Just think of the wild assortment of movie characters that you have seen over the years. Is it any surprise to see that some of them needed a psychiatrist? That is my focus in today’s Phenomenal 5. When putting this together I was surprised at the number of movie psychiatrists that came to mind. It was truly painful to leave a couple of them off, but that is the name of the game. Obviously with so many I wouldn’t consider this the definitive list. But I gladly call each of these movie psychiatrists phenomenal.

#5 – Dr. Malcolm Crowe (“The Sixth Sense”)

Dr. Malcolm Crowe was an accomplished and honored child psychiatrist. But all of his confidence is shattered after a tragic incident involving a former patient. Months after the tragedy he reluctantly begins treating a 9-year old boy whose case is very similar to that of his former patient. The two develop an almost therapeutic relationship that is tender, compelling, but also opens things up to some real eerie suspense. Crowe is a fantastic character and a shining example of what M. Night Shyamalan is capable of. Now if only we could see that side of him again.

#4 – Dr. Leo Marvin (“What About Bob”)

One of my favorite comedies of the 1990s was “What About Bob”. Bill Murray plays a happy-go-lucky man battling all sorts of different phobias. You name it, Bob probably fears it. He is passed on to Dr. Leo Marvin, a psychiatrist who is getting a lot of praise for his work and his successful new book. The problem is he never had a patient like Bob. Bob obsesses over his new doctor to the point of secretly following Dr. Marvin as he vacations with his family. Bob just never goes away and throughout the movie we watch him drive the doctor he loves insane. Richard Dreyfuss is fantastic in the role of Dr. Marvin and his wacky chemistry with Murray is undeniable.

#3 – Dr. Sean Maguire (“Good Will Hunting”)

Knowing Robin Williams and the assortment of roles he has played over his career, you would think he would be a lot more comfortable playing the patient instead of the psychiatrist. Surprisingly though, he is absolutely brilliant as Dr. Sean Maguire in the 1997 drama “Good Will Hunting”. Williams would go on to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of the caring but aggressive therapist. Will Hunting (Matt Damon) has ran off a number of well-meaning psychiatrists, but when Dr. Sean shows he can take Will’s punishment the lines of communication begin to open up. Williams and Damon share a number of great scenes that drive the film as a whole.

#2 – Dr. Samuel Loomis (“Halloween”)

If you met Dr. Loomis on the streets of Haddonfield, Illinois you would probably think he was the insane one. That is until you saw the trail of grisly murders and terror left by psychotic killer Michael Myers. Dr. Loomis was Michael’s psychiatrist during his 15 years as a patient in Grove Sanitarium. No one knows Michael better than Loomis. When Michael escapes the hospital Loomis uses that knowledge to predict Michael will return to his home town. Boy was he right. Loomis frantically searches the small town while also trying to convince local law enforcement that they have a real problem on their hands. Donald Pleasence is a hoot and he gives Dr. Samuel Loomis a ton of character.

#1 – Dr. Hannibal Lecter (“The Silence of the Lambs”)

Of all the assignments to get as one of your first in the FBI! Agent Clarice Starling is tasked with interviewing the incarcerated Dr. Hannibal Lecter in hopes of gleaning information about a wanted serial killer named Buffalo Bill. Dr. Lecter is a former psychiatrist who had to leave his practice due to problems with cannibalism and some serial killing of his own. Dr. Lecter uses an assortment of creepy mindgames on Agent Starling while at the same time developing a very odd relationship with her. Lecter is disturbing and sometimes downright terrifying. Anthony Hopkins won the Oscar for his performance which is still unsettling and unforgettable.

So there they are. The doctors are in. Which of these psychiatrists would have made your list? Who did I miss? Please take time to share you picks in the comments section below.

It can’t only be reviews, Phenomenal 5 lists, and commentaries, right? Know Your Movies is all about having fun. Here’s how it works: I’ll share a single shot from a movie. It can be extremely serious or completely absurd. After that I’ll provide you with three hints. The rest is up to you. Hop in the comments section and share your guess as well as any thoughts or memories you have on the movie, actor/actress, or the scene itself. It should be a blast.

Today’s image is from a film that is another of my favorites of all time. So here is the shot. Three hints will follow.

Hint 1: Released in 2007

Hint 2: Most of the film was shot in Las Vegas, New Mexico

Hint 3: Nominated for 8 Oscars winning 4

Now head to the comments and share your guess. It’s a great shot that should make it obvious for some. I would also love to hear your thoughts on the film, the scene, or anything else related to it. Now feel free to guess and discuss this modern movie classic.

Could it actually be summer time already??? The spring movie season has come and gone and it could be argued that some of the year’s biggest movies have come and gone. But there are still several interesting and not-so-interesting movies on the summer horizon. So here is how this works: First I’ll talk about the summer releases that I am genuinely interested in and want to spread the word about. These are films I’ll certainly flaunt. I’m also going to pick five releases that are (from my perspective) toilet ready. These I’ll flush. It’s ‘Flaunt It or Flush It’ time again.

FLAUNT ‘EM

“Edge of Tomorrow” (June 6, 2014) – I know Tom Cruise has gained many detractors over the years but I have to say I still really like him when he has the right material. “Edge of Tomorrow” looks like it could be really good science fiction material. It involves alien invasions, a futuristic military, and the real kicker – time loops. But perhaps the cake topper is Emily Blunt who is one of my favorite actresses working today. She’s terribly underappreciated and I can’t wait to see what she brings to the film. There are calls to be cautious, but I think this could be a really good time. My fingers are crossed and my hopes are high that this will be a real treat this summer.

“The Rover” (June 12, 2014) – I’m usually excited anytime I see that Guy Pearce has a new film being released. I was even more excited when I heard his new movie “The Rover” was written and directed by David Michod, the filmmaker who gave us “Animal Kingdom”. “The Rover” is described as a futuristic western set on the outback. The trailer looks rugged and gritty and even Robert Pattinson looks intriguing. This may not be a movie that has found its way onto your radar, but this Australian dystopian crime thriller looks like it could be fantastic and Guy Pearce looks like the perfect lead. I’m onboard.

“Guardians of the Galaxy” (August 1, 2014) – When I first heard that Marvel Studios was doing a movie based on their lesser known Guardians of the Galaxy characters I really thought they were finally overstepping their bounds. I didn’t see any way that the movie could find an audience. But then I saw the trailer and I noticed the tone that writer and director James Gunn was shooting for. Now I’m completely onboard. This thing looks like a blast. A buffed up Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Lee Pace, Benicio del Toro, Glen Close, John C. Reilly, Michael Rooker. A wonderful assortment of fine actors and a superhero story that goes beyond quirky. Yep, I’ll flaunt it!

“Boyhood” (July 11, 2014) – Richard Linklater has given us some of the best character studies ever put to film. He is a master of capturing relationships, emotions, and settings while soaking them with an undeniable authenticity. “Boyhood” may be his most fascinating and challenging project. It’s a story about a boy and the evolution of his relationship with his two divorced parents. Linklater started the film in 2002 when his young lead actor was 7 years old. For each of the next 12 years he brought his actors back together to film portions of this movie in order to capture the authenticity of growing up from a child into a young adult. It’s incredibly ambitious and it looks like a personal labor of love.

“Lucy” (August 8, 2014) – In many ways “Lucy” looks like the anti-superhero superhero movie. Scarlett Johansson stars as the title character, a woman forced by a drug mob to do their bidding. But when a particular drug implanted into her system goes haywire, she is endowed with superhuman abilities. The question is how will she use them? This looks like a film loaded with potential. It’s written and directed by Luc Besson which could either be a really good thing (“Leon: The Professional”) or a really bad thing (“Taken 2”). Right now I’m giving it the benefit of the doubt because the early trailer really won me over and Johansson should knock it out of the park.

FLUSH ‘EM

“22 Jump Street” (June 13, 2014) – Yes I understand that the first film in this series found a big audience. I have to admit that I don’t understand why. I tried to watch it, but by the midway point it had milked it’s one big joke dry. Now we are in for more of the same brain-dead humor only now the setting is college instead of high school. Wow, what a major turn. Channing Tatum (an actor that I’m still not impressed with) and Jonah Hill (an actor I’m even less impressed with) are back along with the obnoxious Ice Cube. I have no doubt that this movie will make a bunch of money, but for me it’s a flusher all the way and I’m avoiding it at all costs.

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (August 8, 2014) – I have to admit that I thought I was having my leg pulled when I heard they were bringing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles back to the big screen. But then I saw Michael Bay’s name attached and I knew it must be true. To make matters worse, then I saw the first teaser trailer and I knew this would be a flusher. There are so many things that push me away. First off, the CGI turtles look freaky. And then you have Oscar caliber talent like Megan Fox and Johnny Knoxville. I don’t see this thing working in any regard and all of the crappy uninteresting components looks to be enough to snuff out any bit of nostalgia. This is a movie that I could completely do without.

“Think Like A Man Too” (June 20, 2014) – Tell me if you have heard this before – a group of friends head to the wild and raucous land of Las Vegas to sew some wild oats prior to an upcoming wedding. Totally original material, right? That’s what you get from “Think Like A Man Too”. It’s listed as a romantic comedy but there’s nothing in the trailer that looks either romantic or funny. To make matters even worse, the movie stars the loud and utterly obnoxious Kevin Hart, an actor whose shtick is about as entertaining as a root canal. This movie looks about as dopey and unoriginal as anything else we will see in 2014.

“Tammy” (July 2, 2014) – What pops into your mind when you hear that Melissa McCarthy has a new movie? Here’s what I think: It’s Melissa McCarthy playing a goofy and eccentric oddball with a foul mouth and an endless supply of weight gags. Much like so many others in the modern comedy genre, McCarthy has become a one-trick pony and her act does nothing for me. Long gone are her great days from “The Gilmore Girls”. I do think she has some genuine talent but she’s fallen into this lame R-rated comedy rut and “Tammy” just looks like more of the same. No thank you. I’m flushing this one without an ounce of hesitation.

“Step Up: All In” (July 25, 2014) – How on earth is this series still in existence? Has it honestly developed that big of a following? Do people genuinely care enough to warrant movie after movie? Apparently so and it boggles my mind. Yes we are getting yet another “Step Up” movie and there is nothing that makes me think this one will be any better than the others. Look, I understand that it’s all about the dancing and you can’t take the “acting” or even the story seriously, but I need more than these movies provide. I know that somewhere there are people anxiously anticipating this movie. But me, I’ll flush it and pop in a Gene Kelly film instead.

CINEMA SNAPSHOT

“Dazed and Confused” (1993)

Those not familiar with the teen culture of the time may not appreciate the magic of a place like Emporium in Richard Linklater’s teen comedy “Dazed and Confused”. Long gone are the days of small town teen hangouts but at the time cruising and hanging out on a Friday and Saturday night were a key part of a teenagers social experience. Often times a place like Emporium served as the central hub that brought everyone together.

In “Dazed and Confused” Emporium is bustling with life. Loud music fills the building and only the laughter of the young patrons is louder. It’s also where the cooler older kids hang out, something the underclassmen know all too well. Pool tables, fuzzball, and jukeboxes keep the kid’s attention but it’s the social interaction that makes a place like Emporium so special. Linklater perfectly captures this lost period pleasure that many from the 1950s all the way to my generation in the 1980s remember well. Who wouldn’t love to hang out at Emporium?

My week-long look at my favorite film “Casablanca” continues with a glance behind the scenes of this classic movie. Every film, regardless of how big or how small, has stories about its creation. Below are a handful of behind the scenes photos that I hope fans of “Casablanca” or classic movies in general will enjoy.

A promotional still featuring cast members from “Casablanca”. Included in the photo are Humphrey Bogart, Claude Rains, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid

Cast members of “Casablanca” were known to spend down time enjoying competitive games of chess. In fact, it is said that while watching Bergman play, Bogart uttered “Here’s looking at you”, a phrase that he would bring into the movie via improvisation. Of course that line would become one of the film’s many memorable quotes.

Julies and Philip Epstein were screenwriting brothers who worked on much of the “Casablanca” script. They would leave midway through to help Frank Capra on the “Why We Fight” documentary series following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Afterwards they returned to “Casablanca” and took over for fill-in writer Howard Koch. All three men would win Oscars for their collaborative screenplay.

This is a studio set still of the Paris train station. The scene is important to the story as it reveals why Rick has become so callous and distant. The scene at the train station takes place as the Nazi’s are preparing to enter Paris. The chaotic flow of people trying to leave the city and the mood-setting downpour of rain helped give the scene its amazing life.

A promotional still featuring the beautiful Ingrid Bergman. At the time of her casting Bergman had decent success in Hollywood but it was “Casablanca” that catapulted her into stardom. The Swedish actress was under contract with David O. Selznick at the time but Selznick agreed to lend her to Warner Brothers in exchange for Olivia de Havilland. The rest is moviemaking history. Bergman blew audiences away and over time became one of the greatest actresses ever to grace the screen.

This interesting photo captures Bogart sitting on a tall ladder making some home movies of his experience on set. The scene looks to be the black market roundup sequence. Bogart made many home movies so seeing him with a video camera in his hand is no surprise.

Everyone loves Rick’s. “Casablanca” features many memorable treats and one of them is Rick’s Café Américain. Much of the film takes place within the walls of Rick’s club so creating an environment filled with vibrancy was vital. Here we see the crew shooting one of the scenes in this unforgettable place.

One of the key reasons why “Casablanca” is such a tremendous movie is the sizzling chemistry between Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Surprisingly the two never made another film together. In fact, despite their mutual respect for each other, they rarely spoke. One reason for that could have been Mayo Methot, Bogart’s volatile wife at the time. She made life tough for Bogart even storming on set one day and accusing Bogie of having an affair with Bergman.

The now iconic final scene turned out to be a headache for director Michael Curtiz (seen here behind the camera) and the writing team. It featured numerous changes of course. One ending had Ilsa leaving with Rick and another had her leaving with Victor. Even when that decision was made some of the cast was called back to shoot the great final shot. Many of the cast members would go on to talk about the stress of wrapping up the picture.