Rico's Thirteen [# 5]

Can you feel it? Can you feel it in the air? Something epic lurks in the deep horizon. With the radiance of a thousand suns and the divinity of the heavens, it has come. Are you ready? ARE YOU?

It's my Top Five!

5. Mystic River


Directed by: Clint Eastwood

Underrated. Under-appreciated. Amazing. Appropriate words to describe this hidden gem of a piece of work. This movie was one of few that had my complete attention from beginning to end. The all-star consisting of Sean Penn and Laurence Fishburne, truly shined in this movie and each actor had something brilliant to bring to the table. The plot in this movie was one of darkness. It's about three men who knew each other since they were children and several years later, they grow apart as they become adults but get caught up in a crime that severely threatens each other's lives. It was really hard to watch this movie because of the strong guilty emotions that this movie provokes and just the gloomy atmosphere and theme it has. All the while it is still a movie to watch. From an actor's point of view, the performances displayed by the actors in this movie was just phenomenal. Each character has a different style and motive to their actions and its just very interesting to see the different routes they take to try and solve the supreme problem in the story. Direction was good, making the most out of a very hard movie script. It seemed like I was watching a really good play rather than a low budget movie. If you haven't seen this, please go see it, trust me, it's a little hard to watch and makes you uneasy at some points, but it is truly, one of the greats. (I mean cmon it was nominated for multiple awards, 64 to be specific, and won two oscars. That HAS to mean something.)


Memorable Quotes:

Dave: "I'm walking to my car, and this guy comes up to me. Asks for a light. I say I don't smoke. He says neither does he. So then my heart starts clocking a buck fifty, 'cause there's no one else here except me and him. So then he pulls the knife on me. Says, 'Your wallet or your life, bitch. I'm leaving with one of them'. So I try to brush past him, and that's when he slices me." 


"Maybe some day you forget what it's like to be human and maybe then, it's ok."

News Flash: Mel Gibson to cameo in 'Hangover 2'

Mel Gibson. I kind of feel bad for the guy. It is a fact that he is a very talented and innovative film actor, director, producer, and entrepreneur. Have you seen Apoclaypto? You have to admit that was a work of art (more of blood, guts, and glory; but art nonetheless!) I mean who else could have pulled playing a half naked Scotsman covered in war paint screaming "Freedom!" ? No one? I thought so. But all this recent controversy that has been haunting him wherever he goes and has been taking a toll on his career and his life.

What controversy you may ask? Well, if you live under a rock in a deep, dark cave, then you probably haven't heard of "Crazy" Mel's recent exploits. The most controversial one, arguably, were his recorded messages he sent to his wife that contained very vulgar language and dangerous threats. He, at one point in all five tapes, threatens to hit, sexually abuse, and disown her if his personal needs were not met. He also commands her, at multiple times, to "blow him" (which means to give him oral sexual pleasure, in case you didn't know. yea) To top it all off? He even adds a couple of racial slurs against African-Americans and blatantly displays his apparent Anti-Semitism while screaming his lungs out in most of the messages.

The funniest craziest thing about the tapes is he seems to get crazier and angrier as each message tape progressed, really making people worried about his state of mind and his medically approved bipolar tendencies and alcohol problems.

Like I said, I feel bad for the guy and I'm sure his wife must have done something to him to get him       THAT wound up, and THAT psychotic, and we are only getting a one-sided view of the whole issue.

          So please people, find it in your heart to try to understand Mel's....well, insanity. 

Oh and (as of right now) he's on track to making a cameo appearance in Warner Bros.' The Hangover 2 (AW HELL YEAH). Quick note: This reminds me of Tom Cruise and his crazy days. Remember when he declared his undying love for Katie Holmes on Oprah and started losing control of himself; jumping on couches and screaming like a madman? But see, when he played that one fat dude in Tropic Thunder people suddenly forgot he was crazy. So this will help Mel's career and make people forgive and forget!

Who is YOUR favorite actor and why?

This is more of a open forum discussion than an actual post, really, but I'm curious:


who are your guys' favorite actors / actresses?

I want to know who you think is really good and what makes them so interesting to you. They're different for everyone so the question is: What do YOU look for in a splendid acting performance?

Are they exciting to watch? Are they unpredictably amazing? Is this actor believable and truly immersive in his role? Do you admire this actor for his/her stunning looks? Are you impressed by the way this actor handles himself in society and makes for a good role model? Do you like the controversial types? Are you entranced by the types of movies these actors tend to work in? Does this actor play different roles contrasting each of his performances; making for a chameleon-like persona? These are most of the main qualities I look for in determining my favorite on-screen actors.

Now don't feel the need to pick just the ONE favorite actor. Among all these talented artists from the past and present, it can be REALLY hard choosing just one as an all-time favorite. I personally can't even make a top five list of my favorites, let alone picking my favorite one of all time! So just list some actors you admire, why you admire most about them, and what movies they've starred in that you really like. This will do two things, get to know what people like to see if my movie tastes are up to par, and to explore my horizons to different kinds of movies and actors I may not have heard of before.



SO PLEASE feel free to have at it at the comment box below.


Thank You! :)

I will leave you off with a collage of photos of some of my favorites. Enjoy.

1st Row (L-R) - James Dean, Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, Johnny Depp

2nd Row - Leonardo DiCaprio, Rachel McAdams, Tom Hanks, Robert Downey Jr

3rd Row - Ken Watanabe, Anne Hathaway, Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman

Rico's Thirteen { # 6 }

6. Terminator 2: Judgment Day


If my last post didn't give this one away, then "obvious" does not apply to you. Or it may have been a coincidence. Either way, this action packed extravaganza is deserving to be on this list because of many reasons; mainly, because it is James Cameron's best work up to date (Screw Avatar. You heard me). This movie had a little bit of everything and a whole lot of crazy spectacles. I grew up with this movie. The iconic scene where the T-1000 chased a John Connor who had yet hit puberty in the long, abandoned sewer canal with Arnie coming in on his Harley carrying a single barrel shotgun to save the day was one to remember. The most remarkable thing about this movie is that it had all the elements to be a one-hit, action pack gimmick of a movie: guns, explosions, not to mention a certain rising action star guy named Arnold Schwarzenegger (i had to spell that 3 times). But James Cameron's marvelous story-telling and a strong well developed plot helped drive this movie to greatness. Who would ever think that a bond could be formed between man and machine, so beautiful, as to make one give their life up for the other? Terminator 2 was ground breaking in many aspects; both special effects wise and just overall story wise.

Memorable Quotes:

Terminator: "Come with me if you want to live."

Sarah Connor: "Watching John with the machine, it was suddenly so clear. The terminator wouldn't stop, it would never leave him. It would never hurt him or shout at him or get drunk and hit him or say it was too busy to spend time with him. And it would die to protect him. Of all the would-be fathers that came over the years, this thing, this machine, was the only thing that measured up. In an insane world, it was the sanest choice." 


Honorable Mention:


- The Matrix
- Titanic
- Die Hard

Viral Videos 2: GET TO THA CHOPPA!

Oh 1980's action movies..How I miss you so. But not really. I think we can all agree that during those times, these movies were the shiz. Over the top, explosive action flicks such as Commando, First Blood, Predator, and the ever-acclaimed Kindergarten Cop, captured the audience's aggressive imaginations and presented them on-screen. Starred by big-muscled, borderline roiders and the very talented,  Big-time names such as Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, and the Governator were admired as gods. These action stars embodied what the spirit of action movies and the audience, for some unknown reason at the time, just loved seeing them beat the the crap out of someone or causing random explosions just for the sake of blowing shit up. I remember when I was kid and watching Last Action Hero and Terminator 2. I just thought those were the coolest movies and I pretended to be one of them, having playful, imaginary gunfights, with the occasional mouthed sound effects of "BANG!" or "WOOSH!" and recreating moments from the scene in my bedroom set. I miss these movies. Sure, in today's standard, they may seem corny, lame, and even comedic almost, and sure their not what some may call "masterful arts of work" and these eye-candy films can't contend with an Inception or a Citizen Kane, but boy, these movies know how to entertain and get you amped up for the thrill of the ride.

So this is my homage to the action flicks of years past. I salute you random explosions. I salute you undeveloped story line that makes up for sex and gunfire. And most of all I salute you cheesy one-liners. You are greatly missed.

Rico's Thirteen { # 7 }

Picking up where we left off, next up in line are movies lucky number 7. This is an odd place in this movie list, or in all lists. We are at the median point of the list but don't underestimate it because this movies is far from mediocracy.

Honorable Mentions

UP
The Lion King
Aladdin
Happy Feet
Wall-E

7. Toy Story 3

Ah! An animation movie! You didn't expect this one to make the list did you? Frankly, I didn't expect it to either! This definitely my inner kid coming out right now. I grew up on Toy Story. I even owned my own Buzz Lightyear action figure equipped with jet wings and all. A time, when we didn't have a worry in the world. Those were the days weren't they? But enough my nostalgic reminisces. Last summer when this movie came out, my friends wanted to watch it and I was like "Are you serious?" I decided to go and you know those people in the movie theatre that start balling at the end of a sad movie, well I became one of them. It's funny actually. I was so busy trying to "grow up" in my later stages of high school that I took my youth for granted. I admit, I weeped at the end when Andy had to go to college and leave his toys behind. I had no trouble at all relating to that since I was on the leave to college too. This movie touched me in so many different ways and came at the right time. This movie symbolized a farewell to my childhood and closed one of the greatest animated sagas ever.

Viral Videos: Japanese Game Shows

Have you ever seen a Japanese game show? If not, you are missing out on the funniest shiz ever. I don't even know what exactly is so funny about the absurdly random things they do. The thing is I don't even follow Japanese TV, I only watch random viral videos on YouTube for a good laugh. I mean who in the right mind would think a mob of 100 people running like they're about to kill simultaneously at a random person in the street, utterly hilarious? It just is! I know this isn't really much of a "movie" blog but I just thought and I would really like to see, scratch that, i would definitely see a film about Japanese game shows; just the idea of it is already starting to make me chuckle.

Here are some of my favorites:

Imagine it as a Jackass movie only in Japanese Game show form. Or better yet, a movie about the making of one and what work goes into producing one. There must be some crazy things that go on backstage that could make for pure comedic excellence.

(To whom it may concern, DO NOT STEAL MY IDEA. This is copyrighted, kind of, or at least get me on the project, because if watch a movie and see a trailer based on Japanese game shows one day, I'm gonna be PISSED.)

I personally find these shows a lot more entertaining than reality shows and other bullshit of the sort. I mean, honestly, okay it's basically stupid and non-sensical but you have to admit it is some good entertainment. And that's kind of what this blog post is really about. It's amazing how some people strive to make movie "art" or perfection, when sometimes this kind of slapstick, over the top comedy, is what people really want. We find joy in the simplest and strangest things in life; and sometimes all we need is a good laugh!