TOP 5'S

Today I'm going to do something a little bit different. Today I'm going to begin my salute to TOP 5's. Much like the movie High Fidelity I'm going to begin spouting out my list of TOP 5 everythings. Now of course in between these lists there will be movie reviews, but I guess I'm just doing this as a little change of pace. And for those of you poor souls out there that actually read this, maybe you send me back your TOP 5's and we will compare. Maybe you get a little bit more insight on just who exactly I really am. Today to start out I think I'm going to do two categories. The first being TOP 5 INDEPENDENT FILMS and then TOP 5 UP AND COMING MALE ACTORS.

So let's get started. For those of you out there that know me and read this from time to time, you should know that I love love love independent film. I think that it is such a great form of film and you really get to see just who people are though it, so without further ado I will give you my list of TOP 5's.

5. BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOUR DEAD - This movie is nothing less than spectcular. It is a thriller about two desperate brothers and what exactly people will do in times of desperation. I promise you that you will be shocked the entire time you are watching this film. Go out and see it.

4. BRICK- I absolutely love this movie. This was one of those movies that I will watch anytime anywhere. This is a noir story that takes place in its own unique world of high school. The look, the language, the acting. It truly is a movie like no other. I really want everyone to see this movie.

3. CHASING AMY- I love Kevin Smith more than anyone probably should and this is one of my favorite movies of his and maybe one of my favorite movies ever. This is the movie where I fell in love with BEN AFFLECK. Any guy who tries and successfully turns a leisbian is aces in my book. This is a movie about love, life, and friendship. And there are plenty of dick and fart jokes to go around. A must watch for our generation.

2. BEFORE SUNRISE/BEFORE SUNSET- I know , I know my 2 spot is filled with two movies and I really don't care. Because you need to watch them both back to back to get the full weight of it all if you ask me. They are both so very unique in their own right and they are both spot on. It is truly a masterful job of acting, story-telling, and filmmaking. I love these movies with all my heart they really do appeal to the hopeless romantic in me.

1. CLERKS- That's right none other than the movie that reignited the independent movie as far as I'm concerned. It's so simple it was all shot in one location and it is done in black and white. And sure it looks kind of shitty, but who cares because that's what independent film is, it's raw and it's wonderful, and it tells a real story about real people. This is the movie that started it all for me. Thanks COOP.

Now here is some man meat for all you ladies out there that love leading me. This is my up and coming list of guys that are pretty much ready to take hollywood by storm.

5. ZAC EFRON- I can't believe I'm even saying this and believe me a couple five months ago there is no way you would have ever caught me saying it, but this guy might just be the real thing. He seems to be wanting to break away from that High School Musical thing that made him so big and I for one applaud that. 17 AGAIN I have to say that I really do like it and I think that it is just a really good movie that i would watch anytime, and then him in ME AND ORSON WELLES pretty much sealed the deal for me. Look out for him.

4. JUSTIN LONG- This guy has been around for some time now you might remember him in JEEPERS CREEPERS I know I do. But really he hasn't until lately been used in the manner that really allows him to shine. If you don't believe me watch him in his blink and you'll miss it scene in ZAC AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO, and check out GOING THE DISTANCE and you'll know exactly what I do and that is that this guy is on his way.

3. JESSE EISENBERG- This guy is the real deal. The first time I remember seeing him is in a little movie called THE SQUID AND THE WHALE. And he really hasn't let of the gas since. The guy plays that sort of off beat nerdy social awkward everyman character like no other. He killed it in THE SOCIAL NETWORK this year, but he has been doing it long before that, really check out ADVENTURELAND, ZOMBIELAND, and THE EDUCATION OF CHARLIE BANKS and you'll really know all about this guy.

2. TOM HARDY- Now this guy here really isn't so young at all and that's cool because this is my list and I feel like I want to talk about him. For those of you that don't know him he was EAMES in INCEPTION, probably for most the coolest character in the movie. I think this guy really is top notch and I think he is really about to pop off in the movie industry. The guy just has an air of cool about him. Really check him out in THE LAYER CAKE or in the wonderful ROCKNROLLA.

1. JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT- Who of you out there really didn't see this coming. To say that I have developed a man crush on him is an understatement. The guy really can do no wrong with me lately. Every since I saw his great performance in BRICK I have been captivated by this guy waiting to see what's next. I loved him in 500 DAYS OF SUMMER, and for me him as ARTHUR was the coolest part of INCEPTION. So all of you out there be on the look out for HESHER and his up and coming movie LOOPER.

As always, Don't start nothin', won't be nothin'