So it begins....

Hello all!!
As stated in the description, it is I John Staton, film lover and hopeful film maker; and this is my first blog. When thinking about how to post this first blog and what to post on and I found myself bombarded by ideas and thought processes that would probably make this blog longer than the Christian bible, so in the interest of time I thought it better to make it a little shorter.
The first thing I thought to do was post my favorite genre of film, but then I found that I loved a little bit of everything about every genre, so there isn't exactly one genre that stands out. I thought about naming my favorite film of all time, but in that I can't say that there is one single film in which I hold above all others. So in the end I think I'm stuck with cheesy top five lists that plague our email lists and facebook pages.
My top five movies and why:

1: Boondock Saints: This cult phenom is true proof that any ole asshole can get together and make a movie. In his own words Troy Duffy states that he might not be the best director , but he is the biggest asshole and that is clear in his hard edged, gritty, film about two brothers who stand strong against the underworld in the name of God and of Beer. Staring Norman Reedus, Willem Dafoe, Sean Patrick Flanery and David Della Rocco, the film brings together a good script, good direction, and a good cast to have an all around film any good action junkie can love.

2: Godfather II: Coppola's telling of Mario Puzo's Mafia tale about family, violence, and crime, will always be a corner stone in film history. Bringing together such film icons like Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, and the late great John Cazale, to preform together in such a profound manner that quotes from the movie still echo through endless youtube videos and endless conversations. Godfather II is what provided the definition for powerhouse performances in what was considered a B movie genre from the days of James Cagney. Coppola's telling of Michael Corleone is one of true magic and film mastery by use of shadow play, flash backs, and dramatic key points that round the movie into a true classic.

3: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory: Yeah, it's that bad when a thirty year old man confesses to loving a child's film such as Willy Wonka, but what can I say, I'm fat, a sucker for chocolate, and Gene Wilder. Who would have known that the unnamed mortician from Bonnie and Clyde (Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway) would move on to be such a powerful icon in comedy and family films. Making appearances in such films as Stir Crazy with Richard Pryor and Young Frankenstein with director Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder showed us he could make us laugh, it was with Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory that he showed us he could make us dream. As cliche as it sounds, Willy Wonka is the candy man and Gene Wilder is who brought the candy man to life.

4: Texas Chainsaw Massacre : Toby Hooper's slasher classic which breathed life into an entire genre of future film. With hand cams, a limited budget, and a wig wearing psycho path, Hooper becomes a horror movie god as he directs the slaughter of teen hippies who just managed to stumble into the wrong house at the wrong time. Based on Ed Gein, the cannibalistic, woman suit wearing murder, Hooper crafts a tale of a west Texas family who take a bite out of visitors and practice their barbaric slaughter house practices on a poor blond with no bra and little brains to her own survival. Hooper's ability to scare the shit of us gave birth to others such as Wes Craven, and John Carpenter, so in the end you have to give credit where credit is due.

5: Blazing Saddles: It takes a great man to be able to laugh at something as ugly as racism and ignorance. Blazing Saddles is the perfect example of when the court jester becomes a god, or in this case mayor. Teamed up with Gene Wilder and Cleavon Little, this satire/parody of the American west pokes fun at stereotypes and racial fears that are common even today. Mel Brooks was truley ahead of his time as he gets America to laugh at itself by playing the old slap stick gags made popular by Charlie Chaplin. It you haven't seen it, you should be ashamed of yourself.

Well there it is, my top five movies in varying genres. By no means does this mean this is the cream of my crop, but these are definitely some of the movies that stand out in my mind as American greats.
Not bad for a first blog.