest, I was skeptical. I figured it couldn't be that good, and as soon as I watch it, it'd disappoint me. I guess that's why it took me until now to watch it.

Well, I was wrong. After watching it, I'd say it deserves it's place at #1. I don't know if I would say it is the best movie I've ever seen, though. That's just me though, I have a hard time picking an all time greatest anything. There is just so many different kind of movies, it really depends on what you feel like watching at the time.

This movie definitely lives up to it's hype, though. I thought I'd heard most of the twists and turns that happen in the movie, but even the ones I'd heard of shocked me. It all just flows so well, keeps you interested and wanting to see how it will turn out. Even after seeing a few key scenes and hearing a few key details before seeing the movie, it was just awesome. It makes me want to get past The Shawkshank Redemption just to see how they keep it going. Soon enough, though.

So I'll leave saying this: If you're like I was, and are afraid of disappointment, don't be. Just watch it. It lives up to it's #1 spot.

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