#105 - Carrie

The movie Carrie teaches us that prom is overrated. It also shows us thematically what happens when bullying goes too far. As someone who has lived during the eras of Columbine and Virginia Tech, this movie was ahead of its' time.

Though it's a fantasy and somewhat you feel Carrie is justified in what she does to her classmates, in its' own way it could be a cautionary tale for teens on how bullying can make a young person feel oppressed and how that feeling of oppression can turn to violence.This film is well acted and shouldn't be lumped in with Friday the 13th like horror movies. It has real depth and a real story to tell. Of course, the source material, Stephen's King novel of the same title helps make this a solid picture.

Overall, it's a great movie that although is head and shoulders above most scary movies, should be watched near Halloween. That's when I watched it and I can't imagine watching it at any other time of year.

#104 - Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

If you ever wondered if Elizabeth Taylor (may she rest in peace) was a truly good actress or just a pretty face, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? proves she was both. Her performance in this film is phenomenal as a woman who love/hates her husband. Without giving much away, her Oscar was well-deserved.

This film is absolutely riveting as you watch Taylor and Richard Burton (who were married in real-life) as George and Martha play these games and "terrorize" a young married couple they weave into their messed up web. The movie is just these 2 couples for 134 min. but as I said is absolutely riveting. Sometimes it gets uncomfortable, and yet you'll continue to watch. You want to find out what happens next

Young adults like me may watch this movie and totally get cold feet about ever getting married because this movie seems like it's really happening in front of you (without credits, a cast, or crew), you feel like you are watching a real-life marriage self-implode.

BTW, the secret at the end about George and Martha's son will leave you with your mouth wide open.

#103 - Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Steven Spielberg is in my opinion a master when it comes to making 2 kinds of movies: those about war and those about beings from another world. The special effects in Close Encounters are great, but it's the plight of the people that grabs you.In this movie, we relate to the ordinary people who are experiencing something extraordinary because each character reacts in a unique way to what has happened. We sympathize and understand why they feel that way. Like much of Spielberg's work its a beautifully shot film (here by amazing cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond) and feature iconic images that become etched in your brain.

This film features a great score from John Williams that only adds to the pictures breathtaking imagery and emotional story, and overall impact. It's a movie that will stay with you long after you've removed the disc from your player.

#102 - Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?

This movie is epic, there's just no other way to describe it. It pits two screen divas against one another in an all-out cat fight, possibly the best, contentious chick battle ever put on film.

In this picture, Joan Crawford (surprisingly, playing the sympathetic sister) is a wheel-chair bound woman who is "at the mercy" of her absolutely insane sister played by Bette Davis.

I don't want to give away any of the plot because it's just so well told and it would ruin the surprise revelation that comes toward the end. This film is creepy but, fun. I watched it with one of my good friends and she and I had a great time watching these two divas going toe to toe as they "poured venom on one another."

It's a spectacular film. My friend and I speculated if they did a remake which two big-time actresses would they cast. My vote: Meryl Streep and Glenn Close.