"A page dedicated to some of the greatest endings in cinematic history."
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| 1998 |
| Some Legacies Must End |
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Define a film. A film is a piece of art in which it can provoke certain feelings, thoughts and inner emotions throughout various individuals. Each film may or may not provoke such events for one person, but may be an emotional roller coaster for the next. This film hits hard every time I have the pleasure of viewing it. American History X is a modern look at   racism in society. Keeping itself in proportion at all times and being an extreme film shows the reaches that racism can stretch. Off the top of my head, this film is the only one I own that is a different experience every time. I feel slightly different every time, sometimes good, sometimes bad. Directed by Tony Kaye (I) this is his debut and he has proven to create an extreme amount of emotion and tragedy in a short time. We cannot forget the brains behind the film, the writer. David McKenna (writer; Blow) shows a great deal of integrity throughout this plot. Surprisingly this is his first screenplay. One who may see the credits before the film might conclude that it is amateur night. I would most defintly agree, until I saw the ultimate conclusion. American History X follows the life of a teenager named Danny Vinyard played by Edward Furlong (Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Detroit Rock City, Animal Factory). To an onlooker, student or parent Danny would seem to be a troubled boy. Indicated by a shaved head and   fascist views towards all those of an ethnic culture that isn’t "white protestant." He has a concerned principle at school, Dr. Bob Sweeney, judging by his culture you would assume he would feel hatred towards Danny, but he doesn’t. Avery Brooks performs an outstanding job as Sweeney and a persistent principle. Sweeney is concerned about Danny. Knowing that Danny looks up to his older brother whom to most would be a terrible choice for a role model. Danny’s older brother is Derek Vinyard and like always the chameleon of an actor morphs himself into a new person. I’m speaking of course about Edward Norton (Primal Fear, The Score, Death to Smoochy, Fight Club, Rounders, 25th Hour, The People vs. Larry Flynt). A truly sinister character but his development and growth throughout this film can easily be labeled as astonishing. Derek was sentenced to three years in prison for murder and left Danny and his family to survive without any adult father figure. Tragically Derek and Danny’s father was murdered while on duty as a fireman in an urbanized neighborhood. Derek’s hatred was spawned from that. After Derek is released he has been reformed but not from the conventional methods used in prison. Derek found   out that black people are not to be hated and everyone is equal. Upon his return Danny is surprised to see the change in Derek because he himself still holds this ‘baggage’. After being rejected by his past friends, on his own wishes he speaks of his history and explains to Danny what happened. Derek, now finished with prison has sorted through his own issues but must try and enlighten his younger brother that racism is not the answer to misfortune. This film is astounding, truly an amazing film with a great score and phenomenal acting on all parts. It holds a deep message of the way society is and what goes on in the world many have been sheltered from. I don’t really know how to end this but people say it’s always good to end on a quote. “Hate is baggage, life is too short to be pissed off all the time.”
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Introduction Cinematography Plot Cast / Performances Screenplay Theme / Meaning Soundtrack / Score Climax |
8.1 8.0 9.2 9.5 9.2 9.0 8.3 10.0 |
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Best Ending |
American History X |
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| 1995 |
| Five Criminals . One Line Up . No Coincidence |
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Everyone loves crime capers. Everyone. I don’t care who you are; there is at least one crime film for every type of person. Each film has certain aspects that can make it such a great criminal adventure. Important aspects include a rarity in many, the plot. To list a few more; showdown, characters, choreography (action sequences), quality of ending and most   importantly in ever aspect….the villain. (A bow to Gary Oldman). The Usual Suspects contains many of these especially the ending. One could consider this an ending created by the gods because it truly is godlike. This story holds great potential for those filmmakers who have not discovered the importance of a concrete plot. The plot is so complex and almost random in its way of narration. The first time viewing you don’t pick up on the story till the near end. The second and third times only provide more details, which you missed the first time. Oh the details are so diverse! This masterpiece is directed by a Bryan Singer (Apt Pupil, X-Men, X-2), his profile in my books are not that superior but he definitly made a dent with this film. All of the credit goes to the screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie. His profile is also typically weak but this story was absolutely astonishing. I have always believed that as a director if you make one incredible film that you truly love, you have accomplished your real goal. Of course most don’t stop there though. The Usual Suspects follows a troubling time for ex-con Dean Keaton created by the awesome Gabriel Byrne (Miller’s Crossing, Point of No Return, Man in the Iron Mask, End of Days, Spider). He is a decent man trying to succeed in the restaurant   business. He can’t seem to get it going because of his criminal history. As bad as it already is, during an important business meeting with the kind of people that could seriously fix his problem, he is arrested. Arrested for a crime he knew nothing about but was described as a suspect. Confronted and taken away by Dave Kujan a police sergeant. He is played by Chazz Palminteri (A Bronx Tale). Dave is tough and has a terrible grudge with Dean. Failed attempts to prosecute have led to this relationship. Among Keaton stands other individuals whom happened to be arrested for this inane charge. The bomb and weapon expert whom “doesn’t give a shit about anybody” is Todd Hockney played by Kevin Pollak (Wayne’s World 2, Casino, End of Days). The “crazy” criminal named McManus played by Stephen Baldwin (Half Baked) and his foreign partner Fred Fenster portrayed by the always incredible Benicio Del Toro (License to Kill, Snatch, The Fan, The Pledge, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Traffic, Basquiat) and in final the man with the least chance for survival in a world of crime. The man with the limp and often referred to as the gimp, Roger ‘Verbal’ Kint is the man with the plan. Played by my second favorite actor, also located within (TOP5) is, Kevin Spacey (L.A. Confidential, The Big Kahuna, Se7en, American Beauty, Glengarry Glen Ross, The Negotiator). Like always his performance is inexpressible. After the grouping of these regular suspects they do what men with similar goals do. Conspire and work together. Events   lead them to different areas slowly revealing more of the plot but complications enter the workforce once they are trapped. Trapped by a man named Keyser Soze. He sends an associate of his named Kobayashi played by Pete Postlethwaite (Alien³, Romeo+Juliet). He informs these men that they all owe Keyser Soze a great favor since at one point they all unintentionally hurt his business whether by theft or murder. In this they have become trapped to do a job that seems highly impossible. Even though they are not completely informed about the task, they must carry it out. That is just about all the plot I choose to dispense because anymore may make the viewing pleasure slightly less bringing it down to 99%. The Usual Suspects is an amazing crime story told from a new perspective with clever and original ideas in the fine art of chaos.
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Introduction Cinematography Plot Cast / Performances Screenplay Theme / Meaning Soundtrack / Score Climax |
7.3 8.4 9.1 9.0 9.6 7.5 7.9 9.9 |
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Best Actor Best Ending |
Kevin Spacey The Usual Suspects |
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| 2001 |
| Dark, Darkest, Darko |
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If I could be Frank with you for a moment I will let you all know. Twenty-eight days... six hours... forty-two minutes... twelve seconds. That... is when the world... will end or when I’m finally going to put one of my favorite films up for review. Donnie Darko should have been released in the 80’s. Not just for it’s time era and soundtrack but  also because only then would the creators see an ultimately darker world. The atmosphere is in equivalence to the original Batman but that particular generation was known for change and rebellious attitudes, which I think, is one of the many themes of this film. Donnie Darko is one of my all time favorite characters along with his partner in crime (and I do mean crime), Frank. A chilling story that on a quick glance would provide the outline of a typical teenager, slightly crazy and is fed up with the world so decides to cause mischief. Look closer. Do this and you will discover that this film is all of the above and much more. It holds the question of time and space travel within, theories to what drives people to do what they do and the story behind a boy’s fate. On that note I think anyone can agree it’s worth a watch. Donnie Darko is the first big budget film by amateur director and screenwriter Richard Kelly (II). In this creation he left a dent on Hollywood and proved himself as a promising director for the future to come. Being a two-hour tale of a teenager and the events   that transpire for a 30-day period. The young and growing favorite Jake Gyllenhaal (The Good Girl) plays Donnie Darko. He is an estranged teenager whom is distant from his somewhat typical family. Leading a normal high school life but like all teenagers noticing the numerous flaws within the education system. He is on medication and in counseling because of his own issues. Depending on how you look at it, his medication is helping or hurting. Whenever he takes his medication a friend visits him. His name is Frank and is painted in a twisted rabbit suit that is a bit more sinister than Roger Rabbit. Frank seems to know certain things about life and the end of days. From the beginning he speaks of the end of the world. (See also: line two of this writing). In school Donnie Darko deals with an intellectual and inspiring English teacher Karen Pomeroy played by Drew Barrymore (Cat’s Eye, Wayne’s World 2, Batman Forever, The Wedding Singer). On the other end of the ‘love/hate spectrum’ is Kitty Farmer played by Beth Grant (Rain Man). She is a textbook example of any type of uninformed, uneducated member of the school board (see also: guidance counselors, librarians). Even worse is the town’s own motivational speaker. A great performance by Patrick Swayze as Jim Cunningham. A man who tries to put everyone else to shame by his own measure   of self-confidence. As time proceeds, Donnie is aware of his surroundings and isn’t necessarily pleased. Frank instructs him to perform acts of vandalism with a meaning and justice behind them. Donnie listens and this gets the attention of the entire town. As the story progresses Donnie becomes aware of time and what is happening around him. He is able to see the paths in which people take and in that can understand human motivation. This film is an amazing story with a deep atmosphere and immersing plot. A great performance by all and one of the best aspects of this film is the soundtrack. Being a sucker for a good score, this film hits the spot. Some songs conducted directly for the film and some other hits like Head Over Heals by Tears for Fears. Donnie Darko is the definition to dark. Those whom are afraid, confused or not ready even unwilling to see Donnie Darko should commence as follows: forcibly insert the lifeline exercise card into your anus! But at this point you probably won’t know what a lifeline exercise card is so in order to take offence to this insult. You must watch the movie.
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Introduction Cinematography Plot Cast / Performances Screenplay Theme / Meaning Soundtrack / Score Climax |
6.0 7.3 8.7 8.3 8.9 7.5 8.5 9.3 |
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Best Ending |
Donnie Darko |
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| 1971 |
| Being the adventures of a young man whose principal interests are rape, ultra-violence and Beethoven. |
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“Welly, welly, welly, welly, welly, welly, well. To what do I owe the extreme pleasure of this surprising visit?” Maybe a young and avid   film viewer wondering what to make of the night possibly? Well grab a glass of the milk plus and let me sharpen you up on a truly bizarre but amazing film. A Clockwork Orange, this is one of the most twisted films with such a great meaning behind it. A futuristic look at the aspects of society that can ruin what is left. Turning that which was once natural and organic into a mechanical device used for a greater purpose. Thus creating A Clockwork Orange. This film is spectacular, it holds for those of varied tastes, everything. Containing crime, drama, sci-fi, thriller, horror, comedy and in many aspects a musical. Thanks too old Ludwig Van. A luminary of masterpieces (such as this unique desk toy), Stanley Kubrick (director; Dr. Strangelove, The Shining, Full Metal Jacket) took on the difficult task of envisioning the novel written by Anthony Burgess. Too many, this film is disturbing and filled with unnecessary forms of violence. They are wrong though because the violence, rape and drugs in this film are completely necessary. After the review you will understand young ones.   Being the adventures of Alex De Large played by the great but rare in my case Malcolm McDowell (Gangster No. 1). He is a perfectly sane teenage boy living in a futuristic, capitalistic society that governs people with fear. Thus Alex uses violence in order to become natural and not mechanical like that of so many citizens. Alex with his three main droogs (friends) travels the streets and cause havoc in a completely random sense. One night Alex takes it too far and lands himself in jail. Surprisingly this movie is about two hours but the plot advances as quickly as Hudson Hawk. As time goes on, Alex still in prison tries to reform himself for a better tomorrow. He learns of a new program that will cut your sentence in half. This program is new and radical, and is not supported by many individuals. The method of this new treatment, we’ll let the pictures show you, but you will only understand once you see it. Alas, Alex is reformed and free to enter the world again. What kind of reformation is this though? It disables Alex from free choice and regardless if he wants to do something bad, he can’t. A sweet tale of irony kicks Alex in the face at every turn because every sinister act he performs at the beginning is thrown back at him in his most vulnerable state. A Clockwork Orange   holds that which many films do not have. Originality. The first time I witnessed this film I was blown away and have read the book that is good in different ways. This film isn’t for everyone though. Genre-wise it holds a lot but I can understand why a lot of people would not comprehend the meaning and just think it’s senseless violence. Worth a watch if you’re an avid film buff though. To end, a personal favorite quote that won’t make sense, in time though. “Oh bliss! Bliss and heaven! Oh, it was gorgeousness and gorgeousity made flesh. It was like a bird of rarest-spun heaven metal or like silvery wine flowing in a spaceship, gravity all nonsense now. As I slooshied, I knew such lovely pictures!”
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Introduction Cinematography Plot Cast / Performances Screenplay Theme / Meaning Soundtrack / Score Climax |
9.1 8.4 7.3 7.6 9.2 7.5 8.8 6.0 |
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| 1995 |
| The Future Is History. |
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What a great finale to end this page of great movies. This film has made my TOP 5 list under the greatest movie   category. Of course it is no lie. This is a film that explores in many ways, time travel. It completely distorts your mind when it comes to the perception of time. The most bizarre aspect of this film is the director. Not many would see this because of the contrasts in the types of films. This masterpiece was conceived by none other than Terry Gilliam (writer/director; Meaning of Life, Brazil, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. writer; Life of Brian. director; Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Fisher King). This film has the most surreal atmosphere that is common in all of Gilliam’s movies. 12 Monkeys is a dark and futuristic tale about the suffering of mankind. A deadly virus was released in 1996 and in the present day the survivors were forced to live underground. “Once again the animals ruled the earth.” Among the survivors is James Cole played by Bruce Willis (Die Hard, Die Hard 2: Die Harder,   Hudson Hawk, Unbreakable, Pulp Fiction, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Four Rooms, Fifth Element, the Jackal, the Sixth Sense). This man has a great memory so that is why he is ‘volunteered’ by the officials of this underground society/prison. They officials send people to the surface of the earth to collect items and samples so they can trace the source of the virus. To make matters worse they send him back in time to the year 1996. The year of the virus. Complications arise when mistakes in time travel occur and James Cole becomes in contact with Dr. Kathryn Railley played by Madeleine Stowe. She is torn between her profession as a doctor and psychologist that relies on the facts of time travel but everything that involves James Cole makes sense as the story unfolds. On the dark side of the moon is the crazy and imaginative characters Jeffrey Goines. Jeffrey was created perfectly by the infamous Brad Pitt (True Romance,   Snatch, Interview with a Vampire, Fight Club), Se7en). He is a sad individual whom clearly has mental issues. He is a revolutionist of his time much similar to another character he has played. James crosses paths with Jeffrey in a mental hospital and the anarchy in many ways began at that moment. As time goes on, the puzzled past that James holds in his mind deteriorates into the future. For in many ways the future is the past of this tragic story. 12 Monkeys is the best and most intelligent futuristic story of time I have ever witnessed. It holds to stellar performances by the lead characters. Amazing directing with a dark but beautiful illustration of the future. If you miss this amazing film I will have you shaved, sterilized and destroyed.
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Introduction Cinematography Plot Cast / Performances Screenplay Theme / Meaning Soundtrack / Score Climax |
7.3 9.4 10.0 8.9 8.0 9.5 7.2 10.0 |
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Best Hero Best Director Best Film |
James Cole Terry Gilliam 12 Monkeys |
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