Daniel Cohen has been writing about movies for Pop-Break.com since 2011. He’s been our most consistent and well-read writer since our launch in 2009. Every week we can count on his insight on the latest in the world of film as he reviews the latest releases. He’ll see anything. Don’t believe us? For the record we’ve seen to him to see: Vampire Academy, Red Riding Hood, The Legend of Hercules, I Am Number, A Thousand Words, The Dictator, The Three Stooges, Footloose, Priest, Arthur … and yet he keeps coming back for more.
Yet, when the Oscars concluded this Sunday he made, what he calls a series of “shameful admissions.” These admission were, that despite his lifelong movie-going career, he has not seen a lot of the big ones — particularly ones starring, directed and produced by this year’s nominees.
We want to help our editor out. We want to help him wash his shame away, so we’re putting the films that he hasn’t seen from the most recent Oscar class’ catalog out in print in hopes that he’ll find the time to sit down and appreciate what he’s missed. We’re doing this because we love you Dan. –Bill Bodkin
Brad Pitt (Sleepers, 1996)
This is a relic from the mid-nineties, and a movie I always remember passing by on the racks at the local video store. Remember video stores? Anyway, I’m not so much intrigued by Brad Pitt, as I am the entire cast- Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Bacon, and many others. It certainly doesn’t seem like an upper of a film, but something I’ve been meaning to check out for a while nonetheless. Every time I’m about to watch it though, I always get visions of people reacting very “meh” to it.
Alfonso Cuaron (Pan’s Labyrinth, 2006)
I’ve pretty much seen all of Cuaron’s directorial efforts, and really enjoyed the one Harry Potter movie he did (Prisoner of Azkaban). Although, I do think people go a little too overboard with that one – calm down, it’s not that great. I decided to go with a film Cuaron actually produced, Pan’s Labyrinth, directed by Guillermo del Toro. I’ve been wanting to see this movie for a while, but just haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Maybe it’s because I’m not a big Guillermo del Toro fan, mostly because of his fan base. This film does look really cool though, so I’ll definitely catch it sooner than later.
Matthew McConaughey (The Lincoln Lawyer, 2011)
I feel like this was the start of the “McConaissance.” After a string of absolute crap, I remember laughing this movie off completely. But after it did solid business at the box office, and hearing from a lot of people that it was pretty surprising, and that McConaughey can actually act, I started to take notice. I didn’t get a chance to see it in the theater, but McConaughey has more than shown he’s one of the elite actors working today, so I’ll be happy to unearth this gem soon.
Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth, 1998)
This is the one that immediately jumped out at me because it basically put Cate Blanchett on the map. Let’s be honest though – at fourteen, you’re not looking to see movies about England in 1558, so this one definitely slid by me. I’m impressed she was able to get a second nomination for playing the same character in 2007 though, which I feel like has only happened with Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in the first two Godfather films. That’s pretty cool, I guess.
Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich, 1999)
I consider myself a pretty good moviegoer, and have seen a lot of films in my short lifetime. But one of the top five I am most ashamed at never seeing would be this one. I know, I know. I’m a terrible person. It’s been in my Netflix queue for 75 years. I’ll get to it. Everybody tells me I’ll absolutely love it, and I’m also a Spike Jonze fan, so there’s really no excuse on this one.
Martin Scorsese (Cape Fear, 1991)
While not as high on the list as Being John Malkovich, this is another one I’m pretty embarrassed about. I’ve actually done a really good job with Scorsese movies, but there’s still a few I got to check out, including The Last Temptation of Christ, a film I’ve always been intrigued by.Cape Fear is clearly at the top though. I feel weird for being more familiar with the Sideshow Bob Simpsons joke then I do with the actual movie…
Meryl Streep (EVERYTHING)
I’m a little bit behind when it comes to Meryl Streep – haven’t seen Kramer vs. Kramer. Haven’t seen Sophie’s Choice. No Out of Africa. Bottom-line: I’ve got some work to do with Meryl Streep’s catalog of greatness.
Leonardo DiCaprio (Gangs of New York (again), 2002)
I’ve pretty much seen Leo’s library, and the ones I haven’t yet, I’m not to keen on such as The Man in the Iron Mask and The Beach – basically his post Titanic rough patch when everybody thought he sucked. The reason I put Gangs of New York (again) though is because while I’ve seen it, I really didn’t like it. It’s been years though, so I’m kind of interested in giving it another chance.
Christian Bale (The Machinist, 2004)
Here’s another one I’m also kind of ashamed about. To be perfectly honest though, every time I think about watching this movie, or see a production skill, Bale’s weight loss just sort of makes me uncomfortable. I cannot believe he lost all that damn weight. And what’s even crazier is that one year later he was Batman…that’s ridiculous. But I need to check this one out. I owe it to Mr. Bale.
Sandra Bullock (Speed 2: Cruise Control, 1997)
Yup. Never saw Speed 2. Oh, I’m sorry…Speed 2: CRUISE CONTROL!!!!! To be honest, I’m just curious. What the hell went wrong?
