The final swing in SPIDER-MAN (2002) is pure superhero movie magic. Danny Elfman’s score soaring, Spider-Man flying through New York, and Sam Raimi ending the film on the exact image every kid wanted to see.
Warrior is the type of movie that young men like myself can look to/use/call on for inspiration. I’ve always felt that stories like this are more powerful than any self-help book or podcast. Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton & Nick Nolte give a trio of performances that are so beautiful.
A lot of women demand absolute perfection from men while bringing nothing but "their presence" to the relationship. We expect average, hardworking guys to have the emotional intelligence of a licensed therapist, the income of a CEO, and the patience of a saint. Meanwhile, if a man asks what we bring to the table, we get deeply offended. Good men deserve effort, romance, and to be spoiled just as much as we do.
Joe Dante's Small Soldiers (1998) is criminally overlooked. It’s Toy Story’s unhinged sibling: the toys don’t play, they declare war. Brilliant Stan Winston effects, great cast, Tommy Lee Jones and Frank Langella voice work, biting satire and an edgy kids’ thriller. Magical stuff