I really liked reading your answers to the last homework assignment.  I didn't reply because I was hoping to get more classroom discussion led by you but then I felt bad because people may have thought I was causing drama.  I was actually just trying to be funny with those stereotypes of people who support those political parties.  Thanks for participating, you all get an A.

Now, your next assignment:

Make sure you clearly tell me the five movies and WHY they are must see.

My 5 movies:

1.  American Splendor: I absolutely love this movie.  I just relate to all the characters, which isa strange thing to say because they are all real people.  I guess American Splendor really shows howlife isn’t all it is cracked up to be but you have to make the most of it andnot daydream about what is going to happen five years from now or when you aredead.

2.  Requiem for a Dream: Requiem fora Dream exposes four paralleled individuals and their menacing addiction toheroin, cocaine, and diet pills (speed).  Iwas in awe the first time I viewed this film. It is very emotional and Aronofsky really ties you into the character’slives.  This movie is such a stark lookat drugs when many other movies glamorize abuse.  I wish today’s celebrities took the time towatch this movie.  One thought, if yourent this movie be warned that there are both an NC17 and R version.  Most rental stores only carry the R-ratedversion.  If you want to see anotherclassic Aronofsky production go to Wal-mart and Requiem for a Dream is featuredon a dual DVD with the movie, Pi.

3.  American History X: This was a difficult movie to watch due to its graphic nature.  I just can’t understand racism but that iswhat the point of this movie is.  Takecaution when viewing.  Edward Norton mademe think he is a good actor after seeing this movie.  I do find it hard to watch My Name is Earlafter seeing one of the characters in this movie but I guess he can handlediverse roles.

4.  American Beauty: I simply love thisfilm.  When I was in college many of myclassmates absolutely hated this movie. I don’t know why because they could never verbally voice theirpoints.  I guess I found this movie attimes to be a dark comedy because of its comments on the dysfunctional familythat I know oh so well.  Kevin Spacey is first-rateas Lester Burnham.

5.  Dr. Strangelove: I absolutely adore this movie.  I think it is because Peter Sellers hasmultiple roles but it is well written and mimics history.  I find it ironic how this movie applies tomost every military action the US has become involved in since itsrelease.  Rent the DVD and be sure towatch any deleted scenes.  There is onethat was simply deleted due to the assassination of JFK.

6.  One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: When most people compare a movie based on abook to the book they usually say they enjoyed the book better.  Not for me with this movie.  There were major differences but the filmversion has a tighter feeling.  The bookI had was good because it had a doctor’s commentary describing mental illnessesand their treatments.  Jack Nicholsongave one hell of a performance as McMurphy.

7.  Fight Club:  I think this may be the best book to movie adaptation out there.  One of the greatest mindscrews in modern cinema but I shouldn't even be talking about this movie.

8.  Batman Begins and The Dark Knight: These are the best Batman movies and anyone who is interested in Batman should watch these instead of the shit that came out in the 90s.

9.  The Great Dictator: This is the first true talking movie Charlie Chaplin made.  It exposed the absolute absurdity of Nazi Germany and was only one of two films to condemn the Nazis and Hitler before the U.S. entered World War II.  Charlie Chaplin gives one of the best speeches in all of cinema.

10.  Triumph of the Will: OK so I just got done condemning the Nazis and this film glorifies them.  I think it's a worthwhile watch so that you can see how people willingly followed Hitler.  All the politics aside the film was one of the most advanced for it's time given all of the different techniques employed.  The cinematography makes this one of the greatest films of all time.  Also there is one memorable scene that was copied by George Lucas for Star Wars.

11.  American Graffiti:  This was George Lucas' second movie that he directed and wrote.  The movie is set in 1962 California and is nostalgic look at the lives of 1960s teenagers.  It's almost like one long music video because there always seems to be music playing and the movie seemingly revolves around the music.  It might be one of the best movies about teenagers ever to be made.  This style of movie has led to another similar movie that I love called Dazed and Confused.  American Graffiti was such a pioneering movie.  It only cost $750,000 to be made but has grossed over $250million worldwide, $78million of which was during the first run.  It was one of the first movies to use actual rock and roll music for the soundtrack instead of using a composed soundtrack.  It was one of the first movies to use cross-cutting in storytelling which has been replicated numerous times.  Also one of the reasons why I like this movie was how I was able to bond with my dad while watching it because the "kids" featured in the movie were the same age as what he was when the movie took place.  Oh and speaking of the "kids"...so many people in that movie became big stars.

I did 11, you only had to give me 5.