There are two things all movie lovers love: movies and movie lists. There is just something electric every time we force ourselves to decide between two movies we love. Some movies are so loved that it might be easier to pick your favorite child rather than your favorite flick. Nevertheless, we press on. This week our contributors get meta with a top ten list of movies with numbers in the title.
Reboots and Remakes seem to be announced weekly. Some are awesome reimaginings of stories we love. Others are putrid messes. 21 Jump Street is a moment where we get the awesomeness. This is the film series that’s responsible for bringing us the on screen iconic comedic duo of Channing Tatum, and Jonah Hill. Not only do these two come across as hilarious with their chemistry, but it’s easy to buy these guys as close friends. It involves a great supporting cast with people like Ice Cube, Brie Larson, Dave Franco, Rob Riggle, and Nick Offerman. There’s also no way I’m talking about this movie without mentioning the genius Directors behind the lens: Phil Lord and Chris Miller. These two used 21 Jump Street as a launching point to go on to do stuff like The Lego Movie and Spider-man Into the Spiderverse. (Alex Henderson)
How do you know that you have made a big name for yourself as an actor in the 1990’s? You still every scene you can from a big name like Bruce Willis, that’s how! This is the case with the rising star of Brad Pitt and the stage is Terry Gilliam’s 12 Monkeys. A strange sci-fi film (like saying any Terry Gilliam film is strange is a fresh observation) that combines some great mystery. Who or what are the 12 Monkeys? How did they kill most of humanity and force the rest underground? Is this all in Bruce Willis’s head or not? But one of the most memorable aspects of the film is the completely unhinged performance of Pitt. A patient in an asylum who has paranoia for everything and a twitchy demeanor that will put you on edge, Pitt’s character is funny and scary and unpredictable. Pitt is the film’s wild card who makes both Willis’s lead character and the audience question whether such a man could destroy most of humanity. Gilliam is at the top of his game with 12 Monkeys and it is a cinematic marvel to behold. It is one of those films that will crawl into your head and not get out so easy. The same can be said about Brad Pitt’s performance as well. (Shane Conto)
This was my favourite movie on 2017, and I’ll tell you why! It’s got everything someone would want: brilliant acting, intriguing story, witty writing and a sensationalism that runs through every aspect of each element. I was hooked from the first curse that leaves Frances McDormand’s lips, her character is irascible and demeaning to everyone around her, but she’s just so gosh darn charismatic that you can’t help but want to follow her story and see how it will end – not to mention the fact that her backstory is one that most everyone can empathise with – forgiving some of her more morally obstruct moments. This is not to discount the fantastic supporting cast made up of a complex racist-turned-hero in Sam Rockwell, a well-meaning sheriff in Woody Harrelson and an all-around good guy in Peter Dinklage. This is only added to by the fantastic direction and writing at the hands of Martin McDonough, who has the ability to tell a compelling story, while also creating larger than life characters. After having been absolutely robbed for the Best Picture win at the Academy Awards (damn you Shape of Water!), I hope now Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouriwill receive the appreciation it deserves! (Alice-Ginevra Micheli)
When it comes to movies with numbers in their title, the numbers themselves often play a pivotal role in the story. In (500) Days of Summer, the numbers play a huge role in the way the plot is structured. Scenes are able to frame each other in a unique way, as it shows Tom’s life and way of thinking change so much over the course of roughly a year and a half. He goes from having a very idealistic view on love and relationships to having a more blunt and realistic view. It is all presented quite effectively through this lens of the passage of time. Furthermore, this movie was a kind of response to the affluence of romcoms that came out in the early 2000s, and took a much more negative look at that type of story. Even though some of it doesn’t quite hold up today – namely the very end – it still remains a great deconstruction of a popular genre. (Robert Bouffard)
Who would have guessed that one of the coolest films of the early 2000’s would be a remake that was boring in execution and whose purpose was an excuse for the Rat Pack to hangout? Well when you have Steven Soderbergh, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon involved, it isn’t that hard to believe. Ocean’s Eleven boasts one of the most impressive ensemble casts to ever be put to film. Thinking about it now, just having Clooney, Pitt, and Damon in a film together where each of them is a main character is quite impressive. Throw in the likes of Julia Roberts, Andy Garcia, Elliot Gould, Carl Reiner and you get a heist film that sets the bar for future ensemble flicks. Then have an auteur director like a Soderbergh throw in his style and flare for measure and you get something very special. The lighting, the color, the production design, the camera work, and direction all added up to a sleek and a (seemingly) effortless cool. The characters are fun as well as you care about this strange collection of personalities who just want to make some hefty cash (and maybe a few more motivations thrown in). (Shane Conto)
Akira Kurosawa carefully crafted what is largely considered one of the greatest films ever made: Seven Samurai (1954). Seven Samurai weaves a simple tale of a poor farming village seeking assistance from seven samurai to defend them from a bandit invasion. While the premise is very straightforward, the amount of care put into each scene and moment is astounding. The film more than takes It’s time with a lengthy runtime of 3 hours and 27 minutes, but this all pays off with the rich character moments, beautiful cinematography and a breathtaking score. Each moment of the film is wrought with emotion whether it be joyful, melancholy or serenity. There is a real authenticity to the film with precise performances and the high attention to detail with it’s costumes and set design. The performances are a key ingredient to the success of this film and they help the viewer truly care and keep you fully invested. This is the type of film that is often imitated, but never duplicated despite some terrific efforts. Akira Kurosawa has left many a gem in his illustrious career, but none brighter than Seven Samurai. (Joseph Vargas)
I always told you. You’re special. Your history isn’t over yet. There’s still a page left. I’m not the biggest fan of the original Blade Runner, so I wasn’t the first one to the theater on this, but Ryan Gosling, Denis Villeneuve, Robin Wright, Harrison Ford, Hans Zimmer, and Jared Leto made sure that I was on board for this movie. I believe there is a difference between the best movie of the year and my favorite movie of the year. In this particular year, my favorite movie was probably Baby Driver, but there was never any question in my mind Blade Runner 2049 was the best. The cinematography is gorgeous, the score is epic, the scale of this movie is massive, it is confidently directed, the screenplay has both interesting dialogue and character development, the actors are all on their A-game, including some relatively new actors/actresses, a 2hr 45min runtime goes by in a breeze, and this movie does perfectly what most 30-year sequels fail to do: 2049 is a movie that builds upon the world created in the first movie, doesn’t rely on nostalgia, fixes the issues with why I don’t love the original, and stands alone as its own movie. When I was first approached with this theme, this movie was the first one to come to mind because Blade Runner 2049is a movie that stays with you long after its over and makes you want to have long conversations with Ben Davis about it. (Aaron Schweitzer)
It is not everyday you get to see thoroughly abstract film endings with giant space babies, right? Well it is one of those days if you watch 2001: A Space Odyssey! The enigmatic master of cinema, Stanley Kubrick, brings to the big screen a film that defies so many conventions of film that is so embedded in our pop culture. The film takes its time, it is abstract without pulling punches, and it has sparse dialogue for long sections. A film has to be quite special to overcome those “shortcomings”. But if any director could make it work, that honor would have to go to Kubrick. This just may be one of the most remarkable feats of filmmaking ever created. The imagery is powerful as every frame is awe-inspiring especially the shots of unnerving symmetry. And who can forget on of film’s greatest villains, the psycho killing (literal) machine HAL 9000. I hope you didn’t want me to avoid gushing over this one because “I am sorry, Dave, I am afraid I cannot do that”. (Shane Conto)
“What’s in the box!?”. Such a simple question that in normal conversation doesn’t do much, but saying it while discussing film will send chills down the nearest film buff’s spine. Se7en is a sick and twisted movie that’s not so easy to get over. It’s bold, brash, dark, and unrelenting in its execution. This was David Finchers coming out party (not Alien 3) to the world and boy, did he not disappoint. Se7en is so precisely orchestrated; not a single frame feels unwarranted or neglected. It all serves a purpose and—to this day—I still pick up on the subtleties throughout the storytelling. Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt deliver dynamite performances, capturing both the calm levelheaded vet and the abrasive young hot shot. Se7en is a must see for anybody who admires the craftsmanship of storytelling and direction, but do so knowing you might feel sick after watching it. (Ben Davis)
Before liftoff, Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks) is asked if being “13” worries them in anyway. The astronauts laugh this off as a logical fallacy. What follows is worse than they could have imagined. Apollo 13 is a small scale disaster movie. We follow the true story of 3 men trapped in the Lunar Module, floating through space as one thing goes wrong after another. No matter how many time I watch this film, I am captivated by what happens. This has to do with the first act, where we spend time with Jim Lovell. We see him interact with his family and get to know their life. This adds an immense amount of weight to what is about to transpire. To complete the magic trick of weightlessness, Ron Howard sought NASA’s permission to film on KC-135, the plane used to simulate weightlessness. He filmed Hanks, Paxton, and Bacon in multiple 23 second segments and it dove towards the ground. The effect worked as we get a true representation of an astronaut floating about throughout the film. (Dexter Hansen)
Honorable Mentions:
300
300 is the retelling of the war between Persia and Greece. You have King Leonidas and his 300 soldiers taking on the impossible task of defeating King Xerxes and his thousands upon thousands of soldiers. It tells the story of Leonidas’ beginning, becoming the fierce king he is and where his war for his country begins. It’s a gory, fun time with a little bit of love sprinkled in. It’s a feel good ride of these men, these hot men I might add, fighting to death, for their country, and their loved ones. They know they’re outnumbered. You have a few moments where it’s funny, sad, surprising and downright wicked. 300 is one of those movies that had everyone talking, especially the now famous “This is SPARTA” scene. If you’re like me, you’re there to look at these men in all their glory, but you’re also watching the film for the plot. 300 is a great stylized film about war because it never bores you and keeps you at the edge of your seat to the very end every time. (Chantal Ashford)
The Last Five Years
Writer-director Richard LaGravenese’s film The Last Five Years, which is based on Jason Robert Brown’s 2001 musical of the same name, may seem like a simple romance at first glance, but once you dive into it, you’ll see a story that’s told with a vigor that transports you. The movie follows the five-year relationship of an aspiring actress, Cathy Hiatt (Anna Kendrick) and an aspiring novelist, Jamie Wellerstein (Jeremy Jordan), who live in New York City and traverse the ups and downs of their relationship. The story is told in an intriguing fashion, with the segments from Cathy’s point-of-view chronicling the relationship from its end to its beginning, and Jamie’s point of view chronicling the relationship from the beginning to its end. Aside from the romantic and poignant story, there’s an abundance of fantastic songs, from the upbeat “Shiksa Goddess” and “I Can Do Better Than That” to the heartbreaking “Still Hurting” and “Nobody Needs to Know,” and many others. As you watch the film, you’ll find yourself getting lost in these numbers, and you’ll want to download the soundtrack as soon as you finish the movie. However, the main thing that makes this movie work as well as it does is the unbreakable chemistry between Kendrick and Jordan, who do a tremendous job in presenting the elation of falling in love and the despair of falling out of it. Even if you’re not a fan of musicals, the combination of a relatable story, memorable songs, and passionate performances makes this one that you must check out. (Vincent Abbatecola)
10 Things I Hate About You
I will be completely honest and say that I will never get tired of writing about 10 Things I Hate About You. I have previously been on the record stating that the 1999 comedy is the best high school film ever made. Viewers get to see the starting point for the careers of many actors such as Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and (of course) the late Heath Ledger. Most people make the argument that Ledger’s most iconic role is as the antagonist in The Dark Knight in the form of The Joker; however, I would take Ledger’s mischievously Patrick Verona in 10 Things over the maniacal clown. The film oozes coolness, charm, and culture. Alliteration aside, no other film has illustrated high school culture like 10 Things I Hate About You. Each high school student stereotype is given a role to play on this story and each feel like actual people. There is so much more then ten things I love about this movie. (Dylon Turner)
Also See:
United 93, Short Term 12, 3:10 to Yuma, 12 Years a Slave, 127 Hours, Super 8, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Three Kings, Three Amigos, Seven Pounds, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, 8 Mile, District 9, 13 Going on 30, 28 Days Later, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Miracle on 34th Street, 42, 48 Hrs, 50/50, 50 First Dates, 101 Dalmatians, 12 Angry Men, The 40 Year Old Virgin Short Term 12