Forrest Gump (1994)

Self-indulgent. Sappy. Bloated. Nostalgic. Whatever you call it, there is no denying Forrest Gump is a classic. Tom Hanks' seminal role as the simpleton easily cemented his place in cinematic history and while director Robery Zemekis took plenty of heat for his indulgent adaptation, Forrest Gump is pop-culture history.

Years later, I can easily say that Forrest Gump is a top film in my book. The film is the result of many amazing aspects that blend seamlessly. Hanks leads a stellar crew as Gump. Garry Sinise will always be Lt. Dan. Robin Penn has Gump's true love, Jenny, makes your heart ache. Penn makes you love and hate Jenny all the same. Although never a fan of Sally Field-- I just can't help myself. Even little Haley Joel Osment makes you smile. Oh, and don't forget Bubba!

Combine such a cast with solid dialogue, cinematography that is simple, but effective and a soundtrack for the ages and you have all the elements of great 20th Century story-telling.

By placing Gump in a series of pivotal events in American history, Zemekis explores crucial themes, but also allows for a gamut of human emotion-- laughter and sorrow, pain and joy, triumph and defeat-- Forrest Gump is contradiction. Through a combination of solid Southern upbringing courtesy of Mama Gump or blind luck, Forrest finds himself on the moral side of each issue.

Oscar-winner Tom Hanks is simply brilliant. He is fascinating to watch as Forrest. Playing alongside the others, he commands the screen with the complex simplicity imbued in Forrest.

Gary Sinise is amazing as Lieutenant Dan. The battle-hardened, worldly man is broken and Sinise owns it. Lt. Dan's redemption alone is worth the investment.

Forrest Gump is a film steeped in simple Americana with life-lessons we could all benefit from. It's a nostalgic, feel-good masterpiece that everyone can enjoy.

Masterpiece Theatre: Pride & Prejudice (1995)

Masterpiece Theatre has rewarded patient viewers with a three-part series of Jane Austen's masterpiece, Pride & Prejudice. This is a story I could tell by heart and while I am partial to certain adaptations of the book, I rarely ever speak ill of any of them. This adaptation stars the handsome Colin Firth as the moody Mr. Darcy and Jennifer Elhe as sharp-witted Elizabeth Bennett.

One of the most faithful versions of the book-- it's as if each character in Jane Austen's beloved novel has jumped off the page. Cousin and vicar Mr. Collins is as slimy as ever and his benefactress, Lady Catherine de Bourgh is as pompous as anyone could have imagined. Each character is larger than life and wonderfully so. Mrs. Bennett and her hysterics are annoyingly perfect. Lizzie and her sister Jane are perfect as friends and sisters.

Colin Firth is piercing as Mr. Darcy. His portrayal of the wealthy aristocrat is spot-on. From his first interaction with the 'tolerable' Lizzie to the bandying of wit at Rosings, Firth is brilliant. He can speak volumes with a glance. Most of the cast is 'dead common'-- an odd looking bunch of English actors. Ehle simply shines set among them, but doesn't quite fit my imagine of Lizzie.

This adaptation is second only to 2005's condensed version starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfayden whose chemistry is stunningly belied in one scene and with but a touch of the hand. You certainly can't go wrong with either.

Heavy Metal (1981)

The things you do for people you love.

What the Hades do you call this stuff?! This collection of animated stories is like a train wreck-- so horrific you can't turn away. It's just stupid!! The animation is pure 80s and ridiculously dumb. This has hordes of cult fans?! It's disgusting. Not even the solid soundtrack can save this idiotic mix of anime, aliens, some green orb called Loc-Nar and large-breasted, naked women. WTF doesn't even cover it?!

Heavy Metal begs the question: What in the Hell was going in 1981?!

The first story seems to be a complete rip of The Fifth Element, but seeing as this sh!t came first, perhaps it's the inspiration. I don't really care.

The animation is about the only think I don't take issue with. It was the 80s. I equate animation of this type to many of my favorite cartoons of the decade. My biggest issue here is the lack of intelligence. There is nothing of substance here; must one be 'on a substance' to enjoy this?! Heavy Metal reeks of lameness.

I am not this film's demographic. Thank God. As I See It, Heavy Metal is a complete waste of celluloid that deserves to be forgotten.

The Brave One (2007)

Erica Bane (Jodie Foster) is a radio talk show host in New York City. Safe in her happy life, she's engaged to a handsome doctor (Naveen Andrews) with a rising radio show. The most difficult decision in her world right now-- is orange and cream a good color for wedding invitations? Her world shatters after a run-in with punks in Central Park that leaves Erica battered and bloody and her fiance dead.

Three weeks later, Erica comes out of a coma with emotional scars like no other. Her once bubbling city has now become dark and hostile with danger lurking in every shadow and in every face. Detectives are failing to locate her beloveds killer and Erica is overcome with fear. She decides a gun is in order.

Witnessing a domestic dispute that results in the man gunning down his wife, Erica first recoils from the violence, but the pain from her own experiences muffle any fear and she guns down the man. The experience scares Erica, but leaves her feeling strangely dignified.

Erica's decent into an avenging angel is slow and steady. The emotional road is even more so.

The Brave One is an ineffective, if more psychological drama than vengence-fueled, flick. As Bane, Foster's decent into fear and madness is believable, but along the way she becomes disinterested in the character. Writhing with insincere emotional depth, Foster's attempt is hardly engaging. Even her cigarette smoking is bland and contrived. Terrence Howard is fascinating to watch no matter the role. Despite so little to work with, he does manage to create a character worth exploring. Andrews appears for some 20 minutes, but his contribution is nil.

While I can appreciate director Neil Jordan's take on the 'revenge film' and his attempt to examine the psychology and the consequences of becoming judge, jury and executioner, The Brave One rings hollow. There is no emotional connection with any of the main characters, nor are the plots explored deeply enough to create a solid experience. The poor symbolism found in the dog jumps the shark for me. The Brave One seems to be the victim of poor editing and an even worse script. The film fails to make Erica Bane believable and when by chance, they stumble upon something good, Jordon fails to follow through.

As I see it, The Brave One is an empty victory. It is the result of a poorly communicated good idea. The result? The Brave One is neither god-awful nor inspiring. It seems destined for a network Sunday Cinema feature.

Sunshine (2007)

2057 finds the Sun dying and the Earth slowing being plunged into a solar winter. On board the Icarus II is a select group of astronauts charged with the mission to recharge the sun by delivering the payload- an atomic bomb the size of Manhattan. Leading the crew is stoic Captain Kaneda (Hiroyuki Sanada) who defers to the cool and collected physicist Capa (Cillian Murphy)-- the only member who can actually drop the bomb they're carrying-- meaning he's the only one not expendable. Mace (Chris Evans) the ship's engineer is as volatile as Capa is cool. Piloting the mission is Cassie (Rose Byrne). Searle (Cliff Curtis) is the resident psychologist charged with keeping the crew sane during its years long journey to the sun. Trey (Benedict Wong), the emotionally unstable cook is proof Searle isn't doing his job. Corazon (Michelle Yeoh) the gardener is charged with keeping the O2 levels in check and Harvey (Troy Garity), the power-tripping comms officer just gets in the way.

Sunshine opens with the crew of eight realizing they have reached the dead zone weeks ahead of schedule. No longer able to communicate with Earth drives home the seriousness of the mission. Observe the divide among the crew. After 16 months in space nerves are frayed, but everyone can understands the mission. After reaching Mercury, the crew begins receiving transmissions from the failed Icarus I. Now the air is tinged with paranoia.

It seems director Danny Boyle has set out to do what he did for zombies, only this time to science fiction. Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland have created a highly plausible scenario immersed in disaster and philosophical dilemma.

The ensemble cast is stellar. Cillian Murphy with those deep blue eyes is as enigmatic and ambivalent as ever. Believable as a physicist, Murphy's performance fantastic. Competing with Murpy for control of the film is Chris Evans. Evans is captivating as the hot-headed Mace who the audience will find redeeming qualities. Rose Byrne gets the opportunity to cry those doe-eyes, but there is a lot of wasted potential in many of them.

The film works because is goes beyond your average sci-fi. Although I've read comparisons to Event Horizon which I haven't seen, Sunshine does fall within the realm of 2001: A Space Odyssey. As the Icarus crew gets closer to the Sun, the debate of faith and science becomes more apparent but never pretentious. Rendezvousing with the derelict Icarus I complicates matters more than anyone could have imagined.

Sunshine is superbly rendered even when at it's melodramatic best. The Sun has never been more beautiful or dangerous. Visually, the film is stunning; the play of light and dark is artful. Boyle's imagery is breath-taking. The score is haunting, yet hopeful. Sunshine, however, is not without its faults. Plots holes are wide; but Boyle's cinematography and CG make them hardly worth mulling over.

Sunshine takes an unusual turn disseminating into a highly-effectual horror film in the last 20 minutes. Purposeful or not, the film's turn is unexpected, but strangely fun.

As I see it, interpretation will ultimately decide Sunshine's fate. Boyle's work is polarizing and this offering fits perfectly in that description. Whatever your opinion, Sunshine is undeniably stunning.