Friday's Top 5... Scary Movie Houses

#5: The House of Usher (The Fall of the House of Usher)

Jean Epstein's silent classic The Fall of the House of Usher (adapted from the short story by Edgar Allan Poe) is all about the dreamy (well, nightmarish) atmosphere. Of course, a story that takes place in a house that has a tomb in the basement only needs a little atmosphere to be entirely creepy.

Review: Three Kings (1999)

* * * *
Director: David O. Russell
Starring: George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube

1999 was a great year in film. It was the year of Fight Club, The Matrix, Being John Malkovich, American Beauty and Boys Don't Cry, just to name a few. These movies were great in 1999 and they all hold up really well today, though none feel quite as prescient as David O. Russell's Three Kings. Set during the First Gulf War, the film tackles subject matter that is arguably more relevant now than ever, as if Russell (who wrote the screenplay in addition to directing) anticipated the issues that would dominate the last decade of political discourse.

Friday's Top 5... Brad Pitt Performances

#5: Burn After Reading

Brad Pitt is, hands down, my favourite thing about Burn After Reading. His portrayal of his dumb as rocks character is brilliant, both in terms of line readings and body language.

Canadian Film Review: Saint Ralph (2005)

* * 1/2
Director: Michael McGowan
Starring: Adam Butcher, Campbell Scott, Jennifer Tilly, Gordon Pinsent

There's no such thing as an original story; even Shakespeare got his inspiration from other sources. It's what you do with the idea that matters, it's in how you take the bare bones and create a living, breathing thing out of it. Great films transcend the well-worn elements of their plots. Saint Ralph is not a great film but even if it doesn't transcend its cliches, it at least has good taste in them.

Book vs. Film: The Talented Mr. Ripley vs. Purple Noon and The Talented Mr. Ripley

Basic Plot: Tom Ripley is a small time conman who weasles his way into the life of his former acquaintance, Dickie Greenleaf, after Greenleaf's parents become frustrated with their son's extended vacation from his responsibilities. Dickie is amused by Tom at first, but quickly grows tired of him which eventually leads to Tom killing Dickie and assuming his identity. Thus begins a cat and mouse game as Tom tries to elude the authorities but still maintain his hold on Dickie's fortune.