The Big Year (2011)

• What's it about?: Three birders compete to see who can see the most bird species across North America in a year.
• Thoughts: It's a decent enough movie, but as a comedy it didn't really get any laughs from me. I guess it's fine if you're a bird nerd.
• Rating: 6/10
• Recommendation: Maybe
• Tier: C

Main Characters

Brad Harris
Jack Black
A birder who can recognize most bird calls.

Other notable actors: Steve Martin, Owen Wilson, John Cleese, Brian Dennehy, Rashida Jones, Rosamund Pike, Anthony Anderson, Jim Parsons, Tim Blake Nelson

Director: David Frankel

Bernie (2011)

• What's it about?: A mockumentary/docudrama going over the case of Bernie Tiede, a well liked nicest-man-in-town type guy in a Texas small town who gets in a relationship with a well hated meanest-lady-in-town type woman who eventually pushes him to the point of murdering her. Apparently based on  a true story.
• Thoughts: Fairly nice movie, Jack gives a good performance as this super nice guy you wouldn't think could hurt even a fly. Matthew McConaughey also gives a decent performance as the sheriff handling the case and not letting Bernie off the hook just because everyone likes him.
• Rating: 7/10
• Recommendation: Recommended
• Tier: B

Main Characters

Bernie Tiede
Jack Black
A very charming and loveable mortician who gets into a relationship with a very toxic woman.

Other notable actors: Matthew McConaughey, Shirley MacLaine

Director/Writer/Producer: Richard Linklater

Cradle Will Rock (1999)

• What's it about?: The movie covers several events from around the time of the Great Depression such as Diego Rivera's painting of Man at the Crossroads, the HCUA vs the Federal Theatre Project and of course most importantly the production of Marc Blitzstein's Cradle Will Rock. There is an overall theme of communism vs. facism in the 1930s. 
• Thoughts: Excellent. I enjoyed the musical parts and there were great performances all-around. 
• Rating: 9/10
• Recommendation: Highly Recommended
• Tier: A

Supporting Characters

Sid & Larry
Tenacious D
Two ventriloquist students training under Bill Murray.

Other notable actors: Hank Azaria, John Cusack, Angus MacFadyen, Bill Murray, Rubén Blades, John Turturro, Emily Watson, Vanessa Redgrave, Susan Sarandon, Joan Cusack, Philip Baker Hall, Cary Elwes, Paul Giamatti

Director: Tim Robbins

Writer: Tim Robbins

Producer: Tim Robbins

Johnny Skidmarks (1998)

 

• What's it about?: Johnny Skidmarks is a crime scene photographer who also moonlights as a blackmailer, taking incriminating photos of people. When his shady associates start getting murdered he begins to fear for his life.
• Thoughts: An alright film. John Lithgow had a decent performance. 
• Rating: 7/10
• Recommendation: Recommended
• Tier: B

Supporting Characters

Jerry
Jack Black
Johnny's former brother-in-law who runs a local burger joint.

Other notable actors: Peter Gallagher, John Lithgow, Frances McDormand

The Fan (1996)

• What's it about?: A psychotic baseball fan (Robert De Niro) becomes a little too obsessed with a washed up baseball player (Wesley Snipes).
• Thoughts: Decent movie. De Niro and Snipes do a good job.
• Rating: 7/10
• Recommendation: Recommended
• Tier: B

Bit Characters

Jack Black
A radio broadcast technician.

Other notable actors: Robert De Niro, Wesley Snipes, Benicio del Toro, John Leguizamo, Kurt Fuller

Director: Tony Scott

Dead Man Walking (1995)

• What's it about?: Susan Surandon takes on the role of spiritual advisor to a convicted murderer on death row, played by Sean Penn.
• Thoughts: Fairly Decent movie. Surandon and Penn gave good performances.
• Rating: 7/10
• Recommendation: Recommended
• Tier: B

Minor Characters

Craig Poncelet
Jack Black
Brother of Sean Penn's character.

Other notable actors: Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn, R. Lee Ermey

Director: Tim Robbins

Writer: Tim Robbins

The Innocent (1994)

• What's it about?: After an autistic kid witnesses/survives an armed roberry/shooting, Kelsey Grammar kidnaps takes him into protective custody.
• Thoughts: A pretty meh tv movie. Just didn't do anything for me.
• Rating: 5/10
• Recommendation: Don't Care
• Tier: D

Minor Characters

Marty Prago
Jack Black
A seedy press guy.

Other notable actors: Kelsey Grammer, Dean Stockwell
Director: Mimi Leder