A-List: Numbers
By Jason Dean
August 16, 2004
BoxOfficeProphets.com
2001
Yes, it’s arguably slow and the plot line can be criticized as simplistic and then...wha? However, I initially found it to be a stunning visual experience. Admittedly, I am a huge space nut, so this movie is right in my interest-sweet-spot but I think even a general movie fan has to acknowledge the amazing visuals. Keeping in mind that the movie was made before we landed on the moon, the "realism" is stunning. As old as the effects are, they still hold up as well or better than some of the abuse of CGI we are seeing these days. 2001 also had one of the great villains of movie history in the cool, soothing tones of HAL and the unblinking camera lens "eye". 2010 wasn’t a bad follow-up.
8 Mile
Remember when the early press releases were coming out and Brian Grazer was stating that part of the reason for doing the movie was the talent of Eminem? Curtis Hanson, you just did L.A. Confidential and Wonderboys, and now you’re doing an Eminem movie? Seems that these two talented Hollywood types were totally taken in by the charisma and work ethic of Eminem. Turns out that they were completely accurate in their confidence in the project and their untested star.
Se7en
Stunning in the performances given by the leads, but shocking and difficult to watch in the portrayals of the sins. The overall theme and visuals provided an early look at what would become known as Fincher style. Everything is capped with one of the finest extended cameos ever and the ultimate, you-don’t-want-to-know-what’s-in-the-box moment.
100 Girls
I’m not sure if this one belongs on the hidden gems list or on my Movies Only I Love list. I remember seeing the posters and reading about this movie, but never saw a trailer nor do I remember a theatrical release. However, I did want to see the movie, primarily cause at that time I was all about Roswell and Katherine Heigl. When it finally emerged on cable, I found the movie to be more than entertaining enough. The movie is generally a comedy that follows our protagonist as he attempts to find his dream girl from among 100 female residents of a college dorm. He meets a girl in an elevator during a blackout and it’s love at uh...first love. Between taking a job as the dorm maintenance man and posing as a girl, our intrepid protagonist embarks on a mission that teaches him about the female psyche as he continues his ongoing search for his dream girl - or maybe the female psyche as written by a male screenwriter. I still found it to be a fun movie.
Pi
Darren Aronofsky makes what can only be described as signature movies and Pi is no exception. Even if one looks past the fact that movie manages to make a thriller of sorts out of the life of a mathematician obsessed with Pi among other numerical patterns, the film and image style makes this a film worth seeing.
1969
Kiefer Sutherland and Robert Downey Jr. do the best they can in this pretty much by-the-numbers movie involving protesters, drafts, and running to Canada. So why does it make the list? The obvious answer, of course, is that Winona Ryder plays younger sister/girlfriend (those relationships describe the links between two different male leads - it’s not that interesting a movie) and trust me, I’ve seen far worse in course of my fandom. However, I wouldn't necessarily recommend the film to anyone who isn't a fan of at least one of the leads.