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Film & TV on DVD - John Doe News & Reviews

Greetings Film Fiends and welcome to John Doe's Film Blog. 30 years of dedicated celluloid obsession has meant that I have seen a few films. Drawing attention to some of the lesser discussed gems that I love. Cult classics, obscure curios and quality genre pictures. This blogs purpose is to translate some of my passion for these films and with luck, inspire you the reader to go check em out.

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John Doe’s Top 20 Favourite films of the Decade – Part 3 of 3.

January 12th 2010 00:05

JD’s Favourite Films of the Decade - From #20 to 1

Click HERE to see John Doe’s picks for numbers 40 - 21
Click HERE to see John Doe’s picks for numbers 41-60

Donnie Darko, Richard Kelly, science fiction, film, time travel

Frank, Gretchen and Donnie doing what JD loves most.

Thank you readers for your Ghost Dog like patience.

1. Donnie Darko (2001)
“Why are you wearing that stupid man suit?” - Frank

Donnie Darko, Richard Kelly, science fiction, jake gylenhaull

Donnie darko the film that engaged JD emotionally and intellectually with a deft balance that no film has ever achieved.

2. Requiem For A Dream (2000)
“Purple in the morning, blue in the afternoon, orange in the evening. There's my three meals, Mr. Smartypants.” - Sara Goldfarb

requiem for a dream, jennifer connelly, darren aronofsky

Jennifer Connelly lives through the dissection of all addiction.

3. The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001)
“Me, I don't talk much... I just cut the hair” – Ed Crane

man who wasn't there, coen brothers, billy bob thornton

The Coen Brothers manage homage that is unfaltered in originality, atmosphere and character.

4. Apocalypto (2006)
“I am Jaguar Paw, son of Flint Sky. My Father hunted this forest before me. My name is Jaguar Paw. I am a hunter. This is my forest. And my sons will hunt it with their sons after I am gone.” – Jaguar Paw

apocalypto, mel gibson, chase film, human nature, mayan

5.Wall-E (2008)
“Wall E” - Eve

wall e, pixar, science fiction, animated films

6. Children of Men (2006)
“I can't really remember when I last had any hope, and I certainly can't remember when anyone else did either. Because really, since women stopped being able to have babies, what's left to hope for?” – Theodore Faron

children of men, clive owen, science fiction films,

7. Let The Right One In (2008)
“What happens if you walk in anyway?” – Oskar

let the right one in, vampires, horror film, foreign film

8. Mysterious Skin (2004)
“I was bleeding, I kept passing out, I wet my bed, and you never asked why!” - Brian

mysterious skin, joseph gordon levitt, drama

9. Wonderboys (2000)
“So there it was. Somewhere in the night, a Manhattan book editor was prowling the streets of Pittsburgh; best-selling author at his side, dead dog in his trunk.” – Grady Tripp

wonderboys, michael douglas, robert downey jnr,

10. No Country For Old Men (2007)
“What's the most you ever lost on a coin toss.” – Anton Chiguhr

no country for old men, josh brolin, coen brothers, javier bardem

11. The Wrestler (2008)
“The only place I get hurt is out there…The world don't give a shit about me.” – The Ram

the wrestler, mickey rourke, evan rachel wood, sports films, darren aronofsky, marisa tomeii

12. Memento (2000)
“Memory can change the shape of a room; it can change the color of a car. And memories can be distorted. They're just an interpretation, they're not a record, and they're irrelevant if you have the facts.” - Lenny

memento, chistopher nolan, guy pearce, thriller film

13. Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2008)
“Well, I'm sorry to hear you feel that way, as I put such stock in your opinion. As for me being a gunslinger, I've just got this one granddaddy Paterson Colt and a borrowed belt to stick it in. But I also got an appetite for greater things. I hoped by joining up with you, it'd put me that much closer to getting them.”– Robert Ford

assassination of jesse james, brad pitt, casey affleck, western films

14. There Will Be Blood (2007)
“You're a bastard from a basket.” – Daniel Plainview

there will be blood, paul thomas anderson, daniel day lewis

15. Old Boy (2003)
“If you stand aimlessly at a phone booth on a rainy day, and meet a man whose face is covered by a violet umbrella, I'd suggest that you get close to the TV.” - Dae-su Oh
This hammer battle alone would have placed Old Boy in the Top 60.

16. Zodiac (2007)
"I Need to know who he is. I need to stand there, I need to look him in the eye and I need to know that it's him." - Robert Graysmith

zodiac, david fincher, serial killer, robert downey jnr

17. A History of Violence (2005)
“Yeah? Well, why don't you ask "Tom" about his older brother Ritchie in Philadelphia? Ask "Tom" how he once tried to rip my eye out with barbed wire. And ask him, Edie... ask him how come he's so good at killing people.” – Carl Fogaty

a history of violence, viggo mortensen, david cronenberg

18. Love’s a Bitch (Amores Perros) (2000)
“You know what my grandmother used to say? If you want to make God laugh... tell Him your plans.” -Susana

amores perros, loves a bitch, foreign film

19. Sin City (2005)
“I love hitmen. No matter what you do to them, you don't feel bad.”- Marv

sin city, mickey rourke, robert rodriguez

20. The Incredibles (2004)
“No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. Sometimes I just want it to stay saved! You know, for a little bit? I feel like the maid; I just cleaned up this mess! Can we keep it clean for... for ten minutes!” – Mr Incredible

the incredibles, pixar, animated film, super heroes

Click HERE to see John Doe’s picks for numbers 40 - 21
Click HERE to see John Doe’s picks for numbers 41-60

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Posted By: JohnDoe - Category: Action, Film News and Views, Science Fiction, Thriller, Horror

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John Doe’s 60 Favourite films of the Decade – Part 2 of 3.

January 10th 2010 22:29

JD’s favourite films of the decade - From Number 40 to 21

Click HERE to see John Doe’s picks for numbers 41-60

in bruges, colin farrell, crime comedy, hitman

A hitman, a dwarf and an actress walk into a bar...

Continuing on from the previous post, here is “John Doe’s Favourite Films of the Past Decade” from 40 to 21. No easier to mold and still questionable in rank.

21. Mullholland Drive (2001)
"She's letting me stay here while she's working on a movie that's being made in Canada. But I guess you already know that. Well, I couldn't afford a place like this in a million years... unless, of course, I'm discovered and become a movie star. Of course, I'd rather be known as a great actress than a movie star. But, you know, sometimes people end up being both. So that is, I guess you'd say, sort of why I came here." – Betty Elms

Mullholland drive, david lynch, naomi watts, art film, mystery, trippy

Director David Lynch and his pair of corruptible nymphs.

22. Narc (2002)
"You two had better get a goddamn groove going, 'cause you're in a life and death struggle as of right fucking now!" – Henry Oak

narc, jason patric, ray liotta, joe carnhan, cop films, action films

All hail the French Connection

23. American Psycho (2000)
"There is an idea of a Patrick Bateman; some kind of abstraction. But there is no real me: only an entity, something illusory. And though I can hide my cold gaze, and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles are probably comparable... I simply am not there." – Patrick Bateman

american psycho, christian bale, movie, horror film, novel

Christian Bale begins his reign of dark terror.

24. The Dark Knight (2008)
"Oh, you. You just couldn't let me go, could you? This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. You are truly incorruptible, aren't you? Huh? You won't kill me out of some misplaced sense of self-righteousness. And I won't kill you because you're just too much fun. I think you and I are destined to do this forever". – The Joker

dark knight, batman, joker, harvey dent, aaron eckhart

Aaron Eckhart shines as Harvey Dent

25. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
"Why would a reviewer make the point of saying someone's *not* a genius? Do you especially think I'm *not* a genius? You didn't even have to think about it, did you?" - Eli

royal tenenbaums, wes anderson, gene hackman, anjelica huston

The family that lacks perspective.

26. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
"Look at it out here, it's all falling apart. I'm erasing you and I'm happy!" - Joel

eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, jim carrey, kate winslet

A science fiction comedy? A romantic drama? A Jim Carrey film that made the cut?

27. Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2002)
"I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something." - Sam

lord of the rings trilogy, two towers, return of the king

JD won't argue. It's the Star Wars of the new millenium.

28. District 9 (2009)
"He was an honest man, and he didn't deserve any of what happened to him." – Fundiswa Mhlanga

district 9, science fiction, peter jackson, prawns

This human likes prawns.

29. Casino Royale (2006)
"I would ask you if you could remain emotionally detached, but that's not your problem, is it, Bond?" - M

casino royale, james bond, daniel craig, action film, 007

007 returns with Steve McQueen as Bond.

30. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
"Do not play detective. This is not a book. This is not a movie." - Perry

kiss kiss bang bang, val kilmer, robert downey jnr, shane black

Shane Black gives Robert Downey Jnr and Val Kilmer the secret code to chemistry.

31. Syriana (2005)
"What are they thinking? They're thinking that it's running out. It's running out... and ninety percent of what's left is in the Middle East. This is a fight to the death." - Syriana

syriana, george clooney, espionage films, political thriller

Clooney wobbles and witnesses the hazzards of smoking without an ashtray

32. El Laberinto del Fauno (Pan’s Labyrinth) (2006)
"A long time ago, in the underground realm, where there are no lies or pain, there lived a Princess who dreamed of the human world. She dreamed of blue skies, soft breeze, and sunshine. One day, eluding her keepers, the Princess escaped. Once outside, the brightness blinded her and erased every trace of the past from her memory. She forgot who she was and where she came from. Her body suffered cold, sickness, and pain. Eventually, she died. However, her father, the King, always knew that the Princess' soul would return, perhaps in another body, in another place, at another time. And he would wait for her, until he drew his last breath, until the world stopped turning..." - Pan

pans labyrinth, guilermo del torro, fantasy, adult fantasy, film

Fantasy in the real world, those aren't eyeballs he has on his feet!

33. Cidade de Deus (City of God) (2002)
"A kid? I smoke, I snort. I've killed and robbed. I'm a man." – Steak and Fries

city of god, foreign films, action films, crime films, rio de janero

Life and death in the slums of our world.

34.The Prestige (2006)
"Are you watching closely?" – Alfred Borden

prestige, christopher nolan, christian bale, hugh jackman

When Wolverine meets Batman...abracadabra

35. Inglorious Basterds (2009)
"Actually, Werner, we're all tickled to here you say that. Frankly, watchin' Donny beat Nazis to death is the closest we ever get to goin' to the movies." – Lt Aldo Raine

inglorious basterds, quentin tarantino, brad pitt, war films

The revenge fantasy to drink too..

36. Primer (2004)
"Look, everything we're putting into that box becomes ungrounded, and I don't mean grounded like to the earth, I mean, not tethered. I mean, we're blocking whatever keeps it moving forward and so they flip-flop. Inside the box it's like a street, both ends are cul-de-sacs. I mean, this isn't frame dragging or wormhole magic this is basic mechanics and heat 101". - Abe

primer, science fiction, film, time travel, shane caruth,

Time Travel IS real...and so are paradoxes

37. Spartan (2004)
"One riot, one Ranger." You ever heard that?" - Scott

spartan, david mamet, val kilmer, spy film

Now you will sit here and watch Real Genius and Top Secret till you appreciate the nuance

38. Waking Life (2001)
"The trick is to combine your waking rational abilities with the infinite possibilities of your dreams. Because, if you can do that, you can do anything." – Guy Forsythe

waking life, richard linklater, ethan hawke, winnona ryder, animated film

As your brain explodes it opens

39. Kill Bill Parts 1 and 2 (2003)
"I'm calling you a killer. A natural born killer. You always have been, and you always will be. Moving to El Paso, working in a used record store, goin' to the movies with Tommy, clipping coupons. That's you, trying to disguise yourself as a worker bee That's you tryin' to blend in with the hive. But you're not a worker bee. You're a renegade killer bee. And no matter how much beer you drank or barbecue you ate or how fat your ass got, nothing in the world would ever change that." - Bill

kill bill, quentin tarantino, michael madsen, kung fu, martial arts film

Yep JD thinks the Leone style chapter 2 quickdraws the Shaw Brothers of Chapter 1

40. In Bruges (2008)
"Ken, I grew up in Dublin. I love Dublin. If I grew up on a farm, and was retarded, Bruges might impress me but I didn't, so it doesn't." - Ray

The Hitmen with a View

Coming next Number 20 down to number 1

Click HERE to see John Doe’s picks for numbers 41-60

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Posted By: JohnDoe - Category: Action, Film News and Views, Science Fiction, Comedy, Horror

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John Doe’s Top 60 Films of the Decade – Part 1 of 3.

January 8th 2010 00:02

JD’s Favourite Films of the Decade - From numbers 60 to 41

Click HERE to see John Doe’s picks for numbers 40 - 21

brick, joseph gordon levitt, mystery film, film noir

Brick makes the cut - But JD loves all the movies in the list

So the first decade of the new millennium comes to a close. 10 years in, (that’s 365 days multiplied by 10 for those who wonder why these lists won’t be compiled in 2010) and ignoring war, famine, crumbling economies, social collapse etc in typical form John Doe is immersed in his celluloid bubble looking back to scrutinize the cinematic wonders.

The first thing JD realized as he embarked on this sacred list, was the abundance of rewarding films released from 2000-2009. Be they solely for entertainment or something more emotionally/intellectually complex.

As things go around here, it all got out of hand pretty quick and a planned “Top 10 of the Decade” had to be shelved due to the Cecil B Demille like size of the short list alone. Management was consulted, tough decisions made and it was settled that instead the 10 became 60, even though that number still sees many beloved personal favourites become casualties of JD’s editorial war.

To be clear this is purely a subjective list (“favourites” not “best”), though by the struggle in ranking you would think it was the etching of the Ten Commandments. Enough exposition, counting backwards John Doe Film Reviews presents numbers 60 to 41, for today anyway.

41. Unbreakable (2000)

Unbreakable, Bruce Willis, samuel L jackson, Super hero film

Do you see any Teletubbies in here? Do you see a slender plastic tag clipped to my shirt with my name printed on it? Do you see a little Asian child with a blank expression on his face sitting outside on a mechanical helicopter that shakes when you put quarters in it? No? Well, that's what you see at a toy store. And you must think you're in a toy store, because you're here shopping for an infant named Jeb. - Mr Glass

42. Dog Soldiers (2002)

Dog soldiers, werewolf film, horror film, neil marshal

We are now up against live, hostile targets. So, if Little Red Riding Hood should show up with a bazooka and a bad attitude, I expect you to chin the bitch. - Sergeant Harry Welles

43. Frailty (2001)

frailty, bill paxton, horror film, religion, matthwe mcconauhay

Only demons should fear me. You're not a demon are you? The angle said you were. I can't believe that. I won't. You're my son, and I love you more than my own life. You know what's funny about all this Fenton? I'm afraid of you. - Dad

44. Batoru Rowaiaru (Battle Royale) (2000)

battle royale, hong kong cinema, action film

So today's lesson is, you kill each other off till there's only one left. Nothing's against the rules. - Teacher.

45. High Fidelity (2000)

high fidelity, john cusack, romanctic comedy, indie comedy, jack black

My desert island, all-time, top-five most memorable breakups, in chronological order, are as follows: Alison Ashmore; Penny Hardwick; Jackie Alden; Charlie Nicholson; and Sarah Kendrew. Those were the ones that really hurt. Can you see your name on that list, Laura? Maybe you'd sneak into the top ten. But there's just no room for you in the top five, sorry. Those places are reserved for the kind of humiliation and heartbreak you're just not capable of delivering. - Rob

Sidenote - Next time rank list autobiographically!

46. The Proposition (2005)

the proposition, guy pearce, john hillcoat, danny huston, ray winstone

Now, suppose I told you there was a way to save your little brother Mikey from the noose. Suppose I gave you a horse and a gun. Suppose, Mr. Burns, I was to give both you and your young brother Mikey, here, a pardon. Suppose I said that I could give you the chance to expunge the guilt beneath which you so clearly labour. Suppose I gave you till Christmas. Now, suppose you tell me what it is I want from you. - Captain Stanley

47. The Mist (2007)

the mist, stephen king, thomas jane, horror movie, scary film

David, we're a civilized society - Sure, as long as the machines are working and you can dial 911. But you take those things away, you throw people in the dark, you scare the shit out of them - no more rules. - David Drayton

48. Lord of War (2005)

Lord of war, nicholas cage, war, comedy film

There are over 550 million firearms in worldwide circulation. That's one firearm for every twelve people on the planet. The only question is: How do we arm the other 11? - Yuri Orlov

49. Hard Candy (2005)

hard candy, ellen page, david slade, horror, thriller film

Wow... You know, that is so thoughtful! You are speaking to me so selflessly! I mean, you just don't want me to castrate you for my own benefit? Wow, I'm touched. Jeff, why don't we imagine someone saying the same thing to you at a random moment? Imagine that when you downloaded this little girl... I was sitting by your side saying, "Stop, don't do that to yourself. Stop, don't do that to yourself. Stop. Stop. Would you have listened? - Hayley

50. American Splendor (2003)

american splendour, paul giamatti, indie comedy, comedy film, comic book,

Sorta, yeah. But no idealized shit. No phony bullshit. The real thing, y'know? Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff. - Harvey

51. May (2002)

may, horror film, angela bettis, anna farris, lucky mckee

I saw someone today. A boy. You know how when you meet someone...and you think you like them? And then, the more you talk to them, you see parts that you don't like. Like that guy on the bench. And sometimes, you end up not liking any parts at all. But this boy is different. I like every part of him. Especially his hands, they're beautiful. - May

52. Bridge to Terabithia (2008)

Bridge to terabithia, fantasy film, family film, death

She brought you something special when she came here, didn't she? That's what you hold onto. That's how you keep her alive.- Jack

53. Ghostworld (2001)

ghostworld, scarelett johnsen, thora birch, steve buscemi

I can't relate to 99% of humanity. - Seymour

54. Los Cronocrímenes (Time Crimes) (2007)

time crimes, science fiction, time travel films

We still have a while before it starts raining. - Hector

55. Sexy Beast (2000)

sexy beast, ray winstone, ben kingsley, britsih crime film

Shut up, cunt. You louse. You got some fuckin' neck ain't you. Retired? Fuck off, you're revolting. Look at your suntan, it's leather, it's like leather man, your skin. We could make a fucking suitcase out of you. Like a crocodile, fat crocodile, fat bastard. You look like fucking Idi Amin, you know what I mean? Stay here? You should be ashamed of yourself. Who do you think you are? King of the castle? Cock of the walk? - Don

56. Brick (2005)

Look, I can't trust you. You ought to be smart enough to know that. I didn't shake up the party to get your attention, and I'm not heeling you too hook you. Your connections could help me, but the bad baggage they bring could make it zero sum gain or even hurt me. Better coming at it clean. - Brendan Frye

57. Thank you For Smoking (2005)

thank you for smoking, aaron eckhart, comedy film, tobacco

People, what is going on out there? I look down this table, all I see are white flags. Our numbers are down all across the board. Teen smoking, our bread and butter, is falling like a shit from heaven! We don't sell Tic Tacs for Christ's sake. We sell cigarettes. And they're cool and available and *addictive*. The job is almost done for us! - BR

58. The Descent (2005)

the descent, horror film, neil marshall, caves, british horror

Hey, there's something down here.. - Holly

59. Equilibrium (2002)

equilibrium, science fiction, action film, christian bale

Prozium - The great nepenthe. Opiate of our masses. Glue of our great society. Salve and salvation, it has delivered us from pathos, from sorrow, the deepest chasms of melancholy and hate. With it, we anesthetize grief, annihilate jealousy, obliterate rage. Those sister impulses towards joy, love, and elation are anesthetized in stride, we accept as fair sacrifice. For we embrace Prozium in its unifying fullness and all that it has done to make us great. - Father

60. Star Trek (2006)