Take 16: (500) Days of Summer

This movie received a lot of media attention in 2009.  Probably a good thing, as I most likely wouldn't have heard about it otherwise.

I watched about the first thirty minutes in one sitting when something came up so I couldn't finish it.  At that point, I wasn't all that impressed.

Still, continued buzz and my delight to see Joseph Gordon-Levitt after his 3rd Rock from the Sun days being featured in something, plus in my mind there is something just so darn cute about Zooey Deschanel (even if my cousin is so over her 'cuz he thinks she always plays the same role); I found myself wanting to give this movie another shot.

I am so glad I did.

I enjoyed the 500 day gimmick, which made it very clear when the movie was flashing forward, flashing back, etc. I enjoyed that someone hadn't somehow lost their mind and thought there are 500 days in the season summer...no...the female love interest's name is Summer.  And as I have mentioned before, I enjoy a plot twist I didn't expect because I am so into the story I am not trying to figure out in my head what the obvious outcome will be.

Of course, I don't think it is a secret that Mr. Levitt's character and Ms. Deschanel's character don't end up together.  At the beginning of the movie the narator makes it clear this is not a love story.  Yet despite everything, there is a happy ending or maybe more appropriately a hopeful ending of love to come.

Finally, a movie I feel lived up to the hype and one I am willing to blah, blah, blah about to anyone willing to listen.

Movie 411:
Movie:  (500) Days of Summer
Screenplay Writer:  Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber
Director:  Marc Webb
Film Editor:  Alan Edward Bell
Plot:  An offbeat romantic comedy about a woman who doesn't believe true love exists, and the young man who falls for her. Cast (top 3 from IMDB, click here to see more):  Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deshanel, Geoffrey Arend



P.S.  You may or may not know, I also am the SoCal gal who writes the CaliforniVacation blog and the L.A. Sightseeing Examiner for examiner.com.  I was excited to have the downtown L.A. locations included in the movie and the Walker & Eisen Architects reference for the first high rise in downtown Los Angeles.  I am just wondering if the research wasn't off just a tidge.  According to my sources, Walker & Eisen, designed the Taft Building, which is the first high rise in Hollywood located on Hollywood Boulevard and Vine.  The architect for the Continental Building (1902), 408 South Spring Street, was John Parkinson.

Take 15: Up In The Air

Okay, this has nothing to do with the movie, but what if 2009 had also seen a movie in theaters titled, "Up, Up in the Air"?  You know since there was Up and Up in the Air.

Of course, if you are in the know, you know that Up and Up in the Air couldn't have been more different movies.  One is animated.  One isn't.  And so on.

Up in the Air has George Clooney.  As dreamy as he is (don't tell my boyfriend) and as much as in real life he seems to have some sort of inner knowing or something about living life on his terms, living la dolce vida, that it's as if he's always winking at us; I don't see a movie just because George's image is included.  I mean he did some movie that came out in 2009 with "goats" in the title.  Who saw that?

What I enjoyed about this movie is that I didn't expect Mr. Clooney's character's relationship nor his feelings about his job to turn out the way they did.

As a long-time Ivan Reitman fan, I somehow am pleased that his son, Jason, the director and co-writer, is doing well.  I appreciate that he was confident enough to give Mr. Clooney's character a love interest that isn't twenty something or afraid to allude to Clooney's maturing age.  Bravo!

Again, I am not so sure I thought this was as "all that" as all the Oscar buzz it received.  Nor will I most likely feel a desire to watch it again until fast forward two years in the future when it is on TNT or FX.  Worthy of my time and recommendation, however?  Yes.

Movie 411:
Movie:  Up in the Air
Screenplay Writer:  Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner based on a book by Walter Kim
Director:  Jason Reitman
Film Editor:  Dana E. Glauberman
Plot:  With a job that has him traveling around the country firing people, Ryan Bingham leads an empty life out of a suitcase, until his company does the unexpected: ground him.
Cast (top 3 listed from IMDB, click here to see more):  George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick 

Take 14: Up

What I love about many of the so-called "kids" (you know, 'cuz they are animated) movies these days is that they seem to be created to appeal to kids of all ages.  Like Aladdin, Shrek, Finding Nemo and Kung Fu Panda before them, Up not only is receiving kudos from me, the movie received kudos in the form of an Oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

I was conversing about this movie with my cousin who confessed his girlfriend and he cried during the movie.  Since I had watched part one evening and the rest in another sitting, I forgot about crying.  So, when he asked me, I said, "no".  That was until he prompted me (I won't spoil it for you).  Then I remembered, "oh, yeah".  It was a good cry though.  If there is such a thing.  A good cry because this movie really made you feel the love.

I also loved how this movie, quite subtly, shows how the word "adventure" can be so subjective and doesn't need to necessarily mean flying around in your home with a huge bunch of helium filled baloons coming through your chimney in search of Paradise.

Or how someone you never feel could possibly assist you...does.

So, I am not so sure this is a movie I would watch twice.  However, it certainly was worthy of my time to view it once.  Thank you, Pixar.

P.S.  I found the credits clever and fun to watch.  How many movies can say that?

Movie 411:
Movie: Up
Screenplay Writer:  Bob Peterson, Pete Doctor, Thomas McCarthy
Director:  Pete Doctor
Film Editor:  Kevin Nolting
Plot:   By tying thousands of balloon to his home, 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. Right after lifting off, however, he learns he isn't alone on his journey, since Russell, a wilderness explorer 70 years his junior, has inadvertently become a stowaway on the trip.
Cast (top 3 from IMDB, click here to see more):  Edward Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai

Take 13: The Hangover

Like my first Todd Phillips movie, Old School, I doubt I was the intended audience.  I'd venture to guess my sons, both in their twenties, would be the intended audience.  But funny is funny.  I loved Old School and while I didn't enjoy this movie quite as much, there was a lot here to laugh out loud at.

What I appreciate the most about this movie is that it could have been one sight gag after another without really feeling like a cohesive story unfolding.  Yet as "in the bright light of day" in any place but Vegas, much of what happens would seem so very, very implausible; somehow you buy it.

Plus, I have already seen this movie twice now about six months apart.  Enjoyed it and laughed both times.  

If you haven't seen this or even if you have, if you are in a place where you could use a burst of feeling funny this movie should do the trick.

Movie 411:

Movie:  The Hangover

Screenplay Writer:  Jon Lucas and Scott Moore

Director:  Todd Phillips

Film Editor:  Debra Neil-Fisher

Plot:  A comedy set in Las Vegas centered around three groomsmen who lose their about-to-be-wed buddy during their drunken misadventures, then must retrace their steps in order to find him.

Cast (top 3 listed from IMDB, click here to see more):  Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis

Take 12: Cop Out

I was so excited when I saw the previews for this movie.  I am a "Die Hard" fan of Bruce Willis since his Dave days on Moonlighting.  I even loved him in Hudson Hawk, which I can assure you is a very small club.  This movie looked like a similar sort of "funny" vehicle for him.

I enjoy Tracy Morgan's crazy "act" even if it seems he always plays basically the same character.

And had I known that Kevin Smith, who immortalized the Eden Prairie Center in "Mallrats" and I from the beginning was a fan of "Jersey Girl" (how could you not love the late George Carlin or the Will Smith cameo in this flick?), was directing; I would have been at the movies on opening day to see "Cop Out".

So, maybe I was lucky I didn't know.  I probably would have been even more disappointed had I seen this movie opening day.  I'm trying to think of one...ahhh yes...there was one moment where I genuinely laughed out loud.  It had to do with a "Die Hard" movie reference, which I don't wish to spoil, just in case you still wish to see this movie after what I write.

Speaking of Die Hard, I thought for sure Die Hard 4 would be lame.  I liked it a lot.  And I thought Kevin Smith was awesome in the movie, as well.  Perhaps that's why Willis and Smith thought they would collaborate well together.  And as much as I love Mr. Willis, I actually enjoyed Kevin Smith's long time collaborating actor, Jason Lee more in this movie.  In my mind he was as welcome of a surprise as Kevin Smith's performance in Die Hard 4.  Both performances left me wanting more.

Anyway, as I have mentioned in other reviews, perhaps if I hadn't been so psyched and this was a tv movie choice at a time when despite all those channels this appeared to be the ONLY thing on, I may have liked this movie more.

One of my favorite Vince Vaughn lines from the movie Old School comes to mind as I finish this reel review, "You're better than that." (which apparently he also says in Fred Claus).

Movie 411:
Movie:  Cop Out
Screenplay Writer:  Mark Cullen, Robb Cullen
Director:  Kevin Smith
Film Editor:  Kevin Smith
Plot:  A comedy about a veteran NYPD cop whose rare baseball card is stolen. Since it's his only hope to pay for his daughter's upcoming wedding, he recruits his partner to track down the thief, a memorabilia-obsessed gangster.
Cast (top 3 listed from IMDB, click here to see more):  Bruce Willis, Tracy Morgan, Juan Carlos Hernandez

Take 11: Avatar

When a movie gets as much hype as Avatar, I tend to want to run away as fast as I am able and not spend one moment of eyeball time on it.

The closer the Academy Awards got, the more I was curious.  And truth is, I didn't really want to like the movie.  So, I bet that last statement clues you in that I did like the movie.  I don't feel it was "all that"!  I do appreciate the effort that must have gone into the movie.  The story was interesting.  And with my own spiritual quest I feel I am on, I (as corny as others may think it is) appreciated the reminder to "see" others as the truth of who they are as children of a Divine Creator.

Since I am probably one of the last to see this movie (except perhaps my own mommy), I don't feel I really need to convince anyone to see this movie or not.  I am simply tossing in my own two cents worth. 

To quote a character from the Academy Award winning Best Picture, Forest Gump, "that's all I have to say about that."

Movie 411:
Movie:  Avatar
Screenplay Writer:  James Cameron
Director:  James Cameron
Film Editor:  James Cameron, John Refoua, Stephen E. Rivkin
Plot:  A paraplegic marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home.
Cast (top 3 listed from IMDB, click here to see more):  Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver

Take 10: When In Rome

Normally, this type of movie is my go-to movie.  Meaning I'd rather watch a romantic comedy (they are funny and light, which keeps my energy light) than most genres.  Not to mention I've loved Josh Duhamel since "Win A Date With Tad Hamilton".  He's dreamy (please don't tell my boyfriend).  And I've loved Kristen Bell since "Forgetting Sarah Marshall".  So, I am not real sure why this flick did pretty much nothing for me.  But...it pretty much did nothing for me I am sad to say.

Of course, in the same way that I refuse to take a critics review as gospel whether I will like a movie or not, decide for yourself.  My taste isn't necessarily your taste.

And if perspective does play a factor (and I'm pretty convinced it does), perhaps if you wait to see this until it is on TV and it seems like your only choice for some mindless fluff (as that is the mood you happen to be in), then maybe...just maybe...you will enjoy this movie.

Movie 411:
Movie: When In Rome
Screenplay writer:  Mark Steven Johnson, David Diamond, David Weissman
Director:  Mark Steven Johnson
Film Editor:  Ryan Folsey
Plot:  Beth is a young, ambitious New Yorker who is completely unlucky in love. However, on a whirlwind trip to Rome, she impulsively steals some coins from a reputed fountain of love, and is then aggressively pursued by a band of suitors.
Cast (top 3 listed from IMDB, click here to see more):  Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel, Angelica Huston

Take 9: Valentine's Day

I didn't want to do it.  And all the time you knew it.  

I just couldn't help my self.  It's the same way I feel about chocolate, unless it is Godiva.  Then I always want to do it.

As usual the newspaper gave this a less than stellar review.  Surprise?  Not Surprised.

Sometimes, I just want to be entertained.  I don't want to have to think too hard.  I don't want to have to feel like some major social commentary has just been presented.  I just want to enjoy a light-hearted story I know is most likely going to end well.  After all, this is a romantic comedy.  And this is Garry Marshall directing.

Given what I was looking for, I feel this movie didn't disappoint.  I sort of had a love/hate relationship with the parts of the movie that seemed predictable.  Yet, who knows?  I may have had a hate/hate relationship if those parts hadn't played out the way I thought.  I also loved that there were revelations I didn't expect, but were a nice surprise.  I'd say more, especially about Ashton Kutcher's story line, but just in case, I don't want to spoil anything.

Also, as I have mentioned in my blog, CaliforniVacation: SoCal Style, as your SoCal tour guide gal, and my sister gig as the L.A. Sightseeing Examiner for examiner.com, I enjoy seeing locations in a movie from SoCal where "I've been there...done that!"  I loved seeing the Venice canals.  Last time I was there the water was so low that there was no way someone would be able to kayak it, but with all the rain this year that may have changed.  I haven't been to the original Los Angeles Flower District yet.  Now I wish to go to there.  So, thanks for that, Mr. Marshall.

P.S.  I enjoyed Jennifer Gardner's character's explanation of the history of Valentine's Day.  Very imformative.  Thank you.

Movie 411:

Movie: Valentine's Day (2010)

Screenplay Writer:  Katherine Fugate

Director:  Garry Marshall

Film Editor:  Bruce Green

Plot:  Intertwining couples and singles in Los Angeles break-up and make-up based on the pressures and expectations of Valentine's Day.
Cast (top 3 listed from IMDB, click here to see more):  Jessica Alba, Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel

Take 8: I Love You, Man

Loved it!  Made me laugh.  Laugh out loud belly laughs. Then laugh some more. Need I say more?

Movie 411:

Movie: I Love You, Man

Screenplay Writer: John Hamburg, Larry Levin

Director: John Hamburg

Film Editor:  William Kerr, Editor

Additional Editing: Michael L. Sale, David Raymond III, Justin Bourret, Mitch Rosin, Gary Burritt,

Plot:  Friendless Peter Klaven goes on a series of man-dates to find a Best Man for his wedding. But when his insta-bond with his new B.F.F. puts a strain on his relationship with his fiancée, can the trio learn to live happily ever after?

Cast (top 3 listed from IMDB page, click here to see more):  Paul Rudd, Rashida Jones, Sarah Burns

FYI:  Below is a photo of one of many signs posted on Ocean Front Walk in Venice (where Sidney's character walks his dog named, Anwar Sadat).  I may only hope that by including the various scenes in the movie where Sidney's character does not bother to clean up after Anwar Sadat (if you know what I mean), it was their way of showing how respectful you are when you do clean up your pet's poo.

As I am also your CaliforniVacation: SoCal gal and L.A. Sightseeing Examiner for examiner.com, below is a photo of the eating establishment from the movie where Lou Ferrigno (aka the Hulk) puts Sidney Fife's character in a sleeper hold.  Deli-zia is located at 2 Rose Avenue in Venice, California.  You may also note from the photo that Venice has its own vampire community, which has a web presence.  Who'da thunk it?

Also, I don't have a good photo to include, but Paul and Sidney's man hug in front of the fountain...you may recreate this bromantic hug by visiting The Grove in L.A. where the fountain is located. 

I almost forgot to include this movie's trailer.  Here it is.

Take 7: Marley & Me

I don't like to think of my self as cynical.  Yet...a movie with the dog as one of the main characters even if it has Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston playing the other lead roles, just seemed like something too "ooey-gooey" for me to be interested in.

You know I watched it or I wouldn't be blogging about it.  "It's just a dog."  That's what I told my self.  "I'm not going to get sucked in."  That's what I vowed to my self.  "I won't cry."  That's the mantra I kept repeating as I sought to hold back tears.

Yet this movie is about so much more.  John Grogan, the main character, who Owen Wilson portrays, in my mind shares his highs and lows in tandem with the life span of his dog, Marley, who was originally intended to be for his wife.  I enjoyed how we are invited to see the ideal life he thought would be his joy while the ideal morphs into his unexpected, yet fulfilling life.

I suggest this movie.  I dare you not to cry.

Movie 411:

Movie:  Marley & Me

Director:  David Frankel

Screenplay Writer:  Scott Frank, Don Roos

Film Editor:  Mark Livolsi

Plot:  A family learns important life lessons from their adorable, but naughty and neurotic dog.

Cast (top 3 listed from IMDB, click here to see more):  Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Eric Dane

Take 6: Bride Wars

I enjoy when a movie I assume will be mindless, but entertaining fluff is and isn't.  That's how I feel about Bride Wars.  I knew what I was getting into.  Yet, I also didn't expect it to play out the way it did.  If I say much more though, I will ruin it.  So...

Kate Hudson is a delight, as is Anne Hathaway.  Both film well, too, in my opinion.  My guilty pleasure: Steve Howey, who I have enjoyed from the Reba show.  Why isn't he in more?  Also pleased to see Kristin Johnston back and making me laugh.

Movie 411:
Movie: Bride Wars
Screenplay Writer:  Greg DePaul, Casey Wilson, June Diane Raphael
Director:  Gary Winick
Film Editor:  Susan Littenberg
Plot:  Two best friends become rivals when they schedule their respective weddings on the same day.
Cast (top 3 listed from IMDB, click here to see more):  Kate Hudson, Anne Hathaway, Bryan Greenberg

Take 5: The Lovely Bones

The Lovely Bones is a film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Alice Sebold. I read the book in 2003.  Look ma, I can read.  So by now I'd forgotten much of the detail except I did enjoy the book.  The movie has Peter Jackson, Lord of the Rings Trilogy, as director.  Should be worth the view, right?

Not according to the review in my local paper, the Daily Breeze.  Fine.  I'll save it for DVD or TV.  Then along comes Stanley Tucci nominated (sadly did not win) for his role in this film by the Hollywood Foreign Press and the Screen Actors Guild.  I have long been a Tucci fan.  I enjoy how he seems to be able to recreate himself anew for a plethora of roles. So...

I was pleasantly surprised and entertained.  Also, a little creeped out, which I imagine is an intention of the film makers.  Part of it was on me.  I did the math and realized that on December 6, 1973, I, too, was 14 years old.  If you are reading this review, you may be thinking too bad it wasn't me who had a similar fate.  I know.  My readers are not that cruel.  The homes very much reminded me of the house my family owned and lived in Massachusetts around that time.  The part of the movie when the sister breaks into Stanley Tucci's character, George Harvey's, home, well, let's just say my heart was racing.

I'm thinking of coming up with some sort of rating system based on "blah".  The more "blahs" I give a movie, the more (in my opinion) it is worth seeing and talking about.  Until then, I am happy I watched this movie.

I also would like to quickly mention that I note many wondering if this movie is too violent or too much sex, etc.  I don't feel I am too desensitized to violence and the like.  In fact, I usually need to look away if it is blatantly portrayed in a film.  Most of the violence in this film is implied and not shown.

Movie 411:

Movie:  The Lovely Bones

Screenplay Writer:  Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson

Director:  Peter Jackson

Film Editor:  Jabez Olssen

Plot:  Centers on a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family - and her killer - from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal.

Cast (top 3 listed from IMDB, click here to see more):  Saoirse Ronan, Stanley Tucci, Mark Wahlberg

Take 4: Couples Retreat

Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau.  How could this movie not be great or at least funny?  Throw in Peter Billingsley, Ralphie from Christmas Story as director, who also directed Vaughn in Four Christmases.  Funny?  Has to be funny, right?

Not according to my local paper, the Daily Breeze.  I should stop reading their reviews.  It's just the movie reviews are in the same section as the Sudoku puzzle.  Still, Vince Vaughn.  Jon Favreau.  Peter Billingsley.  I enjoyed Four Christmases.  I just had to decide for my self.

Okay, it wasn't so bad that I wanted my time back.  And the resort they went to did appear to be my idea of pure paradise.  For my money the best part of the movie was the Guitar Hero showdown and what ends up being Vaughn's character's inner animal spirit.

Remember, I'm not here to decide for you.  I think it is important we make up our own minds.  I'm simply blah, blah, blogging about my take.

Movie 411:

Movie Title: Couples Retreat

Writers (credited): Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Dana Fox

Director: Peter Billingsley

Film Editor:  Dan Lebental

Plot:  A comedy centered around four couples who settle into a tropical-island resort for a vacation. While one of the couples is there to work on the marriage, the others fail to realize that participation in the resort's therapy sessions is not optional.

Cast (top 3 listed from IMDB, click here to see more):  Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Faizon Love

Take 3: It's Complicated

Is it wrong that this movie had me at the looks on Meryl Streep's and Alec Baldwin's faces in the movie poster even if it is so typical woman/man cliche for the woman to be traumatized while the man is satiated?

And you go girl, Ms. Streep!  Who says women of a certain age have to stop working or can't still look great?

I loved the way this movie made me laugh out loud.  John Krasinski was an unexpected delight.  I loved that it took me on a journey I didn't really expect and left me wanting more at the end.

Movie 411:

Movie:  It's Complicated

Writer:  Nancy Meyers

Director:  Nancy Meyers

Film Editor: Joe Hutshing, David Moritz

Plot:  During his son's college graduation, Jane hooks up with her ex-husband, Jake, who's married to a younger woman...
Cast (top 3 listed from IMDB, click here to see more) :  Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin

Take 2: I Hate Valentine's Day

My son, Chris, hated "My Big Fat Greek Wedding".  I still love him.  This movie reteams the leads of that flick, Nia Vardalos and John Corbett.  So, I thought what the heck.

Like the chocolate shaped hearts one might associate with Valentine's Day, this movie is like a bit of a self-indulgent treat.  It's not going to change the world.  It's probably not even going to change your mind about Valentine's Day or relationships.  Still with a running time of under 90-minutes, it was enjoyable enough as a winding-down-at-the-end-of-the-day, don't-have-to-think-about-it-too-hard, piece of candy movie.

There was one part of the movie I particularly enjoyed.  First, I love how Ms. Vardalos seems to be able to always find a fun role for her real-life hubby in her movies. The scene has the two lead characters on a date at a place that does Kamikaze Karaoke, which as I had never heard of such a thing before had me wondering if this was a real thing 'cuz I just may wish to want to go there. 

Movie's 411:

Movie:  I Hate Valentine's Day

Writer: Nia Vardalos

Director: Nia Vardalos

Film Editor:  Tony Lombardo, Steven Edwards; John Currin and Peter Pay, Associate Editors

Plot:  A love story set in Manhattan, where a florist who abides by a strict five-date-limit with any man finds herself wanting more with the new restaurateur in town.
Cast (top 3 listed from IMBD, click here to see more): Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Stephen Guarino

Take 1: Inglourious Basterds (2009)

My man Quentin.  Give it up.  I had no intention of watching this movie even if Mr. Tarantino and I hail from the same part of the world, the South Bay of L.A., CA.  I am a spiritual woman.  I am for peace.  This movie is about Nazis and killing.  Yuck!

Wait for it!  Of course, and then I watched it.  This movie is just shy of two and a half hours in length.  I was captivated throughout never once glancing at the clock to calculate how much more of this must be left.

I didn't take the time to ponder if as Mr. Tarantino mentions about his masterpiece, Pulp Fiction, that all actual blood and gore violence is implied (he cuts away before he actually shows it); the same holds true for this movie.  Instead, I do look away from the screen if I think some horrible act of violence is about to occur.  I'm just sayin!

I truly get the sense that Quentin Tarantino loves, loves, loves movies.  More than me, obviously.  And loves to try new things.  I admire his creativity.  After all it seems fairly ballsy to take one of our most embarassing moments in fairly recent history and retell it in a way that we would have liked to have seen it play out.  Make no mistake as you watch this movie.  It is not a tell it like it was, but a story of fiction.

I know some people would rather die (figuratively) than watch the same movie twice.  I feel like one of the highest reviews I can give a movie is to feel I would watch it again.  When I do, it is usually well worth it as I pick up on subtleties I may have missed the first go round.

Mr. Tarantino, I would watch this again.  Thank you to all involved for this inglourious effort.

P.S.  I almost forgot about all the subtitles.  If you have a problem with reading subtitles, this may not be the film for you.  If you don't or are willing to step out of your comfort zone and try it anyway, it should be worth it.

Movie: Inglourious Basterds

Written and Directed: Quentin Tarantino

Film Editor:  Sally Menke

Plot:  In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis.

Cast (top 3 listed from IMDB, click here to see more):  Brad Pitt, Melanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz