- A+
1. 虎胆龙威（DIE HARD)：
What makes Die Hard the all-time classic it has rightfully become was the lack of extravagance and fantasy: there were no decades-old war grudges, no jungle action, no superhuman powers and only the occasional physics-defying stunts we are usually overloaded with. The characters in this film were regular people, with regular jobs and regular attitudes, confronted with an extraordinary situation, responding as most regular people would, by doing things which go beyond what they would regularly consider. Each character's backstory is one that could easily be ours if we were born in their shoes, and we all know at least one or two people like someone from the film. These are the people we live with, work with, and interact with, and the film captured them perfectly. This realism makes it very easy for the audience to believe that it too could have been caught at that party and had to face the situation.
Die Hard took the action genre in a new direction, adding a human touch and bit of reluctance to their invulnerability, while also showing them (as Spider Man would do so as well later on) as people who are much better at making others' personal lives work out than they are with their own.
Even if you haven't seen Die Hard, you've seen its legacy in many other films since. The formula was a brilliant one, and this was its birth.
2. 铁血战士（PREDATOR)：
Huge guns, Huge tough guys, macho dialogue, funny banter, One liners and an Alien. John McTiernan's 1987 classic 'Predator' is a action fans dream and a true guys film. What's not to like? Quick setup. Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and his team of bad-asses are sent to the South American jungles to rescue a group of POW's from an enemy hideout. Simple enough, but that's before they start getting picked off by a hunter from another planet. The rest of the movie relies on suspense, an over the top macho atmosphere and a entertaining team.
John McTiernan's style of creating a believable atmosphere shines out through the characters and dialogue. Every member of the rescue team is memorable and likable due to their humorous dialogue and over the top macho-ism. Dutch chomping on cigars, Blain wielding a mini gun, Mac shaving with his own sweat and Billy's huge knife are all examples of the manliness portrayed in the film.
The Predator is great in its first portrayal, brought to life thanks to Stan Winston's incredibly lifelike effect. His gadgets and weaponry stay cool and interesting right until the end. One of the things that make the film interesting is watching the team come up with new ways to kill this creature that's picking them off like flies.
The film is filled with memorable quotes and scenes that will linger in your mind any time you think of masculinity. Any fan of action or Schwarzenegger will know this is a must see and one of the quintessential 80's flicks.
3. 青春年少（RUSHMORE）：
Rushmore is an extremely well written movie about obsessive love.
The acting is a quality of Rushmore that contributes greatly to its appeal. I've seen a lot of Bill Murray movies, an I've always had a high opinion of him. Saying that Bill Murray is good in a movie usually means that he was really funny (which, with a few exceptions, goes without saying). In this film, though, there is something more to his performance. With his facial expressions alone capturing the tortured soul of Mr. Blume accompanied by his impeccable comic timing, Murray is plainly terrific. Jason Schwartzman is also outstanding as Max, although his appearance shows more years than the mere 15 he is supposed to be. Olivia Williams is subtle and extremely effective as the British object of affection. Finally, in a key role as Max's chapel partner, Dirk Calloway, Mason Gamble (from Dennis the Menace), convey's his bitterness and anger with such acuity and humor that one can't imagine that there he is actually acting in front of a camera.
The humor of Rushmore is so delightfully offbeat, hilarity sometimes being found in such places as silent pauses with the camera directed right at the actor's face, that it might not be for every taste (but be sure to give it a try first). In fact, everything about this movie is different. I've seen this film twice and from the surreal use of really vivid colors to the quick-paced direction by the obviously very talented Wes Anderson, it seems destined to have cult status in the future. Finally, I would like to mention the soundtrack, a compilation of primarily British invasion rock (along with a brilliant original score), for it almost perfectly captures the spirit and life of this amazing achievement.
4. 死亡证据（DEATH PROOF)：
Like classic directors invented the western imagery, Tarantino recreates a world of vinyl jukebox, groovy cars and adventurer-girls that only exists as an illusion. The girls, low-middle class , behaves with an independence that many housewives would envy and they are clearly inspired in the Russ Meyer pictures. But they are real, even one of the girls is credited as 'herself'.
The famous Tarantino's dialogs are a hit-and miss in this one. Sometimes they seem forced, others they flow naturally, the sheer pleasure of conversation, and they help to make the movie a lightweight experience, that could keep on running. I said that the world exists only as an illusion, but that doesn't apply to the objects (the cars, the jukebox). Tarantino is like an antiquarian that doesn't want to see his beloved treasures getting dust.
Did I mention the virtuosity? The cinematography is ostentatious and generous, showing colorful scenarios. They don't try to be pervasive, on the contrary it is a Hey, look what I'm doing way all the time, and it works.
My only complaint is that I'm sure I'm gonna see a few semi-obscure movies from the 70s and think: I've seen this before somewhere... It is time for QT to do something that could be described as 'original'. Only Pulp Fiction fits in that category.
