Call them "cult classics." "Guilty pleasures." "Comfort movies." We all have a mental rolodex of flicks that may not be terribly popular but, for one reason or another, they resonate in a very special way. Maybe you saw it at the right moment. Maybe you just see gold where everyone else sees feces. Whatever the case, these are the special favorites that you keep stashed away for sick days. Here are some of ours.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that 1999 was a definite turning point in cultural history. The music of '99 was truly excellent (the entire year was soundtracked by TLC's "No Scrubs," Kid Rock's "Bawitdaba," 702's "Where My Girls At?" and Rage Against the Machine's "Guerilla Radio"), television saw the beginning of its new golden age ("The Sopranos," "Futurama," "SpongeBob Squarepants," "Angel," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "The West Wing" and "WWF Smackdown!" all debuted that year) and it's one of the greatest film years of the modern era ("Fight Club," "Magnolia," "Being John Malkovich," "The Sixth Sense," "The Matrix," "Toy Story 2," "Go" and "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut" all came out, just to name a few).

As a result, most of my movie nostalgia is tied to 1999. I wasn't doing anything particularly interesting (outside of taking voice lessons and buying Silkk the Shocker albums), but the culture was so good that I didn't notice anything else. So whenever the sniffles attack, I don't turn to a warm blanket movie from my childhood. Rather, I turn to my very favorite movie from my very favorite year. That's why I always watch "Varsity Blues." Read more...

How weird is it that, out of Sacha Baron Cohen’s three trademark characters, Ali G is now the least famous of them all? With this past weekend’s strong “Brüno” opening, the UK-born and raised funnyman has once again fooled the world into believing that he is someone else. Where he goes from here is anyone’s guess, but as we play Monday-morning quarterback there is an even more pressing question: is Cohen the greatest cinematic "chameleon" of all time?

There are few things I love more in a movie than when an actor fully immerses himself in another persona. Sometimes it’s for comedy, sometimes it’s for drama... but whatever the performance is in the name of, when done right it can make that performer a legend. Below are my favorite "chameleon" actors of all time. Post your thoughts in the comments section and tell us where SBC ranks among these greats or any others. Read more...

Edward Norton takes his job very seriously when he’s on the clock, according to his “Pride and Glory” co-stars, who call him “generous,” “dedicated,” “extraordinary,” and “very professional.” “But when they say cut,” says Christopher Michael Holley, who plays cop-partner to Norton’s Ray Tierney, “he’s a guy’s guy.”

Meaning if you wanted someone to hang out with, or “crack jokes” with, Edward’s the man, Holley said. “We had a lot of fun together,” concurred Jon Voight, who played the father of Norton’s character.

And Noah Emmerich, who plays Norton’s brother Frances Tierney, Jr., liked to extend their brotherly relationship on screen to teasing Ed on the set. “We went to the same college, but we missed each other by one year. But we had enough stuff in common to be like brothers. So I’d be like, ‘Do my laundry,’ or, ‘Get my groceries,’” Emmerich laughed, “’or Mom will get mad.’” Read more...

As regular readers know, we’ve been keeping track of what’s making it in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” – Optimus Prime -- check, Shia LaBeouf -- check, Rachel Taylor – nope, Amaury Nolasco – nope.

But what about Jon Voight, who played the Secretary of Defense John Keller? When we caught up with Angelina Jolie’s dad at the premiere of his film, “Pride and Glory,” he told us that while he has yet to film anything for “Transformers 2,” there’s still time to get in a quick appearance.

“I should be able to make a cameo,” Voight said. “That’s a good idea. Let’s talk to those guys about that.” And he even has a suggestion. Read more...