Highbrow Magazine - pulp fiction https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/pulp-fiction en The Best Movies We Have Ever Seen https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/24062-best-movies-we-have-ever-seen <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Fri, 09/01/2023 - 19:00</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/10bestmovies.jpg?itok=GnIOUkir"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/10bestmovies.jpg?itok=GnIOUkir" width="318" height="480" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Filmmaker Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu once said: “Cinema is a mirror by which we often see ourselves.”</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The precious images and storylines that are cleverly woven together to present a feast for the eyes often leave a lingering effect that stirs so many emotions within us. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The perpetual argument – as to which films are the best – has been at the forefront of critics’ minds (and pens) for decades. But as Gonzalez Innaritu explains, the choice comes down to our own personal feelings as the viewer. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">On that note, it’s time for <em>Highbrow Magazine</em> film critics to add their favorite films to the ever-growing lists of other publications and sites that spend ample time ranking and scoring the “must-see” movies ever created. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">But as our senior writer and film critic Ulises Duenas said, it’s like being asked to pick your favorite child.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">In this first installment of <em>The Best Movies We Have Ever Seen</em>, Duenas – along with contributing writers and film critics Ben Friedman and Garrett Hartman – list their 12 all-time favorites.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Interestingly, the one film that appears on Duenas’s, Friedman’s, and Hartman’s lists is <em>The Empire Strikes Back</em>. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">This selection – which features the viewing preference of millennial and Gen Z critics – differs considerably from the Gen-X musings of the magazine’s <strong>chief film critic Forrest Hartman</strong> and <strong>founding editor and publisher Tara Taghizadeh</strong>, whose own selections will be featured soon.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">For the love of movies…enjoy. And please send us your own favorite titles. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong><em>--Tara Taghizadeh, founding editor and publisher—</em></strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/1bestmovies.jpg" style="height:432px; width:650px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong><em>From Ulises Duenas – Senior Writer and Film Critic:</em></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>Picking 12 favorite films is like picking a favorite child, but sometimes these tough choices must be made. Some are personal favorites, and others are films I see as essential viewing for the modern moviegoer. In no particular order; these are my top picks.</em></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Bladerunner</span></span></em></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">A sci-fi classic that only becomes more relevant with age. This movie is dripping with neon atmosphere, thanks to its beautiful and dour sets, along with an amazing soundtrack. Ridley Scott’s tale of humanity clashing with synthetic life while deciphering what differences even exist between the two is fascinating. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Harrison Ford delivers a great performance -- then Rutger Hauer comes along to steal the show. I also thank this movie for pioneering the cyberpunk subgenre, my personal favorite flavor of sci-fi media.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Goodfellas</span></span></em></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">If anyone asks me to name my favorite movie, my go-to answer is <em>Goodfellas</em>. As a general rule of life, I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t like this film; yes, it’s that good. While <em>The Godfather</em> holds the crown for best mob movie in many people’s minds, I argue that <em>Goodfellas</em> has usurped it. The pacing, cinematography, writing, and performances; it’s as close to perfect as a movie can get. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/2bestmovies.jpg" style="height:353px; width:650px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The Dark Knight</span></span></em></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">I don’t want to add more than one superhero movie here, and it was between this and <em>Logan</em>. <em>The Dark Knight</em> changed the game for superhero movies the way <em>The Watchman</em> did for comics. It shows the depth of character that the genre can have without having to stray too far from the formula. Obviously, Heath Ledger’s legendary performance as the Joker is the highlight here, and for good reason, because he steals every scene he’s in. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">No Country for Old Men</span></span></em></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Cormac McCarthy’s work is difficult to put on screen, yet somehow the adaptation for <em>No Country for Old Men </em>was not only a success, but a masterpiece. It’s a timeless story of nihilism and greed told with a high level of violence, along with great performances from Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem. An American classic.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The Empire Strikes Back</span></span></em></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">I don’t know what I can say about this movie that hasn’t already been said. The best <em>Star Wars</em> movie, an eternal classic, a must-watch. Truly an iconic film.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/3bestmovies.jpg" style="height:416px; width:650px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Akira</span></span></em></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">I had to give anime some love on this list, and while I love Miyazaki’s work, I have to give the nod to <em>Akira</em>, a visually entrancing film that offers something totally new for Western audiences with its themes and characters. It shows that the genre is capable of a lot more than two characters posing and screaming for hours, and that the medium can stand alongside any other as art.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory</span></span></em></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">If a flawless movie ever existed, it’s this one. This film captured my imagination before I ever set foot in elementary school, and over time, I developed a greater appreciation for its witty dialogue and Gene Wilder’s performance. From the sets to the score and, of course, the Oompa Loompa songs, this movie nails every element. It’s a beautiful and charming experience for all ages.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">There Will Be Blood</span></span></em></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">If I told you this was one of the best films ever made, you would agree. Arguably, Daniel Day-Lewis’s greatest performance in a film that is thematically deep with a poetic script and one of the greatest, most haunting cinematic endings ever. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Full Metal Jacket</span></span></em></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">To create a movie that is defiantly anti-war without being obvious is something few are capable of, and Stanley Kubrick pulled it off better than anyone. I know many viewers think this movie loses steam in the second half, but I would say they completely missed the point of the film. The complete horrors of war are not as obvious as burning bodies and bloody corpses; the way it warps people’s minds can be just as dark. On that note, an honorable mention to <em>Jacob’s Ladder.</em></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/4bestmovies_0.jpg" style="height:650px; width:460px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Pulp Fiction</span></span></em></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Quotable, cool, and hilarious, this mixture of interconnected stories by Quentin Tarantino has left a huge impact on modern cinema. Its all-star cast and brilliant dialogue make this movie easy to watch year after year.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Old Boy</span></span></em></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">I want to include at least one non-animated foreign film here, and this was the first one that came to mind. This stomach-churning drama from Korea will leave the viewer feeling sick and exhausted, but it’s all a testament to how good it is. I’m talking about the original by the way, not the awful remake from 2013.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Napoleon Dynamite</span></span></em></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">This movie was quite polarizing in its time, which is understandable. The awkward humor here isn’t for everyone, but it had a huge impact on me as a kid. Jon Heder’s performance was so good, it probably ruined his future film career, but for making one of the best comedies of all time and a unique movie, I would say it was worth it. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/7bestmovies.jpg" style="height:389px; width:577px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong><em>From Ben Friedman—Contributing Writer and Film Critic:</em></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>Frank Capra. James Cameron. John Ford. Orson Welles. Ridley Scott. Spike Lee. These are just a few of the names that did not make it onto my Top 12 Best Films list. That is not to say that their work is not worthy, nor that they were never in consideration. Rather, the opposite is true. In conjuring this list, I painstakingly went through the archives of my film collection (of which I have thousands) and jotted down every entry in consideration. When complete, I looked down only to discover I had written down 100+ titles, all of which I thought were deserving of a spot on this list.</em></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>     What does it mean to be considered one of the best films I have ever seen? In my head, I weighed historical significance, performances, rewatchability, and most importantly how much I find myself obsessing over them. Most will disagree with my list. I am sure in one year I will revisit it myself in horror. Yet, my selections should not be viewed as definitive, rather I hope this showcases my sensibilities as a film lover, and provides an opportunity to highlight exceptional films worthy of praise.</em></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>12. Annie Hall</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The most important romantic comedy ever made, <em>Annie Hall </em>deconstructs the genre, revealing the inner nuances of intimacy that mainstream filmmaking danced around. <em>Annie Hall </em>is not the first sex-comedy ever produced, nor is it director Woody Allen’s first foray wrestling with the subject matter. Rather, Allen’s 1977 Best Picture winner strikes the perfect chord of New York intellectualism, silly visual gags, and French New Wave influence. Coupled with Diane Keaton’s best performance as the titular character makes <em>Annie Hall</em> unique in presentation, allowing the film to work both as a relic of its era and a timeless story about love and loss.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>11. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The most recent entry on my list, <em>Spider-Man</em>: <em>Into the Spider-Verse </em>serves as the beginning of the next evolution of art and storytelling. <em>Into the Spider-Verse</em> pays homage to what came before, while paving its own style and influence. This idea is explored through Miles Morales, a biracial teenage son of an African American father and a Puerto Rican mother, who both literally and metatextuality finds himself in the shadow of Peter Parker. His journey of self-discovery serves to empower and reinvent superhero storytelling. Coupled with breathtaking animation that blends 100+ years of pop art styles creates a cinematic language that understands its history -- good and bad -- and fuses it with the sensibilities of today.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>10. Se7en</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">“You know this isn’t going to have a happy ending.” Director David Fincher warns the audience early on that by design, <em>Se7en </em>can only end in bleakness. What we did not realize is simply how sadistic Fincher’s sensibilities proved. Despite being visually disturbing and upsetting, every few months I find myself revisiting and rediscovering its brilliance. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt star as Detectives Somerset and Mills tracking down a serial killer who targets victims he sees as representing one of the seven deadly sins. In <em>Se7en, </em>our heroes are predestined to suffer. Heavily influenced by noir films of the 1940s, the world present within the film is created to further kick down our protagonists. The heavy rainfall and constant raddling from the train line make it feel as if God himself is conspiring to torture Somerset and Mills. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/8bestmovies.jpg" style="height:520px; width:660px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>9. Psycho</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Every modern horror film owes its existence in part to Alfred Hitchcock. Dubbed the “master of suspense” the famed director’s talents proved generational. From such classics as <em>The Birds, North by Northwest, Rear Window, </em>and <em>Vertigo,</em> his ability to manipulate camera movements, framing, and pacing to invoke terror proved to make him one of the most influential and controversial directors of all time. No film better exemplifies Hitchcock’s sensibilities than his 1960 horror-thriller <em>Psycho. </em></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Its premise is simple - a woman is trapped in proximity with a serial killer. What differentiates <em>Psycho </em>from other horror films is its interest in the deranged. At 63 years old, the Psycho is still as frightening as ever -- due largely to Anthony Perkins's off-putting smile and stillness in movement as Norman Bates. Pair that with Hitchcock’s direction and you have the quintessential slasher movie!</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong><em>8. </em>JFK</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The fall of Camelot. The Rise of the Military Industrial complex. The Death of the American Youth. The consequences of November 22, 1963, are palpable within Oliver Stone’s 1991 “historical” epic <em>JFK. </em>At the pinnacle of his fame following the success of <em>Platoon, Wall Street, </em>and <em>Born on the Fourth of July, </em>Stone weaponized his influence to craft his narrative on what exactly happened in Dallas. Part protest, part therapeutic, and all brimstone anger, Stone utilizes the magic of filmmaking (and a tremendous John Williams score) as a radical middle finger to the American government. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">To view <em>JFK </em>as the gospel truth would be naive. Not bound to live and die by factuality, Stone utilizes the tools of his enemy in the form of propaganda, to answer the burning question that has haunted him since he returned home from Vietnam in 1968: Why?</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>7. The King of Comedy</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Martin Scorsese has always been a director willing to dive into the ugliness of the human condition, yet despite how grim and violent his work often is, a misconception arises that Scorsese himself is a cynical filmmaker. Nothing can be further from the truth. The 80-year-old director’s work time and time again showcases an earnest director interested in the forces that corrupt. Which makes <em>The King of Comedy</em> even more interesting. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Protagonist Rupert Pupkin has no rhyme or reason. He is not a troubled Vietnam veteran, or a poor child seeking riches and power, nor is he the Messiah, rather he is a man who wants to make people laugh on TV, whatever the cost. This is Scorsese’s only real foray into cynical storytelling. Given everything that had befallen him (and <em>Taxi Driver) </em>post-John Hinckley’s assassination attempt on President Reagan, it's unsurprising to see Scorsese’s fury towards the fetishization of stardom as promoted by mass news media. Darkly comedic, yet with the same fierceness that made <em>Taxi Driver </em>a hit, <em>The King of Comedy</em> is fundamental to understanding Scorsese as an artist both on and off-screen.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>6. The Empire Strikes Back</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">When I was 7 years old and first sat down to watch the original <em>Star Wars </em>trilogy, I truly felt like I was in a galaxy far, far away. I treated the series as if it was a documentary -- real lived-in worlds, with heroes and scum all existing within their own environment and possessing their own cultural practices. To put it simply, I bought into the movie magic on display. Our heroes look older as years of war have taken their toll. Here, they never possess the upper hand, rather they seek to survive another day. It’s a tale of persistence that only ends in tragedy as our once bright-eyed optimistic learns the horrors that await him.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/backtofuture.jpg" style="height:281px; width:500px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong><em>5. </em>Back to the Future</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>Back to the Future. </em>The movie that made me fall in love with movies. Despite being a product of the ‘80s, Michael J. Fox’s performance as Marty McFly is ageless, defining what I understood to be the height of cool growing up. The reason I fell in love with Robert Zemeckis’s <em>Back to the Future </em>is its screenplay. No joke is wasted; no character beat is unjustified; no action is taken without consequence. In my opinion, it is the best screenplay ever written. It is the movie that defined my childhood and I have revisited it countless times. Every time, I take something new away from it. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>4. The Godfather: Part II</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">“If history has taught us anything, it’s that you can kill anybody.” Michael Corleone weaponizes his power in the form of violence and ruthlessness throughout <em>The Godfather: Part II</em>. Convinced in his self-assurance awarded to him by his stature as the new Don of the Corleone family, Michael is so focused on the “can,” but never takes moments to consider the cost. Like its predecessor, Francis Ford Coppola’s storytelling is operatic -- akin to a Greek tragedy, except here our protagonist succeeds, but at the cost of his soul. Having destroyed everything and everyone who stood in his way, Michael embraces the role of Satan forced to rule a hollow kingdom of his creation.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/9besstmovies.jpg" style="height:471px; width:652px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>3. The Great Dictator</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">World War II, The Holocaust, and Adolf Hitler -- topics that in 1940 were taboo for comedy, even if named Charlie Chaplin. The controversial anti-war satire arrived a year before Pearl Harbor, and lampoons Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. Pre-<em>The Great Dictator</em>, Chaplin refused to abandon his work in silent films, thus for many audience members, the film presented the first time they heard Chaplin speak. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">In many ways, Chaplin and the film’s protagonist are the same. The protagonist, a Jewish barber, is forced to give a speech despite never doing so in his life. Forced to speak, Chaplin and the barber become one and the pretense of the film vanishes. The audience watches as the famed comedian condemns and gives voice to his disgust for Hitler, fascist ideology, and antisemitism. The film’s climatic monologue envisions a world that is kind and optimistic -- a future worth fighting for that is in danger if good men and women remain complicit to the horror of Nazism.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>2.<em> </em>Casablanca</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">What is there left to say about <em>Casablanca? </em>It is a testament to performances mixed with a daring screenplay that resonates with audiences both during World War II and 80 years later. The love story between Rick and Ilsa is iconic in large part due to Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman’s on-screen chemistry.  It is a story about love and loss, but to label it romantic would be a mischaracterization. Rather, love is the last thing both characters must sacrifice. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Director Michael Curtiz is able to infuse Bogart’s roots in noir pictures and infuse it thematically into the psychological questions that plague war. Rick Blaine is neither a hero nor a villain, rather he turns his back on the world. Not out of moral unrighteousness, rather out of fear. Beneath his smooth, charming exterior lies cynicism and heartbreak. Similarly, like Rick, Ilsa runs from her past. Yet, where he runs out of fright, she runs out of determination -- a determination to never look back so as to help the war efforts. Together, Rick and Ilsa help each other move forward and in doing so, sacrifice for the greater good.</span></span></p> <p><br /> <span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>1. <em>Schindler’s List</em></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The talents of Steven Spielberg lie in his ability to fuse his scale in technical filmmaking mixed with humanity in storytelling. All of Spielberg’s most successful films possess those two qualities. Whether it is Elliot and E.T. having one final heart-to-heart outside a giant spaceship, or Martin Brody monologuing about the nightmares of his past while being chased down by a shark, Spielberg understands that scale means nothing if not accompanied by genuine human emotion. This fundamental understanding is what gives <em>Schindler’s List </em>its power. His direction honors those who perished and those who survived. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The camera is unflinching so as to capture the brutality of the Holocaust, while never exploiting the subject matter. Liam Neeson’s performance is gentle and delicate. The film is never interested in making Oskar Schindler a folk hero or savior, but rather a man forced to face the ugliness of humanity. In the film’s final moments as Oskar cries out, “I could have done more,” his screams prove cathartic. The wound that is the Holocaust is laid bare, and through Spielberg's direction, is given space to mourn and heal, while never forgetful of the pain experienced. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/largenarrative.jpg" style="height:520px; width:735px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><em><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>From Garrett Hartman – Contributing Writer and Film Critic:</strong></span></span></em></p> <p> </p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Fight Club</span></span></strong></em></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">David Fincher’s gritty 1999 film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk, is a recent watch but a favorite for me. The film oozes style with excellent music and stark lighting. It offers a commentary on social apathy, capitalism, and gender. A commentary I would argue is all the more relevant 20-plus years later, considering the rise of uber-masculine personas on social media, and the tough-guy attitude many pundits and politicians have been fronting in recent years. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">American Psycho</span></span></strong></em></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Continuing on the trend of film commentaries on society and gender, 2000’s <em>American Psycho,</em> directed by Mary Harron and adapted from the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, is a film that addresses similar themes as <em>Fight Club</em> -- male fragility, ego, violence, and social anger. Christian Bale portrays an unsettling killer with a soulless smile. Bale’s performance and surreal over-the-top sequences serve to create an intriguing and unforgettable film. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The Empire Strikes Back</span></span></strong></em></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The influence of the Star Wars franchise unquestionably permeates throughout pop culture. While <em>A New Hope</em> is probably my favorite, I would argue <em>The Empire Strikes Back</em> is the best film in the franchise. Directed by Irvin Kershner, it’s an excellent follow-up to <em>A New Hope</em>. It continues the franchise's revolutionary visual effects and has some of the most iconic moments in cinema. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri</span></span></strong></em></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>Three Billboards</em> is a poignant but dark film about a woman who rents three billboards outside her town to criticize the failure of the police in solving the rape and murder of her daughter. The film deals with the grief and the drama of a small town that is reeling from the effects of the controversial signs. The film offers Oscar-winning performances from Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/5bestmovies_0.jpg" style="height:497px; width:650px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The General </span></span></strong></em></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">You know a film is great if it stands the test of time. <em>The General</em> does just that. This 1926 silent film co-directed by Clyde Bruckman and its star Buster Keaton follows Johnnie Gray, a man who is thrust into a train chase to save the woman he loves. It is a slapstick comedy that features daring stunts by the remarkable Keaton. The film is a fun spectacle, and while it is narratively simple, it does what it strives to do perfectly. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse</span></span></strong></em></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The follow-up to 2018’s <em>Into the Spider-Verse, Across the Spider-Verse</em> is as much, if not more, of an impressive animated spectacle than its predecessor, blending and referencing a variety of artistic styles into its gorgeous visuals. Visuals aside, the film delivers a great narrative with a deep subtext commenting on media and pop culture.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Scream</span></span></strong></em></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">1996’s <em>Scream</em>, directed by Wes Craven, is a meta-commentary on the horror genre that is witty not only in its writing but also its direction. Both humorous and tense, <em>Scream</em> is a great film that delivers comedy without forsaking its horror roots.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Batman Begins</span></span></strong></em></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Christopher Nolan’s <em>Dark Knight</em> trilogy is arguably the best live-action superhero film series ever made -- with character-defining performances that have contributed to the push of Batman and his rogues gallery into decidedly darker themes. While <em>The Dark Knight</em> has a riveting performance by Heath Ledger as the Joker, <em>Batman Begins</em> stands out as a better film.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Monty Python and the Holy Grail</span></span></strong></em></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Monty Python’s parody of Arthurian legend is, while not necessarily an expertly crafted story with complex characters and themes, an expertly crafted farce and a helluva time. The self-aware comedy duels between wit and stupidity, offering up a charming film that is hard to not love.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">12 Angry Men</span></span></strong></em></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">This 1957 legal drama concerns a jury – with Henry Fonda leading an impressive cast -- as they vote to convict or acquit a minority teenager for murder. The film shows characters butt heads as they clash on the topics of ethics, morality, and bias. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Zombieland</span></span></strong></em></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Like <em>Scream</em>, Zombieland parodies elements of pop culture. The film sheds most aspects of horror, while poking fun at the tropes and oversaturation of the genre<em>. Zombieland</em> is a fun parody of zombie media with a great cast featuring Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, and Jesse Eisenberg.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/6bestmovies.jpg" style="height:270px; width:650px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The Incredibles</span></span></strong></em></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Unfortunately, animated films are largely underappreciated. But almost any Pixar film could earn a spot on a best-films list. However, I chose <em>The Incredibles</em> because of its great sense of style, or perhaps considering the number of superhero films on this list, my predisposition for them as a child of the 2000s. The clever, pun-intended soundtrack and stylized character designs create a unique aesthetic.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>For Highbrow Magazine</strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/best-movies" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">best movies</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/goodfellas" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Goodfellas</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/empire-strikes-back" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">empire strikes back</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/casablanca" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Casablanca</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/annie-hall" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Annie Hall</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/scream-2" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Scream</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/batman-begins" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">batman begins</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/akira" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">akira</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/general" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the general</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/dictator" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">The Dictator</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/charlie-chaplin" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">charlie chaplin</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/harrison-ford" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">harrison ford</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/7even" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">7even</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/napoleon-dynamite" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">napoleon dynamite</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/full-metal-jacket" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">full metal jacket</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/pulp-fiction" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">pulp fiction</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/willy-wonka" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">willy wonka</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/greatest-movies" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">greatest movies</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Ulises Duenas, Ben Friedman, and Garrett Hartman</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">In Slider</div></div></div> Fri, 01 Sep 2023 23:00:11 +0000 tara 12097 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/24062-best-movies-we-have-ever-seen#comments Still Rowdy, Raucous & Rockin’: L.A. Landmark Barney’s Beanery Turns 100 https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/10399-still-rowdy-raucous-rockin-la-landmark-barney-s-beanery-turns <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/food" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Food</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Wed, 02/12/2020 - 20:23</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1barneys.jpg?itok=bvo5Msq0"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1barneys.jpg?itok=bvo5Msq0" width="480" height="360" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p>Call it a recipe for success 100 years in the making. Take the freewheeling Americana spirit of Route 66; mix in some classic, old school Hollywood performers; add a bunch of pool tables; sprinkle in some pop art; throw in a few episodes of “Columbo”; blend in the mold-breaking attitude of The Doors, Janis Joplin, and “Easy Rider”; introduce a healthy serving of Beatniks, authors, screenwriters, architects and artists; stir in a delectable menu of comfort foods like chili, waffles, pancakes, burgers, pizza, burritos, and onion soup; pour on dozens of beers from around the world; create the most raucous, free-wheeling, game-playing and hard-rocking atmosphere imaginable; and then heat the whole concoction up with a killer soundtrack from the iconic rock scene of the defining 1960s Sunset Strip/Laurel Canyon music era.</p> <p>And that’s how you would design the one and only <a href="https://barneysbeanery.com/about/" target="_blank">Barney’s Beanery,</a> the legendary West Hollywood restaurant and bar that’s turning 100 this year.</p> <p>This is where Janis Joplin had her final meal a few hours before she died, and where Jim Morrison was once thrown out for urinating all over the bar. This is where Oliver Stone filmed part of his movie <em>The Doors</em>, where Quentin Tarantino wrote scenes for <em>Pulp Fiction</em>, and where <a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUWgRE384tHgp8wdcDkAUwQ-2BEZS7NQHVKlBiox3DiiWnPGqf2iRQHYIYO3PSeqUrHPA-3D-3DnqmD_nV6Vjoiajps-2BjQUqT0IUhzN1PJJyeSpW1trwHxSaXIA8S-2FBtB6sgBiobJ1iPqi77LRj5OxVeduzw2ODz05BBsxdg-2F-2FhV8wK-2BJxcv3rcW-2FW7vb76zvoovgADjp9ocv1QOAPYfv6HlUpwQIPg2ZQzOBHfZAbtjBH7ByP-2FQr8s313oq0S83sr7aRAF-2F5H30DTTcjUInLF8-2FM28ufSP4DU56MlScVbh9sPlDeZtdCtmZ3PpFEjP3UT7GX-2BucBbBtCIIP4898kBKoeC3M-2B-2BopAf7LzKUtwnbQsdaHYdZApAp-2BaSeA-2BOOFeKI-2BvDZ4Mcs-2FkYUmQboMKue-2BTX4lhb9ba0fCLKB47FbLGEtLFQRKr7kDtsY-3D" target="_blank">Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis hammed things up as the guest stars of a glitzy Hollywood</a> <a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUWgRE384tHgp8wdcDkAUwQ-2BEZS7NQHVKlBiox3DiiWnPGqf2iRQHYIYO3PSeqUrHPA-3D-3DiReU_nV6Vjoiajps-2BjQUqT0IUhzN1PJJyeSpW1trwHxSaXIA8S-2FBtB6sgBiobJ1iPqi77LRj5OxVeduzw2ODz05BBsxdg-2F-2FhV8wK-2BJxcv3rcW-2FW7vb76zvoovgADjp9ocv1QOAPYfv6HlUpwQIPg2ZQzOBHfZAbtjBH7ByP-2FQr8s313oq0S83sr7aRAF-2F5H30DTTcjUInLF8-2FM28ufSP4DU56Mo4WY1i25Ew4mM8kkcSM0wR3VWBZHNjf7d3YjVWmBfgSHpalBbSib03rhx-2BQnMd7URVFrHW6hyj1iDnoTFpIUeKd0xX6q8Fy9j4f4yvfGM-2Bfp-2FjDsDYEX5OAbvAeDYf4bC69mo6P9c-2FdpCSBmswD3OM-3D" target="_blank">event in 1951.</a> Barney’s Beanery is also where such artistically diverse celebrities as Clark Gable, Bette Davis, Bob Dylan, Marlon Brando, Liza Minnelli, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have come not to pose but to repose with good food, good drinks, good friends, and hard rockin’ times.</p> <p>In recognition of this year’s centennial milestone, Barney’s Beanery will host an ambitious street fair in June (date pending) at its flagship West Hollywood location. The event will feature classic Barney’s dishes and drinks, along with special guest stars, VIP speakers, and musical performances. Additional details about the event, along with other forthcoming centennial-themed celebrations taking place throughout 2020, will be announced shortly.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/2barneys.jpg" style="height:600px; width:491px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Racing From 66 to 100                                                                                                              </strong></p> <p>Woodrow Wilson was president, movies were silent, World War 1 was over, booze was outlawed, and nightclubs, flappers and jazz were roaring their way into the public consciousness 100 years ago. But one constant remained – people liked to eat good food.</p> <p>Answering this timeless call, a man named John "Barney" Anthony founded the first Barney’s Beanery in Berkeley, California, back in 1920 to offer everyday consumers the same blend of chili burgers and onion soup he had served his pals in the Navy during the war.</p> <p>Attracted by the climate and vibe of the still frontier-ish Route 66 in Southern California (now Santa Monica Boulevard), Barney moved his namesake diner to what is today West Hollywood in 1927. Soon after, Barney’s irresistibly delectable cuisine and welcoming, down home atmosphere found a local following, especially among travelers looking for a better life in California – travelers who, as a rite of passage, would leave behind countless out-of-state license plates to prove to the world they had arrived in the promised land. Those license plates still decorate the bar at Barney’s Beanery today.</p> <p>Embraced by Hollywood royalty as a down-to-earth alternative to the region’s growing number of snooty formal dining establishments, Barney’s soon became a home away from home for such early movie stars as Clara Bow, John Barrymore, Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, Errol Flynn and Bette Davis. At the same time, Barney’s Beanery proved to be an equally welcoming sanctuary for newly arrived Southern California transplants and Average Joes off the street because Barney himself instinctively understood one truth that remains a Barney’s hallmark to this day: Delicious food coupled with a fun, colorful and unpretentious decor, and music will always be society’s great equalizer.          </p> <p>Over the decades, the world of course changed, but Barney’s Beanery stayed true to its original mandate: Provide guests with the best food, the best drinks, and the best experience possible. Indeed, so universal was Barney’s timeless appeal that by the 1950s, it was a destination of choice for everyone from seasoned film and TV stars to counterculture musicians, and from Beatniks to avant-garde writers, artists, poets and architects.  </p> <p>From the early to mid-1960s, Barney’s became an outlet for counterculture freedom and artistic expression as well. The Pop Artists associated with the Ferus Gallery, located on nearby La Cienega Blvd., included regular Barney’s patrons John Altoon, Billy Al Bengston, Robert Irwin, Mel Ramos, Dennis Hopper, and Ed Ruscha.</p> <p>The era was perhaps best defined by the 1965 artistic work of avant-garde artist Ed Kienholz, entitled, “The Beanery.” The piece, which was created in plaster of Paris, was a reproduction of the Barney’s restaurant, complete with bacon smells, cooking sounds, and papier-mâché customers.  For the piece, John Anthony, aka “Barney,” posed for his own artistic counterpart – appearing as the only figure within the tableau with a face instead of a clock. “He was flabbergasted,” Kienholz told Newsweek magazine. The debut of “The Beanery” took place in the Barney’s Beanery parking lot, and was later displayed by the Dwan Gallery in New York. Today the piece is displayed at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. (See:   <a href="http://www.kathievezzani.com/blog/the-beanery" target="_blank">http://www.kathievezzani.com/ blog/the-beanery</a>)</p> <p>If there’s a period of time over the past decades that best defines Barney’s unique personality, however, it is the late 1960s. Located near the Sunset Strip, the Whiskey A Go-Go, the Troubadour, and the Roxy Theater, and a natural magnet for the young and up-and-coming, Barney’s Beanery welcomed not only a new generation of actors like Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper, but such hippie-era figureheads as Jim Morrison and The Doors (a plaque on the bar marks Morrison’s presence today), and Janis Joplin, who passed away from a heroin overdose at the nearby Landmark Hotel after a night of partying at Barney’s.</p> <p>Sadly, Barney Anthony himself also passed away during the 1960s – in 1968. Restaurateur Irwin Feld took the reins for the next 30 years, before selling Barney’s to David Houston and Avi Fattal in 1998.</p> <p>In the ’70s and ’80s, Barney’s Beanery attracted a veritable tsunami of new wave musicians and Brat Packers: Jane’s Addiction, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen and John Cusack, to name just a few. As the indie film world expanded in the ‘90’s, it also wouldn’t be unusual to spot a then-little-known writer and director named Quentin Tarantino holed up in one of Barney’s multi-colored padded booths, hard at work writing a little film entitled <em>Pulp Fiction</em>.</p> <p>Today, the eatery continues to draw the famous and infamous, with regular appearances by the hottest supermodels, pop singers, sports figures, politicians, social media “influencers,” scandal newsmakers, and reality TV stars visiting from coast to coast.  </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/3barneys.jpg" style="height:600px; width:415px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>A Taste of History</strong></p> <p>If the United States had its very own menu, it might look like the 700 item mega-menu at Barney’s Beanery. Sure, the restaurant’s classic French Onion Soup harks back to another country and there are more than a few mainstays from south of the border, but most of the food served at Barney’s is quintessential American through and through.</p> <p>"Our plates of chili beans have been served up to customers since 1920, which is how the ‘Beanery’ part of Barney’s Beanery got its name," says co-owner David Houston. He adds, “The casual atmosphere and roadhouse comfort food is moderately priced, making it a big value for business luncheons. Our ideal customer is anyone and everyone who has an appreciation for fattening food, good chili, cold beer, and loud rock ‘n’ roll.”</p> <p>Barney's Beanery serves nearly 200 imported and domestic beers with 40 on tap, along with countless other bar specialties.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/4barneys.jpg" style="height:356px; width:600px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Barney's Beanery in Popular Culture                                                    </strong>                                                  </p> <p> Not surprisingly, during its first century as a Southern California landmark and entertainment capital mainstay, Barney’s Beanery has become a film, television and music industry star in its own right. Guest appearances for the restaurant over the years include TV’s <em>Columbo</em> (though only one episode was actually filmed on-site, the beloved lieutenant enjoyed many a bowl of Barney’s chili on a soundstage recreation of Barney’s during the series run), Oliver Stone’s <em>The Doors</em>; Brian dePalma’s <em>Body Double</em>; the Val Kilmer feature; <em>Real Genius</em>; and the Farrelly brothers’ comedy, <em>Stuck on You</em>.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/5barneys.jpg" style="height:800px; width:600px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Revving Up for the Next 100                                                                                              </strong></p> <p>As Barney’s Beanery prepares for its historic 100<sup>th</sup> anniversary, co-owner David Houston sees continued success ahead for this classic slice of Americana. As he explains, “Barney’s Beanery  is like this great old pair of blue jeans that you love – it’s a time capsule you don’t have to wait a hundred years to open because it’s already been open for a century. The reason we’ve been able to capture the imagination of diners from one decade to the next is because we haven’t really changed much over the years. We are very authentic, and even though we are world-famous, we’re not a tourist trap.”  </p> <p><strong><em>For more information, visit: <a href="https://barneysbeanery.com/about/">Barney's Beanery.</a></em></strong> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Highbrow Magazine</strong></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/barneys-beanery" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">barney&#039;s beanery</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/los-angeles-restaurants" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">los angeles restaurants</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/hollywood-stars" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">hollywood stars</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/famous-restaurants" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">famous restaurants</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/la-food-scene-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">l.a. food scene</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/hollywood" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Hollywood</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/clark-gable" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Clark Gable</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/quentin-tarantino" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">quentin tarantino</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/pulp-fiction" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">pulp fiction</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/janis-joplin" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">janis joplin</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">The Editors</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Thu, 13 Feb 2020 01:23:10 +0000 tara 9349 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/10399-still-rowdy-raucous-rockin-la-landmark-barney-s-beanery-turns#comments ‘Expendables 2,’ Quentin Tarantino Collection Arrive on DVD, Blu-ray https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/1804-expendables-2-quentin-tarantino-collection-arrive-dvd-blu-ray <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/film-tv" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Film &amp; TV</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Tue, 11/20/2012 - 13:45</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/Expendables%202%20-%20Horizontal.JPG?itok=RYmZjzQt"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/Expendables%202%20-%20Horizontal.JPG?itok=RYmZjzQt" width="480" height="338" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>  </p> <p> The only major theatrical release moving to video this week is the second installment of “The Expendables” action franchise.</p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>The Expendables 2</strong></p> <p> <strong>2 stars (out of four)<br /> Rated R<br /> Lionsgate<br /> Available on: Blu-ray, DVD, digital download and on demand</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> Sylvester Stallone’s 2010 “Expendables” movie was nothing more than an excuse to cram about a dozen action stars into a single film. Because of this, plotting and characterization played second fiddle to both the names on the marquis and the on-screen explosions.</p> <p>  </p> <p> For “The Expendables 2,” Stallone had a hand in the screenplay, but he gave directorial control to Simon West (“Con Air,” “The Mechanic”). Apparently, the agreement was that West would stick to the already established formula because the new film is just as loud, bombastic and pointless as the original.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Like its predecessor, “Expendables 2” features a host of well-known tough guys, including Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Chuck Norris, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jean-Claude Van Damme. Unfortunately, viewers are expected to remain so in awe of this lineup that they won’t care what’s happening on screen.</p> <p>  </p> <p> The simplistic plot focuses on Barney Ross (Stallone) and the band of mercenaries he commands. These are ruffians of the highest order, so when a CIA operative known as Mr. Church (Willis) asks them to retrieve a sensitive piece of intelligence from a crashed airplane, they expect a cakewalk. Alas, the mission falls apart, and a ruthless arms dealer (Van Damme) kills one of Ross’ men (Liam Hemsworth). Ross and company immediately swear revenge, and this opens the way for a barrage of gunplay, vehicle chases and hand-to-hand combat sequences.</p> <p>  </p> <p> West is good with action, and the on-screen violence is impressively staged and gory. There is joy in watching so many action stars play across from one another, but once that novelty wears thin, “Expendables 2” is just another stale action film. Other than the massive collection of talent, West doesn’t do anything to set his film apart. In fact, most of these actors do better work when they’re the sole attraction. </p> <p>  </p> <p> DVD and Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes, a gag reel, several making-of features and an audio commentary by West.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/mediumreservoirdogs.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 474px;" /></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>ALSO OUT THIS WEEK</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Heaven’s Gate”:</strong> The Criterion Collection is delivering a newly restored transfer of director Michael Cimino’s dark Western about land barons feuding with immigrant farmers in late-1800s Wyoming. Kris Kristofferson, Christopher Walken, John Hurt, Sam Waterston, Isabelle Huppert, Joseph Cotton and Jeff Bridges star. </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Tarantino XX”:</strong> ’Tis the season for gifts sets, and this is a good one. Lionsgate and Miramax teamed to produce a Blu-ray collection that gathers eight movies from the first 20 years of writer-director Quentin Tarantino’s impressive career. Included are: “Reservoir Dogs,” “True Romance,” “Pulp Fiction,” “Jackie Brown,” “Kill Bill Vol. 1,” “Kill Bill Vol. 2,” “Death Proof” and “Inglourious Basterds.”</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Santa Paws 2 – The Santa Pups”:</strong> Direct-to-video feature from the creators of the ever-popular Buddies franchise. The story centers on talking Great Pyrenees pups who stow away on a sled with Mrs. Claus. Initially, they create mischief, but when the Christmas spirit begins to disappear, it’s up to the pups and Mrs. Claus to save the day.  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Cinderella II &amp; III” – Two Movie Collection:</strong> Disney is releasing both of its “Cinderella” sequels as part of a single set. “Cinderella II” is set shortly after the original story, and it focuses on the challenges the princess faces in adapting to life at the Palace. In “Cinderella III,” the princess’ stepmother casts a spell that causes her prince to lose his memory.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Transformers Prime” – Season Two:</strong> Twenty-six episodes of the animated series about the ongoing battle between evil Decepticons and friendly Autobots.  In this season, the robot-like heroes make a discovery that could revive their long-dead planet.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Ancient Aliens” – Season Four:</strong> Ten episodes of the History Channel show that speculates about the existence of alien life forms. One of the topics examined is the possibility that aliens could play a role in natural disasters on Earth. </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>“Zorro”: </strong>This 1975 film is available on DVD and Blu-ray for the first time. Alain Delon stars as the Spanish nobleman who dons a mask to secretly fight for justice. Directed by Duccio Tessari.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p> <em>Forrest Hartman, a</em> Highbrow Magazine <em>contributor, is an independent film critic whose byline has appeared in some of the nation's largest publications. For more of his work visit <a href="http://www.ForrestHartman.com">www.ForrestHartman.com</a></em></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/expendables-2" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the expendables 2</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/sylvester-stallone" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">sylvester stallone</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/jean-claude-van-damme" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">jean claude van damme</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tarantino-xx" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">tarantino xx</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/quentin-tanantino" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">quentin tanantino</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/reservoir-dogs" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">reservoir dogs</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/pulp-fiction" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">pulp fiction</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/kill-bill" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">kill bill</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/inglorious-basterds" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">inglorious basterds</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/zorro" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">zorro</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/heavens-gate" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">heaven&#039;s gate</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Forrest Hartman</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-photographer field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Photographer:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Lionsgate</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:45:52 +0000 tara 1949 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/1804-expendables-2-quentin-tarantino-collection-arrive-dvd-blu-ray#comments