#48: Million Dollar Arm (2014)

Full disclosure: I'm a huge Mad Men fan. The main reason why I was interested in seeing this movie was because of Jon Hamm. I think Jon is a great actor that deserves a shot at movie stardom. Not sure this film is going to do that for him, but it's a step in the right direction. It's a sweet film about a sports agent that desperately needs to sign a major athlete in order to keep his business. After talking to his colleague, he comes up with the idea of creating a reality show-like competition in India to recruit two cricket players to play baseball in the US. It's funny, touching, and very sweet. I love the two actors that play the Indian athletes. The story is perfectly balanced. It's Disney so of course there's a happy ending, but I like how it gets there.

#47: 20 Feet from Stardom (2013)

God I love this documentary. It amazes me sometimes how many stories there are out there that have yet to be told, really interesting stories. This is one (really several). The untold true story of the backup singers that are behind some of the greatest hooks in popular music. These mostly black women should be stars on their own. They most certainly have the talent. But as they explain in this beautiful film, sometimes talent is not enough. There are many variables that factor into becoming a successful singer. I have no idea why people like Merry Clayton and Darlene Love are not famous. It's a travesty really. I'm happy that they were given their props in this film though.

#46: The Birth of a Nation (1915)

I mostly watched this for it's historic technical contributions to the art of filmmaking. Unfortunately the story it tells makes the time spent watching it worthless. It depicts the Northerners (viewed as carpetbaggers) as buffoons, the KKK as valiant heroes, and blacks... ay yi yi... where to begin. Black people are given every stereotype you can imagine. There is a scene depicting former slaves turned state representatives in the state capital at their benches laid back barefoot, eating fried chicken, and drinking alcohol. That was probably the most kind depiction. There is another scene where a random black man (really a white man in blackface) stalks, attempts to rape, and ultimately kills a young white girl in the woods. The film acts as though the institution of slavery was the only thing keeping black folks from acting like crazed animals. It's beyond racist and insulting. Not to mention that it's crazy long for a silent film. There's a title card that pops up right before the story dives into the mud that tries to explain away the horrendous nature of the rest of film. The version I saw also contains an interview (with sound!) of someone whom I assume is D.W. Griffith talking about how the movie does not reflect his opinions or the opinions of all white people. Clearly that mess was added some time after its initial release when people protested. Whatever.

#45: The African Queen (1951)

The title of this film often confused me. A movie with the title The African Queen starring Katherine Hepburn? Now I get it. The queen was the boat. OK. Bogey's always great, and I love seeing him play a dirty, unkempt regular schmo as opposed to a slick wiseguy. Katherine is a little to affected for my tastes but she does a good job overall. I'm not sure what was up with filmmakers in the 1950s making films that took place in Africa but centered around white people. This movie is about two British expats fighting the Germans for Mother England... in Africa. Why Africa?

#44: Blazing Saddles (1974)

I was first introduced to Mel Brooks as a kid watching Spaceballs. I could watch Robin Hood: Men In Tights a hundred times, and it would never get old. I love his humor, even if it is a bit too silly at times. I had seen Blazing Saddles in pieces many times on cable, but this was my first time watching it from beginning to end. It's classic Mel Brooks storytelling - heavy on the jokes, light on the plot. I'm sure all of the racial stuff was groundbreaking at the time. It's definitely a classic, more ambitious and controversial than his later stuff, but not all of the humor ages as well.

#43: Drinking Buddies (2013)

This movie makes me think of a millennial hipster version of Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. One of those stories where couples try to resolve their issues by trading partners. It's interesting, kinda. It's more of a character study than a story.

#42: Frozen (2013)

The downside of being childless is that you don't get to see as many animated films in the theatre, at least I don't. This is one that I had been meaning to see for awhile. I finally got my chance when I went over to a friend's apartment to visit her three year old little girl. Unfortunately, my friend's daughter wasn't as into the film as I was (she wandered off somewhere around the 20 minute mark). It's very Disney. Very cute. I enjoyed it thoroughly. I loved the twist at the end.

#41: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

I didn't grow up reading comic books. I know most of the characters through osmosis - friends and relatives who were comic geeks. So I'm usually not all that excited about these movies. I do love good stories though, and I'm very happy that Marvel Studios is finally into story. Winter Soldier has a great story with great characters. It's called Captain America, but he's only one piece of the puzzle. Chris Evans has a mighty supporting cast in Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie, and Robert Redford. Everyone pulls their weight.

Pro Tip: Stay until the very end. There are two teasers for future films - one in the middle of the credits and one at the very end.

#40: Sabotage (2014)

This is a fun flick. It's crazy and absolutely ridiculous at times, but I really liked it. With one big exception, the cast was great. I knew Arnold wasn't a great actor, but I never realized how not great he was. It's all in comparison. When he's amongst top talent like the actors in this movie, he looks really out of place. Thankfully, even though he's the lead, it's really an ensemble piece. Never a boring moment.

#39: Mitt (2014)

I never thought Mitt Romney was a bad guy. There was a point in the 2012 campaign when he became the Republican nominee where I was relieved. The idea of any of those other yahoos possibly running the country scared the crap out of me. So I never thought he was bad. I just didn't think he would make the best President. This movie didn't change my mind.