The Oscars went down this past Sunday. Jackman seemed more Gene Kelly then Wolverine, but at least it was enertaining. Jack Black surprisingly bombed, and the best joke of the night came from Steve Martin? Yes, the once funny man now star of the craptacular Pink Panther series. The big controversy of the night was the Best Acting award being supposedly snubbed from the great Mickey Rourke. This isn't the only win that caused controversy amongst us movie nerds. Below is the one that still haunts my dreams in all of its irony.




In 1998, the films American History X and Life is Beautiful were both generating a lot of buzz amongst Hollywood. The ironic thing being that they both revolve around anti-semitism but with one being about a jew facing anti-semitism, and the other about a former anti-semite who is trying to change his world view. As soon as the film American History X was released the critics were already raving about Ed Norton's performance. Ultimately it was Roberto Benigni who took home the gold. Still to this day many argue over this, proclaiming the ever present Hollywood politics as the killer of Norton's trip down the aisle.

In lieu of last week's re-release of Back to the Future. I thought it would be appropiate to make a list of the five best time travelling flicks.

5. Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Ok, sure this is one wasn't even suppose to have been made, and it was really just a ploy by the studio to cash in on the first movie. But I thank god they did, Because James Cameron delivered one of the best films of the nineties not only did it make over $200 million domestically, but it was also one of the best reviewed movies of the year. The film went to be nominated for six oscars and winning four. All of which were for technical and cosmetic achievements, and it was completely looked over for Best Picture or Best Director......sounds vaguely familiar to a recent film.





4. Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure

The film that launched Keanu Reeves career, and well the one that left Alex Winter behind. I will say though that Freaked which was directed by Winter is in my opinion a cult classic. I realize that it's not the best movie ever made, but how many other films have Napoleon, Lincoln, Genghis, and Socrates at a water park? I do believe enough said.



3. Idiocracy


This 2006 futuristic comedy was directed by Mike Judge (Office Space, Beavis and Butthead). Despite a strong lead and having Judge's name the film wasn't released into theaters. It has quickly rised in popularity to a cult hit. It's basically our generation's Sleeper. Before this movie I had a extremly large distaste for Dax Shepard, but after his turn as an idiotic lawyer named Frito it was nothing but love.







2. 12 Monkeys


This one was a little tricky. It also goes as one of my favorite dystopians but Im going to go ahead and put it on this one. Where do you really start with this movie? Terry Gilliam brought his usual neo-fantasy finesse that really raised this movie to the next bar. The entire cast is fantastic especially Brad Pitt, who earned his first Oscar nomination for his turn as the psychopathic (or is he?) Jeffrey Goines.







1. Back To The Future III


I'm sure this is going to upset a lot of fans, but I don't care. As a kid I watched these movies religiously. It was all about some Marty Mcfly and the Doc. I know that critically speaking this one is sub-par to the first one, but damnit I don't care. It let you be a cowboy, and all little boys want to be a cowboy whether they admit it or not.

DVD Release Picks of the week:



Zack and Miri Make a Porno:

Written and Directed by: Kevin Smith
Starring: Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Mewes



Smith's newest picture is in vain with all of his others delivering his mandatory amount of f-bombs and dick jokes. But the film as a whole is a lot sweeter then one would assume from the title. Seth Rogen is likeable in the title role of Zack, and to me it seems Elizabeth Banks just gets more attractive every time I see her. For those who worry about Smith's last departure from the Jay and Silent Bob universe, Jersey Girl, well trust me their isn't a single second of J-Lo on screen.
However Jason Mewes and Jeff Anderson appear in the film, with different names from Jay and Randall, but are still Jay and Randall. I would give you a summary of the plot and all that jazz, but I'm pretty sure that the title itself does a sufficient job of that.
D.V.'s Take: B+

DVD release of the week:

Kevin Smith's raunchy rom com is released today in a 2-Disc Special Edition and on Blu-Ray. The title of the film pretty much gives you all the insight needed for the film's plot, or so it would seem. But watching the film you realize it's got the signature View Askew dick and fart jokes, but it also provides a good love story with believable and real characters. It also probably has the best cameo by Superman of all time.