85. Terminator 2:Judgement Day (1991)
Directed by James Cameron
Written by James Cameron and William Wisher Jr.
Starng Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, and Robert Patrick
Oscar Nominations: 6 Oscar Wins: 4 (Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, Best Make-up, Best Sound Effects Editing)
I'll get it out of the way: Yes, I like the occasional dumb action movie. Let me follow up that with a resounding affirmation of this not being a dumb action movie. In addition to plenty of explosions, this is a movie about thinking., namely about the nature of fate. A major part of the movie is the repeated phrase, "The Future is not yet set." Obviously if it was, evil AIs wouldn't be sending robots into the past. Instead, we get a movie which the message of is that we make out own fates. Another thing the movie touches on is what I call, "The Hitler Time Travel Paradox." Mainly, if you went back in time, would you kill Hitler's mom, a woman who's only fault was birthing a monster, just to change the future. Does saving millions of lives justify cold-blooded murder? The scene between Linda Hamilton's Sarah Conner and Joe Morton's Miles Dyson really drives that point home. So, we have an action movie that's kinda cool and has some things that make you think.
84. South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut (1999)
Directed by Trey Parker
Written by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Pam Brady
Songs by Trey Parker and Marc Shaiman
Staring the Voices of Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Mary Kay Bergman, and Issac Hayes
Oscar Nominations: 1
Yes, this movie, like the series that spawned it, is crude. I will not dispute that in the least bit. That said, like the previous film, it uses that pretense to pull in the audience and then say something, in this case talking about censorship and people taking responsibility rather than blaming everything on someone else. The movie doesn't shy away from being obscene but it also admits itself for being what it is: Foul but sweet underneath. The music is some of the best Shaiman has written with La Resistance being very reminiscent of Les Mis at times. I recommend this movie but also know it won't be everyone's cup of tea.
83. Wonder Boys (2000)
Directed by Curtis Hanson
Written by Steven Cloves from the novel by Michael Chabon
Staring Michael Douglas, Tobey Maguire, Frances McDormand, and Robert Downey Jr.
Oscar Nominations: 3 Oscar Wins: 1 (Best Original Song)
I am a writer. Above all I am a writer. That said, this movie speaks to me as one who has a vague case of writer's block for the past year or so. It happens. Anyway, Michael Douglas's character is a novelist with issues. His most recent book is currently sitting at about 2000 odd pages and no where near done. He's sleeping with his bosses wife. A student is following him around. Complete chaos. The movie is funny and touching at both times and I truly believe Douglas should have been nominated for this movie, if not won. A movie for writer's, the book is better, but still worth a rental and a trip to the library.
Next Time: "I live for furs, I worship furs." "Movie stars never pick up the check. They have no idea what things cost. Most of them don't know their zip code and a lot don't even know their own phone number." "Wait for me, Audrey. This is between me and the vegetable!"
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