A Nerd Goes to the Movies

Great Moments In Film – Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005)

chrislejarzar — Wed, 04 May 2011 23:25:06 +0000

A bit of a switch as I was planning on taking this week fully off then come back next Monday to discuss Thor, but it’s May 4th and we all know what that means: STAR WARS DAY. I’m keeping it simple today as I take a look at the closing of the (infamous) prequel trilogy.

To me, it’s absolutely perfect and is quite simply the high water mark of all three movies. More specifically, the very end with Obi Wan giving the baby Luke to his Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen. They look out to watch their dual suns set as they wonder about the future…much like Luke would do many years later.

Interestingly enough, it was originally planned to include Yoda arriving at Dagobah as part of the sequence, but Lucas preferred to keep it limited to the fate of the Skywalker family. It was the right decision. You can find the uncut version on youtube and while it’s pretty cool, it’s better off the way shown on the big screen.

Great Moments In Film – Kick-Ass (2010)

chrislejarzar — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 21:31:06 +0000

Perhaps not the most conventional movie to start this decade off with for this ongoing feature, Kick-Ass was on my list of top ten movies of 2010. I’m weird like that, I know. The story of a basic high school nerd who somehow becomes a superhero known ass Kick-Ass (no powers, just more guts than brains). Along the way, he’s befriended by true vigilantes (unlike whatever Kick-Ass was posing as at the time): the father and daughter duo of Big Daddy and Hit Girl.

To set-up this particular scene: mob boss Frank D’Amico wants to send a message to the entire city what would happen to costumed vigilantes in his town and is set to show the execution of Big Daddy and Kick-Ass all over the internet. Of course, his plan doesn’t work out as little Hit Girl comes to the rescue. There is a lot of strobing light effects in this scene, so do be wary of that.

Hope you all enjoy it.

Great Moments In Film – Closer (2004)

chrislejarzar — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 02:42:54 +0000

Closer is an interesting case for me. On one hand, it falls under the break up movie in which you wonder why anyone would be with any of these people. It’s very hard to stay engaged when you dislike everyone on the screen. However, it’s a fantastically acted film that’s hard to turn away from. What’s one to do?

These are a spectacular few scenes (edited so that they’re put together without interruption). Off the top of my head, this is my second favorite break-up in film…well, from a non-comedy, of course. It contains MANY words that probably shouldn’t be heard in a public setting, so I’d say it’s NSFW for language purposes.

Quick Reviews for 4/25/11

chrislejarzar — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:34:05 +0000

Another Monday and another couple of movies to look at briefly. Today, I take a look at Morning Glory (starring Rachel McAdams) and Salt (starring Angelina Jolie).

Have a Look Here

Mount Rushmore: The Directors

chrislejarzar — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 03:10:28 +0000

Trying out a new feature that will pop up from time to time where I pick my favorite four of something in film history. For the inaugural article: directors.

See Who They Are Here

Great Moments In Film – Beauty and the Beast (1991)

chrislejarzar — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 20:00:31 +0000

It’s no secret that I love Disney movies. Well, GOOD Disney movies which I’m sure to some of you is an oxymoron. Beauty and the Beast is the second film I can remember seeing in the theatres. We were a big time drive-in (remember those?) family as I was growing up. The first movie I recall seeing was Tim Burton’s Batman (because my parents rock) and I do know that I saw a re-release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs before that, but I can’t remember that (though I do remember going to this McDonalds with a really cool airplane table setup before going to the theatre…go figure).

Yes, I’ve had a longstanding appreciation for this film. Setting PIXAR aside, this is simply the best animated film Disney has put out which is saying a lot considering how great some of them really are. The following scene is what I consider the best in the entire movie and could very well be the greatest moment in Disney movie history.

I present to you the Ballroom scene.

Great Moments In Film – Three Amigos! (1986)

chrislejarzar — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 23:02:04 +0000

Three Amigos is one of those movies I grew up on. I will always find it hilarious. How could one not when it stars the likes of Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short? My favorite character, however, is Alfonso Arau’s El Guapo, the villain of the movie. This scene is his birthday party, which our heroes are trying to infiltrate through various measures of success (little to none). Just try not to laugh after he opens up his present from his gang.

Quick Reviews: 2010 Duo

chrislejarzar — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:24:32 +0000

Today I take a quick look at The Other Guys and It’s Kind of a Funny Story. I thought one was very good and the other pretty bad. Guess which movie fits which description.

See If You’re Right Here

Review: Not Very Electric

chrislejarzar — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 00:43:53 +0000

Bad Movie Friday is back with the 1982 Scott Baio vehicle Zapped! Just how bad is it?

Click Here to Find Out

Great Moments In Film – Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

chrislejarzar — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:58:50 +0000

An almost countless number of movies have been made about what would happen when we encounter sentient being from another world. Some are more positive, others not so much. This one is the epitome of the positive one and it brought to us by none other than Steven Spielberg. I’ll let the long clip speak for itself.

When contact is made.