Anomalous Material Feature: 10 Best Tim Burton Films

Here we are once again true believers, with my latest 10 best feature written for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on all kinds of various cinematic subjects - and anyone who knows me at all can surely attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor (yes I am a  list nerd).  This newest feature, my thirty-second such endeavor, takes a look at the films of one, Mr. Timothy Burton.  From the macabre to the downright silly, here are my choices for the ten best Tim Burton films. Just go take a look for yourself.

Read my feature article, "10 Best Tim Burton Films" at Anomalous Material.

Since six of the films on this list involve Johnny Depp and/or Helena Bonham-Carter (Burton's work wife and real wife, respectively), I suppose I should toss out this nice little pic of the threesome below.  So here ya go.

Anomalous Material Feature: 10 Best Alternative Christmas Films

Here we are once again true believers, with my latest 10 best feature written for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on all kinds of various cinematic subjects - and anyone who knows me at all can surely attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor (yes I am a  list nerd).  This newest feature, my thirty-first such feature, takes a look at the holiday season.  But these ain't your granddaddy's Christmas movies, baby.  These, for the most part, are the kind of Christmas films rarely found on your typical Christmas movie list.  Just go take a look for yourself.

Read my feature article, "10 Best Alternative Christmas Movies" at Anomalous Material.

Since it was a TV special, it did not make my list, but mention still has to be made of a particular 1978 George Lucas holiday special.  Of course, it is also not about Christmas, so much as the Wookiee race's Life Day, so that too makes it ineligible.  Anyway...

Anomalous Material Feature: 10 Best Kevin Smith Characters

Here we are once again true believers, with my latest 10 best feature written for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on all kinds of various cinematic subjects - and anyone who knows me at all can surely attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor (yes I am a  list nerd).  This newest feature, my thirtieth such feature, takes a look at a place called the View Askewniverse, that world created by writer/director Kevin Smith, and inhabited with all his made-up miscreants.  In this piece, I reveal those ten miscreants that I consider to be his best.

Read my feature article, "10 Best Kevin Smith Characters" at Anomalous Material.

No, Stan Lee, for his great performance as himself in Mallrats, is not on the list, but since he is Stan Lee, the man who created Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four, The Hulk, Dr. Strange, The Man-Thing, Iron Man, Thor (well, at least the Marvel version of Thor) and The X-men, among a multitude of others, there was never any way I could not mention him here.  Anyway, go check out the list. 'nuff said.

Anomalous Material Feature: 10 Best James Bond Films

It has been quite a while (four and a half months for those keeping score at home), but here we are once again true believers, with my latest 10 best feature written for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on all kinds of various cinematic subjects - and anyone who knows me at all can surely attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor (yes I am a  list nerd).  This newest feature, my twenty-ninth such feature, is a special edition to coincide with the release of Skyfall, the twenty-third official James Bond film (twenty-fifth if you count the unofficial ones, and twenty-sixth if you add the fifties BBC version).  This time around we take a look at the ten best James Bond films, so here you go.

Read my feature article, "10 Best James Bond Films" at Anomalous Material.

Once you read my 10 Best list, you will see that one of these guys below, and I think you know which one, is my favourite - and that two of them do not even make an appearance on the list at all.   Of course you can always check out my review of the aforementioned twenty-third official Bond entry HERE, and also get a peek at my ranking of all twenty-three films.

Anomalous Material Feature: 10 Best Films About America Made By Non-American Directors

Here we are once again true believers, with my latest weekly 10 best feature written for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on all kinds of various cinematic subjects - and anyone who knows me at all can surely attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor (yes I am a  list nerd).  This week's feature, my twenty-eighth such feature, is a special Fourth of July edition...with a twist.  This time around we take a look at the ten best films about America.  The twist being that they are all made by directors born elsewhere.  These are films about the American experience made by directors for Germany, China, Italy, England, Taiwan and Denmark.  Happy Fourth.

Read my feature article, "10 Best Films About America by Non-American Directors" at Anomalous Material.

Anomalous Material Weekly Feature: 10 Movie Moms You Do Not Want to Cross

Here we are once again true believers, with my latest weekly 10 best feature written for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on various cinematic subjects - and anyone who knows me can attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor (yes I am a  list nerd).  This week's feature, my twenty-seventh such feature, in honour of Mother's Day happening this past weekend, is a look at movie moms.  The best moms, the worst moms?  Actually a little of both.  These are the movie moms with whom you do not want to mess.   Whether they are protecting their children from school bullies or outer space creatures, or whether they are a bit miffed over some ill-placed hangers or the devil roiling around inside their virginal daughter, these are the mothers of all mothers.  Find out who these ten (eleven sorta) movie moms are at the other end of the below link.

Read my feature article, "10 Movie Moms You Do Not Want to Cross" at Anomalous Material.

Below is a shot of one of the ones that did not quite make the list.  No, she's not crazy at all.  Just a sweet cookie-making mama who wants to save her daughter.  Okay, she's batshitcrazy.  And yes, I kinda felt bad kicking her onto the cutting room floor as it were (she is in one of my favourite films), but hey, someone had to be sacrificed, so why not this wicked ole witch.  But here she is now, so please enjoy.

Anomalous Material Weekly Feature: 10 Best Robert Downey, Jr. Performances

Here we are once again true believers, with my latest weekly 10 best feature written for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on various cinematic subjects - and anyone who knows me can attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor (yes I am a  list nerd).  This week's feature, my twenty-sixth such feature, is yet another tie-in with the highly anticipated May 4th release of The Avengers.  This week we are checking out everyone's favourite armoured Avenger, that rapscallion Tony Stark.  Or more accurately, we are looking at the career of that equal rapscallion Robert Downey, Jr.  So without further ado, click on the link below and go see the 10 Best Robert Downey, Jr. Performances.  Here we go.....

Read my feature article, "10 Best Robert Downey, Jr. Performances" at Anomalous Material.

Now arguably, Downey's greatest role is that of mugshot aficionado.  The actor certainly had some hard personal times back in the day, but there is no reason to look down on the man for this.  These indiscretions led to a rather kick-ass comeback - and he sure does look cute in a mugshot, huh?

Anomalous Material Weekly Feature: 10 Best Non-Indian Films Set in India

Here we are again true believers, with my latest weekly 10 best feature for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on various cinematic subjects - and anyone who knows me can attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor (yes I am a  list nerd).  This week's feature, my twenty-fifth such feature, is on those films set in the great and classic land of India.  But instead of discussing films actually made in India (great ones like Pyaasa, The Cloud-Capped Star and Pather Panchali) we are going with those films set in India but made my outsiders.  British and American films set in the great ancient land.  Here we go.....

Read my feature article, "10 Best Non-Indian Films Set in India" at Anomalous Material.

Below is the always enjoyable, albeit always a bit on the cheeky side, Sabu, in a shot from The Jungle Book.  This Indian born teen sensation of his time can be seen in not one, not two, not even three, but four of the films on this list.  I suppose that makes him our poster boy this time around.

Anomalous Material Weekly Feature: 10 Little Known Movies You Need to See Now

Here we are again true believers, with my latest weekly 10 best feature for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on various cinematic subjects - and anyone who knows me can attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor (yes I am a  list nerd).  This week's feature, my twenty-fourth such feature, is the first in what will be a bi-monthly series looking at those obscure gems of cinema that get overlooked all too often.  The strange and the beautiful.  The unknown and the forgotten.  The lost and the found.   These are the films that you have probably never even heard of.  Okay, I am sure some of you have, but still, you get my point.

Read my feature article, "10 Little Known Movies You Need to See Now" at Anomalous Material.

As I said above, this is going to be a regular bi-monthly series over at AM, which is a good thing because, sadly enough, there are probably several hundred more films that need to be included in such a list/series.  Below is an image from one of these several hundred that can also act as a preview for the next installment in this series.

 

Anomalous Material Weekly Feature: 10 Best Silent Films

Here we are again true believers, with my latest weekly 10 best feature for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on various cinematic subjects - and anyone who knows me can attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor (yes I am a  list nerd).  This week's feature, my twenty-third such feature, is on the timely subject of silent movies.  Why are silent movies timely in this day and age of digital in your face mass media you may ask?  Well, it is because a silent film is just days away from taking home the Oscar for Best Picture (and probably Director, Actor, Score and Editing as well).  So with that in mind I composed a list of my personal favourite silent films of those (semi) lost woebegone days of yore.

Read my feature article, "10 Best Silent Films" at Anomalous Material.

As for the many silent films I had to leave out of this list, one of the most important is a little thing that debuted back on December 28, 1895 in Paris by the name of La Sortie des usines Lumière à Lyon, or Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory.  Directed by film pioneers Auguste and Louis Lumere, it was the very first film shown at the very first public screening of a film anywhere in the known world.  It is just a mere 50 seconds long and really shows nothing but exactly what the title would have you believe it shows, but considering what it led to, aka, the birth of cinema, it probably should be mentioned somewhere here.

Anomalous Material Weekly Feature: 10 Most Romantic Movies

Here we are again true believers, with my latest weekly 10 best feature for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on various cinematic subjects - and anyone who knows me can attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor (yes I am a  list nerd).  This week's feature, my twenty-second such feature, is on the timely subject of romantic movies.  With Valentine's Day tomorrow, I hand out the ten films I think are the most romantic.  Anyone who knows me knows that this is sure to be a rather strange little list - and I suppose they would be correct in such an assumption.  No Jennifer Aniston movies here folks.   No Katherine Heigl nonsense.  No freakin' Twilight either!!  Too bad if that offends you.  You can read my list at the link below.

Read my feature article, "10 Most Romantic Movies" at Anomalous Material.

Below is a scene from a film that just missed making the final list.  Now you tell me, is the love between a caregiver and his comatose patient not one of the most romantic things you have ever seen?  No?  Really?  Wow, ok.  Well then, perhaps my list is strange after all.

Anomalous Material Weekly Feature: 10 Most Heinous Oscar Snubs

Here we are again true believers, with my latest weekly 10 best feature for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on various cinematic subjects - and anyone who knows me can attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor (yes I am a  list nerd).  This week's feature, my twenty-first such feature, is all about the Oscars.  The worst of the Oscars.  With the Oscar nominations being announced this coming week, I thought I would take a look at the most unworthy Oscar winners in the award's history.  The worst of the worst.  It took a lot of whittling down since the Oscars are well known for some pretty bad atrocities of taste, but here they are - just one click away.

Read my feature article, "10 Most Heinous Oscar Snubs" at Anomalous Material.

This list is so full of horrendous Oscar blunders, the worst of the worst as I said, that the jackass screaming "I'm king of the world" in the picture below is not even included.  Just imagine how bad the ten on the list must be.

Anomalous Material Weekly Feature: 10 Best Kevin Spacey Performances

Here we are again true believers, with my latest weekly 10 best feature for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on various cinematic subjects (and anyone who knows me can attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor - yes I am a  list nerd).  This week's feature, my twentieth such feature, is all about the Spaceman.  Okay, that is just my dorky way of saying that this week we are taking a look at the films of Kevin Spacey.  So go over there and check things out.

Read my feature article, "10 Best Kevin Spacey Performances" at Anomalous Material.

Anomalous Material Weekly Feature: 10 Best Animated Movies

Here we are again true believers, with my latest weekly 10 best feature for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on various cinematic subjects (and anyone who knows me can attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor - yes I am a  list nerd).  This week's feature, my nineteenth such feature, is all about the animated side of cinema.  Taking a look at the history of animated motion pictures - a history that is nearly as long as cinema itself - I send forth my choices for the ten best animated feature films of all-time.

Read my feature article, "10 Best Animated Movies" at Anomalous Material.

As an added bonus (see screenshot below), the film that would have come in at number eleven if I had extended my list, is the 1926 German film The Adventures of Prince Achmed, directed by Lotte Reiniger.  It holds the honour of being the earliest surviving animated feature film.  Done in a magic lantern/silhouette cutout technique, it is a wonder to behold.  It is a good enough film to make me second guess leaving off the list, but alas, I do not wish to go back and disrupt such a list, so off it will stay - until I make my inevitable Top 100 Animated Features list later this year.

Anomalous Material Weekly Feature: 10 Best Classic Hollywood Tough Guys

Here we are again true believers, with what is my eighteenth weekly 10 best feature for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular weekly gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on various cinematic subjects (and anyone who knows me can attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor - yes I am a  list nerd).  This week's feature takes us back to those halcyon days of classic Hollywood.  A time when men were men and women wanted them.  It was a time of tough guys and fast talkin' dames.  With this list, we are going to focus on those tough guys.  The fast talkin' dames will come in a future list - though there may be one of those fast talkin' dames sneaking their way onto this list.  Check it out, as they say.

Read my feature article, "10 Best Classic Hollywood Tough Guys" at Anomalous Material.

Here is one of the most infamous shots of one of those aforementioned classic Hollywood tough guys.  One story tells of how Mae Clark's ex-husband would go to show after show of The Public Enemy, and laugh hysterically every time Cagney shoves the grapefruit in Clark's kisser.  The story may be somewhat apocryphal, but it is still a fun story anyway.

Anomalous Material Weekly Feature: 10 Best Lars von Trier Films

Here we are again true believers, with what is my seventeenth weekly 10 best feature for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular weekly gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on various cinematic subjects (and anyone who knows me can attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor - yes I am a list nerd).  This week's feature coincides with the US release of Lars von Trier's Melancholia.  I take a look back and rank my favourite Lars von Trier films.  Some would say that a task such as this - one of the most divisive directors around - is quite an ugly task, but what the hell do they know!?  

Read my feature article, "10 Best Lars von Trier Films" at Anomalous Material.

Here is an added bonus for all you true believers out there: A young LvT making the sign for what many of his detractors have called him over the years. I personally think of him as more of an imp.

Anomalous Material Weekly Feature: 10 Best Movie Vampires

Here we are again true believers, with what is my sixteenth weekly 10 best feature for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular weekly gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on various cinematic subjects (and anyone who knows me can attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor - yes I am a list nerd).  This week's feature is a special treat for Halloween.  To go along with the scary (or at least supposedly scary - it depends on your outlook I suppose) holiday, I have chosen my ten favourite movie vampires - along with a few runners-up and special mentions and what have you.

Read my feature article, "10 Best Movie Vampires" at Anomalous Material.

And if you are looking for a little vampire fun, Lonely Planet Travel Guide highly recommends the Titty Twister, nestled snugly between Mexico and Hell.  Be careful of the floor show though - it's a killer.

Anomalous Material Weekly Feature: 10 Best Paul Thomas Anderson Characters

Here we are again true believers, with what is my fifteenth weekly 10 best feature for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular weekly gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on various cinematic subjects (and anyone who knows me can attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor - yes I am a list nerd).  This week's feature (as I am sure you have already ascertained by reading the title) takes a look at the characters (and their performers) inside Paul Thomas Anderson's cinematic universe.

Read my feature article, "10 Best Paul Thomas Anderson Characters" at Anomalous Material.

Here is PTA's ode to Uncle Fester:
 

Anomalous Material Weekly Feature: 10 Best Train Movies

Here we are again true believers, with what is my fourteenth weekly 10 best feature for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular weekly gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on various cinematic subjects (and anyone who knows me can attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor - yes I am a list nerd).  This week's feature (as I am sure you have already ascertained by reading the title) takes a look at the way trains have been a large part of cinematic history - or at least those ten that I deem to be the greatest of such a genre.

Read my feature article, "10 Best Train Movies" at Anomalous Material.

The 1903 film from which the below shot is taken, did not make the final cut, but since it did help start the whole damn shabang and all that, I thought I would include it - tinted for your pleasure.

Anomalous Material Weekly Feature: 10 Best Julianne Moore Performances

Here we are again true believers, with what is my lucky thirteenth weekly 10 best feature for the fine folks over at Anomalous Material.  For those of you not in the know, those same said fine folks have given me a (possibly foolish on their behalf) regular weekly gig as feature writer.  It is a series of top ten lists on various cinematic subjects (and anyone who knows me can attest to how perfectly suited I am to such an endeavor - yes I am a list nerd).  This week's feature (as I am sure you have already ascertained by reading the title) takes a look at the wonderful and lovely actress Julianne Moore.

Read my feature article, "10 Best Julianne Moore Performances" at Anomalous Material.

To add to your reading pleasure, here is a rather fun picture of the beautiful Ms. Moore.