Who would have thought that 100% of a film maker's catalogue would be drafted

Hmmm, I've never heard of Dead Man's Shoes, but Paddy Considine is always worthwhile.

Kung Fu Hustle!!!! Steven Chow is Buddha! Write up when I'm drunk tomorrow.

Diabolical is on the clock, but we are paused until the morning....he can pick any time

Damn you Xander, you just made me watch the whole thing again. 6th or 7th time...

From a style-POV it's not even that good of a movie imo, but the performances are INCREDIBLE.

It just captivates me every time, when the guy says

and get's the

with a vengeance.

I've watched ~3k movies and this is one of the few, that makes me cry lol. I don't know why exactly, it just builds up a lot of tension and then there's this weird tragic relief.

NVM inherent vice first pick

Toni Erdmann, directed by Maren Ade, is a nearly three hour long German comedy about a father and daughter. The father, Winfried, takes on the alter ego of "Toni Erdmann" to disrupt his staid daughter's existence as a rising executive business type, who represses all the joy within her to function in a male dominated world.

Winifred, a music teacher by profession, dons false teeth and a fright wig to become Toni Erdmann. And he just shows up, traveling to another country, to invade his daughter's life, posing variously as a personal motivational coach and an ambassador. For most of the film, the daughter simply goes along with the charade. After all, she really can't tell anyone this is her father. He meets her friends and business associates, attends social gatherings, intrudes in her life, and even shows up at a party where everyone is forced to be naked by the daughter(she's learning). He's wearing a costume, which leads to this scene near the end of the film. She has followed him from the party to a nearby park:



The film is a moving, sometimes groan-inducing, hilarious satire of capitalism. But it's also a story about the special connection between fathers and daughters.

Earlier in the film Toni and the daughter have crashed a party. Again, the father as Toni attempts to awaken whatever is good and human in his daughter. I think he succeeds:




As some of you know, I became a father a bit by accident. Last Father's Day my daughter sent me a card that read: "Happy Father's Day from the daughter you inadvertently inherited when you decided to shack up with my mom." Despite not passing along any DNA, I think I passed along something to her.

I haven't needed to intrude upon her life in quite the same way that Winfried has with his daughter. But I could if needed. And I would if necessary. It's what fathers do.

Toni Erdmann is a great film. It reminds me, especially, of what is most important in my own life and how lucky I have been.

Nice post, JC. That’s now in my watch list.

Diabolical is skipped! MrBaseball is on the clock!

Round 5
Jersey Boys (2014)
Clint Eastwood



I love this movie! I am a huge fan of musician/band/group biopics and especially when I am a big fan of the music in question and I love the Four Seasons. This is a great story with a terrific ensemble cast but Vincent Piazza as band member Tommy DeVito really stands out and steals every scene he is in.

Great story with great music means an ultimately rewatchable movie that is just pure entertainment. I am a huge fan of "entertainment" when watching movies and this one really delivers.

so far:
United 93
Catch Me if You Can
Almost Famous
Seabiscuit
Jersey Boys

Round 6
Love & Mercy (2014)
Bill Pohlad



Did I mention I like music biopics? Well I do and here is another one Between this one and Jersey Boys I am hard pressed to choose my favorite movie of this time period but it is definitely one of these 2.

This is the Brian Wilson of Beach Boys fames story. It bounces back and forth between an old/present version of Wilson (played by John Cusack) and a younger creative Wilson (played by Paul Dano). Dano is simply spectacular as young Brian while Cusack is well Cusack. I don't hate John Cusack but if this movie has a flaw it is that is hard to see Cusack as Brian Wilson when all I could see was John Cusack.

The older Brian is under the care a quack psychologist played by Paul Giamatti. He pretty much controls his entire life and dictates what he can and can't do and who he can and can't see. A romance with Elizabeth Banks character sets the wheels in motion to break free from the control of this guy.

But the best part of this movie are the young creative Brian Wilson scenes. Like I said Dano just nails the role and I can see him as a younger Wilson. The scenes where Brian is putting together Good Vibrations and the Pet Sounds album while working with the legendary Wrecking Crew are some of the most entertaining movie scenes I have ever seen.



I love this movie and you should too

so far:
United 93
Catch Me if You Can
Almost Famous
Seabiscuit
Jersey Boys
Love & Mercy

I picked and pm'ed both diabolical and zeno

Write up for pick number 5:


Kung Fu Hustle is the greatest martial arts film of this century or any backbench century before this silly one. In one respect it is a comedy film but at a deeper level it is still a comedy film- with a twist. Kung Fu Hustle was directed, produced and written by Stephen Chow, who also stars in the lead role. He and his sidekick is a hapless pair of good-for-nothings with aspirations to join the axe gang. From there the plot evolves into gang wars and great fight scenes between x and y and z and the ultimate release of a Kung Fu Master from a prison – so the showdown can commence.

Surprises abound throughout this Laurel and Hardy Martial Arts Flick and they have never been bettered. If you in anyway take this film seriously you need to shoot yourself. It is pure fun and pure entertainment and marvelously put together. This is the only film in human history to be endorsed by The Buddha Himself. The Wheel of Dharma spins effortlessly from the beginning to the sublime ending of this film.


A few spokes from the wheel:





Picks so far:

The Dark Knight
No Country for Old Men
In Bruges
Pan’s Labyrinth
Kung Fu Hustle

I guess I'm next for the pick six. If not I'm doing it anyway and blame Mr. Baseball.

So for my sixth pick of the draft:


Amélie (2001) [also known as Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain; or in English: The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain] is a French romantic comedy directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Since all romance is indeed just a comedy, I consider this film over described.

Anyway, this French flick is a somewhat whimsical depiction of Parisian life and tells the story of a shy waitress, who decides to change the lives of those around her for the better while struggling with her own isolation. A group of remorseless and silly characters abound and bounce about in the unraveling of this film; and a photo booth has a star performance to give. I have watched this movie a number of times and like it more with each viewing. This is just an altogether fun movie; lighthearted, bubbling, and a joy to watch. Sweet ending that is not sickly sweet, just a ride through the streets of Paris. Lovely. See it with a good friend.


NSFW if you are a stuffy old Church Lady – Sometimes love is bumpy:


Picks so far:

The Dark Knight
No Country for Old Men
In Bruges
Pan’s Labyrinth
Kung Fu Hustle
Amélie

That's a great scene, Zeno. The actor also started in Diva, another nice French film.

You probably sniped Dom on that one.

Will have to watch that one, thanks for the heads up.

And speaking of heads up, I PM'ed Xander and diabolical

Love Amelie....such a great, great movie

oh man can't believe i never even heard of love and mercy def watching that tonight.

127 Hours

This tells the true story of a mountain climber who gets his arm trapped under a boulder while exploring a canyon in Utah. Because he didn't tell anybody where he was going, nobody knows where he is, or even that he's missing. Quite the predicament!

He eventually comes to the realization that if he's gonna get out of there alive, the arm's gotta go. This leads to one of the most intense scenes I've ever seen. Definitely not for the squeamish.

And that's why you always leave a note...

Because the majority of the movie is set in one location, with only one character, it relies almost entirely on the the acting performance and direction. Luckily, James Franco is amazing, and Danny Boyle gives us a unique and memorable experience that you won't soon forget.

I'll make my other pick later. Still not quite sure what to take.

I'll take Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. This is the type of movie you either love or hate, but it hits me just right. I've seen this so many times, and it always makes me laugh...that's all I can really ask for in a comedy.

great choice

Love it!

It was on my list