The Top 100 Project

We’re re-branding…again! This episode would have been “The Next 200 Project” but from now on we’ll go by “The Ellises’ Analysis” (just to twist your tongue into a few knots). If you only ever thought of this podcast as “The Top 100 Project” anyway, then, well, nothing to see here. As for episode #351, we have the privilege of tackling one of the best reality-based space films ever made. Apollo 13 is a thrilling and inspiring docu-drama, but it’s also a very believable procedural. Ron Howard has never directed anything better than this. It’s also another in a long line of bittersweet Tom Hanks movies. He’s excellent, of course, but all the actors (particularly Ed Harris) are dynamite. We DO get into some alternate casting choices---as we did on Inside Out last week---but that’s just for fun because this cast is aces. And let’s hear it for the teamwork of all the real-life people involved in this mission (including their families), but also of course for the cast & crew of this gripping movie. Oh, and let’s

As global chaos continues with protests against racism, not mention a pandemic and political malfeasance all over the place, what you probably need is to plant a smile on your face. Solution? Cue up our gab about one of the bestest Pixar movies. Inside Out is creativity personified. Speaking of creative, we spent time recasting the voices of Riley’s emotions (although who would really WANT to change any of them?) and we reveal which emotion is running the show in OUR heads. It’s also an episode filled with reminiscing, which fits well since we’re talking about a memory movie. Writer/director Pete Docter has been one of Pixar’s unsung heroes for a very long time and this is one of the greatest projects he (or they) have ever done. It’s undeniably on the short list. So gulp down the Next 199 Project and let us know if hearing us dig into it made you fight back manly and/or womanly tears. Bing Bong lives! Time to sob... NOTE: This marks the final time we’ll call each episode “The Next [insert number here] Projec

Warning: if you’re a racist, you’re not going to like this episode. If you’re a phony patriot, you’re not going to like this episode. If you’re a know-it-all SJW, you’re not going to like the end of this episode. That said, we welcome feedback (@moviefiend51 and @bevellisellis) if you think we’re off the mark in the Next 198 Project. Even if you feel we deserve some serious grief, message us. We’re 2 white Canadians analyzing America’s ongoing racial catastrophes, so if we’re willing to tear into these issues, we’re willing to take a little heat for it. Anyway, Ava DuVernay does a beautiful job of showing the insidious path from slavery to prison (which is the new slavery). Unfortunately, her movie remains timely in this insane year of 2020. This based-on-real-life stuff is right in her wheelhouse and we hope she does more films like this, although we hope she won’t have to. Note: We’re aware of the come-and-go tinny echo on both mics, but especially Ryan’s. It’s either a pesky stand-up fan or the mics we’ve

Get your, uh, self to Mars…or into a lengthy listen of the Next 197 Project. Whichever you’ve been dreaming about more, I guess. We spent plenty of time debating the “is it real or is it a fantasy” angle with this zany plot, which is perfectly appropriate for an open-ended movie like this. What might have been a head-scratching sci-fi picture is instead an ultra-violent F/X-heavy, Ah-nuld vehicle. On the brightest side, it’s one of the man’s finest films. He’s pretty great in it too, even if he’s totally miscast. Paul Verhoeven hit one of 3 consecutive Hollywood home runs with this nutty entry…and 2 of those 3 featured the excellent Sharon Stone. The man was as good as any action/thriller director in that era. So take a break from all the horrible racial strife and crippling pandemic problems as we take you on a “Rekall” vacation of a lifetime…which just might be our real-life vacay future in our “DON’T TOUCH ME” reality. If there’s one Sparkplug Coffee sponsor you ever HAVE to hear, it’s the one that Brett H

It’s Memorial Day in the United States, but instead of covering a bloody war flick, we decided to talk about the (failed) War On Drugs. Steven Soderbergh’s Oscar-winner is complicated, complex, even confusing and it’s certainly not afraid to tread a new path with its style and look. The experimental director beautifully balances the 3 main stories in Stephen Gaghan’s script, even if he doesn’t shoot those stories particularly well. Twenty years on, this remains an unappealing-looking picture. Bev took issue with that and also with certain elements of the Catherine Zeta-Jones & Erika Christensen storylines (especially the moralizing). Ryan has to confess to some shoddy memories of Traffic’s great (sometimes deleted) scenes we’ve discussed in prior episodes because they don’t actually exist. (!) The Next 196 Project hacks into all those details in this story of rats & traitors, so settle in for over an hour of our yibber yab about one of the primo drug movies. Well, Actually: Stephen Mirrione’s name DOE

Bonus episode! We were off yesterday, but couldn’t resist talking today. For the 3rd occasion during these gloomy housebound times, we try to plant a big fat smile (or maybe even 2 and 1/2 big fat smiles) on your face with a fun chat about motion pictures we think you should seek out. We’re also good enough to let you know where you can find them online. The rules: we each have 4 suggestions and we only get 19 words to sell the movie to you. Okay, that “19 words” guideline is very loose. The person making these rules is the person who keeps breaking them. Oh, there are also 11 trivia questions sprinkled between each recommendation, which are all answered at the end. So get extraordinarily comfy and hear us do some “quaranthreening!” If you do some Twittage type stuff, find us @moviefiend51 and @bevellisellis Our website is top100project.com

We’ve got a special episode for the Next 195 Project as we rave about—yup, the title isn’t lying—our favourite funny films. It’s the will-never-be-topped, locked-in-stone BEST comedies ever (subject to change at a moment’s notice), but we mentioned probably another 200 or 300 flicks on top of those Top 10 beloveds. First, though, you’ll hear us jam about some awesome comedy actors & directors, then we batted around some honourable mentions of terrific flicks full o’ laughter. The phrase “scene-stealer” was used a lot. Take a drink for each one. We also butchered a few classic quotes. Plus, Ryan re-ranks AFI’s Top 10 of their “100 Years, 100 Laughs” list. So get ready to have pleasantly sore cheek muscles as we spend nearly an hour spreading some comic delight all around. Well, Actually: The producer Tom Cruise is parodying in Tropic Thunder (at least with his wacky appearance) is Stuart Cornfeld, who must be tight with Ben Stiller because they’ve worked together several times. Sparkplug Coffee has not mis

May the 4th be with you! Since it’s Star Wars Day and we’ve already covered the Original Trilogy (look for those eps way back years ago on this channel), this seemed like a good time to jam about a spoof of the most famous movie franchise ever. Like all Mel Brooks movies, Spaceballs is 20 light years away from being perfect, but it remains goofily funny and quotable. Rick Moranis is also the greatest thing since sliced schwartz. Bev adored this flick when she was 10 years old. How about now when she's...let's say a little bit older? That question and at least 2 others will be answered in detail, so strap in your mawg, fly your Winnebago at fast-but-not-ludicrous speed and guzzle our chatfest about one of the silliest movies ever made. Well, Actually: John Gielgud (co-) directed 1 movie, so he’s not known primarily as a film director. Also, Robert Lopez co-wrote “Let It Go” from Frozen, but he didn’t write the screenplay (which is probably how it sounded). Also also, Daphne Zuniga has worked a lot for nearly 4

Bonus episode! For the 2nd time during the pandemic, we offer up a pithy gab where we give you some ideas about flicks you should let enter your eyeholes during this isolating time. We even tell you where you can find them. Each Ellis has 4 recommendations (using 19 words to sell you the movie, although we cheated a bit here and there) and there are 11 trivia questions as well, giving us a grand total of…19. Bev answered more of the trivia questions than she did in the March 26th episode—who said she got a few hints?!—and maybe those hints will help you too. This continues to be a craptastic time for the whole world, so settle in for a fun listen as we amble into the merry old month o' May. Well, Actually: Commissioner Gordon calls Batman “a” dark knight at the end of that film, not “the” dark knight. Also, Ryan is @moviefiend51 on Twitter (left off the “51” part) and of course Bev is @bevellisellis.

For the Next 193 Project, we’ve got a smart satire about dumb people. The whole cast is awfully good (okay, Bev takes issue with one person’s performance), but this was Nicole Kidman’s breakout after playing second fiddle for most of the first decade of her illustrious career. The deliciously diabolical dummy she plays here is one of the most unsung performances of the ’90s. We hashed out how Gus Van Sant’s flick addresses celebrity worship, tabloid news and television production. We even spent a bunch of time talking about real-life TV journalists who might not be as smart as you think they are and how they get too much credit (and also blame) for the news they present. So avoid all the nonstop COVID talk by spending a little over 40 minutes with us jawing about one of Nicole Kidman’s best works. If you don’t choose to do that, careful because she may have you killed by a couple of impressionable lunkheads. Well, Actually: The Joaquin Phoenix / Casey Affleck joint we sloughed off is called I’m Still Here. Yo

We haven't covered the controversial Woody Allen since we reviewed Annie Hall 5 years ago, but The Purple Rose Of Cairo has just gotta be seen and discussed. It’s one of the man’s best efforts. We spent 5 or 6 minutes near the top jawing about his very tainted legacy in this Next 192 Project, but the majority of the show gets into the bittersweet delights in the 35-year-old flick. Mia Farrow and Jeff Daniels are tremendous in this fantastical love story where a movie character steps off the screen and romances a lonely lady. It’s delicious escapism and a very funny way to kill some virus time, so get started hearing us break it down for you. Well, Actually: Back To The Future was indeed on AFI’s Top 100 Genres list, but it was in the Sci-Fi category, not the Fantasy category. Also, it’s in Stardust Memories where aliens say they prefer Woody Allen’s “early, funny” films. Sparkplug Coffee continues to ship the good stuff even during the pandemic. That 20% discount we’ve been promoting for a while continues. Ju

If you’re looking for a funny satire about identity and 1980s consumerism, then Mary Harron’s adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ book might be exactly what you’re craving. Or maybe you just want to ogle Christian Bale’s half-naked body in all its perfection. If you did that, at least you’d be noticing the guy, which is more than anyone in the actual film ever does. Despite the good looks, money, clothes & women that Patrick Bateman has, he’s a first-class loser. We gabbed about all the sex & brutal violence in this picture, plus the “what’s real and what might only be a(n American) psychotic fantasy” angle. There’s *ahem* a lot of meat on this bone. Much like Bateman, you’re not doing any work these days, so try your best to fit in by sitting around listening to cheesy music, but also give us 40 minutes of your time to hear our thoughts about American Psycho. Well, Actually…: Paul Allen thinks Bateman is Marcus Halberstram, not Hammerschmidt. Also, Patrick gets a call from his fiancee when Jean is at hi

For the 190th time, we give you a Next 100 Project podcast…and this lip-wag is about one graphically vicious movie. This modern noir that uses plenty of florid dialogue from ’40s crime thrillers is no longer as effective on us as it was 15 years ago. Is it maybe just a little too much of the old ultra-violence (and ultra-nudity)? The ensemble cast mostly excels without getting a ton of screentime, especially Mickey Rourke in a career-rejuvenating performance as Marv. Best of all, the visual style used by co-directors Robert Rodriguez & Frank Miller was groundbreaking at the time. There are still more ups than downs here. We covered a lot of ground in this ep (including Bev’s rant about the pros & cons of unions) and we certainly dug into the film’s sexism. So get your mind away from viruses for a short while and inhale our black-and-white-and-some-colour thoughts about Sin City. Sparkplug Coffee is a sensational way to slam your way through violent modern noir flicks. A delightful 20% discount will be

It doesn’t get much more timely (or germ-bedazzled) than the subject of the Next 189 Project. Steven Soderbergh’s movie has actually gotten better now that it has some age on it. It’s fast-paced and quite entertaining. It’s also realistic, a bit scary and—something that’s probably a big bonus for anti-Goopers—Gwyneth Paltrow dies horribly. No doubt, her death is one of the most-memorable offings of the past decade. On the brightest of bright sides, we can see right now that we should think of real-life doctors & nurses as superheroes who don’t wear capes. Tip your hat to them and to the many people working through our current crisis. So don’t be a peddler of fake news like Jude Law. Instead, enjoy our straight dope on Contagion, one of the better virus pictures ever made. Well, Actually…: Jude Law DID work with Soderbergh again (Side Effects). Also, Soderbergh has worked with Stephen Mirrione several times, but SS has edited plenty of his own films, especially in the past 20 years. Despite this virus cris

Bonus episode! If you need some terrific movie recommendations to fill your free time in the next few weeks (or months, good God), we've each got 4 excellent suggestions for what to watch (and where to find them). Along with 11 trivia questions, that makes for---hold your breath and wait for it---19 movies to help you pass the time during the worldwide standstill that is COVID-19. Bev went with mostly fun flicks, while Ryan started with 2 pics about isolation (which was not entirely intentional), but the other 2 choices are more of a joy. So get comfy for 20 minutes of our delightful gab. You deserve a larf or two. On the website known as Twitter we are @moviefiend51 and @bevellisellis The website for all of our junk is top100project.com The next COVID Special will hit the streets on May 2nd

There have been many “hooker with a heart of gold” movies, but Pretty Woman has to be on the shortlist of the most lovable ones. That’s largely because Julia Roberts is at her very best (a star was born) and Richard Gere is a great match for her. Credit to them and to director Garry Marshall for making millions of people root so hard for a corporate raider and a pro from Hollywood Boulevard to make it work. Bev took issue with Edward being patronizing towards Vivian and she shares stories about men trying too hard to make connections with women (namely…her). But, really, for a 30-year-old flick made mostly by men, this ‘un tries its best to be feminist. So stop fidgeting, cop a squat (or fearlessly climb a fire escape) and pony up 3000 bucks as you enjoy an Ellis-aided getaway from the virus-laden troubles of the real world with the Next 188 Project. Some thoughts while editing: Edward doesn’t sleep or drink, he lives in New York, he has major daddy issues, he’s obsessed with being rich. He’s just a nicer, se

The first sequel in the long series of Universal’s Frankenflicks is the best film out of all of them. James Whale’s masterpiece feels incredibly modern for something that was made 85 years ago. It’s also remarkably influential. There’s the hermit scene (parodied so hilariously in Young Frankenstein), the gay subtext, the surreal sets, the 5 iconic minutes of the title character. The Next 187 Project gets into all that stuff. Pretorious is the actual genius scientist in this cast of weirdo characters, even more than the hand-wringing Doc Frankenstein (who is the real villain, not his monsters). Boris Karloff and Elsa Lanchester play those monsters and, man, do they play them well. So electrify your hair, get your vigilante torches out and saddle up our analysis of Mister Jimmy's story of gods and monsters. Sparkplug Coffee will give you the juice you need to aid your rampage through the countryside. If you enjoy getting 20% when you buy things, that much of a one-time discount awaits you by using our promo cod

Since it’s the movie of the moment (and the big winner at last month's Oscars), we thought the Next 186 Project was an ideal slot to cover Parasite. Bong Joon Ho’s brilliant, pitch-black satire deals with class, the division between the rich & the poor and empathy…or the lack thereof from the rich AND the poor. We have complicated feelings about the richies in this picture (we’re more sympathetic towards them than other viewers will be) and we took issue with some elements of the climax. We also see a Taxi Driver/Vertigo (or maybe even 25th Hour) thing going on in that crazy-pants ending. In any case, this is an excellent motion picture. So whether you side with the Parks or with the Kims (or…maybe both?), hunker down in your basement with some peaches and hear what we have to say about Gisaengchung. Some Sparkplug Coffee‘ll do nicely as you discuss this movie’s complexities. American fans, you can get in on this too! Score a sparkling 20% discount by using our promo code (“top100project”) when you’re rea

Here’s some truth…it’s March! We’re on the other side of winter, people. Somebody wished upon a star, didn’t they? Well, anyway, the Next 185 Project analyzes Disney’s ultimate morality tale, although we took issue with how this animated classic teaches kids these lessons. Those plotlines had us asking many Reasonably Good Questions. One big takeaway? Don’t trust adults! But do toe the line and, clearly, your nose will get very big if you lie. So go into this episode knowing that Jiminy Cricket is a dreadful choice to be anyone’s conscience, the Blue Fairy is a false face who might actually be the movie’s villain and—the fact you’ve known for years—Disney is quite simply our corporate lord and master. Well, Actually…: Fantasia came out at the end of 1940, while Pinocchio was released in February of 1940. Sparkplug Coffee is still our sponsor and they tell all kinds of truth about their delicious product. A 20% discount will be your pleasure (island) if you use our promo code (“top100project”) when you waltz o

At my signal, unleash Braveheartacus! The Next 184 Project gets into the issues of how Commodus (toilet!) is a “failson” and how the whole derivative story is a WWF-esque popularity contest. This Ridley Scott / Russell Crowe action flick that won big at the Oscars 20 years ago works even as well as it does because of Crowe’s humanity and even, believe it or not, humour. But, of course, there are a lot of bloody effective battle scenes too…and that’s the hallmark of this still-beloved picture. So plot your revenge as you long for your beautiful family and also your beautiful wheat, then find yourself rooting for an empire to keep empiring as we hit you with some Gladiator. Well, Actually: Crowe has died in at least 1 other movie (Les Insufferables). Also, Djimon Hounsou has indeed been nominated for 2 Oscars, not 3. To stay awake long enough to kill the ego-maniacal boss of your whole country, you gotta get some Sparkplug Coffee. They continue to offer a 20% discount if you use our promo code (“top100project”)