Life Lessons From My 2 Favorite Harold Ramis Films

Harold Ramis was one of my favorite directors of all time. 

"Groundhog Day" is one of the 20 Greatest Films I have ever seen. The movie's philosophical themes and message of striving beyond our day-to-day routines to be our best selves every single day will stay with me forever. Add in a laugh-a-minute script by Mr. Ramis, plus the role Bill Murray was born to play(Phil Connors) and you have a Masterpiece! I usually watch "Groundhog Day" every year around February 2nd, but for some reason I didn't watch it this year ... until last night. I honestly feel terrible that Mr. Ramis's death was what it took to get me to watch it this year. The movie shares some valuable life lessons that will always help steer me in the right direction. I will now share some of those lessons I've learned from "Groundhog Day". But first...

Whenever I need a good laugh, I watch another of my All-Time Favorites: "National Lampoon's Vacation", also directed by Harold Ramis and written by John Hughes(A dynamic duo we lost way too soon). For some unexplainable reason, this R-rated comedy became the movie my family most identified with when I was growing up. "Clark Griswold" is one of my favorite movie characters ever. This lovably clueless dad("Not your ordinary, everyday fool") just wants to drive his family cross-country to Wally World. Throughout the trip, Clark is just being the best dad he knows how to be. As things get progressively worse, and the Griswolds get into more and more wacky scenarios, we learn some valuable life lessons that are not as philosophical as the ones in "Groundhog Day", but still ...

"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #10

Imagine life as an endless repetition of the same events: How would this shape your actions?

"Well it's Groundhog Day ... again"Would you act in a different way if you knew that tomorrow you're gonna experience the exact same things? At first Phil is just confused with what is going on and spends those days trying to figure it out.

"Vacation" Life Lesson #10

Never hand off your trade-in car until you make sure you receive exactly what you ordered.

If not, you'll end up with the Wagon Queen Family Truckster

"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #9

Until you wake up and get things right you're gonna live the same emotional prison every day.

Phil asks these two bar patrons, Ralph and Gus, a question about his situation: "What would you do if you were stuck in one place and everyday was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?" Ralph answers: "That about sums it up for me."

"Vacation" Life Lesson #9

Never ask for directions when driving around in the "inner city"

Be safe. Just find your own way out. 

"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #8

Superficial charm will only get you so far with women.

At one point in the film, Phil tries to bed Rita by gathering information on her and using it the next day and the next day, but he fails every time, each time earlier than the night before. Phil's failure, resulting in a slap by Rita at the end of each night, stems from his hollowness as an individual.

"Vacation" Life Lesson #8

Speaking of safe driving tips ... If you feel like you're dozing off, always stop for the night

Seriously, this one's not even meant to be funny. Just a good tip

"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #7

"Maybe God isn't omnipotent, maybe he's just been around so long he knows everything."

This is one of the movie's most philosophical themes. Phil tells Rita he is a God("not the God"). He has infinite combinations possible for how he could go about his day with all the knowledge he has acquired of the town. This speaks to God's knowledge of every possible outcome of our decisions.

"Vacation" Life Lesson #7

Always get to know your 2nd cousins.

You'll find that you share more things in common than you thought.

"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #6

What makes life worth living is not what you get from it, but what you put into it.

Phil comes to the realization that with all this available time he can learn many things, including: playing the piano, learning french, and ice sculpting. He even learns how to perfectly toss playing cards into a hat(something he says takes around 6 months). From all these activities we can gain a better sense as to just how long Phil spent living the same day.

"Vacation" Life Lesson #6

Invest in a rooftop carrier

Strapping luggage to the roof will most likely result in it falling off.

"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #5

There are some things in life you just can't change

In a key sequence of the film, Phil learns that even with all his knowledge of the day's events there are some things he can't change. He tries to help a homeless man who is about to die by feeding him. No matter what he does, he can't prevent him from dying. It was just his time.

"Vacation" Life Lesson #5

Always make sure your dog is inside the car(and not tied to the rear bumper) when you take off.

Unless you want to scar your family for life.

"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #4

We should learn to love and appreciate everything, and everyone around us.

On February 1st, the townspeople of Punxsutawney are hicks, according to Phil. On February 3rd, he loves the town and everyone in it and wants to live there with Rita. Speaking of Rita, on February 1st she was definitely not Phil's kind of woman, but on February 3rd he doesn't have eyes for anyone else.

"Vacation" Life Lesson #4

If your old relative is asleep in the car, make sure she's still alive

Always be prepared for this scenario so your dead relative doesn't end up tied to the roof of your car.

"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #3

Loving life includes loving the fact that it goes.

"Whatever happens tomorrow, or for the rest of my life, I'm happy now ... because I love you." Phil says this to Rita at the end of his final Groundhog Day. He's in love with Rita and has earned Rita's love as well. He is no longer thinking about manipulating the day in his favor, he is simply enjoying life

"Vacation" Life Lesson #3

Always gauge the temperature of the water before diving head first into a pool.

Even if there's a naked supermodel already inside(in this case, Christie Brinkley).

"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #2

"Is there anything I can do for you today?"

Phil finally wakes up on February 3rd, with Rita by his side. He has learned how to love and he has learned the value of selflessness. After pinching Rita and looking out the window to confirm that "today is tomorrow", he asks Rita the question above after mentioning that last night "was the end of a very long day". If she only knew, right?

"Vacation" Life Lesson #2

When you arrive at an empty parking lot, always park by the exit.

That way you will always be the first ones to leave as well. I actually use this one sometimes. You find a spot faster, plus you get in some exercise. It also gives you ample room to run in slow-motion towards the entrance.

"Groundhog Day" Life Lesson #1

The film's ultimate triumph: It is very, very funny!

Ramis insisted that the film be funny first, and philosophical second. After all, this was his specialty: making us laugh, and "Groundhog Day" definitely succeeds in making the parable of "Phil Connors" relatable through comedy. From "Needle-nose Ned", to "Larry the cameraman", to "Phil Connors" himself, the movie is filled with unforgettable comedic characters. When it came to comedy in the last 35 years, nobody did it better than Harold Ramis. And now, one of his best comedic scenes ever ... 

"Vacation" Life Lesson #1

Always check beforehand to make sure that Wally World, Walt Disney World, or any other World, for that matter, won't be closed when you get there.

Families all around the world can thank Harold Ramis and John Hughes for this gem. They will certainly be missed.

10 Best Movies of 2013 (A Double Take)

What a year! 2013 was such a spectacular year for film that I decided to forget about the worst movies of the year and focus solely on the best. When I look back on 1994, for example, I immediately think of  "The Lion King", "Pulp Fiction", "Hoop Dreams", "The Shawshank Redemption", "Dumb & Dumber", and "Forrest Gump" (what a year that was, right?). Therefore, I have invited my brother, Andrés, to post his list of the 10 Best Movies of 2013 as well.

My Top 5 for 2013 are all Instant Classics in my book, and the next 5 could've been in my Top 5 any other year. Where my brother and I disagree the most is on Sci-Fi. I have "Gravity" and "Her" in my Top 5 and as Instant Classics, he doesn't have them in his Top 10. He has "Star Trek into Darkness" at #9, I have it closer to #19. He believes "Gravity" had too little story(which is a fair point), I believe "...Into Darkness"(what does that even mean?) had too crazy a story, plus it was a step back from the excellent "Star Trek" of 2009. A key factor here was definitely our experiences with these films in theaters. I was able to see "Gravity" in 3D, he was not. He was able to see "...Into Darkness" in IMAX 3D, I was not. This tells you about the power of experiencing a film in theaters, which is still, by far, the best way to see a movie. At least we agreed that Sci-Fi deserved a spot on the Top 10. Now, what about "Her", my brother?

We definitely agreed on one other thing: "Fruitvale Station" and "Short Term 12" deserve to be in, or close to, the Top 5. These are two remarkable independent films, with equally remarkable lead performances that deserved much more recognition from the Academy than they received. Actually, any recognition would've been nice since they received 0 nominations between them. Speaking of the Academy, 7 of the 10 films on my list, and 6 of the 10 films on my brother's list are nominees at this Sunday's Academy Awards. If you haven't seen one or more of these excellent films, now's the time.

And now, a word from my brother, Andrés:

No matter what movies are on our respective Top 10 lists, there’s one thing big brother and I will always agree on… This was an AMAZING year for movies!

It’s a great reason why doing a top 10 list this year is so much fun. Just because you get to see the movies you leave out and wonder: How? Or you have your top 5 and you're thinking: How is movie #8 NOT on your top 5!? And how about the big decision of who gets your vote as the best movie of the year?

That last question is the one that’s going to eat away at me long after the Oscars are over. In this great year in cinema there are a number of films worthy of Best Picture. Especially when you look at the list of recent winners like “The Hurt Locker” (2009), “The King’s Speech” (2010), and “The Artist” (2011). I hope you reach the same conclusion as I do when I think of those movies and that’s… Ehhh?

When I look at my top 10 list from this year I can see any film outside my top 5 being better than any of those films. I think it speaks to how great and deep a year we just had in cinema. And though I 

don’t have a film like “Gravity” in my top 10 list, I feel like I should at least acknowledge it. It’s a beautifully made movie that should earn director Alfonso Cuarón the Best Director Oscar, but it’s lacking in the story department too much for me to include it in my top 10.

And now, without further ado, we present our 10 Best Movies of 2013. Enjoy!

10) MP: (Tie) This is the End / The World's End

The 2 best comedies of the year. I didn't want to leave either one off the list, and since they're both about the end of the world I decided to rank them together. It's my list, so I'll allow it. They both feature a group of friends who are faced with seemingly insurmountable odds of survival, and start to get picked off one by one.

Simon Pegg gives a great performance as "Gary King" in "The World's End", a guy who even his best friends seem to hate. The closest comparable in "This is the End" is "Danny McBride", played by Danny McBride, who gets on the group's bad side from the moment he decides to eat all of their
remaining food, and only gets worse from there.
Both writer-director teams have worked together for years, and they just keep getting better with age
and experience. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are first-time directors on "This is the End", but
they've previously given us such hits as "Superbad" and "Pineapple Express". Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg continue their successful partnership that has given us previous hits "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz". Let's hope these productive writer-director teams keep on entertaining us in the future as well as they've done up until now.

10) Andrés: Frozen

Maybe it’s because I’m a sucker for Disney classics or my brother finally sold me on this film’s greatness, but I decided to include it in my Top 10 because it deserves mentioning. If there’s one thing that I look at in movies I like it's whether or not I’ll remember that movie years from now. “Frozen” is the kind of movie that stands out in that regard.

 This film takes you back to the great Disney days of old when watching their movies was a magical experience for all ages. I remember going to see “Frozen” with my brothers and my nephew and it was tough to see who enjoyed it more. That’s the brilliance of Disney right there.

 You also can’t talk about “Frozen” without mentioning the wonderful music. “Let it Go” (#canyousayWOW!),  “For the First Time in Forever”, and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman” are Instant Classics that we’ll be singing along with our kids and grandkids for generations to come. I found myself singing along like I did when watching “The Lion King”, “The Little Mermaid”, or “Aladdin”. Man, how I missed that! “Tangled”, “Wreck-it Ralph”, and now “Frozen”, Welcome back Disney.

9) MP: Dallas Buyers Club

The most inspiring film of the year tells the story of Ron Woodroof(Matthew McConaughey in a career defining performance). After being diagnosed with HIV and given a 30 day death sentence, Mr. Woodroof does everything possible to acquire the drugs necessary to survive, eventually starting the Dallas Buyers Club with help from an unlikely partner, "Rayon". 

Jared Leto gives an unforgettable performance as "Rayon" that will win him an Oscar this sunday. Once he appears onscreen, you never want him to leave. I actually thought we got too little of "Rayon" by the end, or maybe I just thought that his character deserved a better goodbye. Anyway, Rayon's love and support for Ron leave a lasting impact on him that fuel his fight against the government and the pharmaceutical companies for dignity, education, and human rights.

Losing 50 pounds for his role, Mr. McConaughey undergoes the physical transformation of the year. His performance is a revelation, and he is currently the front-runner in a very tight race for Best Actor at next week's Academy Awards. If you want to be able to say you saw these two Award Winning Performances, "Dallas Buyers Club" is currently available on Blu-Ray and DVD, so check it out.

9) Andrés: Star Trek Into Darkness

JJ Abrams, you rock! We may have our differences in opinion on this film but I absolutely loved it. While the first one was an absolute classic in my eyes, this one is still really good. Let’s not make the common mistake we do with sequels which is compare the second movie to the first and expect the same results. It’s fun, exciting, and it includes the same compelling characters we love, and some new ones as well (I loved Benedict Cumberbatch as Khan). I also had the pleasure of seeing it in IMAX 3-D which was a definite bonus. 

I for one cannot wait to see what JJ Abrams does with the new Star Wars trilogy. He was the perfect pick to take us back to a galaxy far, far away.

8) MP: The Wolf of Wall Street

The most polarizing film of the year. The movie is, without a doubt, over the top. But guess what, it's all based on a true story. Leonardo DiCaprio gives his best performance to date(which is saying something) as "Jordan Belfort", the man whose book the movie is based on. Jonah Hill joins DiCaprio as "Donnie Azoff", quite literally Jordan's partner in crime. These two get together and create some of the most outrageous moments ever put on film. From exposing themselves at a beach party, to a conversation about marrying your cousin that left my jaw on the floor, to wanting to get high while their yacht is sinking, to actually overdosing on Quaaludes in a scene you have to see to believe. I mean, Mia Wallace's OD in "Pulp Fiction" doesn't even come close to this!

Martin Scorsese was the only director who could've told this story. The movie goes on for far too long, but maybe that was Scorsese's intent. Maybe, the only way to make sure the audience would be disgusted with these characters was to force-feed them with bad behavior for 3 hours. I felt a bit like "Alex DeLarge" in "A Clockwork Orange". In my case I was never sick, but just in case, I can say "I was cured, all right!"

8) Andres: Don Jon

If I’m a sucker for Disney movies, I’m just as much a sucker for Joseph Gordon Levitt (ok, that came out kind of weird). “500 Days of Summer” is one of my all time favorites, and when I found out Levitt was going to be Starring/Writing/Directing in “Don Jon” I was already sold. 

Like something out of Snooki and Mike the Situation’s closet comes our main character Jon Martello. A man so fixated on himself (“my body, my pad, my ride, my family, my church, my boys, my girls, my porn”, as he famously says) that he’s just begging for a life lesson. 

Levitt uses his co-stars Scarlett Johansson (who gives a great performance in a part that was made for her) and Julianne Moore to show us Jon’s transformation. In “Barbara Sugarman” (Johansson) we have what Jon has been programmed to want all his life, but with “Esther” (Moore) is where Jon ultimately learns his greatest lesson in love. The film also features a great supporting cast, Jon’s family (Tony Danza, Glenne Headly, Brie Larson), which allow us to see why he is the way he is.

7) MP: Fruitvale Station

The real-life story of the murder of Oscar Grant on New Year's Day 2009. The movie begins and ends with the most heartbreaking moment of the year. First, we're presented with the real-life footage of the murder. I knew this was coming, but not right at the start. It makes everything we see afterwards of Oscar's last day just crushing.

Writer-director Ryan Coogler lets us sample Oscar's daily routine, and Michael B. Jordan lets us in with a brilliant performance. Oscar was just a young man trying to be a good father and provide for his family, something that I can definitely identify with.

The film shows us that Oscar wasn't perfect, like all of us, but it also shows us a side of him that was welcoming to others who didn't automatically write him off, like Katie at the supermarket, or a woman who needed to use the bathroom, or even a dog that gets run over and has no one else to help it. The film's impact on me was so powerful that after the final scene I could only think one thing: "I am never leaving my son again." I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to watch this film again, but I know that I will remember it forever.

7) Andrés: The Spectacular Now

If there’s a character that I can pick out from all the movies I saw this year that would be my favorite, that might be “Sutter Keely” (Miles Teller) from “The Spectacular Now”. An alcoholic, high-school senior with daddy issues who’s all about living in the “NOW”. After his girlfriend dumps him because of his alcoholism, he meets “Aimee Finecky” (Shailene Woodley), a girl you immediately feel sorry for because you know she’s too innocent to step into Sutter’s world without getting hurt. 

But their relationship actually blossoms into a beautiful love story. Aimee helps Sutter along the way to overcome some of his demons, such as the drinking and going to see his father who had abandoned him. 

Another film with a great supporting cast thanks to great work by Kyle Chandler and Brie Larson (more on her later). “The Spectacular Now”, just like “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” last year, takes you back to those teen movies of the 80s where you felt connected with the story and journey these kids are going through. 

6) MP: Frozen

Disney Animation Studios is back! Not since "The Lion King" had they captured the perfect mix of story, visuals, and music as they do here. The story of "Elsa" and "Anna" does for sisterhood what "The Lion King" did for father/son relationships. The original songs by husband and wife team Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez are unforgettable. Among the new classics are Olaf's "In Summer", the heartbreaking "Do You Want to Build a Snowman"(one of the biggest Oscar snubs of the year for me), and the showstopper "Let it Go" - the "Magic of the Movies" moment of the year.

This is the closest Disney has come to matching the Ashman/Menken renaissance of the late '80s / early '90s. They are definitely on a roll right now with "Tangled", "Wreck-it Ralph", and now "Frozen". Writer-director Jennifer Lee(the first woman to direct in Disney history) also co-wrote "Wreck-it Ralph" so there's something special there. With Executive Producer John Lasseter(of Pixar fame) at the helm, there's no doubt in my mind they can keep this team together and continue to make magic as only Disney knows how.

6) Andrés: This is the End

Perhaps my greatest pet peeve when it comes to the Academy is the fact that it simply does not recognize the comedy genre when it comes to the big awards. I think back to movies like “Caddyshack”, “Vacation”, “Dumb and Dumber”, “There’s Something About Mary”, “The 40-Year Old Virgin”, “Talladega Nights” etc… These are all movies among my favorites of all time (and I bet others feel the same way), and yet not a single nomination among them! The academy has to do something about this, but anyways, we can still enjoy movies like this year’s best comedy “This is the End”.

This movie is laugh-out-loud funny from the very beginning and I, for one, loved the idea by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg of using the real actors’ “alter egos”, if you will, as part of the story. Tell me you didn’t laugh-out-loud with Michael Cera’s brief cameo, Danny McBride’s evil ways, or Jonah Hill getting impregnated by the devil (“so something, umm, not so chill happened last night” LOL!). But looking back, I think what I’ll remember most of all is that awesome ending in heaven with one final laugh-out-loud moment when Jay’s greatest wish comes true as the Backstreet Boys come and sing us away.

5) MP: Her

Spike Jonze's 4th feature, the first in which he directs his own script, is basically a love story about a man and his computer. But it's actually about more than just love. It's also about the future of human interaction. In a not-so distant future Los Angeles, we get to experience the relationship between "Theodore Twombly"(Joaquin Phoenix) and his new Operating System, "Samantha"(the voice of Scarlett Johansson). We get to see Theodore and Samantha at the beach, on a double date in the park, and, in one of the most memorable scenes of the year, we experience what making love could feel like between them.

Mr. Phoenix gives a truly astounding performance, opposite a computer for most of the movie. Also, the visuals in this film are breathtaking. I'm hopeful that cities in the near future look this beautiful.

In my opinion, Jonze got snubbed for a Best Director nomination by the Academy. At least his visionary screenplay got nominated, and it looks like the favorite to take home the prize. Jonze actually received 3 nominations, for writing and producing the film, and for writing the original song "The Moon Song" with Karen O, so I guess he can't complain much. This is one film I recommend you go see in theaters before this sunday's Academy Awards, if you haven't seen it already, of course.

5) Andrés: Fruitvale Station 

Oscar Grant was just a young man trying to get his life together, just hoping for a second chance. Sadly he never got that chance as he was shot and killed during New Years 2009 at the Fruitvale train station, by a police officer no less. 

What makes this movie so great, and yet so maddening to watch, is the fact that this is something that happened in real life just a few years ago. So this is a reality that we are living in the world today! Not something that happened 40-50 years ago. 

“Fruitvale Station” is a powerful film that leaves you speechless in the end even though you knew what was coming (I remember feeling the same way after watching “Argo” last year). Props to Michael B. Jordan who does a great job as Oscar, a man just trying to get his life in order and do right by his daughter but sadly was never given that chance and passed away way too young. 

His final words “You shot me, I have a daughter” were just heartbreaking.

4) MP: Short Term 12

Writer-director Destin Daniel Cretton's first full length feature film, expanding his 22-minute short from 2008, tells the story of "Grace", a twenty-something woman who basically runs a facility for at-risk teens with nowhere else to go. As "Grace", Brie Larson gives one of the best performances of the year. It's a magnificent take on a woman in her early 20's who is emotionally tormented on the inside, but mature beyond her years on the outside. "Grace" becomes a mother figure, a big sister, and a best friend to all of the kids under her care. She also has to deal with some very serious personal issues, which come back to haunt her when she identifies with the newest member of the facility, all while trying to maintain a relationship with her co-worker Mason(John Gallagher). 

Overall, the film is an excellent depiction of the struggles teenagers and young adults face and how one person can always make a difference in their lives when they make an effort to connect.

4) Andrés: Dallas Buyers Club

Matthew McConaughey, as “Ron Woodroof”, gives the performance of a lifetime as a homophobic man who’s given 30 days to live after being diagnosed with AIDS. But through his disease he comes out a changed and better man thanks to the help he is able to provide for other AIDS patients by creating the Dallas Buyers Club.

McConaughey’s transformation into Ron Woodoof is just amazing and the Best Actor Oscar nomination was well deserved. But McConaughey’s performance comes up short in comparison to the brilliance that was Jared Leto’s portrayal of “Rayon”, Ron’s transgender partner in the Dallas Buyer Club. Leto makes you fall in love with “Rayon” and gives the movie its great heart. He’s an absolute lock to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar.  

3) MP: Gravity

If you could've only seen one movie from 2013 in theaters, this was it. This film is why movie theaters exist in the first place! Alfonso Cuarón outdoes himself with this film, and cements his place among the greatest living directors, if, for some reason, he wasn't there already. I was fortunate enough to experience this film in theaters, in 3D, and I can honestly say that it is one moviegoing experience I will never forget! You feel like you're on an amusement park thrill ride. Once it's over, and at just over 90 minutes it goes by pretty fast, you can't wait to get back on.

For those who haven't seen it, it will be available on Blu-Ray and DVD tomorrow. While I can't guarantee you'll have the same experience I had in the theater, this film is still a must watch for all the wonders and terrors it holds. Plus, it's currently the co-favorite to win Best Picture at this sunday's Academy Awards, so there's that reason.

3) Andrés: Short Term 12

I absolutely loved “Short Term 12”. Any other year this is a Best Picture winner if you ask me. In this story of a foster care facility for teenagers, we’re introduced to “Grace” (Brie Larson) who’s in charge of the group and battles her own demons while trying to help these kids cope with theirs. 

When we meet the newest member of the group, “Jayden” (Kaitlyn Dever), Grace immediately identifies with her and her own troubled past comes to light, but she’ll always put the wellbeing of the kids she cares for first. That’s what makes her so great, and Brie Larson absolutely nails the performance in a star-making turn for her. 

The film teaches us a valuable lesson in not judging people without understanding what they might be going through. As “Marcus” (Keith Stanfield) raps to us in what was perhaps the most powerful scene I saw all year: “Put a label on my head so you know what it’s like, to live a life not knowing what a normal life’s like. Look into my eyes so you know what it’s like! Look into my eyes so you know what it’s like! Look into my eyes so you know what it’s like, to live a life not knowing what a normal life’s like.”

2) MP: Before Midnight

The conclusion(?) to Jesse and Celine's story is the best representation of a 9-year relationship I have ever seen. I would know, since my own relationship is about to turn 10 this summer. Those marathon fights where you feel totally exhausted at the end... Yeah, I've been there. The conversations about your careers and the future of your family... been there too. I've also been known to eat my son's food when he falls asleep from time to time, same as Jesse. 

I identify so much with these characters, maybe because they fell in love in Vienna, same as my wife and I, or because they got together in 2004, same as my wife and I, but maybe it's because Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke, and Julie Delpy have done such a fabulous job of taking their own personal experiences, blending them together, and creating one of the greatest love stories of all time. You heard me!

2) Andrés: The Wolf of Wall Street

The true story of the life of Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) is an absolute HOME RUN and the fact that it’s not #1 on my list will cause me to lose sleep the night of the Oscars. I don’t know how Martin Scorsese does it but he’s the only man who can continue to do 3-hour movies that will entertain you from the 1^st minute to the very end. 

Yes it is a bit over the top, but that’s exactly what Belfort’s life was like according to his book, which the screenplay is based on. Belfort and his partner Donnie Azoff’s (Jonah Hill) drunken and drug induced behavior is downright CRAZY! And I loved every minute of it.

Why are we not talking more about this movie!?  It’s Scorsese’s best work since “Goodfellas”, and I feel as if it’s falling through the cracks in a crowded year for movies. But make no mistake about it, we will be talking about this film years from now as an ALL-TIME great!

1) MP: 12 Years a Slave

We know what we're in for from the title, but director Steve McQueen manages to jolt us in a way we could've never imagined. He jumps right in with an opening scene of what Solomon experiences during one random night as a slave. From that moment, he jumps to the past, when Solomon is a free man with his family in the north. This initial contrast gives the film a sense of impending doom, as the audience is now fully aware of Solomon's upcoming fate. Or are they? You see, this opening scene is just the tip of the iceberg of what Solomon experiences during his "12 Years a Slave".

An excellent cast, led by Chiwetel Ejiofor(the best performance of the year in my book) as Solomon Northup, takes John Ridley's excellent screenplay, adapted from Northup's book, to extraordinary levels. Any other year, Steve McQueen would runaway with the Best Director Oscar, but Cuarón decided to release his movie about space on the same year. McQueen's visual style is perfect to tell this story. Some scenes are so intense you feel you have to look away. But then again, McQueen makes us all confront the atrocities of slavery, in its most visceral depiction to date, making it our moral obligation to watch every second and reflect as a society just how exactly we've gotten to where we are today.

"12 Years a Slave" is currently the favorite to win Best Picture at this sunday's Academy Awards. It's still in theaters, so if you haven't seen it you still have a chance. It's quite simply, a Masterpiece.

1) Andrés: 12 years a slave

If I feel we’re going to be talking about my #2 film for years as an all-time great then my #1 movie is, dare I say it, one of the best of all time! 

Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” is an historic film about the true story of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and his struggle being held captive as a slave for 12 years. McQueen takes us on a journey through the realities of slavery in the 19^th century that still has me picking up my jaw off the floor. 

This film is downright brutal to watch, and that’s what makes it so great. If you want to make a great movie about slavery and make it seem real, it has to be brutal because slavery was brutal. McQueen understood this and relays it on point to the audience without crossing any lines. What an incredibly tight rope to work through and what an excellent final product was delivered.

The cast was excellent as well, with Ejiofor being in contention for Best Actor and Lupita Nyong’o being the favorite to win the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. Michael Fassbender might as well have delivered the best performance of all in the film (but sadly he’s in the same category as Jared Leto for his award). 

Simply put, I’ll copy my brother’s words and say that “12 Years a Slave” is a MASTERPIECE!

8 Top 8 Lists for 2013 (WARNING: SPOILERS)

So yesterday, 2 days after Valentine's Day, still feeling in the mood for love, I decided to watch one of my favorite movies on the subject: "High Fidelity". For those who haven't seen it, the main character, Rob Gordon(played by John Cusack, who also co-wrote the movie), is trying to reorganize his life after his most recent break-up and decides to make a list of his Top 5 Most Memorable Break-Ups. Rob, along with his record store employees Dick(Todd Louiso) and Barry(Jack Black, playing a precursor to Dewey Finn), are actually compulsive list-makers who create Top 5 Lists for every conceivable topic. Along the way, they get to 8 different topics, some that they complete, including Top 5 Songs About Death, and some that are left incomplete, including Top 5 Songs to Play on a Monday Morning. I highly recommend this movie for anyone who enjoys music, love, life, and lists about all these topics!

Because the #8 is sort of my lucky number, and as my way to present my own fun lists, while paying tribute to "High Fidelity" in the process, I give you my 8 Top 8 Lists for 2013 (Note: Not included in these 8 lists are my Best and Worst Movies of the Year. Those will be posted next week) Enjoy!

I Most "Unforgettable" Scenes of the Year
 
  8) "The Exorcism of Jonah Hill" - "This is the End"
       In a movie full of laugh-out-loud moments, this was the funniest one for me.
  7) "Marcus's Rap" - "Short Term 12"
       We should all make sure to get to know someone before we judge them.
  6) "Solomon's Hanging" - "12 Years a Slave
       I wanted to climb inside the screen and help him, since no one else could.
  5) "Let it Go" - "Frozen"
       The "Magic of the Movies" moment of the year.
  4) "Murder of Oscar Grant" - "Fruitvale Station"
       The most heartbreaking moment of the year, twice in one film.
  3) "Opening Tracking Shot" - "Gravity"
       13 minutes of all the wonders and terrors of space, in spectacular 3D!
  2) "Hotel Room Fight" - "Before Midnight"
       The best depiction of "true love" in film in recent memory.
  1) "Popeye to the Rescue" - "The Wolf of Wall Street"
       After watching this, I am never touching drugs, ever! The funniest scene of the year, by far.

II Most "Quotable" Lines of the Year

  8) "Amy" : "We are only here briefly, and in this moment I wanna allow myself joy" - "Her"

       Great words to live by.

  7) "Capt. Kirk" : "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. I only know what I can do." 

      "Star Trek into Darkness"

       Speaking of words to live by, this should be Kirk's life motto. Defines him perfectly.

  6) "Jonah Hill" : "Dear God, it's me, Jonah Hill ... from Moneyball" - "This is the End"

       Because God is watching all the Academy Award nominated films nowadays.

  5) "Solomon" : "I don't want to survive. I want to live." - "12 Years a Slave

       Solomon would finally get his life back, 12 years after making this statement.

  4) "Celine" : "Well, it must have been one hell of a night we're about to have." - "Before Midnight"

       I guess we'll be meeting Jesse and Celine again 9 years from now. Can't wait!

  3) "Jordan" : "I will not die sober!" - "The Wolf of Wall Street" 

       This, while his 170-foot yacht is about to crash into a 50-foot rogue wave.

  2) "Muse" : "Look at me. Look at me. I'm the captain now." - "Captain Phillips"

       Perfect delivery by first-time actor Barkhad Abdi

  1) "Oscar" : "You shot me ... I got a daughter." - "Fruitvale Station"

       This line was taken directly from an actual eyewitness report of the incident. Just heartbreaking.

      

III Acting "MVPs" of the Year

  8) Scarlett Johansson : "Her" , "Don Jon"

       Finally matching the potential shown over 10 years ago with 2 solid performances in 2013

  7) Christian Bale : "American Hustle" , "Out of the Furnace"

       This guy can do anything. Simply one of the best, if not the best, of his generation.

  6) Amy Adams : "American Hustle" , "Her" , "Man of Steel"

       That's 5 Oscar nominations now before the age of 40. Kate Winslet won on her 6th try, just saying.

  5) Tom Hanks : "Captain Phillips" , "Saving Mr. Banks" , *"Toy Story of Terror"

       That ending! Plus, he reprised his role of Sheriff Woody. Not for a feature film, but who cares.

  4) Jonah Hill : "The Wolf of Wall Street" , "This is the End"

       Appears in the 2 funniest scenes of the year, for me. 

  3) Brie Larson : "Short Term 12" , "The Spectacular Now" , "Don Jon" , *"Community"

       Breakthrough Artist of the Year! The next Kate Winslet, perhaps?

  2) Leonardo DiCaprio : "The Wolf of Wall Street" , "The Great Gatsby"

       2 more fabulous lead performances to add to his spectacular career.

  1) Matthew McConaughey : "Dallas Buyers Club" , "The Wolf of Wall Street" , "Mud"

      The McConaissance is upon us!

IV Best Performances of the Year

  8) Michael Fassbender as "Edwin Epps" in "12 Years a Slave"

       An incredibly intense performance that is an integral part of the film's success.

  7) Joaquin Phoenix as "Theodore Twombley" in "Her"

       A truly beautiful performance, opposite a computer for most of the movie. 

  6) Leonardo DiCaprio as "Jordan Belfort" in "The Wolf of Wall Street"

       That's 4 acting Oscar nominations for Leo, and he's still just 39! Seems like he's been around 

       forever, but his performances, just like his looks, keep getting better with age.

  5) Matthew McConaughey as "Ron Woodroof" in "Dallas Buyers Club"

       A career defining performance for Mr. McConaughey. The physical transformation of the year!

  4) Brie Larson as "Grace" in "Short Term 12"

       Larson is in her early 20s, but her performance gives "Grace" the emotional depth of a woman 

       twice her age. It's that good!

  3) Lupita Nyong'o as "Patsey" in "12 Years a Slave"

       Best Feature Film Debut Performance in quite some time.

  2) Jared Leto as "Rayon" in "Dallas Buyers Club"

       Let's hope Mr. Leto can find the time to keep acting after this unforgettable performance.

  1) Chiwetel Ejiofor as "Solomon Northup" in "12 Years a Slave"

       For my money, the most physically and emotionally demanding performance of the year, and 

       Mr. Ejiofor knocks it out of the park!

V Most "Fascinating" Characters (characters I loved) of the Year

  8) "Gary King" , played by Simon Pegg in "The World's End"

       Everyone, including his friends, hates him. But somehow, we're in love with him in the end.

  7) "The Mandarin"/"Trevor Slattery" , played by Ben Kingsley in "Iron Man 3"

       Great social commentary on the media, great execution on the reveal, and a great performance by 

       Mr. Kingsley. The look on Tony Stark's face in that scene says it all.

  6) "Rayon" , played by Jared Leto in "Dallas Buyers Club"

       Isn't perfect by any means, but his love & support for "Ron" leaves a lasting impact.

  5) "Samantha" , played by Scarlett Johansson in "Her"

       This OS manages to connect with "Theodore" in a way that no other human partner could.

  4) "Jordan Belfort" , played by Leonardo DiCaprio in "The Wolf of Wall Street"

       Greed isn't just good for this guy. For Mr. Belfort, greed is a way of life.

  3) "Ron Woodroof" , played by Matthew McConaughey in "Dallas Buyers Club"

       Faced with a 30 day death sentence, Mr. Woodroof does anything and everything possible to 

       survive. Along the way, his world view changes and he ultimately helps others who share his fight.

  2) "Grace" , played by Brie Larson in "Short Term 12"

       Emotionally tormented on the inside, but mature beyond her years on the outside.

  1) "Jesse and Celine" , played by Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in "Before Midnight"

       The characters I identified with the most this year. As simple as that.

VI Most "Villainous" Characters (characters I loved to hate) of the Year

  8) "The Network" in "The World's End"

       They smartly realized that dealing with "Gary King" just wasn't worth it.

  7) "Space" in "Gravity"

       Yes, Space is a major character in this movie, in case you didn't notice, and a scary one at that.

  6) "Bathsheba" in "The Conjuring"

       Made scarier by the fact that the movie is based on real-life paranormal events.

  5) "Mr. Brown" and "Mr. Hamilton" in "12 Years a Slave"

       The 2 men who conned, drugged, and sold "Solomon" into slavery.

  4) "Stratton Oakmont Team" in "The Wolf of Wall Street"

       Some of the most repulsive behavior ever put on film.

  3) "Danny McBride" , played by Danny McBride in "This is the End"

       From his first moment to his last he is an unstoppable force of mayhem.

  2) "BART Police Officers" in "Fruitvale Station"

       Even worse when you learn that the officer who shot "Oscar" spent only 2 years in prison.

  1) "Edwin Epps" , played by Michael Fassbender in "12 Years a Slave"

       Reminded me of "Amon Goeth" in "Schindler's List", but way more intense.

VII Most "Irritating" Characters (characters I just hated) of the Year

  8) "Superman" , played by Henry Cavill in "Man of Steel"

       Why would "Superman" ever need to kill anyone? "Batman" better watch his back.

  7) "Holly Jones" , played by Melissa Leo in "Prisoners"

       The twist was not shocking at all, for me. Plus, after everything she's done throughout the years she 

       gets to die without suffering or spending 1 second in prison.

  6) "P.L. Travers" , played by Emma Thompson in "Saving Mr. banks"

       I'm never watching "Mary Poppins" again! What an unlikeable person!

  5) "Brandy Clark" , played by Aubrey Plaza in "The To-Do List"

       Another very unlikeable person.

  4) "Martin Walker" , played by James Woods in "White House Down"

       So his son dies defending the nation, something that is definitely part of the job description, and he 

       decides to attack the White House?!? Why not go to some grief counseling session instead?

  3) "Rosalyn Rosenfeld" & "Richie DiMaso" , played by Jennifer Lawrence & Bradley Cooper

       "American Hustle"

       The film focuses too much on these two, who don't have a redeeming quality between them, 

       instead of focusing more on "Irving" & "Sydney", who were actually pretty interesting characters.    

  2) "John McLane" , played by Bruce Willis in "A Good Day to Die Hard"

       It's a good day to stop making Die Hard movies. Really, just stop, please.

  1) "Deirdre Banks" , played by Vinessa Shaw(of Hocus Pocus & Ladybugs fame) in "Side Effects"

       Gets the award for Worst Wife of the Year, of any year for that matter.

VIII Most Disappointing Movies of the Year

  8) "Now You See Me" - Good cast with not-so-good material.

  7) "Side Effects" - This could really be Soderbergh's last feature film? This movie made no sense.

  6) "Elysium" - Blomkamp's follow-up to "District 9" with Matt Damon as the lead. Just didn't work.

  5) "Prisoners" - After 2 and a half hours, definitely the Worst Ending of the year.

  4) "Saving Mr. Banks" - Why would Disney ever want to tell this story? No one looks good here.

  3) "Star Trek into Darkness" - I enjoyed it more than most, but the fact is they took a step back.

  2) "Monsters University" - I'm not liking mediocre Pixar. At least my son doesn't mind, for now.

  1) "American Hustle" - It was just "OK". Definitely not what I expected from this talented group.

       

A Love Letter to "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (WARNING: SPOILERS)

"Random thoughts for Valentine's Day, 2004"

"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" opens with this line, on this day, exactly 10 years ago. We meet Joel Barish(Jim Carrey), an introverted man who spontaneously decides to ditch work and take a train to Montauk instead. Once there, on the beach, he spots a woman wearing a bright orange sweater and is immediately attracted to her. The woman is Clementine Kruczynski(Kate Winslet), and on the train ride back home, they hit it off. Clementine is edgy, impulsive, and a little nutty. Joel appears to only want to share his thoughts with his journal. They are total opposites who seem to have been destined to meet on this particular day.

After a successful first date the next night, things seem to be going great between Joel and Clementine, when suddenly the movie appears to jump ahead to a post-breakup scene of a distraught Joel in his car. The quirky score gives a feeling that something strange is going on, and that's because the movie has actually jumped backwards, to the night before Valentine's Day and the end of Joel and Clementine's first relationship. I remember being a little confused by this when I first saw the movie, but it all makes perfect sense once you know what to look for. Every detail in this movie is meticulously thought out and it demands the viewer's utmost attention in order to be able to take it all in.

From this point forward, the movie presents Joel and Clementine's entire first relationship in reverse order, from their last bitter fight to when they first met, all inside Joel's mind. This scenario is presented beautifully thanks to Charlie Kaufman's groundbreaking Academy Award winning screenplay and Michel Gondry's excellent direction. Kaufman's screenplay takes us on an incredible journey inside Joel's mind, but we never feel lost. The entire team of artists collaborating on this film blended marvelously together to create a truly revelatory work of art. This includes the creative use of visual effects, the terrific cinematography and editing, the beautiful original score, and the perfect cast.

Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet both give extraordinary performances playing against type. It's as if the movie was supposed to be about Julia and Clement but each actor decided they preferred the other's part. Carrey's performance represents a career peak, and 10 years later he's still without an Academy Award nomination(Boo!), and will probably never receive another role as good as this one. Winslet received the only other Oscar nomination for the film, losing her bid for Best Actress. She would win an Oscar on her 6th nomination, in 2008 for The Reader, a much safer performance than the one she gives as Clementine. The supporting cast, led by Kirsten Dunst and Tom Wilkinson, also gets to shine.

The strange attraction that draws Joel and Clementine together in the beginning of the film is down to the fact that, until very recently, they were lovers. After their last fight, Clementine decided to erase Joel from her memory. When Joel learns about this, he decides to do the same. What neither of them counted on was on the human condition to seek out what we love and what we crave. We all have natural feelings and impulses that lead us to act in certain ways. Once Joel becomes self aware inside his head and realizes what is going on, he tries to stop it. His memories of Clementine are being erased one by one, and when he reaches the happier moments of their relationship, he regrets his decision.

"Please let me keep this memory ... just this one"

When his pleas are not answered, Joel enlists the help of his projection of Clementine in order to escape the procedure and preserve their memories together. Since Clementine is the impulsive one, she comes up with all the ideas. It's Clementine who says to Joel: "Wake Yourself Up". She also suggests he should hide her in his most buried memories, moments of childhood angst and teenage humiliation. They manage to get "off track", but not for long. Once they reach their final memory together, Clementine suggests one final thing: "Meet me in Montauk". It's safe to assume that Clementine had the same impulse during her procedure, in order for them to find each other back where they first met.

'How happy is the blameless vestal's lot/

The world forgetting by the world forgot/

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind/

Each pray'r accepted and each wish resign'd'

Kirsten Dunst's character, Mary Svevo, recites this quote, from the poem "Eloisa to Abelard" by Alexander Pope, to Dr. Howard Mierzwyak of Lacuna Inc. while he erases Joel's memories of Clementine. Throughout the movie, Mary is the biggest supporter of this procedure and its ability to give adults a fresh start. Her perspective changes, however, when she declares her love for Howard and subsequently learns they had a past relationship which had been erased from her memory. The film never shows us anything about Mary's procedure, same as Clementine. What we do know is that Mary was able to recapture the same feelings she had for Dr. Mierzwyak in the past.

That same impulse is the one the process can't erase. It's the reason why Joel and Clementine were able to find each other again and it's the reason Mary falls in love with Howard all over again. All humans have impulses, feelings, and desires that will make us seek out the things we love, the things we crave, and the things that inspire us. Mary immediately realizes all the negative effects this procedure can have on someone and decides to send all the files the company has to every one of its former clients, including Joel and Clementine. In the poem Mary recites, "Eloisa" is envious of others who have no memories of heartbreak to torment them, similar to how Mary felt before she learned about her past.

Would we really be happier if we were able to forget our sad memories? This is the central question posed in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and the film gives a resounding answer: NO!

When we look back on our relationships, it's easier to go in reverse order. The most recent memories are the freshest in our minds. We tend to forget many details from those first tender moments with our partners, but we usually remember most details from some of the more recent, unpleasant moments. "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" tells us that we should do all we can to preserve all of our precious memories. Each one of our memories, the good and the bad, make us who we are today. We accept that there will be bad memories because this allows us to experience the great ones. In the final scene, Joel and Clementine come to this realization, even after hearing everything they're not gonna like about each other. They both say "OK" because they know that a lifetime of good memories is worth the plenty of bad ones that will probably occur.

What if you or I were faced with this situation? Would we be able to make the same decision as Joel and Clementine? I know my answer would be an emphatic "OK".

Aside from marking the release of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", 2004 is also special in my life because it was the year I met my wife. We met on a bus, not a train, but like Joel and Clementine, we seemed to be destined to find each other. If someone would've come up to me right when we met and told me a list of all of her annoying habits, which I would come to "lovingly" hate all these years later, would I still have "taken the plunge"? ABSOLUTELY!!! In the last 10 years we have created so many wonderful memories together that far outweigh all the negative ones we've also had. You learn to take the bad with the good, and when the good includes traveling the world, our wedding day, starting a family, and other UNFORGETTABLE moments, the bad becomes something you can definitely live with.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!