Top Ten Oscar Films from the last 30 years

Greg's Note: These aren't necessarily Best Picture nominees but films nominated from one of many categories (from Best Actor to Adapted Screenplay etc.). Opinions are Greg's and so if you don't agree, cool. Greg don't care 'cause it's only opinion. !Spoiler Alert!

10. Road to Perdition: Perhaps Paul Newman's last great role as a mobster protecting his good-for-nothing son (Daniel Craig) from the rightfully vengeful Tom Hanks. He gets what's coming to him from Hanks but he knows the damage done. Ending is bittersweet as Tom Hanks dies from two or three shots to the back but he saves his son from having to become like him by killing Jude Law before he can. Really great film from the director of "American Beauty".

9. The Deer Hunter: I'd love to include a happy picture on this list but alas this isn't one of them. Stellar cast: DeNiro, Streep, Walken (who won Best Supporting) and one other actor (name escapes me) who starred in The Godfather. Walken and DeNiro who shared a nightmare together are walking wounded, both choosing to stifle the pain in two very different ways.

8. Forrest Gump: It spawned a whole slew of pop culture catchphrases but what a great story of tragedy, history, comedy and sweet love that prevails horrible choices and circumstance. Tom Hanks was good (I'm not sure if he deserved Best Actor but the picture overall deserves my praise).

7. The Departed: Gotta love the Boston accents. Nicholson, DiCaprio, Damon, Whalberg, Sheen, and Winstone do a great job. Surprises, betrayals, street justice and I believe DiCaprio should have been nominated for this role instead of "Blood Diamond".

6. Schindler's List: Not an easy film to watch but a must for everyone (after the age of 14 that is). It deserved the Oscar and was Speilberg's true labour of love. Not a fun film but one that captures the times and horrors of the Holocaust.

5. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: Jack Nicholson does a great job as a poop disturber in a mental ward as does Nurse Ratchet.



4. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy: A fantastic journey through Middle Earth. Jackson captured Tolkien's vision and I didn't mind some important facts omitted from the film because the acting, CGI and emotion was captured well. Well worth buying the extended versions on DVD.



3. Gangs of New York: Daniel Day-Lewis was robbed for Best Actor by Adrien "Where is He Now?" Brody. Every scene, you think he's going to break down or slit someone's throat. Fine supporting cast and Scorsese's direction was awesome. The accents that Day-Lewis can do for roles are flawless. It's no wonder he won for "There Will Be Blood". He's one of the few actors who could say that he's an artist.



2. Platoon: Stone's only good film. Charlie Sheen does a great job. Great tension between Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger. Very surprising to see Sheen's reaction to Berenger at the film's end. Loss of innocence in a war that made little sense.



1. Master of Disguise: Haha, here's the real one: The Silence of the Lambs: Anthony Hopkins wins big. Jodie Foster wins big. Jonathan Demme has had a career since that's hardly worth mentioning but this is a classic and he deserves kudos. Finally a villain who could and would rip your throat out but somehow garners sympathy from the viewer.

Top Ten Overlooked Songs for a Wedding

People tend to copy each other....it's just the way it is. Cousin Jimmy had At Last by Etta James played at his wedding so I will too....and so it goes. But come on! There are only so many weddings you can attend where the bride and groom dance to Amazed or At Last or Everything I Do....so I have compiled a list--these songs are perfect for weddings but are just not getting the play time they deserve.

10. The Sound of Love--by James Iha--yes THAT James Iha of Smashing Pumpkins fame. He did a solo album a few years back--critics didn't like it-I did! This song was used at our wedding and we loved it!



9. Every Day is a Holiday--Esthero with Sean Lennon--this is a sweet and summery song-perfect for an afternoon wedding!



8. You Belong to Me--sung by Ben Taylor--this song has been sung by many--I like this version.


7. Lost Together--Blue Rodeo--okay so maybe I have heard of this song being played at a wedding or two but it is not a regular occurance.


6. Iris--GooGoo Dolls--Sigh--a lovely song from a less than stellar movie.



5. Today--by Josh Radin--this guy has a beautiful voice and this is just a nice song.


4. Open Window--Sarah Harmer--folky, pretty Canadian song about weddings.

3. Yellow--Coldplay--I think this is a really nice song to dance to at a wedding...

2. I Love You--Sarah McLauchlan--very nice and kinda haunting-but in a pretty way!

And, wedding march please.....the number one overlooked song is...................................

1. Heavenly Day--Patty Griffin--yes, this one was played on Smallville during the wedding but-that is just one wedding. This is a beautiful song that is just begging to be played at everyone's wedding this year!!!

Top Ten Happily Ever After Movies!

So, on this gloomy day in February....we all could use a little happiness---so here they are....Kerry's Top Ten favorite Happily Ever After Movies!!! (SPOILER ALERT!!! BY READING THIS YOU WILL KNOW THAT ALL OF THE BELOW MOVIES END HAPPILY)

10. A Knights Tale--okay, so it is not an oscar worthy film or anything--and yes, it is not historically acurate, but......they did live happily ever after-so there!

9. Princess Diaries--the first one, not the second. It is cute, and fun, and darned if they don't live happily ever after!!!

8. 13 Going on 30--how adorable are Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner?? I loved this movie and I don't care who knows it!!!

7. The Wedding Singer-- Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler--goofy romantic comedy!

6. Sweet Home Alabama--Yes, it is cheesy and predictable, but I love it!

5. Stardust--I love this movie! It sucks you right in-like when you were little and listening to a bedtime story.

4. Pride and Predjudice--Sigh--who doesn't love Mr. Darcy? Jenn knows what I am talking about!!!!

3. Ever After--A Cinderella story starring the lovely Drew Barrymore.

2. Cinderella--The original Walt Disney cartoon. Every little girl wants a dress like hers and a Prince Charming like hers too!

And...in first place....drum rolls please...no wait, chirping birds and rejoicing woodland animals please........................................................................................................................................................


1. The Princess Bride--Wuv twew Wuv.... everyone loves the story of Buttercup and Wesley!

Top 10 Breakup Songs

Since it is the day after Valentines Day--a notorious day for breaking up-I think it is only appropriate that we list off Kerry's top ten favorite Breakup Songs!!! YAY!

10. Before He Cheats--Carrie Underwood--I really do not like country music AT ALL-but there is something satisfying about this song.
9. Take Another Piece of My Hearth-Janis Joplin--You need to scream it out occasionally-Janis can help you with that!
8. Irreplacable-Beyonce--To the left, to the left.....This song just says-I am better than that!
7. I'm Looking Through You- The Beatles--There has to be a Beatles song in here....
6. Smile- Lily Allen--cause sometimes it is just nice to smile at your miserable ex.
5. Don't Speak--No Doubt ahhhh...denial.
4.With or Without You-- U2--who can forget that moment on Friends after the first Ross and Rachel breakup......sniff, sniff.
3. How to Save a Life--The Fray--Kleenex anyone?
2. Monkey Wrench--Foo Fighters--It's okay to get angry--go ahead-yell a little.

AND IN THE #1 spot we have.......drum roll please............

1. I Will Survive--take your pick-Gloria Gaynor or Cake. Cake is a little edgier for you angrier people! But either way, you must admit that when you say breakup song people automatically think--I Will Survive!