Years Ago...

Years ago I started this blog to put supposedly test myself and get out there. Obviously that didn't work out to well. I'm back at it again this time to be me. No secrets, no shame, just me being me. There will be some fun like my top 50 movies list, comic book characters, etc. There will be some heartache (see blog entry "The One That got Away") but in the end it will all be me. I was afraid to put this out but it's high time to push past my fears and kick down the doors of the unknown. I just hope those doors don't swing close in my face. You may say to yourself why should I read this blog and I don't have a real answer for you. I just want you to give it a chance if you like great stick around if you don't then thank you for your time.  This blog will be my word, my code and my heart.


Brownbear

Top 50 Movies List #49

49. The Last Castle

This gem stars the excellent Robert Redford as disgraced Army General Eugene Irwin as he is imprisoned for disobeying a presidential order. With his record and status he could easily get a reduced sentence and serve out time in a lesser prison but Gen. Irwin feels that is not the honorable way to do this. For the men he lost he chooses to give up his life and serve his sentence.  There is under the command of the prison's warden Colonel Winter played by the late great James Gandofini. When the two men meet Col. Winter is an great admirer of Gen. Irwin. But as time progresses and Gen. Irwin's popularity grows admiration turns to resentment making Winter hell bent on showing that he is the law of the prison.

This movie is a well acted masterpiece led by Redford and Gandofini. As the two career military men play a very important strategic game of chess you feel the tension and consequence of each move. The 2 legendary actors are not alone as the are joined by Delroy Lindry and Mark Ruffalo. Lindry plays the best friend of Irwin, Brigadier Gen. Wheeler. Wheeler is also Winter's superior. Wheeler just wants his friend to give up this noble cause of serving time for the lives of the men he's lost and come home. Ruffalo shines as former helicopter pilot Yates. Yates was convicted of organizing a drug smuggling ring and is very anti social. As an outsider to the rest of the prisoner population who adores Irwin, Winter uses Yates as a spy to gain intel.  The final act of the moving is thrilling and moving battle for the prison with a great finish. This movie moves me everytime I see it and reminds me that there is still great acting talent in the good ole US.


This is My word, my code...Peace!


Brownbear

Top 50 Movies List #50

50. Robin Hood: Men in Tights

Just so you understand I love spoof movies, especially the works of one Mel Brooks. The man is a comedic genius and it shows in one of his last films. He is a master at making a cast gel and getting the most out of his actors. The film spoofs the iconic Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner.  'Robin Hood: Men in Tights' stars Cary Elwes as the title character. Elwes is joined by a great cast such as Richard Lewis as "Prince John", Dave Chappelle as "Ahcoo", Roger Rees as "the Sheriff of Rottingham and Tracey Ullman as the witch "Latrine". There are a bunch of awesome cameos, from the likes of Issac Hayes, Patrick Stewart, Dom DeLouise and a bunch others.

Men in Tights does a great job of keeping the spoof on track with the movie it is spoofing, unlike spoof movies today that are disjointed spoofing whole genres instead of one singular film. The jokes are well timed and for the most parts hit there mark. Mel Brooks comedies always get me because he was not a respecter of person when it came to making fun of people. He had the guts to do what was funny and in todays PC world that would not fly. There was the great jab at Costner not having an English accent as Robin Hood, also having Friar Tuck be Rabbi Tuckman was an especially nice touch. There was also the Men in Tights Broadway-esque dance number which was down right hilarious. This is an hilarious movie that everyone should try at least once.

This is my word, my code, peace!!!

Marqees aka Brownbear