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Top 10 Favorite Johnny Depp Movies

      

 
 
    
 
 
 
     
 
                    I have been a Johnny Depp fan since his days on the TV show “Jump Street.” I like how he did not want to be marketed as a pretty boy like Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise and chose the quirky roles more so than the traditional leading man role. Sure he has played straight roles like Donnie Brasco, J.M. Barrie, and last summer’s “Public Enemies” (as John Dillinger) with aplomb, but he still gives iconic and memorable performances from Edward Scissorhands to pirate Jack Sparrow. I imagine Depp likes to indulge the quirkier side of his personality since he does not feel restrained in his performance.

With Tim Burton’s much-anticipated version of “Alice in Wonderland” opening this week I felt like ranking my favorite Johnny Depp movies starting with my #1 Edward Scissorhands.

 

1.     Edward Scissorhands- one of the most bizarre and original movies ever. It was the first pairing of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp and turned out to be one of the strangest pairings to ever come out of Hollywood.

2.     Donnie Brasco – fuhgettaboutit! A gritty portrayal of a real under cover cop who infiltrated la famiglia.

3.     Pirates of the Carribean: Curse of the Black Pearl- Depp could have chosen to play this character like the swashbuckler Disney Studio Execs wanted him to, but I am glad he choose to play Jack Sparrow as an homage to Keith Richards.

4.     Ed Wood- 2^nd pairing with Tim Burton produced a funny but under the radar movie about perhaps Tinsel town’s campiest cross dressing director.

5.     What’s Eating Gilbert Grape- Depp plays it straight compared to a young Leonardo Dicaprio as a mentally handicapped youth.

6.     Don Juan DeMarco- plays a mental patient who believes he is The Don Juan with Marlon Brando as his psychiatrist.

7.     Finding Neverland- Depp portrays another iconic real life person- JM Barrie the author who created Peter Pan.

8.     Public Enemies- Depp plays John Dillinger and gives an excellent performance.

9.     Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas- quite possibly Depp’s wackiest role to date based on Hunter S. Thompson’s own experiences in Las Vegas searching for the “American Dream” while loaded on various psychedelic drugs.

10. Chocolate- Depp plays a cool, charming, smooth gypsy who gets to sample Juliette Binoche’s treats.

 

Top 10 Movies of 2009

 

           2009 was not a banner year for excellent film making. There weren't any movies that could even match last year's crop of The Wrestler, The Reader, Revolutionary Road, or The Dark Knight. 2009 movies surpassed 2008's movies in one aspect though- the number of 3-D movies. There were several 3-D movies this year, and it will soon be common place especially with the success of James Cameron's revolutionary film Avatar. So far it has made over $1 billion dollars worldwide including $300 million in the U.S. It truly is a movie not to be missed in 3-D. Be prepared to get dizzy wearing those uncomfortable eyeglasses from now on. There are reports that more movies will want to use the new 3D cameras Cameron invented as ticket prices are about $5 more. Any who here is my list of my favorite films of 2009.

10. A Serious Man- the Cohen brothers created another great dramedy this year centering on a Jewish man who suffers through a series of set backs in his life and family set in the 1960's in the Midwest. It was not as good as 2007's No Country for Old Men but is a close second.

9. Drag Me to Hell- I don't really consider myself a fan of horror movies but Sam Raimi's return to his familiar genre hooked me into his style of horror/comedy. There were some scary moments, but Raimi mixed in quirkiness and humor that made this a fun movie to watch. Most of all, it was an original story and not much of a typical hack and slash gory horror movie.

8. The Hurt Locker- I saw this film early in January last year and I am happy that it had a good following. Kathryn Bigelow depicted what I imagine is the closest thing to really being a soldier in Iraq. The characters were well developed and I cared about them. She should win all the directing awards.

7. Inglorious Basterds- this is my 2nd favorite Tarantino film right behind Pulp Fiction. This was a very entertaining movie despite only having Brad Pitt as the only A list actor. Having said that, Tarantino did a marvelous job casting Christoph Waltz as the villain. Truly he had the finest performance in a supporting role I have seen this year. He should win the Oscar for his evil performance.

6. Avatar- just an amazing visual experience. A harbinger of film.

5. District 9- One heck of a semi original sci-fi movie. Had elements of apartheid in South Africa and an unusual anti-hero to root for. Amazing that the film only cost $30 million to make. Special effects were realistic.

4. Where the Wild Things Are- have to confess this movie made me cry. I love Maurice Sendak's book and surprised at how director Spike Jonze was able to make a feature film out of the short children's book. 

3. Up- Disney/Pixar continue to raise the animation/CGI bar. The opening montage was simply beautiful and you instantly care about the senior citizen/ main character. Love how folks at Pixar come up with such imaginative and original stories.

2. Up in the Air- an incredibly timely movie. Did not think George Clooney would be believable as an ordinary man and loner, but he might have given his best performance of his career. 

1. Star Trek- incredible visuals and fantastic reboot of the franchise. I can't wait to boldly go where ever the next movie takes me. Beam me up, Scotty.

A few films that barely missed the cut : the Soloist, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Adventureland, State of Play

Top 10 Women I'm Thankful For

' Tis the season for giving thanks, so today I am giving thanks for these heavenly creatures who are blessed with both beauty and brains. 

10. 

Rachel McAdams is one of the most talented sought after actresses currently. I can't wait to see her in the Sherlock Holmes Movie coming out on Christmas Day.  

9.  

Tina Fey- You just got to love a woman who has a great sense of humor. 

8. 

British actress Sienna Miller- can't decide if she looks better as a blonde or brunette. 

7.
Halle Berry. Also tough decision if she is more beautiful with long or short hair. 

6.
Monica Bellucci- now that's Amore!

5.  
Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek- 2 hot tamales!

4.Every dude would love a woman who could kick ass like Kate Beckinsale.

3. Bar Rafaeli - Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model 

2. Victoria's Secret Models-  favorite Adriana Lima

1. 
 

 Angelina Jolie. Nuff said.