Biopics come in all varieties. Throughout cinema’s history we’ve seen cinematic biographies of prominent historical figures all the way to inspirational individual stories. Often times biopics fall into similar trappings and the results aren’t always pretty. But sometimes we get amazing stories of people both good and bad which translates into a fantastic movie experience. So this week I’m looking at biopics that really worked for me. I’m also looking for as much variety as possible so hopefully you’ll find something on here you didn’t expect. Now with that goal in mind it would be wrong to call this the definitive list. But I have no problems calling these five biopics phenomenal.

#5 – “BRIAN’S SONG” (1971) – I’m a huge sports fan. Whether it’s baseball, football, or hockey I really love following sports. But I’ve sometimes been mixed when it comes to sports movies. There are a ton of biopics in the sports genre but only a few real standouts. One of the great ones is “Brian’s Song”. It’s based on the true and touching story of Brian Piccolo as told by his lifelong friend Gale Sayers. The film chronicles the rivalry which turned to friendship all while weathering storms of racism and terminal illness. The film stars James Caan and Billy Dee Williams and they are fabulous. If you’re not familiar with the story I won’t ruin it for you. But let me just say you will be moved. It’s a rare sports biopic that shouldn’t be missed.

#4 – “MASK” (1985) – Some may have forgotten the 1985 drama “Mask”. I know I never will. The movie shares the story of Roy “Rocky” Dennis, a teenage boy suffering from an extremely rare disorder called craniodiaphyseal. It leaves Rocky with a severe cranial disfigurement but you would never know it by his vibrant love for baseball cards, aspirations for world travel, and a general love for life even though he faces difficulties most never will. Eric Stoltz is amazing as Rocky. He masterfully brings this young boy to life. Cher is nothing short of brilliant as Rocky’s struggling single mother as is Sam Elliott as a loyal and protective family friend. I adore this film and if it doesn’t affect you emotionally something may be wrong. It may not be a traditional biopic, but it’s one of the best.

#3 – “LA VIE EN ROSE” (2007) – Anyone familiar with the story of acclaimed French singer Edith Piaf knows it was a life filled with highs and lows. In “La Vie en Rose” it is brought to life through the eyes of director Olivier Dahan and through a stunning Oscar winning lead performance from Marion Cotillard. The film’s fractured narrative structure and use of flashbacks may not appeal to everyone. But I think it comes together beautifully to show what a difficult life this extremely talented woman had. But I always come back to Cotillard who literally loses herself in this role. Both physically and emmotionally, Cotillard gives a master class in acting. She is tremendous and this was a performance that made her one of my very favorites.

#2 – “A BEAUTIFUL MIND” (2001) – If anyone ever doubted Russell Crowe’s amazing range as an actor, “A Beautiful Mind” should easily cure that. Crowe is fantastic here but so is the story of John Nash. Nash is a genius and a master in economics and mathematics. His brilliance takes him on a remarkable journey to Princeton University and eventually to the U.S. government where he serves as a code breaker. But we also learn that John is a paranoid schizophrenic whose intelligence is hindered by delusional episodes. His troubles effects every area of his life including his family. It’s a difficult and heartbreaking story to watch yet there’s a wonderful warmth that director Ron Howard brings to the table. Simply put, it’s a beautiful film.

#1 – “SCHINDLER’S LIST” (1993) – Over the years I’ve found myself drawn to movies about the Jewish Holocaust. It marked one of the darkest times in our world’s history and I’m thankful that cinema gives us an avenue to always remember. There have been many films on the Holocaust but none better than “Schindler’s List”. The story of Oskar Schindler is heroic, troubling, transformative, and deeply stirring all at the same time. Liam Neeson delivers a career defining performance as he transforms this self-absorbed business opportunist into a man desperate to save as many Jews as possible from the Nazi barbarism. “Schindler’s List” is one of the toughest films to watch but it’s also one of the most satisfying and rewarding. An incredible film. An incredible story.

There are my five phenomenal biopics. Now it’s your turn. I would love to hear what would have made your list. What did I get wrong? Please take time to share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you think about it there have been a ton of ship captains in the movies. Captains of planes, captains of starships, captains of sea vessels. I could go on and on. Today’s Phenomenal 5 is focusing on the open waters. There is some real variety to choose from when considering sea captains. There were some great examples that I hated to leave off but who hopefully will get some love in the comments section. With that in mind I certainly don’t claim this to be the definitive list. But in my mind these five sea captains are most certainly phenomenal.

#5 – Captain Jack Sparrow (“Pirates of the Caribbean”)

Okay, let’s pretend that the sequels never happened (at least not the last two). The first “Pirates of the Caribbean” film was a big surprise for me. It was loud, silly, rambunctious, and a load of fun. A key reason for its success was the wacky performance from Johnny Depp as the preposterously absurd Captain Jack Sparrow. He is on a mission to regain his beloved ship The Black Pearl and in doing so causes all sorts of mischief and chaos. He weaves through one nutty predicament after another and Depp has an absolute blast doing it. Unfortunately none of the sequels fully recaptured the fun of the first flick. But it’s a really good film in large part thanks to Captain Jack.

#4 – Captain E.J. Smith (“Titanic” – 1953)

Whenever you mention Titanic and the movies together people are almost always going to think of James Cameron’s 1997 blockbuster. Personally I prefer the 1953 Jean Negulesco version for several reasons. One reason is the cast of characters including Brian Aherne as the Captain E.J. Smith. Aherne brings an undeniable realism to his character as he faces a career highlight that turns into a devastating tragedy. His decision to satisfy the desires for a speedy voyage over the need for caution in icy waters proves to be costly. Yet watching Smith labor with the decision and with the consequences are some of my favorite parts of this terrific movie.

#3 – Captain Ahab (“Moby Dick”)

I am a big fan of Gregory Peck and his performance as the whale-crazed Captain Ahab is just one reason why. It’s a full 30 minutes before Captain Ahab appears in the 1956 John Huston version of the old classic. But in that 30 minutes we have the mystery and intrigue of the character built through the words of others. That helps make Peck’s first appearance all the more rousing. With his glazed stare and peg leg in tow, Peck’s Ahab is the vengeance-fueled and consumed character brought so vividly to life from Herman Melville’s novel. It’s a wonderful performance from Peck and Ahab is a sea captain that is certainly memorable!

#2 – Captain Quint (“Jaws”)

He may not be the captain of a huge whaling vessel, luxury liner, or pirate ship, yet Captain Quint from the ageless classic “Jaws” is one of the best movie captains you’ll find. First offered to Lee Marvin, the role of Quint was eventually given to Robert Shaw about a week before production. It was a great choice! Shaw snarls and barks like the most seasoned fisherman as he proudly helms his fishing boat the Orca. Quint has become an unforgettable movie character and his obsession with the giant great white shark leads to an amazing finale. I mean who will ever forget the final glimpse we get of Captain Quint?

#1 – Captain “Lucky Jack” Aubrey (“Master and Commander”)

Russell Crowe has had several incredible period performances but few are better than his work as Captain Jack Aubrey in Peter Weir’s brilliant “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World”. Talk about embodying a role! Crowe looks, acts, and feels the part and it’s his convincing presence that drives the entire film. Set in 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars, Captain Aubrey is commissioned with tracking down a fierce French warship called the Acheron. We stay aboard Aubry’s ship HMS Surprise as they battle things from storms to their French rivals. Through it all Captain Jack is a pillar of strength showing compassion as well as grit. He’s a true sea captain that I would have no problem following into any waters regardless of how dangerous they may be.

So there are my choices of phenomenal movie sea captains. See something I missed? I’d love to hear your thoughts and your choices. Please take time to comment below.

Some of my fellow movie-oholics may not know but I’m a huge video games guy. My gaming résumé dates all the way back to the Atari 2600. For those wondering that’s a pretty long time. Over the years video games have developed into a pretty amazing storytelling vehicle. Today many games consist of much more than ‘jump, shoot, punch, run’. In fact, many games have been able to tell some of the most immersive stories that you’ll find, quite similar to good movies. So I thought it might be fun to look at five wonderful video games that seem perfect for a motion picture adaptation. Even if you aren’t a gamer, check out my thoughts on them and see if you agree. Now with so many games out there I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. But I’m certain that these five video games would make for movies that could be phenomenal.

#5 – “Assassin’s Creed” – The “Assassin’s Creed” franchise has given gamers some of the most beautiful and immersive period settings ever. Mixed with clever doses of science fiction, “Assassin’s Creed” has visited the Crusades, the American Revolution, and most recently the age of pirates. And while the story of Desmond Miles experiencing the long past memories of his assassin heritage has hit some bumps in the road, there is still ample material for a really great movie. I mean can’t you see Ridley Scott bringing these huge historical period landscapes to a big screen? The video game franchise has fell victim to some clunky and convoluted storytelling but in the hands of a talented and able screenwriter I think the potential is sky-high.

#4 – “Call of Duty: Black Ops” – All who has played any of the “Call of Duty” games know that it’s a franchise that thrives to create a true cinematic experience. It’s massive action set pieces, explosions, and combat are always laced with a big, intriguing story that seems taken straight from a huge summer movie blockbuster. And the great thing is they manage to pull it off. So is it a stretch to think a flashy cinematic video game couldn’t make it as a flashy cinematic movie? I think “Call of Duty” is ripe for the big screen especially considering its current turns in the Black Ops run. And the franchise has already used the voice talents of Sam Worthington, Gary Oldman, Barry Pepper, William Fichtner, Idris Elba, Lance Henriksen, Kiefer Sutherland, Michael Keaton, Ed Harris and several others. Mix that with the good team of writers and top notch composers frequently used and it wouldn’t be a stretch to see it in the form of a big, entertaining summer action movie.

#3 – “Castlevania” – While it seems to have cooled down, there are still people consumed with vampires. Unfortunately this has resulted in a lot of sophomoric silliness passing as vampire movies and television. But a “Castlevania” movie could remedy all of the “Twilight” and “True Blood” mush. “Castlevania” debuted in 1986 on the Nintendo Entertainment System and it’s still one of the hardest games I ever finished. Much of the series followed famed vampire hunters the Belmonts and even in its earliest incantations it managed to create an eerie and immersive atmosphere. With an assortment of spooky creatures and unique weaponry (including Simon Belmont’s trusty whip), “Castlevania” produced more than you would ever imagine from a side scrolling action title.

#2 – “Halo” – Microsoft’s most well known video game franchise is also one of my very favorites. “Halo” was a groundbreaking first person shooter that first appeared in 2001. Over the years several sequels and spin-off games along with hugely popular novels have added to the amazing mythology. “Halo” has so many things that could translate into a great motion picture. First, it’s great science fiction built around a truly immersive world. Second, it features a truly great protagonist in the Spartan supersoldier known as Master Chief. The series has done a great job of developing the heroism and mystique of Master Chief and his adventures and cast of supporting characters is truly big screen material. There have been rumors of a Halo movie for some time. The content is there. Here’s hoping it happens.

#1 – “Bioshock” – I still remember the first time I played the “Bioshock” demo and was introduced the the underwater city of Rapture. I’ve never been swept away and immersed in a world the way I was then and I remember thinking throughout the entire game that someone just had to make a movie about this place. While set in 1960, the secluded utopia is still functioning as if it were the 40’s (the years it was constructed). Everything from the music to the outfits to the architecture brilliantly brought back that time. Then there was the whole underwater thing. It was stunningly realized and everywhere you look there was a window to the outside underwater surroundings. Now add into this world a bit of science fiction and some very effective horror elements built around a compelling story. Strong commentary, Ayn Rand objectivism, human enhancements, and brutal anarchy are just some of the deeper themes that permeate this entire project. It’s perfect for a movie adaptation and those who have played it know exactly what I mean.

Gears of War, Uncharted, Half-Life – there are so many great games that I think would make great movies. I’d love to hear from you. Please take time to share your thoughts.

As kids some of us were a bit more adventurous than others. Nonetheless we all probably have those special little adventures that we still remember to this day. Well the movies are no different. Through the years they’ve given us some amazing kid’s adventures that entertained us in our youth or that reminded us of that childlike exuberance for something grand. So I thought this week we would look at five truly great adventures experienced by children onscreen. Now obviously there has been no shortage of children’s adventures so it would be silly to call this the definitive list. But you can’t deny that these five kid’s adventures are simply phenomenal.

#5 – “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”

I don’t live under the illusion that “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” is a truly great film, but I do believe that it’s great fun and one fantastic kid’s adventure. This 2005 fantasy picture based on the immensely popular novels by C.S. Lewis raked in nearly $750 million at the worldwide box office. But lots of money doesn’t always equal a good film. Well this is a good movie that takes four young siblings on a fantastical adventure. Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are transported to Narnia via magical wardrobe. There they encounter glorious landscapes, talking animals, a wicked witch, and an epic scaled adventure that changes their lives and their relationships. Some truly magnificent supporting talent help to tell this fun kid’s adventure story.

#4 – “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”

Ever have next door neighbors that you just can’t get along with? Well here’s a solution – invent a shrink ray. At least that’s what happens in the 1989 Disney adventure “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”. Two neighboring families just don’t like each other. The adults gripe and argue about every little thing. The kids mirror that in their dislike for each other. But that all changes when the children are accidentally shrunk to 1/4 inch high and swept outside with the garbage. Obviously this sets the stage for a most unusual yet entertaining adventure. Blades of grass become redwoods and ants are behemoths. From the threat of a giant scorpion to the sweet indulgence of a gargantuan oatmeal cream pie, this amazing adventure not only brings the kids together but it does miracles for their parents as well.

#3 – “The Goonies”

I can still hear Cyndi Lauper singing “Good Enough” as the Goonies take off on their bikes heading towards an unforgettable adventure. Named after there residence known as the “Goon Docks”, the Goonies were a group of pre-teen friends that went off on one final adventure in an attempt to find a hidden pirate treasure. This was a successful movie first released in 1985 and it has only gained admiration as the years have passed. Written (and probably co-directed if truth be told) by Steven Spielberg, “The Goonies” features some of his routine annoyances. But it also features some truly classic moments and a wonderful look at youth and friendship. And what a great adventure! How could it not be on this list?

#2 – “Stand by Me”

Much like “The Goonies”, “Stand by Me” is a movie that seems to be appreciated more and more as time goes by. This 1986 coming of age tale from director Rob Reiner is certainly different than any other adventure on this list. It features four young friends each with their own troubles and challenges. They come together after hearing of the possible location of a missing boy’s body. They set off to find it and in the process learn more about each other and the pains of real life. The wonderful 1959 setting, the fabulous music, and some truly great performances by the young cast do a lot to set this film apart. And it features an adventure that is genuinely life-altering for these boys.

#1 – “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”

Wouldn’t you know Steven Spielberg’s name would pop back up on this list. And it’s yet again another great adventure from the 1980’s. “E.T.” is the first movie I remember seeing multiple times at the theater when it was first released in 1982 and not by choice. But I’ve grown to really appreciate this science fiction adventure classic and there are so many iconic scenes that have come from it. The adventure that young Elliot, his brother Michael, and sister Gertie embark on consists of hiding and eventually freeing their alien friend. Policeman, government agencies, and unbelieving parents prove to be huge obstacles and none have the best intentions. But Elliot and friends do and it’s a fantastic journey that we follow right up to the weepy but satisfying ending. Again, familiar annoyances aside, Spielberg nails it!

So there are my five phenomenal kid’s adventures found in the movies. I know there are tons more I could’ve mentioned. Please share your thoughts. I’d love to hear what would’ve made your list.

There are those great movie lines that resonate over cinema history. They are quotes that are brilliantly written and brilliantly delivered at just the right time and they help immortalize their movie. Today we’re not talking about any of those. Today we’re looking at the stinkers. These are five movie lines that stand out but not for their greatness. Poorly conceived and sometimes unintentionally funny in their cheesiness or absurdity. So lets get to it. Now naturally there have been a plethora of craptastic lines so I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. But there’s no doubting that these five movie quotes are phenomenally awful.

#5 – “Ever play roulette? Let me give you a word of advice. Always bet on black!” – Wesley Snipes (Passenger 57)

During the action movie boom of the late 1980s and early 1990s Wesley Snipes was considered a second tier star. But with that being said he still gained a pretty decent following and “Passenger 57” was one of his bigger hits. Due to a series of dumb decisions and big mistakes a deadly terrorist takes over an airplane mid-flight. Little does he know that John Cutter (there’s an 80’s action name for ya) is also onboard. Cutter (Snipes) hides in the passenger plane taking out one terrorist after another before finally making contact with the head baddie via the air phone. One of the corniest tough guy lines followed. After asking the head terrorist if he plays roulette he offers a gambling tip. A ridiculous camera zoom leads to his big line – “Always bet on black”. The racial play on words may have looked good on paper but in the movie it was just goofy.

#4 – “They’re shooting at us!” – Copilot (“Delta Force”)

When just reading this movie line it may not sound awful. But when you see it and its use in the film you’ll perfectly understand why it’s on this list. I have a real soft spot for the 1986 action flick Delta Force. I love its cheese and its loose connection to real events. But it’s also a film riddled with some corny acting and goofy lines. None are goofier than this sweet little gem nestled in the film’s big finale. Chuck Norris, Lee Marvin, and their Delta Force team free hostages and take back over a hijacked plane. The pilots crank up the jet and prepare to leave Beirut airport but not before the terrorists have one final say. While preparing for takeoff the pilots notice terrorists in jeeps with mounted machine guns coming their way guns a blazing. Alone on the airstrip and with no one else around the copilot screams a truly profound statement – “They’re shooting at us”. The obvious nature of his comment aside, its one of the most absurd and poorly delivered lines ever. Yet I still get a kick out of it even in its goofiness.

#3 – “I hate to disappoint you, but rubber lips are immune to your charms” – Chris O’Donnell (“Batman and Robin”)

There are few movies that anger me more than “Batman and Robin”. Joel Schumacher’s bastardizing of one of my favorite properties came to an end with this 1997 debacle that was an insult to Batman fans and to fans of good movies in general. Featuring one of the stupidest and most poorly written scripts ever, “Batman and Robin” could fill my entire list of awful movie lines. Schwarzenegger spits out one after another but none are as terrible as Robin (O’Donnell) revealing to Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman) that her toxic kiss didn’t accomplish its desired result. After a deep kiss that should have resulted in Robin’s hypnosis, the boy wonder peels off a pair of transparent fake lips and utters the eloquent and Shakespearean line “I hate to disappoint you, but rubber lips are immune to your charms”. Yes, he actually said that. How that line made it through the numerous takes and edits is beyond me. But then again as I think of that movie as a whole it makes perfect sense.

#2 – “Do you know what happens to a toad when it’s struck by lightning? The same thing that happens to everything else” – Halle Berry (“X-Men”)

For a while after first hearing this line I thought I was missing something. I thought there must be a deeper meaning or a specific jest that I was missing. At that time it didn’t occur to me that it was simply one of the worst movie lines ever written. I really like “X-Men” and I remember my excitement when it first hit theaters in 2000. But even then this goofy line stuck out like a sore thumb. It happens in the big showdown where the X-Men are battling Magneto and his henchmen. Storm (Berry) is squaring off with the slimy, prehensile tongued Toad (Ray Park). After backing her adversary into a corner, Storm begins to swirl up a thunder storm and utters the truly intimidating statement above. This attempt at tough girl lingo is followed by her zapping Toad with a bolt of lightning, something that should have been really cool. Unfortunately, the unintentional hilarity of her line completely destroys the coolness of her action. I still roll my eyes every time I see it.

#1 – “Nobody puts Baby in a corner” – Patrick Swayze (“Dirty Dancing”)

Did he really say that? I mean did he really say that? Hands down for me one of the worst movie lines in the history of film comes from the much beloved “Dirty Dancing”. To be honest, I don’t know how anyone can watch that scene and hear that line and not burst into laughter. After a summer of deception and debauchery with a minor, Johnny (Swayze) finds himself not only out of the good graces of his summer resort employer but also out of the good graces of an angry father. But all is not lost. After being filled with a new confidence and vigor, Johnny crashes the resort’s season ending show. He find’s Baby (Jennifer Grey) sitting in the back with her parents. Instead of begging to not be arrested for his antics with the underaged, true love drives him to say “Nobody puts Baby in a corner”. Then they do the only thing that could heal such a deep wound of distrust and disappointment – the do a dance number. The whole thing is pretty corny but the line itself just accentuates it. It just has to be my #1.

So there are 5 of the worst movie lines. I know there are some really bad lines not included and I can’t wait to hear yours. Just leave a comment and share your thoughts!

Can you believe that 2013 is half over? Of course that also means that the movie year is half over. So keeping with Keith & the Movies tradition I’m going to look at 5 phenomenal movies from the year so far. It’s been an up and down year in the theater in 2013 loaded with big budget pictures and box office draws. And I’ve still yet to give a 2013 film 5 stars. But fortunately some of them have been quite good so it was pretty easy for me to come up with my five favorite. Now considering the number of films to hit the big screen so far I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. But for my money these five movies are most certainly phenomenal.

#5 – “MAN OF STEEL” – This newest Superman installment has been met with a variety of mixed reviews but I found it to be an overall success. Minus a few so-so new approaches and the steroid-driven finale, “Man of Steel” really won me over with its beautiful visuals, the fresh new tone, and some really strong performances from the likes of Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, and yes even Henry Cavill. But perhaps my favorite thing was that it brought Superman back after the previous film’s mishandlings. I know that many people have problems with “Man of Steel“. Personally I loved it and I’m completely onboard for wherever the franchise decides to go next.

#4 – “WORLD WAR Z – “Honestly I can’t believe I’m typing this. Yes, “World War Z” was one of my most anticipated films at the start of the 2013 movie year but over time my interest grew to skepticism. But man was I surprised. I know this is another movie with some serious mixed reviews, but I loved that it knows what it wants to be and doesn’t pretend to be anything else. I also think it harkens back to when good storytelling was essential. It mixes a nice script in with several breathtaking set pieces as well as a grounded and committed performance by golden boy Brad Pitt. Sure it mutes itself for the sake of a PG-13 rating but I’m certainly not going to fault it for that, especially considering how much fun I had with it.

#3 – “STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS” – Yet another big-budget summer blockbuster. And yet another movie that really surprised me. I was pretty vocal about my tepid response to the first film of the “Star Trek” reboot from director J.J. Abrams. Naturally that influenced my level of excitement for its sequel. But boy, talk about being pleasantly surprised. I’ve seen “Into Darkness” twice now and my love for it is solidified. Sure, there are moments where it still doesn’t feel like a Star Trek picture. There are also moments where Abrams tries to do a little too much. But I loved it and I think it’s a solid step up from the first movie. Filled with glorious special effects, cool Trek homages, and Benedict Cumberbatch.

#2 – “TO THE WONDER” – “The Tree of Life” was my very favorite film of 2011 so it shouldn’t be a surprise that I was anxious to see the next film from Terrence Malick. It came in the form of “To the Wonder” a sweeping lyrical romance using the same signature style and technique that fuels my love for Malick. This stirring and emotional story of new love, fractured love, and lost love moves with the grace of a ballerina. Ben Affleck, Olga Kurylenko, and Javier Bardem each fit perfectly within Malick’s poetic puzzle and I found myself captivated from its first opening sequence. Some have seemed to struggle with this film but I think it’s brilliant and it’s made all the more stronger by a second viewing.

#1 – “MUD” – Talk about carrying the weight of some high expectations! “Mud” was my most anticipated movie of 2013. I’m a huge fan of Jeff Nichols and even though he has just two other movies under his belt, his style and voice resounds with me. In “Mud” he gives us a deep-fried southern gothic tale that’s akin to a modern day Huck Finn. Nichols’ impeccable eye and regional familiarity create a gritty and realistic setting that I was instantly lost in. His story is equally engaging and the renaissance of Matthew McConaughey continues with yet another great performance. Only a few small missteps keep this from being a 5 star masterpiece. But it’s still another beautiful piece of cinema from a director who has become a favorite of mine.

There are my five top movies of the year so far. I know many will disagree. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let me know what I missed and what I got right. I would also love to hear your choices as well.