I have many movies and small video clips in avi format which I would like to convert to dvd format. Can anyone please comment on what is a really good AVI to DVD burner and how to do it?
In order to convert AVI to DVD to enjoy movies or video clips of AVI format on DVD player, you just need the right DVD Creator which supports AVI video files, such as a professional AVI to DVD Burner which supports just AVI video file and nothing else. Operation and the interfaces of these two apps are simple and similar, what differ are just the names and formats supported. Below is a step-by-step guide of converting AVI to DVD using AVI to DVD Burner.
The operation is quite easy. Try it, and you will get it!
Step 1: Add AVI video or movie
Click “Load Video” or select “Load Video” under the “File” drop-down menu to load AVI files from your hard drive. Multiple video files could be added at a time. The window on the right is for you to play loaded AVI video files.
avi to dvd
If you have multiple AVI video clips and want to burn them to DVD disc, organizing a video slideshow with customizable DVD menu, transition effects and background music is a good choice for you. Just drag & drop loaded AVI video files to the storyboard below to start organizing a slideshow.
Step 2: Organize the slideshow from AVI videos or movies
Right click mouse in the storyboard and select “Add Titleset” to add a slide. Then you may load other AVI videos to the slide. Creating a slideshow of 20 slides at most is available.
burn avi to dvd
Order: You can sort the order of the video files in the storyboard by dragging and dropping.
Edit: Select a loaded video in the storyboard, click “edit selected video file”, you may see a window with a box below for settings. There are five tabs here for you to crop the size, to trim the length, to adjust the video effect, to design your watermark and to plug-in subtitle.
Transition: Click “Transition” and you will see all the available transition effects in the transition pane. A simple click could help you to display the transition effect in the right window. Just drag and drop the transition effect you want to apply to the middle of twovideo files in the slideshow storyboard.
Step 3: Customize DVD menu
Click “Menu” to customize your DVD menu. There are different styles of built-in templates, frames and buttons for your choice. To apply a template, frame or button, you can just double click it.
You can even add text, background music and background image to customize the menu.
avi to dvd burner
Step 4: Preview and start burning
Click “Preview” to preview your AVI video slideshow to check if everything goes right.
At last, click “Start” to make the last settings like TV standard and Aspect ratio. Then start burning AVI video files to DVD disc, or you may burn it to ISO image files or DVD folder (with VOB files in it) saved on your hard drive.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
31 of the Best Horror Movies For Halloween
October has arrived once again. There is a familiar chill in the air, the leaves are changing colors and daylight is much shorter. It is a beautiful time of year but also a bleak and spooky time of year. Everyone has different ways of celebrating and refers to Oct. 31st by many different names, the most common being Halloween. One way of celebrating is by watching scary movies. Here are thirty one essential horror movies (in no particular order) for Halloween viewing.
The Exorcist
Night of the Living Dead
Dawn of the Dead
Day of the Dead
City of the Living Dead
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Evil Dead
Halloween
Black Christmas
Hellraiser
Dead and Buried
Phenomena
Suspiria
Phantasm
The Beyond
The Omen
From Beyond
The Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue
Black Sunday
The Howling
An American Werewolf in London
Frankenstein
Dracula
Creature From the Black Lagoon
Friday the 13th
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Sleepy Hollow
The Living Dead Girl
Re-Animator
Witchfinder General
Night of the Creeps
Naturally, this is a very short list as there are thousands of horror movies that are more than worthy for viewing on Halloween or any time of the year. I always try to watch one horror movie a day the entire month of October so I hope these thirty one suggestions come in handy. If you don't have an account to rent movies and don't have the money to buy a lot of DVD's there are a few networks running horror films everyday so be sure to check your listings. Hopefully you get as much enjoyment out of these movies as I do. Stay scared!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Simon
Joe Simon - EzineArticles Expert Author
The Exorcist
Night of the Living Dead
Dawn of the Dead
Day of the Dead
City of the Living Dead
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Evil Dead
Halloween
Black Christmas
Hellraiser
Dead and Buried
Phenomena
Suspiria
Phantasm
The Beyond
The Omen
From Beyond
The Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue
Black Sunday
The Howling
An American Werewolf in London
Frankenstein
Dracula
Creature From the Black Lagoon
Friday the 13th
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Sleepy Hollow
The Living Dead Girl
Re-Animator
Witchfinder General
Night of the Creeps
Naturally, this is a very short list as there are thousands of horror movies that are more than worthy for viewing on Halloween or any time of the year. I always try to watch one horror movie a day the entire month of October so I hope these thirty one suggestions come in handy. If you don't have an account to rent movies and don't have the money to buy a lot of DVD's there are a few networks running horror films everyday so be sure to check your listings. Hopefully you get as much enjoyment out of these movies as I do. Stay scared!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Simon
Joe Simon - EzineArticles Expert Author
James Bond Movies
Inspired by the novels of Ian Fleming, a series of British spy films were released in the 60s are still being produced. They are the James Bond movies. They are about the fictional M16 agent by name James Bond, his code name being 007. This is one of the longest running film series in the history of cinema with an ongoing production from 1962 to 2008, with a short hiatus between 1989 and 1995. It was EON Productions that produced 22 films in association with Pinewood Studios and the films have grossed more than $10 billion in box office. There were also two other independent productions and an American television adaptation of the first novel of Ian Fleming.
One Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman co-produced the EON James Bond films till 1975 and in 1975, Broccoli became the sole producer. Broccoli's daughter, Barbara and his stepson, Michael G. Wilson started co-producing the films since 1995.
Till now, six actors have donned the role of James Bond in the EON series. Broccoli's family through EON and United Artists co-owned James Bond film series since the middle of the 1970's though distribution was done by various other companies like MGM, MGM/UA Entertainment Company, UA solely and Columbia Pictures (Sony Pictures Entertainment now owns MGM and is the parent company of Columbia Pictures).
1980s saw the end of the common creative team that had been working on the Bond films since the beginning in 1962, including Albert Broccoli as producer. Broccoli died soon after Brosnon's film was released. He had produced or co-produced 16 Bond films. For 14 Bond films, title sequences were designed by Maurice Binder, Richard Maibaum had scripted or co-scripted 13 films, John Barry had scored for 11 and Ken Adam had designed sets for 7. Terence Young directed 3, Guy Hamilton, 4, Lewis Gilbert, 3 and John Glenn, 5 Bond films, while "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" was directed by Lazenby.
Martin Campbell directed Golden Eye and Casino Royale. Neal Purvis wrote screenplays for 4 films during the period from 1995 and 2008, collaborating with Robert Wade. During this period, five films were scored by David Arnold.
Except Marc Foster, who is a German-Swiss, all other directors of Bond films were either from Britain or from a Commonwealth country. In the late 1970's, Steven Spielberg attempted to win direction of a Bond film, but due to commercial reasons, the attempt did not bear fruits.
The early Bond films were made on the story-lines of Fleming but later films bore only the titles of Fleming's novels or short stories but character names, locales or locations were borrowed from Fleming.
Original titles of Fleming were used for the last Dalton film and all four Brosnan films, leaving only four Fleming titles unused. License to Kill and The World Is Not Enough are phrases from Ian Fleming novels. Golden Eye was the name of Fleming's estate in Jamaica and an operation he was part of, during World War II. The only film titles that have no link to Fleming are Tomorrow Never Dies, Die Another Day and Never Say Never Again. The 22nd Bond film released in 2008 was titled Quantum of Solace.
Writers have already been hired in 2009 for the 23rd Bond film and it is due to release in 2011. Daniel Craig is returning as James Bond. Peter Morgan is co-writing the film with Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. This 23rd film may borrow the name from Fleming's unused 4 titles, Risico, The Hildebrand Rarity, The Property of a Lady and 007 in New York. Craig and Barbara Broccoli expressed hopes that they would be having great fun in producing this 23rd Bond film.
James Bond Reviews & Collectibles
http://007collect.com/category/james-bond-products-reviews
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephanie_Mack
One Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman co-produced the EON James Bond films till 1975 and in 1975, Broccoli became the sole producer. Broccoli's daughter, Barbara and his stepson, Michael G. Wilson started co-producing the films since 1995.
Till now, six actors have donned the role of James Bond in the EON series. Broccoli's family through EON and United Artists co-owned James Bond film series since the middle of the 1970's though distribution was done by various other companies like MGM, MGM/UA Entertainment Company, UA solely and Columbia Pictures (Sony Pictures Entertainment now owns MGM and is the parent company of Columbia Pictures).
1980s saw the end of the common creative team that had been working on the Bond films since the beginning in 1962, including Albert Broccoli as producer. Broccoli died soon after Brosnon's film was released. He had produced or co-produced 16 Bond films. For 14 Bond films, title sequences were designed by Maurice Binder, Richard Maibaum had scripted or co-scripted 13 films, John Barry had scored for 11 and Ken Adam had designed sets for 7. Terence Young directed 3, Guy Hamilton, 4, Lewis Gilbert, 3 and John Glenn, 5 Bond films, while "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" was directed by Lazenby.
Martin Campbell directed Golden Eye and Casino Royale. Neal Purvis wrote screenplays for 4 films during the period from 1995 and 2008, collaborating with Robert Wade. During this period, five films were scored by David Arnold.
Except Marc Foster, who is a German-Swiss, all other directors of Bond films were either from Britain or from a Commonwealth country. In the late 1970's, Steven Spielberg attempted to win direction of a Bond film, but due to commercial reasons, the attempt did not bear fruits.
The early Bond films were made on the story-lines of Fleming but later films bore only the titles of Fleming's novels or short stories but character names, locales or locations were borrowed from Fleming.
Original titles of Fleming were used for the last Dalton film and all four Brosnan films, leaving only four Fleming titles unused. License to Kill and The World Is Not Enough are phrases from Ian Fleming novels. Golden Eye was the name of Fleming's estate in Jamaica and an operation he was part of, during World War II. The only film titles that have no link to Fleming are Tomorrow Never Dies, Die Another Day and Never Say Never Again. The 22nd Bond film released in 2008 was titled Quantum of Solace.
Writers have already been hired in 2009 for the 23rd Bond film and it is due to release in 2011. Daniel Craig is returning as James Bond. Peter Morgan is co-writing the film with Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. This 23rd film may borrow the name from Fleming's unused 4 titles, Risico, The Hildebrand Rarity, The Property of a Lady and 007 in New York. Craig and Barbara Broccoli expressed hopes that they would be having great fun in producing this 23rd Bond film.
James Bond Reviews & Collectibles
http://007collect.com/category/james-bond-products-reviews
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephanie_Mack
5 Movies to Enjoy This Christmas With Your Family
It may not feel like it, but Christmas is just around the corner. November is already upon us, and within two months, it'll be that time of the year again when the everyone gathers together to celebrate family and togetherness.
What better to spend some quality time with your family than by watching some feel-good movies that will get you in the festive mood? Here's a list of movies you can put add to your NetFlix queue or pick up from the nearest video store:
1. Jingle All The Way (1996)
Watch it for Arnold "Governator" Schwarzneggar, starring in one of his few non-action movie roles. As a bumbling father who tries to get the latest toy for his son while competing with other overzealous fathers, this movie packs a lot of laughs.
2. Elf (2003)
This 2003 film featuring Will Ferrell is a complete laugh riot. Will Ferrell (Talladega Nights, Anchorman) is at his absolute best here, playing the role of the titular "elf" to perfection.
3. Home Alone (1990)
This classic 1990 children's adventure featuring Macaulay Culkin and Joe Pesci is a favorite among kids and sure to provide you with a few feel good laughs too.
4. Santa Claus (1994)
Tim Allen plays the titular role of Santa Claus in this holiday classic. Watch Allen at his best as he lives up every kid's fantasy of seeing Santa Claus in flesh and blood, packed with toys.
5. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
This hilarious take on the Charles Dickens classic will have you in splits while delivering a powerful moral lesson for the kids. What better actor to play Ebenzer Scrooge than Michael Caine?
John has been writing online for 3 years. In his latest blog, he talks about florida state health insurance which you can read here:
Florida State Health Insurance
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Newcomb
John Newcomb - EzineArticles Expert Author
What better to spend some quality time with your family than by watching some feel-good movies that will get you in the festive mood? Here's a list of movies you can put add to your NetFlix queue or pick up from the nearest video store:
1. Jingle All The Way (1996)
Watch it for Arnold "Governator" Schwarzneggar, starring in one of his few non-action movie roles. As a bumbling father who tries to get the latest toy for his son while competing with other overzealous fathers, this movie packs a lot of laughs.
2. Elf (2003)
This 2003 film featuring Will Ferrell is a complete laugh riot. Will Ferrell (Talladega Nights, Anchorman) is at his absolute best here, playing the role of the titular "elf" to perfection.
3. Home Alone (1990)
This classic 1990 children's adventure featuring Macaulay Culkin and Joe Pesci is a favorite among kids and sure to provide you with a few feel good laughs too.
4. Santa Claus (1994)
Tim Allen plays the titular role of Santa Claus in this holiday classic. Watch Allen at his best as he lives up every kid's fantasy of seeing Santa Claus in flesh and blood, packed with toys.
5. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
This hilarious take on the Charles Dickens classic will have you in splits while delivering a powerful moral lesson for the kids. What better actor to play Ebenzer Scrooge than Michael Caine?
John has been writing online for 3 years. In his latest blog, he talks about florida state health insurance which you can read here:
Florida State Health Insurance
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Newcomb
John Newcomb - EzineArticles Expert Author
Best Movies of 2009 So Far - Top 10 Films of the Year Counted Down
I realize that 2009 is far from over, but since we are through the summer blockbuster season I figured it would be an appropriate time to come up with a list of the top 10 best movies of 2009 (so far). There are still a few big releases to hit like Sherlock Holmes, so there may be some slight alterations when all is said and done, but overall I am pretty satisfied that this is just about how things will shake out. Without further ado, here are my picks for the best films of the year so far:
10 - I Love You Man - Paul Rudd of Anchorman fame and Jason Segel of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and TV's How I Met Your Mother team up in this classic buddy movie about a guy who gets engaged only to discover he has no friends to stand up for him at his wedding. Under urging from his fiance Peter Klaven (Rudd) goes on a series of "man dates" in a quest to find a friend and a potential best man. After several spectacular failures he accidentally meets up with Sidney Fife (Segel), a painfully honest, but loyal friend. Though seemingly polar opposites the pair hits it off immediately, mostly due to a mutual love of the rock band Rush. However, Peter's fiance Zooey (Rashida Jones) is less than impressed Sidney's influence on her husband-to-be.
The movie is clever and consistently funny throughout, and features a great supporting cast including Jon Favreau, J.K. Simmons, Jaime Pressley, Andy Sandberg and Jane Curtin. If you missed this in theaters make sure to pick it up on DVD as it is one of the funniest movies of the year.
9 - Coraline - One of the best movies of the year is also one of the most unique. Featuring the voice acting of Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher and Ian McShane Coraline is an animated film that is quite different than the usual offerings you see from Pixar and Dreamworks. Fanning voices main character Coraline Jones who discovers a secret door in her house, walks through it, and discovers an alternate reality to her real life. The animation is top notch, featuring stop motion stereoscopic 3D, and combined with the voice acting, and the intriguing plot the movie is destined to be an instant classic that will be enjoyed for years to come by children and adults alike.
8 - Watchmen - To be honest when I heard this movie was coming out I thought it would have ended up a lot higher on a list of the best films of the year. That's not to say I was disappointed - I enjoyed the movie immensely - just not quite as much as I thought I would.
Much different than typical superhero films like Spiderman and X-men this film definitely had a darker, grittier side in the spirit of a film like Sin City. The movie isn't quite as action-packed as I expected and tends to wander and/or drag on in parts. However, the acting is top notch and the narration by Rorschach (Jackie Earle Hayley) is particularly good. For fans of the graphic novels this movie might be something of a letdown, but it is still much better than big budget films like GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
7 - Public Enemies - Johnny Depp is one of the most versatile actors working in Hollywood today. Whether he is playing a crazed pirate, a demonic barber, or in this case, legendary villain John Dillinger he is always completely believable. Public Enemies is a very good film, though it will not challenge Goodfellas or other films of that caliber as one of the best gangster movies ever made. Much like Watchmen the film seems to drag in places, but there is enough action throughout to keep views from getting too antsy. Christian Bale as FBI agent Melvin Purvis isn't as good as Depp, but does a serviceable job.
Despite some minor flaws Public Enemies is still very much worth viewing at least once, and the set design and the digital imagery in the film are as good as it gets.
6 - The Hurt Locker - Of all the movies on this list, with perhaps the exception of Coraline, The Hurt Locker is the most unheralded. With names like Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes and even Evangeline Lily of television's Lost there is decent star power, but for whatever reason the film didn't get the promotion that it deserved. As emotional as it is thrilling The Hurt Locker gives the audience a vividly portrayed view of an elite unit that has the unenviable job (to say the least) of disarming bombs in the middle of battle. If you are among the many who haven't heard of this film definitely check it out when it hits DVD.
5 - Inglorious Basterds - There was a lot of hype surrounding this movie, and with director Quentin Tarantino and Holly A-list actor Brad Pitt attached to the film, the high anticipation hardly comes as a shock. Tarantino is back in a big way, after lukewarm reviews of his last film Death Proof, with this tale of a group of Jewish-American soldiers who spread terror through the enemy's ranks by brutally killing Nazis. Pitt is stellar in the lead role as Lt. Aldo Raine, and though the film is over 2.5 hours long you'll never find it dragging. If you hurry you can still catch it in theaters. Otherwise you'll have to wait the long months until it sees the light of day on DVD.
4 - Up - As good as Coraline was, it couldn't dethrone the 800 pound gorilla Pixar for the title of the best animated movie of 2009. Pixar, much like Johnny Depp, just never seem to make a bad movie, and no matter how much praise is heaped upon them for one movie they somehow seem to outdo themselves in the next.
Ed Asner, who was so good as Lou Grant on TV so many years ago, proves he still hasn't lost his acting ability, turning in a top notch performance as the voice of Carl Fredricksen, a cantankerous old man who sets out on an incredible adventure in the twilight of his life to fulfill a lifelong promise to his deceased wife. The movie, like all Pixar films, has plenty of humor, but also has moments that will have you blinking back tears. If you are a fan of Pixar films then you've no doubt already seen this one, but if you'd dismissed it as a kid's movie you are doing yourself a disservice, and you should make sure to pick it up on DVD (or Blu-Ray) the day it hits stores.
3 - District 9 - Though there are many that are calling this film the greatest science fiction movie of all time I wouldn't go quite that far. Still, it is an incredible movie and a stunning debut for director Neil Blomkamp. The movie is unusual right from the start for the simple fact of its setting. The story takes place in South Africa, a refreshing departure from other alien "invasion" movies that always seem to take place on U.S. soil. As you can see I've put the word invasion in quotes. This isn't your typical movie where army troops and a few extraordinary civilians must defend Earth from annihilation by unwelcome extra terrestrial visitors. Instead, the aliens purpose is unknown, and they've been segregated and forced into slums under the watchful eye of the military. I won't get into too many specific details, but suffice it to say the film is much different than any sci-fi movie that I've ever seen.
2 - The Hangover - While this might not have enjoyed the critical acclaim of several of the other films on this list, The Hangover deserves its spot as it is one of the funniest comedy movies to come along in years. Starring Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper and the outrageously funny Zach Galifianakis the film is about 2 buddies (and one soon to be brother-in-law) who take their friend Doug to Las Vegas for his bachelor party. As often happens in Vegas (even in real life) things get quickly out of hand and after a night of debauchery the sorry crew wakes up and discovers they've lost their friend. Unable to recall what happened they must try and retrace their steps from the previous night to try and find Doug and get him home in time for his wedding.
Don't forget to stay right to the end of this one. The slideshow during the credits is just as funny as the main film.
1 - Star Trek - With so many installments of this venerable sci-fi classic already it seemed unlikely that yet another chapter would come up at number one on a list of the top 10 best movies of 2009. Yet here it is. Why, you ask? Quite simply, this isn't your father's Star Trek. The series has been completely reinvented, much in the way that Batman Begins was a few years back. It is darker, more violent and grittier than any of the previous installments.
This film is actually a prequel to the others, and follows the adventures of a young James Kirk, detailing how he came to the academy, met Spock, Bones, Scotty and the rest of the crew, and eventually came to captain the Starship Enterprise.
If you are not a fan of the original series and have snubbed this film as result you are making a mistake. This movie is great without being a die hard Trekkie, and if you haven't seen it make sure to mark November 17th on your calendar as that is the day it will be available on DVD.
Want more? Be sure to check out my list of the top 100 Best Movies of All Time.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dennis_Lindsay
10 - I Love You Man - Paul Rudd of Anchorman fame and Jason Segel of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and TV's How I Met Your Mother team up in this classic buddy movie about a guy who gets engaged only to discover he has no friends to stand up for him at his wedding. Under urging from his fiance Peter Klaven (Rudd) goes on a series of "man dates" in a quest to find a friend and a potential best man. After several spectacular failures he accidentally meets up with Sidney Fife (Segel), a painfully honest, but loyal friend. Though seemingly polar opposites the pair hits it off immediately, mostly due to a mutual love of the rock band Rush. However, Peter's fiance Zooey (Rashida Jones) is less than impressed Sidney's influence on her husband-to-be.
The movie is clever and consistently funny throughout, and features a great supporting cast including Jon Favreau, J.K. Simmons, Jaime Pressley, Andy Sandberg and Jane Curtin. If you missed this in theaters make sure to pick it up on DVD as it is one of the funniest movies of the year.
9 - Coraline - One of the best movies of the year is also one of the most unique. Featuring the voice acting of Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher and Ian McShane Coraline is an animated film that is quite different than the usual offerings you see from Pixar and Dreamworks. Fanning voices main character Coraline Jones who discovers a secret door in her house, walks through it, and discovers an alternate reality to her real life. The animation is top notch, featuring stop motion stereoscopic 3D, and combined with the voice acting, and the intriguing plot the movie is destined to be an instant classic that will be enjoyed for years to come by children and adults alike.
8 - Watchmen - To be honest when I heard this movie was coming out I thought it would have ended up a lot higher on a list of the best films of the year. That's not to say I was disappointed - I enjoyed the movie immensely - just not quite as much as I thought I would.
Much different than typical superhero films like Spiderman and X-men this film definitely had a darker, grittier side in the spirit of a film like Sin City. The movie isn't quite as action-packed as I expected and tends to wander and/or drag on in parts. However, the acting is top notch and the narration by Rorschach (Jackie Earle Hayley) is particularly good. For fans of the graphic novels this movie might be something of a letdown, but it is still much better than big budget films like GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
7 - Public Enemies - Johnny Depp is one of the most versatile actors working in Hollywood today. Whether he is playing a crazed pirate, a demonic barber, or in this case, legendary villain John Dillinger he is always completely believable. Public Enemies is a very good film, though it will not challenge Goodfellas or other films of that caliber as one of the best gangster movies ever made. Much like Watchmen the film seems to drag in places, but there is enough action throughout to keep views from getting too antsy. Christian Bale as FBI agent Melvin Purvis isn't as good as Depp, but does a serviceable job.
Despite some minor flaws Public Enemies is still very much worth viewing at least once, and the set design and the digital imagery in the film are as good as it gets.
6 - The Hurt Locker - Of all the movies on this list, with perhaps the exception of Coraline, The Hurt Locker is the most unheralded. With names like Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes and even Evangeline Lily of television's Lost there is decent star power, but for whatever reason the film didn't get the promotion that it deserved. As emotional as it is thrilling The Hurt Locker gives the audience a vividly portrayed view of an elite unit that has the unenviable job (to say the least) of disarming bombs in the middle of battle. If you are among the many who haven't heard of this film definitely check it out when it hits DVD.
5 - Inglorious Basterds - There was a lot of hype surrounding this movie, and with director Quentin Tarantino and Holly A-list actor Brad Pitt attached to the film, the high anticipation hardly comes as a shock. Tarantino is back in a big way, after lukewarm reviews of his last film Death Proof, with this tale of a group of Jewish-American soldiers who spread terror through the enemy's ranks by brutally killing Nazis. Pitt is stellar in the lead role as Lt. Aldo Raine, and though the film is over 2.5 hours long you'll never find it dragging. If you hurry you can still catch it in theaters. Otherwise you'll have to wait the long months until it sees the light of day on DVD.
4 - Up - As good as Coraline was, it couldn't dethrone the 800 pound gorilla Pixar for the title of the best animated movie of 2009. Pixar, much like Johnny Depp, just never seem to make a bad movie, and no matter how much praise is heaped upon them for one movie they somehow seem to outdo themselves in the next.
Ed Asner, who was so good as Lou Grant on TV so many years ago, proves he still hasn't lost his acting ability, turning in a top notch performance as the voice of Carl Fredricksen, a cantankerous old man who sets out on an incredible adventure in the twilight of his life to fulfill a lifelong promise to his deceased wife. The movie, like all Pixar films, has plenty of humor, but also has moments that will have you blinking back tears. If you are a fan of Pixar films then you've no doubt already seen this one, but if you'd dismissed it as a kid's movie you are doing yourself a disservice, and you should make sure to pick it up on DVD (or Blu-Ray) the day it hits stores.
3 - District 9 - Though there are many that are calling this film the greatest science fiction movie of all time I wouldn't go quite that far. Still, it is an incredible movie and a stunning debut for director Neil Blomkamp. The movie is unusual right from the start for the simple fact of its setting. The story takes place in South Africa, a refreshing departure from other alien "invasion" movies that always seem to take place on U.S. soil. As you can see I've put the word invasion in quotes. This isn't your typical movie where army troops and a few extraordinary civilians must defend Earth from annihilation by unwelcome extra terrestrial visitors. Instead, the aliens purpose is unknown, and they've been segregated and forced into slums under the watchful eye of the military. I won't get into too many specific details, but suffice it to say the film is much different than any sci-fi movie that I've ever seen.
2 - The Hangover - While this might not have enjoyed the critical acclaim of several of the other films on this list, The Hangover deserves its spot as it is one of the funniest comedy movies to come along in years. Starring Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper and the outrageously funny Zach Galifianakis the film is about 2 buddies (and one soon to be brother-in-law) who take their friend Doug to Las Vegas for his bachelor party. As often happens in Vegas (even in real life) things get quickly out of hand and after a night of debauchery the sorry crew wakes up and discovers they've lost their friend. Unable to recall what happened they must try and retrace their steps from the previous night to try and find Doug and get him home in time for his wedding.
Don't forget to stay right to the end of this one. The slideshow during the credits is just as funny as the main film.
1 - Star Trek - With so many installments of this venerable sci-fi classic already it seemed unlikely that yet another chapter would come up at number one on a list of the top 10 best movies of 2009. Yet here it is. Why, you ask? Quite simply, this isn't your father's Star Trek. The series has been completely reinvented, much in the way that Batman Begins was a few years back. It is darker, more violent and grittier than any of the previous installments.
This film is actually a prequel to the others, and follows the adventures of a young James Kirk, detailing how he came to the academy, met Spock, Bones, Scotty and the rest of the crew, and eventually came to captain the Starship Enterprise.
If you are not a fan of the original series and have snubbed this film as result you are making a mistake. This movie is great without being a die hard Trekkie, and if you haven't seen it make sure to mark November 17th on your calendar as that is the day it will be available on DVD.
Want more? Be sure to check out my list of the top 100 Best Movies of All Time.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dennis_Lindsay
HOME::Arts-and-Entertainment/Movies-TV X Top Ten Military Movies 2000-2009 By Jay Camus Article Word Count: 617 [View Summary] Comments (0) A
Ready for a fight? Want to watch the best war movies that debuted in the past nine years? Here are the Real Military Network's pick for the best War films of the past nine years:
1. Gladiator (2000): For the quintessential story of a Roman soldier, the fictional General Maximus Decimus Meridius played by Russell Crowe, who journeys from a General who led legions in battle, to a slave, to a gladiator who defied an Emperor. The opening battle scene is one of the most dramatic ancient Roman war scenes ever filmed.
2. Taegukgi (2004): This Korean made film is the "Saving Private Ryan" of the Republic of Korea and worth your time. It vividly portrays the Korean war (1950-1953), with superbly crafted battle scenes, from perspective of both South and North Koreans.
3. 300 (2007): Highly stylized, but exhilarating, this film depicts the passion and fury of the famous stand of the Spartan 300 against the Persians at narrow pass at Thermopylae. Thermopylae is an important battles to the development of western culture and this is a must see war film to understand why the story of the 300 Spartans resonates to this day.
4. The Alamo (2004): As much as I respect John Wayne movies, this is, bar none, the best Alamo movie ever made. Most historians agree that "The Alamo (2004)" is the most accurate depiction the battle for the beleaguered Texan fortress ever filmed. It is also the most dramatic.
5. "Flags of Our Fathers" (2006) and Letters from Iwo Jima (2006): For an excellent depiction of the ferocity of the fighting for Iwo Jima (1944) and for showing both sides of the battle.
6. Kingdom of Heaven (2005), for superb battle scenes of the Crusades and the depiction of the Battle (Siege) of Jerusalem.
7. Enemy at the Gates (2001), depiction of the Battle of Stalingrad; for the depiction of the dramatic and monumental Battle for Stalingrad, 1942-1943.
8. The War (in Russian: ?????) (2002) , for its graphic depiction of modern combat in Chechnya during the second Chechen War 1999-2000. This film provides accurate insights to the corrupt Chechen militia, incompetent Russian Army, and the Russian's careless attitude concerning the plight of their soldiers who were captured by the Chechens. The film was made in Russia, but was produced in Russian and English.
9. Napoleon (2002) (TV mini-series): For an exciting view of Napoleonic Warfare. The first episode dramatically depicts young Napoleon's first Italian campaign and his heroic leadership at the Battle of Arcole. This mini-series also depicts the Battles of Eylau, Austerlitz, Waterloo and the retreat from Russia.
10. The Great Raid (2005), for telling a forgotten story of great courage by a group of US Army Rangers who rescue U.S. and Pilipino POWs from a Japanese prison camp during WWII.
Honorable Mentions:
1. The Lost Battalion (2001), for the only WWII war movie of substance created within the 2000-2009 time period.
2. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003), for brining to life the tactics of naval warfare during the Napoleonic Wars.
3. Saints and Soldiers (2003) for an excellent tale about the Battle of the Bulge during WWII, (December 1944)
4. Hannibal - Rome's Worst Nightmare (2006), this BBC TV depiction of the Second Punic War). The epic battle of Carthage and Rome is dramatically shown in this excellent film.
5. The Patriot (2000), depiction of the American Revolution and particularly for the depiction of the tactics used in the final battle, which is based on the Battle of Cowpens. In the Patriot, Mel Gibson plays the Benjamin Martin, a character loosely modeled after Francis Marion, the famous Southern militia leader known as the Swamp Fox.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_Camus
1. Gladiator (2000): For the quintessential story of a Roman soldier, the fictional General Maximus Decimus Meridius played by Russell Crowe, who journeys from a General who led legions in battle, to a slave, to a gladiator who defied an Emperor. The opening battle scene is one of the most dramatic ancient Roman war scenes ever filmed.
2. Taegukgi (2004): This Korean made film is the "Saving Private Ryan" of the Republic of Korea and worth your time. It vividly portrays the Korean war (1950-1953), with superbly crafted battle scenes, from perspective of both South and North Koreans.
3. 300 (2007): Highly stylized, but exhilarating, this film depicts the passion and fury of the famous stand of the Spartan 300 against the Persians at narrow pass at Thermopylae. Thermopylae is an important battles to the development of western culture and this is a must see war film to understand why the story of the 300 Spartans resonates to this day.
4. The Alamo (2004): As much as I respect John Wayne movies, this is, bar none, the best Alamo movie ever made. Most historians agree that "The Alamo (2004)" is the most accurate depiction the battle for the beleaguered Texan fortress ever filmed. It is also the most dramatic.
5. "Flags of Our Fathers" (2006) and Letters from Iwo Jima (2006): For an excellent depiction of the ferocity of the fighting for Iwo Jima (1944) and for showing both sides of the battle.
6. Kingdom of Heaven (2005), for superb battle scenes of the Crusades and the depiction of the Battle (Siege) of Jerusalem.
7. Enemy at the Gates (2001), depiction of the Battle of Stalingrad; for the depiction of the dramatic and monumental Battle for Stalingrad, 1942-1943.
8. The War (in Russian: ?????) (2002) , for its graphic depiction of modern combat in Chechnya during the second Chechen War 1999-2000. This film provides accurate insights to the corrupt Chechen militia, incompetent Russian Army, and the Russian's careless attitude concerning the plight of their soldiers who were captured by the Chechens. The film was made in Russia, but was produced in Russian and English.
9. Napoleon (2002) (TV mini-series): For an exciting view of Napoleonic Warfare. The first episode dramatically depicts young Napoleon's first Italian campaign and his heroic leadership at the Battle of Arcole. This mini-series also depicts the Battles of Eylau, Austerlitz, Waterloo and the retreat from Russia.
10. The Great Raid (2005), for telling a forgotten story of great courage by a group of US Army Rangers who rescue U.S. and Pilipino POWs from a Japanese prison camp during WWII.
Honorable Mentions:
1. The Lost Battalion (2001), for the only WWII war movie of substance created within the 2000-2009 time period.
2. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003), for brining to life the tactics of naval warfare during the Napoleonic Wars.
3. Saints and Soldiers (2003) for an excellent tale about the Battle of the Bulge during WWII, (December 1944)
4. Hannibal - Rome's Worst Nightmare (2006), this BBC TV depiction of the Second Punic War). The epic battle of Carthage and Rome is dramatically shown in this excellent film.
5. The Patriot (2000), depiction of the American Revolution and particularly for the depiction of the tactics used in the final battle, which is based on the Battle of Cowpens. In the Patriot, Mel Gibson plays the Benjamin Martin, a character loosely modeled after Francis Marion, the famous Southern militia leader known as the Swamp Fox.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_Camus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
