An Oscar-winning Disney cartoon in which ((ndash)) well, obviously, the tortoise beats the hare. But it's the hare we like. Called Max Hare, he was based on the personality of then-famous boxer Max Baer, and in turn the model, possibly, for Bugs Bunny. I find him more charismatic than Bugs ((ndash)) precisely because he loses.

The idea is simple. We know we're going to 'kick the bucket' at some point so we should live life to the fullest while we can. Do I want to know when I'm going to call it quits? Nah, I don't think so.

Nicholson is Edward Cole, a rich hospital tycoon who is diagnosed with terminal cancer and placed in a room with Carter Chambers (Freeman) who has a similar prognosis. Why does a billionaire not have a private room? Well, because Edward owns the hospital, and he has a policy that all patients must double up. This just doesn't make sense. I mean really, how could Edward get so rich if he doesn't know the profitability of offering private rooms and concierge services in hospitals?! But anyway ...

As the plot demands, the two men initially rub each other the wrong way before coming together in their attempt to fulfill all of the things on the list. The story is predictable, but it's the journey that counts. It's a real treat to see two of Hollywood's illustrious veteran icons together in the same movie. The chemistry between Nicholson and Freeman is refreshing, and because of it, The Bucket List may be one of the most entertaining films of the year. Now, back to my bucket list, I'm off to eat my body weight in chocolate!

On a long train journey, Guy Haines is worried about his wife ((ndash)) she won't give him a divorce, and he's wondering how he's going to tell his girlfriend. A stranger, Bruno sits down opposite him ((ndash)) he's having problems with his controlling father. He suggests that, if Guy killed Bruno's father and Bruno killed Guy's wife, everything would be fine. Guy awkwardly laughs it off. Pretty soon, he finds out that Bruno wasn't joking ((ndash)) Guy's wife is dead, and Bruno's quite capable of framing Guy if he doesn't go through with his part of the bargain...

You'd think, what with this being a Hitchcock film, this'd be essential viewing already. But wait, there's more! Based on a book by Patricia Highsmith, who went on to further explore the creepy side of the idle rich with The Talented Mr. Ripley and Ripley's Game, you can spot the source of Ripley in Bruno ((ndash)) a fascinating, almost-sympathetic amoral sociopath, who we can't help hoping will get away with his twisted scheme.