56. The Blind Side (2009)- John Lee Hancock

The Blind Side Trailer

There is a reason that this is my eight year old brother's favorite movie. The story of Michael Oher and the Tuohy family proves that there are many different ways to make a family, even if the members of the family don't look the same, or are from the same biology. Sandra Bullock was incredible Leigh Ann Tuohy, the Ole Miss grad, sports obsessed, wealthy southern mother who took in the basically orphaned Michael and gave him not only his first bed, but a home and love. The most magical part about this story is that it is based on the actual life of Michael Oher and the family that gave him a life and a chance. Bullock deservingly won an Academy Award for her role in this film, which literally makes me cry every time I watch it. It's a great movie for the whole family that teaches about love, dedication and acceptance. 

55. Imagine: John Lennon (1988)- Andrew Solt

Imagine: Part 1

Yesterday in my class on the Beatles, we watched the documentary about John Lennon made by John and his Japanese artist wife, Yoko Ono. Throughout their years together, the couple definitely caused some major controversy whether it was their "sleep ins" instead of sit ins, or John's terrible parenting skills when it came to his first son. I think I might be the only one that thinks this, but I felt like it kind of made Lennon seem like an asshole. He was rude to fans and yes, he is THE John Lennon, but for such a public figure, he really let his fame go to his head in a bad way. Anyway, I thought it was very well made and showed a very personal side to John and Yoko's relationship. The clips were mostly from their own personal home movies, as almost a video blog which was interesting because I know that personally, I didn't really know about or understand their relationship and it was great to see it from their perspective and not that of the media. Interesting movie, worth seeing!

54. Like Crazy (2011)- Drake Doremus

Like Crazy Trailer

I wanted to like it because Ingrid Michaelson's version of "Fools Rush In" in the trailer was incredible. I tried to like it because it was about people my age, and the troubles of growing up. The story was relatable: a tale about naive, wonderful first love, and the difficulties that comes along with it. I wasn't crazy about it though. It was something about the "Groundhog Day" like quality it had to it: each scene pretty much mirrored the one before it, but in an annoying push and pull, come here, I love you, go away, I hate you, no come back here...kind of way. The actors were alright, not spectacular, but definitely fine. If they didn't try to be so damn artsy, this movie would have potential. But no, I didn't want it, I didn't need it, and I certainly didn't love, or miss it.

53. 21 Jump Street (2012)

21 Jump Street Trailer

Channing Tatum as the incredibly handsome, hilariously stupid, popular jock in high school, sexy cop is literally the perfect role for him. This film was so ridiculously funny and very well casted. I liked that even though it was based off of the old television show from the late 80s, it stands on its own, completely separate from the t.v. series. Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill play two cops who are basically complete failures and are transferred to the undercover division, where they have to pose as high school students and locate the supplier of a new drug that is being circulated. Basically, they're total narcs who get too caught up in life in high school. Let's be honest though, who doesn't love seeing Channing Tatum shoot a gun, if that isn't a reason to see this movie, then I don't know what is!

52. The Lorax (2012)- Chris Renaud, Kyle Balda

The Lorax Trailer

"I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues." The Lorax is one of, if not my favorite of Dr. Seuss' tales. It follows the protector of the forrest, the Lorax (aka God), and his quest to be the voice of the animals, and those who cannot speak for themselves, the trees. It is cautionary story about protecting the environment, because everyone benefits from each other, and needs to do so for survival. It also shows that if you become greedy and chop down a bunch of trees, you will end up living in a dark land, in a creepy house by yourself, with an outfit that makes the Keebler elves look stylish. Anyway, this movie was very cute, and definitely worth seeing. The only issue I had was that the cast's voices were too recognizable for anyone over like 9. With Danny Devito as the "Lorax," all I could picture was a scene in "Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia"...with a huge 70s 'stache. 

51. Project X (2012)- Nima Nourizadeh

Project X Trailer

This movie had potential, it really did. The idea was great: a mockumentary about a bunch of jackass, hormonal, dorky teenage boys who will do just about anything to be "cool" for just one night. Too bad this subject has been way overdone, and by movies that actually had plots, go figure! The camera was way too shaky, even for a  supposed documentary, and made it nearly impossible to watch. Also, when over 1,500 underage high school students throw a party outside, with an incredibly loud DJ, flames, and just overall screaming- someone would call the cops, and they wouldn't just leave without kicking everyone out. Whether it be a neighbor, or a random person driving past the house, the severity of the damage in this movie is just unrealistic because it would never get to this point in real life. Okay, so I'll give them a broken window, or hole in the drywall, but not some idiot showing up with a blow torch- who does that? Also, the unrecognizable cast of "nobody's" would have been successful, if any of the characters would have been likable. They were all disgusting, and misogynistic, to the point that when Thomas' house was being wrecked, I didn't even feel badly for him at all. This movie isn't worth seeing, unless you are really craving to waste your money, and time, and develop a killer migraine.

50. Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey (2011)- Constance Marks, Phillip Shane

Being Elmo Trailer

As cliché as it, is: Don't judge a book by its cover. Because that book walking down the street, just looking like an average Joe, could, in fact, be the voice and self behind one of the most iconic figures in the world, Elmo. This is an eye opening documentary about the man (er hand?) within the puppet. Unlike other children his age, who probably wanted to be professional athletes, or doctors, lawyers, when they were older, Kevin Clash grew up watching the Muppets and idolizing its indescribably talented creator, Jim Henson. He wanted to not only be a puppeteer, but work with Jim and his team. This documentary chronicles the life of Kevin Clash, and the impact that he, as Elmo, has had on the world. It is incredibly moving to see how purely genuine Clash is, and the "clash" between his actual voice, and the voice of his three year old, monster alter ego, Elmo. 

49. KONY 2012 (2012)- Invisible Children (29 mins.)

KONY 2012

Imagine a world in which your son, daughter, sister, or brother was taken from their home, sold into sex slavery, given a gun and told to fight for nothing but the power of one man. This is the world that we live in in the year 2012. Joseph Kony is the leader of the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) in Uganda. Kony goes from house to house, kidnapping young children, and turning them into child soldiers, forcing them to murder their families and follow him. The young boys are given guns to fight with, while the girls are brutally raped and sold into sex slavery. He is recognized as the world's worst criminal, and needs to be stopped. He has taken over 30,000 children over the years, and brutally massacred thousands of innocent people and villages, and those he does not kill are mutilated. Why has a man so Hitler-esque never been stopped in the 25 years he has been in power? Is it because since it isn't in the United States, politicians think it doesn't matter? In reality, we are all one world, and no one person is more or less important than any other one. In order for Kony to be captured, the governments of the world have to know that we care. In the words of the Beatles, "I'm talking about a revolution." 

48. Wanderlust (2012)- David Wain

Wanderlust Trailer

Oh man, this movie. So incredibly wrong...and yet, so right. This was not a "good" movie by any stretch of the imagination, but for some strange reason I belly laughed the entire time and found myself immediately quoting it afterwards and laughing to myself when thinking of certain scenes. Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd are very funny as the easily influenced couple that always believes that there is something better out there. They come across some hilariously real scenarios, such as a "commune" filled with hippies, an asshole brother who wears his cell phone on a belt clip, and many different jobs. Every single line in the film is ridiculous, especially if you know anything about the hippie culture and lifestyle. The cast is great, and overall definitely worth seeing at least seventeen times. I feel like it has the Napoleon Dynamite affect, the first time you see it, it's stupid. But then you get home from the theatre and it keeps creeping up on you, and you can't stop thinking about it, and have a crazy urge to see it over and over again. 

47. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)- Blake Edwards

Breakfast at Tiffany's Trailer

The classic black dress, tiara, long cigarette holder and pearls. The classic look that has inspired generations of fashion an glamor was featured in this iconic romantic comedy/drama about a daft New York socialite (Audrey Hepburn) and the juvenile relationships she forms with various men. This is by far Hepburn's most famous role, and her most challenging, seeing as she was normally very shy, which is the complete opposite of this role. The story is complex and sparks all different emotions from the viewer. The screenplay is based off of the famous novella by Truman Capote of the same name. I love this film. It has a witty charm to it, but at the same time it was slightly disturbing seeing as the main character Holly Golightly (Hepburn) is oblivious in a scary way. Anyway, this movie is one of Hollywood's classics and is a must see for anyone. Seriously. Watch it.

46. Death At a Funeral (2007)- Frank Oz

Death at a Funeral Trailer


Oh British comedy...you never fail to amuse me. This movie was very stereotypical of British humor: raunchy, belly laugh funny, gross at times, and often times just straight up wrong. This was a very smart comedy about a highly dysfunctional family, and their inability to keep secrets. I laughed out loud this entire movie. Each scene had a different twist that was even better than the previous one. From the accidental ingestion of hallucinogenic drugs, to crazy sibling rivalry over a eulogy, to the murder of a stranger at the funeral, to the inappropriate nudity, I felt more and more uncomfortable (in a good way) about the fact that these events were all taking place at the funeral of the patriarch of this absurd family. This movie was so funny that it sparked a Hollywood remake just two years later, but don't watch it, it completely pales in comparison to the hilarious original!