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Your life, perhaps even your very existence, is probably going to end soon, and the world around you is definitely collapsing.
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At least, that seems to be the recurring trend in some of the best movies ever made. This is “Movie Night”!
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*theme song plays*
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Hello, and welcome to the season two finale of “Movie Night”! I'm your host, Jonathan Paula.
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Today on the show, we'll be once again examining some of the best movies of all time.
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Last year, in part one of this series, I highlighted ten movies that I scored a "10" on the Rate-o-Matic: “Air Force One"...
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“Apollo 13"...
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“Avatar"...
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“Braveheart"...
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“Raiders Of The Lost Ark"...
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“Jurassic Park"...
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“Shawshank Redemption"...
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“Star Wars"...
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“Terminator 2"...
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and “The Dark Knight.”
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In previous episodes of “Movie Night,” I also scored a "10" to “Rocky"...
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“Die Hard”...
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and “Back to the Future."
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And tonight, I'm going to showcase another 10 of my favorites that we haven't yet reviewed. And later, I'll reveal your list of the top-100 movies of all time.
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But before we start, I'd like to quickly explain the Rate-o-Matic, so there's no confusion.
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Take this scale here. If it were 1 to 100, the "10" at the top wouldn't represent a flawless film, but rather, any movie that scored above a “91"...
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meaning that you can score a movie an "amazing," and it doesn't necessarily mean it's perfect or flawless or necessarily better than its competition.
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But they do represent the cream of the crop. But enough explanation- let's review some of my favorite movies, starting off in alphabetical order, with “The Butterfly Effect.”
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This 2004 sci-fi thriller stars Ashton Kutcher as a man who discovers he has the ability to travel back in time...
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to pivotal movements of his own lifetime and re-live them with varying consequences. The writing is tight and believable here...
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really demanding a lot of emotional and intellectual commitment from the viewer, asking the age-old question of: “If you could fix the mistakes of yesteryear..."
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"...would you? What if it meant you'd lose your best friend in the process, or end up handicapped?”
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Not only do the characters struggle with these decisions and emotions, but the careful direction of the film itself ensures that we are brought along for the roller coaster ride.
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I definitely have a soft spot for time-travel films, and “The Butterfly Effect”'s serious approach to the subject is definitely an effective one.
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Kutcher plays opposite Amy Smart, both of whom wonderfully bring their characters and their respective temporal variations to life with ease...
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resulting in some really tear-jerking moments during the final scenes of the film, as Oasis's, "Stop Crying Your Heart Out" plays beautifully in the background.
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At the conclusion of this film, I was struck at how profoundly it moved me. I wasn't able to stop thinking about its characters or the film's message for days.
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A modern-day classic in the sci-fi department, “The Butterfly Effect” is an easy "10" for me.
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"Emotionally powerful and thought-provoking."
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Speaking of modern-day sci-fi classics, my second film is 2006's "Children of Men."
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Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, and Michael Caine star in this movie about a dystopian Earth, set in the year 2027, where mankind has been infertile for nearly two decades.
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With the extinction of the human race just one lifetime away, Owen and Moore are delighted and burdened with the responsibility...
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of escorting the first pregnant women in 18 years to a safe location. The story is breathtaking and boldly original...
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beautifully captured in epically long tracking shots that sometimes last five minutes or more.
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“Children of Men” is a sometimes disturbing examination of the human condition at its absolute worst...
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and what society could be like if no one was able to have children anymore.
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These thought-provoking questions are intertwined between scenes of gritty violence and action...
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seamlessly captured with special effects so impressive that you forget you are watching a movie at all.
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The principal cast is made up of all seasoned veterans who commendably bring their “A”-game to what is easily one of the best films to ever deal with a dystopian future.
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“Children of Men”- an “amazingly vivid representation of mankind."
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Our third film tonight is easily the oldest we've ever reviewed here on “Movie Night,” 1941's "Citizen Kane."
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The masterpiece of cinema produced, directed, written by, and starring Orson Welles when he was just 26 years old, "Citizen Kane"...
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quite simply, redefined the very concept of what a motion picture was capable of accomplishing.
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Rumored to be loosely based on the life of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, “Citizen Kane” stars Welles as Charles Kane...
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whom we are introduced to on his death bed in the opening scene of the film, as he utters his final word, "rosebud," before dropping a snow globe to the floor.
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From the perspective of a reporter investigating what "rosebud" meant, we're then witness to a series of flashbacks that show us glimpses of Kane's life.
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The story itself, although interesting and fascinating, is nothing really remarkable, but it's Welles's execution...
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in every area that truly makes this film an incredible achievement. Techniques were pioneered and developed for this film that had never been seen before.
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Advanced uses of blocking, deep focus, long shots, miniatures, shadows, lighting, sound track, and editing...
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exemplify why, 70 years later, this movie is still shown the first day of class to any prospective film student.
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Decades ahead of its time, this film not only holds up, it somehow still manages to impress and captivate audiences.
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Required viewing for all fans of cinema, “Citizen Kane” is "an absolute masterpiece, textbook classic."
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A complete 180 from the meticulously choreographed shots in “Citizen Kane,” my fourth film tonight that I scored a "10" is “Cloverfield.”
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Director Matt Reeves literally brings us along for the ride in this edge-of-your seat sci-fi/horror thriller...
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about a modern-day Godzilla-type monster that is threatening downtown Manhattan. We're introduced to a no-name cast...
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of incredibly likeable and believable characters in scenes from their ordinary life that play out with a certain calm serenity to them that beautifully bookends the film.
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When disaster strikes during a party, we follow a small group of survivors through the destruction of New York as they struggle to survive.
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Nearly the entire film is shown through the perspective of an actual camera the characters bring with them...
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with the audience essentially embodying the first-person point of view of its operator. It's a refreshingly courageous decision by Reeves...
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which threatens to give the audience vertigo or motion sickness if not executed correctly. Luckily, though, the cinematography here...
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as well as the music, visuals, sound effects, and editing, are all executed surprisingly well, truly transporting the audience into the world of its characters...
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resulting in a dreadfully tense 85-minute thrill ride that never disappoints. A delightfully entertaining experience, this movie is a great example of “less is more"...
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and where substance prevails over style. The “Cloverfield” monster himself is heard more than seen, harkening back to the dramatic techniques of Spielberg's "Jaws."
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“Cloverfield”- an "exhilarating modern-day monster story."
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My fifth film tonight is Martin Scorsese's "The Departed."
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This 2006 crime thriller is a bit of a remake of the Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs," which tells two opposing narratives...
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one of an undercover cop within a crime family and another of a mole from that same family inside the Boston police department.
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The incredibly talented all-star cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Vera Farmiga, and Alec Baldwin.
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The Boston accents are thick, the locations real, and the violence bloody and vengeful, just as you'd expect from any self-respecting Scorsese crime drama.
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Despite the mammoth “A”-list cast, every character gets a chance to shine, most of whom being fully fleshed-out individuals.
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With dialogue that is witty and funny, the script is also fast-paced, engaging, and completely engrossing...
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delicately balancing the line of complexity and confusion, resulting in a smart movie that never loses its audience.
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The pinnacle of Scorsese's career and a true icon of modern-day crime films, "The Departed" is easily a movie I'll find myself watching again and again.
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An "epic drama. Gritty and thrilling."
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Transitioning from the modern crime drama to the classic crime drama, my sixth film tonight is "The Godfather, Part II."
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Being both a prequel and a sequel to the iconic 1972 “Best Picture” winner, it had an incredibly tough act to follow...
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but Francis Ford Coppola once again hit the ball out of the park, scoring another 11 Oscar nominations, including a second “Best Picture” win.
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The film is memorably presented in two parallel storylines, one of Al Pacino in the late 1950s as the new Don of the Corelone family...
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and the other in the early 20th century following his young father, Vito, played brilliantly by Robert DeNiro in an Oscar-winning role.
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Since these two incredibly polished narratives never intersect in any capacity, the film almost plays out like two separate movies altogether...
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each one marvelously amazing in its own right. Continuing the precedent set forth in the original, Mario Puzo's adapted screenplay...
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bursts onto the screen in every scene, each one as startlingly original and exciting as the last.
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Everything here from the beautiful cinematography and the impeccable acting to the haunting soundtrack and moral ambiguity of the characters is handled with perfection.
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Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, and John Cazale round out the extraordinary cast that truly carries this film from the incredible to the unbelievable.
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“The Godfather, Part I” redefined cinema and created a whole new sub-genre of crime films, but “The Godfather, Part II” absolutely perfected that genre.
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"Astonishingly captivating, a groundbreaking achievement."
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We'll be right back to take a look at my seventh film after this quick commercial break.
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A bit more rough around the edges than the “The Godfather,” my next movie is "Independence Day."
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This 1996 film from director Roland Emmerich not only reinvigorated the dying disaster genre, it's also a childhood favorite of mine.
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Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, and Randy Quaid star as survivors on Earth after a massively devastating attack by a group...
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of hostile aliens destroys dozens of populated cities. This band of survivors comes together from around the country to stop the aliens from annihilating the human race completely.
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These days, it's not an overly original premise, but, I promise you, “Independence Day” is the one that executed it best.
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The 153-minute film introduces us to a slew of characters, both before and after these terrible attacks, as we're witness to the changing landscape of a future in their world.
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A true embodiment of the term “blockbuster,” this film is an over-the-top thrill ride that never releases the throttle.
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The iconic imagery of the White House and Empire State Building being destroyed have been engrained into the social consciousness...
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of our society ever since, which, for better or worse, started a trend of movies obliterating famous landmarks.
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The visual effects, to this day, are breathtaking, the soundtrack chilling and memorable, the pacing and mood...
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fast and light enough to please all audiences. It may not be intellectually stimulating, but it's damn enjoyable.
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“Independence Day”- "Popcorn entertainment at its finest."
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Going from a movie where you leave your brain at the door to one where you may need to watch it a second time...
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just to figure out what the hell is going on, my eighth film tonight is 1999's "The Matrix."
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Written and directed by the Wachowski brothers, this classic sci-fi action film stars Keanu Reeves as a lowly computer programmer...
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who discovers his entire existence and that of all mankind is nothing but a simulation in a computer.
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The reality within a reality is a concept that had been done before, but never like this. “The Matrix”...
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requires absolute attention from its audience, lest you'll be completely lost in a few minutes. With the help of supporting cast members...
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Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne-Moss, Reeves discovers that, inside this simulation environment known as The Matrix...
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he can control, bend, and manipulate space-time, resulting in some of the most incredibly iconic images to ever grace the silver screen.
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Those slow-motion "bullet-time" effects are famous today, but they were groundbreaking and revolutionary when we first saw them 12 years ago.
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Although Reeves is notorious for his inability to really convey much emotional range, his character here lends itself well to himself as an actor.
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This is a movie that makes you think, makes you gasp, and makes you totally forget where the 136 minutes went after finishing it.
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It's no wonder this film spawned two very successful sequels and dozens of copycats.
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“The Matrix”- "Visually revolutionary and mind-blowing."
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My ninth film that I scored a "10" on the Rate-o-Matic is “The Prestige.”
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This 2006 magician-themed mystery thriller is just one of the many masterpieces Christopher Nolan is responsible for.
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This film stars Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale as competing magicians at the turn of the 20th Century...
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who are constantly trying to one-up each other with rival magic shows. Michael Caine, David Bowie, and the always gorgeous Scarlett Johansson...
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round out the incredible cast, all of whom do a magnificent job in the period setting. The battling magician's story...
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quickly turns to that of revenge, trickery, and, seemingly, murder. Nolan's script is tight and engaging...
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really requiring a taut attention span to follow the brilliantly written dialogue and sequences. Not a film that can easily be explained...
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nor one that should be spoiled for those who haven't seen it, "The Prestige" is ultimately about the human condition- to be better than your fellow man...
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and at what incredible lengths you'll go to get there. The surprise twists in the final scenes left me absolutely astounded...
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staggeringly surprising, yet completely concrete in their development. A film that is truly best explored and experienced first-hand, Nolan certainly doesn't disappoint.
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"The Prestige"- a "challengingly rewarding film that impresses."
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And last, but certainly not least, my tenth film tonight is the epic final installment of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, "Return of the King."
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At over four hours in length, this monumental third chapter to the incredibly massive fantasy trilogy based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien...
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is a true sight to behold, bringing together every single element that makes a movie great for one magical film.
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Matching a record only held by “Ben-Hur” and “Titanic,” “Return of the King” single-handedly won all 11 Academy Awards...
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it was nominated for, including “Best Picture,” in 2003. The visual effects are subtle, yet amazingly well executed.
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They represent the awe-inspiring display of Peter Jackson's attention to detail and cinema prowess...
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as he faithfully and believably brings the fictitious land of Middle Earth completely to life. All of the characters and stories from the previous two films...
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which were equally as impressive in their own right, are neatly resolved here, even if the 45-minute epilogue tends to drag towards the end.
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But when you're dealing with a story of this magnitude, brevity isn't always the best solution. Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen...
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Sean Astin, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, and dozens of others make up the remarkable cast who absolutely became their characters.
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The entire “Lord of the Rings” series is as entertaining as it is gigantic, but this third and final movie is easily the best of the bunch.
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For fans of fantasy and adventure, this film more than delivered the goods, going above and beyond any normal film, a true example of getting your money's worth.
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"Return of the King"- "Definitely epic. An incredible adventure."
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Alright, well, that does it for another ten of my favorite films. But now, let's take a look at the movies you rated as the best of all time.
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Over 12,000 votes were cast, with nearly 5,000 of them going to the top-100 films alone. But now, without further ado...
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I present to you our revised list of the best films of all time, as voted on by the “Movie Night” audience!
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Please check the description below if you'd like to see the full list of all 100.
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But coming in at number ten, with 134 votes, is 1999's “Fight Club.”
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Ninth on the list is “Toy Story,” with 141 votes.
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With 145 is “Pulp Fiction,” taking the eighth spot.
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“The Dark Knight” received 152 votes, landing at number seven.
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Perhaps fresh in your mind from last week's review, “Saving Private Ryan” placed sixth, with 162 votes.
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At fifth place, with 191 votes, is “Shawshank Redemption.”
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With 198 votes, Tom Hanks makes his third appearance in the top 10 at spot number four with “Forrest Gump.”
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In the bronze medal position is “Back to the Future,” with 214 votes.
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Runner-up and new to the list this year is “Inception,” with 224 votes.
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And the best movie of all time, with 237 votes, is “Star Wars”!
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So, there it is, your top-10 movies of all time. Thank you very much to everyone who voted and contributed to make this list possible.
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But that does it for tonight's films. So, now, let's take a look at what's currently playing in theaters, with some Tweet Critiques.
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Remember, if you're going to the movies, make sure to submit your Twitter review, using the #JPMN hashtag...
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as we continue our conversation during the summer. But that does it for this episode and the second season of “Movie Night"...
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where we reviewed 66 films, both the great and the terrible. Season three of “Movie Night” will return this November...
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with an extended look at all of the summer blockbusters that we're going to miss...
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like “Cowboys and Aliens"...
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“Super 8"...
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“The Hangover 2"...
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“Transformers: Dark Of The Moon"...
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“Piranha 3DD"...
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the reboot of “Planet Of The Apes"...
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“Pirates Of The Caribbean 4,” and many more.
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Until then, though, my name is Jonathan Paula. Thank you for watching “Movie Night.” I hope to see you right back here for season three!