The Top 100 Project

Charlie Chaplin's The Kid represents the 3rd-oldest movie we've ever reviewed, but it continues to be an accessible story 104 years later. Chaplin adopts Jackie Coogan and they live a life of squalor---and also chicanery---but they ARE happy together. There's genuine affection between these two actors. Coogan's performance was a landmark for child actors while Chaplin was, as always, a comic virtuoso. He's responsible for 6 jobs in one movie, which was typical for him. The biggest bugaboo is that Chaplin's film is more touching than it is funny. Just look at that kid plead for his "dad"! In any case, episode #640 of Have You Ever Seen is another Ryan monologue, so devour one man's thoughts about The Kid. Check out our sponsor's website: "sparkplug.coffee/hyes". Sparkplug gives our listeners a onetime 20% discount. Just use our "HYES" promo code. Subscribe to our podcast in your app, but also rate and write a review of it. There are a slew of ways to contact us. Email is one option: haveyoueverseenpodcast@gmai

Grizzly Man represents Bev's 2nd movie of choice this month, a documentary about another documentarian as Werner Herzog looks into the troubled life of nature-crusader Timothy Treadwell. He would go into the Alaskan wilderness every summer (often with a girlfriend) and befriend bears, but his hubris and narcissism eventually led where it almost had to: him getting eaten by a hungry bear. His girlfriend died too though, which is the real tragedy because she wasn't asking for it. Did he have a death wish or did he just think the experts had no idea what they were talking about? We dig into the psychology of the subject in Grizzly Man, but also of Herzog himself in this 639th edition of Have You Ever Seen, so pack some bags and get ready to play with foxes and some big, hungry bears. Well, Actually: the expression that the act of observing something can change it is simply called the "observer effect". Sparkplug Coffee offers our listeners a 20% discount if they use our "HYES" promo code (onetime only). The webs

This is the 3rd straight January in which Have You Ever Seen has talked about a Buster Keaton comedy classic. Reviews of most of the man's great silent films are now on this channel, including our podcast about The General that went up nearly 12 years ago. And if this incredible stuntman and stonefaced actor isn't a must-see for serious film buffs, then just who is? Although, while Steamboat Bill Jr. has an effective story and it's exciting and fun, it's just not very funny. And that's a common tale with old movies. In this, Buster's disapproving father wants him---but also DOESN'T want him---to be part of the crew of his riverboat steamer. There's heated competition with a rich guy, who has a daughter that Buster is sweet on. And then came a cyclone, complete with a collapsing house and a gutsy actor standing there underneath it. The last 15 or 20 minutes played during that violent storm make Steamboat Bill Jr entirely worth your time. So cozy up for a Ryan monologue in our 638th edition. Sparkplug Coffee sp

The 637th edition of Have You Ever Seen kicks off the 10th Annual Month O' Bev. Joel & Ethan Coen's True Grit was unusual for them, in that it was a blockbuster. It was also nominated for all kinds of awards, including 10 Oscars...something the brothers WERE used to. The cinematography, the production design and the florid language are standouts in this remake of the 1969 western. Jeff Bridges plays it very broad, but he's still pretty good in the role that won John Wayne an Oscar, while Matt Damon...well, we were split on his work. But their teenaged costar, Hailee Steinfeld, made a huge splash in a remarkable debut. This movie belongs to "Sis", who's more than a little determined to get retribution for her pa's death. So mount up as you ride horsies with contemptible allies and we piece our way through the Coen Brothers' True Grit. Invest some of your Christmas money in Sparkplug Coffee. And then SAVE some money by using our "HYES" promo code to take advantage of our discount code. The website is "spark

To wrap up the year, Have You Ever Seen episode #636 reviews our first Peter Sellers movie in over 10 years. He was flawlessly funny in Dr. Strangelove (which is the other film we reviewed) and he's note-perfect in Being There too. Hal Ashby had a very-underrated run of greatness in the '70s, directing powerful dramas like Coming Home, but also making truly funny-yet-cynical yuck-fests like Shampoo and this. In Being There, Sellers plays an illiterate gardener who supposedly-intelligent people believe is the wisest man they know. Melvyn Douglas won an Oscar playing a dupe who projects so much onto this blank slate, partly because he's a well-dressed, pleasant, older man. The film is also prescient about presidential politics, with Sellers spouting inoffensive platitudes...and then there's that infamous Jesus imagery at the end. It's quite a ride. So we hope you like to listen as much as Chance/Chauncey likes to watch as the Ellises bid you Happy New Year and present a gab about Being There. There might be gro

"Dread" and "frantic" are key words when describing Prisoners, Denis Villeneuve's bleak (but excellent) thriller about how evil people can push others to the darkest of dark sides. Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal headline a strong cast. In fact, there are marvelous performances throughout this intense and disturbing drama. Aaron Guzikowski's intricate screenplay is a real highlight here, but Prisoners' complex story comes together because of Villeneuve's excellent direction. So counter-program the lightness of the holiday season by joining Ryan in a solo show as we all become demons during this 635th edition of Have You Ever Seen. Sparkplug Coffee offers outstanding beans and they also offer our listeners a onetime 20% discount. Use our "HYES" promo code. The website is "sparkplug.coffee/hyes". Subscribe to our podcast, but also give us a rating and write a review. We post all our shows on YouTube as well (@hyesellis in your browser). Comment, like and subscribe. Fire off an email to us (haveyoueverseenpodca

Surprise...it's a bonus episode! Have You Ever Seen #634 is another Ryan solo show. And in it, the monologue is about baseball players, journalists and a lot of liars. Meet John Doe's climax also takes place on Christmas Eve, so Frank Capra's rabble-rouser is timely in that way. It's unfortunate his speech-filled dramedy isn't funnier though, even if it's certainly inspirational. Gary Cooper plays a homeless man who isn't actually suicidal or an idealist, but Barbara Stanwyck had written a newspaper column saying he is...so they run with that lie. Meet John Doe ends up being populist v tycoon (a tycoon who highjacks the movement for his own ends) with a country galvanized by a forgotten man saying all the right things...even if he started out as a fraud. Fire this thing up. Get your java ready for the present-opening tomorrow...and if you haven't already, start making your coffee of choice Sparkplug Coffee. They offer our listeners a onetime 20% discount by using our "HYES" discount code. Go to "sparkplug.cof

With Christmas just a few days away, the 633rd episode on this Have You Ever Seen channel is the right time to talk about one of the funniest holiday movies. The Santa Clause is not just a consistent laugh-getter. It's also touching...and those are 2 good reasons the flick has been so rewatchable. Tim Allen made his film debut in John Pasquin's blockbuster and it's like we said about Galaxy Quest: cast him in the right role and it's hard to think of anyone better. He's the bad dad who's forced into being the jolly man in red...but was it all a set-up? We talk a lot about that. We also talked a lot about The Santa Clause 2, since we watched that a few days later. So bring your broken family together at the holidays, call off your amber alert (not "orange" alert) and use a snow globe to get your dad to come home from work as we have a good old time yapping about The Santa Clause. Order some Sparkplug Coffee for your New Year's party...or just because it's good and the holidays don't need to determine your drink

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman were at the height of their careers when they jumped at the chance to work with the great Stanley Kubrick. He hadn't directed a movie in 12 years, then he died before Eyes Wide Shut was even released...so it turned out to be his final film. And it's a long, complex film, which Kubrick took over a year to shoot. It's a sex movie that isn't very sexy...but was that intentional? And even though the centrepiece scene is a ritualistic orgy that leads to threats and possibly murder, was Kubrick actually making a comedy? Whether others find Eyes Wide Shut to be a hoot or not, there are undeniably serious themes like jealousy, infidelity and death. We analyze Kidman & Cruise and their real-life marriage in this 632nd episode too, also addressing the hype and gossip that came out of the legend of Eyes Wide Shut. So strap on a mask on and do a lot of watching during a not-very-erotic orgy as Have You Ever Seen pieces through the infamous Eyes Wide Shut. If you men only knew you could ge

Billy Crystal was on a big hot streak in the late '80s and early '90s, topped by this comedy-western blockbuster. Ron Underwood directed City Slickers and did a terrific job balancing the laughs with all the mid-life crises of the 3 main characters. It's a comedy with some sting. What this film does best is connect with middle-aged men who are going through the things that Crystal, Bruno Kirby and Daniel Stern are. Jack Palance though plays a man who knows about that "one thing"...and he was the one who won an Oscar. So ride horses, rope cows and connect with your best buddies on a cattle drive as the 631st edition of Have You Ever Seen yahoos it up for City Slickers. Sparkplug Coffee sells a sensational bean, which doesn't even require a cattle-spooking portable grinder. Just grind them some other way! And our listeners can acquire a 20% discount by using our "HYES" discount code. Go to "sparkplug.coffee/hyes". Rate and review this podcast, but also subscribe to us. Say helloooo! Ryan is @moviefiend51 on Twi

Bev is off for this 630th edition of Have You Ever Seen, so Ryan is in monologue mode talking about The Polar Express. The turn of the century saw Robert Zemeckis direct 3 consecutive motion-capture animated films (2 of which are Christmas movies), which were expensive and, to many viewers, very off-putting with that "uncanny valley" quality of the character's faces. Tom Hanks wore the tight suit to portray a half-dozen characters and he does just as many voices, although he mostly mostly sounds like Tom Hanks playing the conductor and Santa Claus. This (horror?) film is pretty exciting though, with the kids often put in terrifying danger on that train. Zemeckis' long career is also thoroughly analyzed because it's been a "tale of 2 Bobs", comparing the first 20+ years of his career to the last 20. So, Hero Boys and Hero Girls, believe in the artistry while you wonder, as many did, why The Polar Express couldn't be as fun as it is odd. Well, Actually: Cast Away was overlooked as one of Zemeckis' Top 10 hits,

Danny DeVito has done all manner of laughter, seriousness and biopics for going on 50 years. When he directs movies though, they tend to be dark comedies. Pitch black. Case in point, the often-meanspirited War Of The Roses, which is his best and funniest film. Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner are just about at their career best as the (title) hateful married couple. They're rich yuppies, who have everything, until they commit to destroying it all because neither will let the other get to keep their big house. He's oblivious and patronizing while she's resentful and, eventually, murderous. But since DeVito's tongue is always in his cheek, it's a lot of fun. So don't let your empty nest get wrecked by spite. Take a breath, cherish those tchotchkes and, for the love of the kids, listen to the 629th edition of Have You Ever Seen as we talk about the Roses going to War. Make sure to get Sparkplug Coffee in the divorce. Our listeners can score a onetime 20% discount if they use our "HYES" promo code. Go to "spar

The 628th edition of Have You Ever Seen has Ryan doing a monologue about The Hunchback Of Notre Dame. William Dieterle directs this adaptation of Victor Hugo's tragic novel as a strange love triangle, with both Cedric Hardwicke's Frollo and Charles Laughton's Quasimodo falling hard for Maureen O'Hara's Esmeralda. Perc Westmore's makeup and many other technical aspects of this production are quite impressive, but the huge Notre Dame set and Laughton's performance as the title character are A+. A theme of persecution by both the fickle masses and by the bloodthirsty powers-that-be was timely when Hunchback was made in the late '30s, but it unfortunately remains relevant today. And while the Hunchback Of Notre Dame is not a fun film, it's a pretty terrific one. Try Sparkplug Coffee. They give our listeners a 20% discount just by using our "HYES" promo code. The website is "sparkplug.coffee/hyes". Rate and review our podcast on your app. Subscribe to us. And give us feedback. We like emails (haveyoueverseenpodcas

Bob Fosse's autobiographical musical about how he makes art until he dies is all about a guy who's doing too much and can't cope, yet he's compelled to never stop working. Name an addiction and he's got it. Yet his 8 1/2-esque story---with Roy Scheider playing a heightened version of his director---is a potent one, with all its flashy editing, production design and terrific choreography. We weren't huge fans of the songs in All That Jazz, but these actors sure can dance, especially Ann Reinking (whose name is pronounced "Rine-king"). So...5, 6, 7, 8...put on some black clothes and do your heart-killing morning routine every day as the 627th edition of Have You Ever Seen pieces through All That Jazz. Start your day with Sparkplug Coffee, rather than Dexedrine and a cigarette in the shower. Listeners of this podcast can take advatange of our "HYES" promo code and save 20%. Go to "sparkplug.coffee/hyes". Let us know your feelings about All That Jazz. Emails are good (haveyoueverseenpodcast@gmail.com) and so are

Sometimes we turn into a fanboy and a fangirl for an entire episode...and this is one of those times. Have You Ever Seen #626 has us absolutely loving Galaxy Quest, which is director Dean Parisot's best film and it's also probably the best-ever Star Trek movie. All the characters get terrific arcs, but particularly Tim Allen as the arrogant commander. As great as he is in the leading role, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Enrico Colantoni and especially Sam Rockwell are hilarious throughout too. They play bad actors from a cancelled sci-fi TV show who get to become heroes, as Colantoni and the alien Thermians enlist the humans to battle a great villain (Robin Sachs as Sarris). And the obsessive nerds who worship the stars of their favourite show get to be heroes too. So discover that intense fandom can be what saves your life as we rave and then rave some more about Galaxy Quest. Before you take a galactic risk and activate the Omega 13, order some Sparkplug Coffee. Our "HYES" discount code will

Our 625th episode is another Ryan solo show, with the topic of the day being George Cukor's 1954 take on A Star Is Born. Judy Garland plays a movie star on the way up while James Mason plays a movie star on the way down. While Garland was the one who was struggling with addiction in reality, Mason's character is the one who's a raging alcoholic bringing much pain to his wife, who also happens to be his discovery. She sure can sing though in this "musical"...and she sings a lot. The film is WAY too long and, while Cukor's version is a favourite of many, Bradley Cooper's 2018 ASIB is just plain better. In any case, imma let you finish your speech at an awards show, but first let's talk about tough times in Hollywood as Have You Ever Seen analyzes a beloved classic. Get you some Sparkplug Coffee. Our listeners can nab a 20% discount by using our "HYES" promo code. Go to "sparkplug.coffee/hyes". Let us know your thoughts by hitting us up on Twi-X (@moviefiend51 and @bevellisellis) or Threads (@bevellisellis) or b

A sci-fi movie about nuclear war sounds like a depressing way to honour veterans on their day, but not when the podcast is about one of the greatest (horror) movies ever made. James Cameron didn't have much of a budget to make The Terminator, but it started a franchise. And it stars the unlikeliest of movie stars, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Michael Biehn and Linda Hamilton are terrific too, but Ah-nuld playing a murderous machine is his signature role, even if he's all wrong for an infiltration unit. He's a futuristic, murderous cyborg who's sent back in time to kill the woman who will become the mother of leader of the resistance. The chase is on. The Terminator is thrilling and it never lets up and it's all built on the back of a great screenplay. Yeah, Cameron introduces a lot of paradoxes and they don't all track, but the actors are so good in these roles that their intense performances make up for a lot of the "but how?" angles. So upgrade your pet from a lizard to a dog and prepare for a horrific future whi

Nice and uplifting movies like The Straight Story are a welcome sight in a world that's evermore cynical and meanspirited. David Lynch, a man known for sex and violence, was an usual choice to direct a real-life story about an elderly man riding his lawnmower across state lines just so he could visit his ailing brother. Still, despite some wonky acting from some of the non-professional actors, this is one of the director's finest film. Sissy Spacek is pretty great in her limited screen time as Richard Farnsworth's daughter, while Farnsworth's last performance is probably his BEST performance. He's just remarkable, playing a thoughtful man who's near the end of his life. His often-watery eyes have often inspired one of us to have watery eyes watching this film. So spend some quiet time looking up at the stars as you slowly motor across the heartland while our 623rd podcast glides through the G-rated loveliness of The Straight Story. Well, Actually: to clarify what the Salon reviewer Charles Taylor wrote about

Happy Halloween! Scary Movie Month comes to an end with this 622nd edition of Have You Ever Seen. No, this episode isn't about George Romero's 1978 zombie classic where humans hole up in a mall. Ryan's 3rd solo show in 3 days is about Zack Snyder's intense 2004 remake. The original had plenty of blood, guts and thrills, but also a lot of satire. This has even more gore, better acting and action scenes that are even cooler. Sarah Polley and Ving Rhames lead a not-remarkably-famous cast, most of whom DO hold their own and give us a few more emotional moments than you might expect in an action/horror movie. Jake Weber and the scene-stealing Michael Kelly are the standouts. So be one of the last of the Mall-hicans as this monologue grabs the car keys, hits the gas and races away from the undead in an apocalyptic Milwaukee. Before you go out with the kids trick-or-treating, gulp down some coffee to give you a boost. Sparkplug Coffee is the ticket! They offer our listeners a 20% discount just by using our "HYES" pr

Even though The Blair Witch Project didn't invent the genre, it's probably the best-known and the biggest hit of all the found footage movies. The online marketing campaign was especially revolutionary. It's a shame that Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez never hit these heights again as writers or directors, but they got so much mileage out of their made-up story, considering it was mostly improvised by the then-unknown Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard and Michael Williams. The unresolved mystery takes a lot of heat for its ambiguity, yet Ryan's one-man show talks about how haunting the whole thing still feels 25 years later. This 621st edition of Have You Ever Seen also talks a lot about who or what might have caused these 3 to disappear. So face the wall on this penultimate day of both October and of Scary Movie Month as this episode tries to figure out the horrific deal in The Blair Witch Project. Additional note: both the fake documentary "The Curse Of The Blair Witch" and the 2016 "Blair Witch" have been