List: Saving Graces-The Thing That Makes the Movie

There are a lot of movies out there and its hard to tell which ones are worthy of praise or contempt. Still, even if a movie works mechanically there are still a few key moments that raise it up a level simply for its sheer presence. These moments may include a cameo, a scene or character that epitomizes the movie or it may just be a few words of dialogue. Here is a set list of ten great "things" that make a specific movie and three that almost ruin them.

10. Absence of Malice: Wilford Brimley as Judge Wells
For those who haven't seen this 1981 drama, don't. Though it features some decent performances from Sally Field and Paul Newman, it hasn't worn well with age and the over all premise of a newspaper reporter used to leak a false story is anti-climatic. Wilford Brimley makes a small ten minute appearance near the end of the movie as Judge Wells, a no nonsense, shoot from the hip kind of guy who sifts through all the bull and tells everyone to shut up and get this thing solved already. I'll answer the obvious...yes the mustache also makes an appearance.

9. Cannibal - The Musical: The First 5 minutes
Fans of the Comedy Central staple South Park will probably recognize this film based on the true story of Colorado miner and cannibal Alferd Packer. Before the beginning credits role, the infamous Packer jumps out from behind the foliage to savagely beat and dismember his fellow travelers. The rest of the movie is slow at times but provides a few chuckles here and there. Nothing however compares to the first five minutes of this student film.

8. Superman Doomsday: The Mechanical Spider and the Unamused Bystander
Those who have seen An Evening with Kevin Smith no doubt recall his discussion with an executive over the writing of the new Superman Movie. In his discussion the exec, with no knowledge of the subject matter, insists on putting a giant mechanical spider in the film; an idea that eventually made its way into Wild Wild West. In Superman Doomsday Toyman suspends a school bus full of children on a skyscraper using a...mechanical spider. As Superman saves the day once again, an unamused bystander voiced by and suspiciously dressed like Kevin Smith utters "Yeah, like we really needed him to bust up the mechanical spider, right? Lame!" I know, its a lot of setup but as a person immersed in the nerd culture, I appreciated the ruse.

7. Mullholland Dr.: The Sex Scene
The entire movie plays out like a dream; disjointed, otherworldly and very very strange. Regardless those with the patience to sit through David Lynch's dreamworld will no doubt be rewarded with the steamiest lesbian sex scene to come out in a long time featuring a young and nimble Naomi Watts and Laura Harring.

6. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The Death of Cedric Diggory
Robert Pattinson made a name for himself as the obnoxiously lovelorn vampire Edward in the Twilight series. But before being cast in the role that will inevitably ruin his career he played the part of Goblet of Fire hopeful Cedric Diggory. Known by Potter fans as the first 'good guy' to die in the series. Seeing Pattinson's Franken-face suddenly absent of life makes Goblet of Fire an especially delicious treat for Twilight haters like myself. Sorry Robert, I'm sure you're a nice guy but you signed on for the role so expect every guy dragged to see one of your dreadful movies to be sending spiteful thoughts.

5. Toy Story 2: Geri
Pixar have a nearly flawless record of making high quality animated features while also keeping artistic integrity and license. Not only are their feature length movies amazing, but so are their award winning shorts. Geri was one of those said shorts where the titular character plays himself in a game of chess; Its simple but amusing. So when Geri made an appearance as the toy repair man in Toy Story 2 the smile never left my face.

4. Shakes the Clown: Robin Williams as Marty Fromage
This movie is beyond terrible lacking any discernible plot, comportment or humor. It's only saving grace is Robin Williams (Who refused to be accredited in this film) as mime instructor Marty Fromage who coaxes Bobcat Goldthwait to be the best mime he can be. Likely improvising most of his lines Robin Williams elevates this movie from worst crap ever to just crap.

3. Pulp Fiction: Christopher Walken...just Christopher Walken
I have never gotten the Walken mania molded in our culture today. Though he has a magnetic stage presence he reminds me of a middle school student whose ego got too big after getting the lead in the Christmas recital. Still his brief scene in Pulp Fiction as Captain Koon was oddly hilarious as he talks to an old war friend's son. What starts out as a touching scene ends with a vivid description of hiding time-pieces in rancid orifices.

2. Zack and Miri Make a Porno: Justin Long and Brandon Routh
Facing the trying experience of their high school reunion, Zack and Miri meet up with Bobby Long an old high school flame of Miri who unbeknown to them has become a gay porn star. Though the film is middling from the usual Kevin Smith fare, the appearance of Superman himself Brandon Routh as Bobby Long makes the scene chuckle-able. Add on the improvisational diatribes of Justin Long as Bobby's deep voiced boyfriend and you got a near perfect reunion scene.

1. Napoleon Dynamite: The Dance
2004's sleeper hit Napoleon Dynamite is an exercise in the bizarre and entered the phrase "gosh" into the American lexicon. Though many including myself have written off this movie as the Bio-Dome of the 2000's the last twenty minutes of the film provided much needed coolness. Aiding his friend Pedro run for student-body president, school oddball Napoleon sheepishly enters the stage beguiling the audience to brace for an embarrassing scene. Instead Napoleon dances his heart out impressing the student body and giving the movie a brisk and feelgood ending.

And Now the Three Moments that Almost Ruined the Movie:
1. Falling Down: The Bazooka
All in all this 1993 movie from Joel Schumacher was actually pretty entertaining as one man wages a symbolic war against the frustrating cityscape of Los Angeles. Near the end of the movie however our wondering hero comes into the possession of a WWII anti-tank weapon and proceeds to walk down a traffic layered on-way ramp. After ranting to a road worker over the dubious reasons for the road construction halting the traffic, D-Fens, as he is known aims the bazooka at the road and shoots the missile into an underground and unmanned (we hope) maintenance area. This part of the film is a ludicrous distraction and an unrealistic blight on an otherwise solid film.

2. Across the Universe: "Hi my name is Jude"
Walking into the theatre with apprehension I was very weary of a musical revue featuring Beatles songs. Still I walked in with an open mind and actually enjoyed the first few numbers. Then as the male lead introduces himself to another of what are many flat characters, he announces his name as "Jude". Wow, way to hit the nail on the head. I wonder what song he's eventually going to sing. What followed was a 133 minute acid trip I desperately want to forget.

3. Hancock: Throwing the Fridge
On the face of it, a cynical view of superheros was much needed at the time. When comicbook adaptations were at their zenith, Hancock looked refreshing, featuring Will Smith as a boozed up superhero who is hated by his community for his disregard for public safety and private property. Enter in Jason Bateman a PR exec who helps Hancock change his image much to the disapproval of his wife played by Charlize Theron. The first hour or so had all the requisites for popcorn fun but somewhere in its second act, in less than a second it all changed. In an "interesting" turn of events, Charlize Theron is a superhuman too! And a hopelessly contrived mythology ensues. This of course was all revealed when Theron throws her fridge at the Fresh Prince knocking him in the dome...if we should all be so lucky. From now on when a movie changes so drastically in mood, plot and quality it will shall by thusly known as throwing the fridge.