Perhaps not technically the "Best," but my Favorites:
Jun 07 '01
The Bottom Line My favorite movies. Sue me.
"Citizen Kane" is almost universally accepted by movie reviewers and the highbrow intellectual elite as the Best Film of All Time.
I didn't care for it much. Technically a well-told tale, and a great movie, sure, but unfortunately for the ever-sinking American Common Denominator, I don't have the attention span for Welles' classic. Goodness knows I've tried. I WANT so desperately to be one of those elite...but I'm stuck with what I've got. Mensa wants my brain, but I'm keeping it.
So, my much-deliberated Top Ten Movies Of All Time list ISN'T those films that have garnered all the Oscars, not the ones that I think will impress you readers the most, but those that I ENJOYED the most. The ones I love to watch, the ones that (in a few cases) have changed my life.
So, here are the Top Ten as of June 7th, 2001. Because their place on the list is very fluid, they're not in order. If they were, I'd have to change that order daily. So here's what it is as of today:
1. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Easily my favorite of the four Star Wars movies, it's traditionally my favorite movie of all time. I've written a more extensive review of it on Epinions, but it suffices me to say that it has all of the elements that make a movie great: humor, action, romance, suspense, tragedy, and triumph. Not to mention Wookiees. Visually evocative and more character driven than the other three Star Wars movies, this movie has become like a comfort food for me; when I need cheering up or my mood needs some darkening, it's time to pop in "Empire" and let it wash over me like the sweet sweet love it is.
2. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
The perfect action movie, this expertly crafted film gives us an amazingly imperfect anti-hero in Indiana Jones, and then blends mysticism, religion, and Nazis to give us a globetrotting adventure that hasn't been equaled by any of the sequels or ripoffs (i.e. Romancing the Stone). Harrison Ford's best role (out of his many that I love), and a script and storyline that still inspire laughter, dread, and excitement. I love this movie.
3. The Great Muppet Caper (1981)
My favorite Muppet movie, this is the only one directed by the Muppets' creator, Jim Henson. The script by Jerry Juhl is the best summary of the relationship of the Muppets from The Muppet Show; the combination of familial love, loyalty, and general uh, wackiness that's inherent when you get Animal, Beaker, Lew Zealand and the others all in one place. In this case, the Happiness Hotel. It also does the best job of making Miss Piggy the Movie Star Diva she's always wanted to be, and she gets to sing, tap dance on tabletops, model, and even star in an Esther Williams-style aqua ballet. Kermit and Fozzie and Gonzo and everybody are great too.
4. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
This movie works on every level, and it will never be equaled. It's appropriate for small children, the music is wonderful, the characters are so iconic that the leads became typecast after just one film together. The sets are stunning, and no film from 1939 until "Schindler's List" and "Pleasantville" made a more effective use of the contrast between color and black and white. Even after all of the things Dorothy sees and experiences, even after all of the wonders of the Emerald City and Oz, what she wants more than anything is Home. A poignant moment in a film that has become part of our collective consciousness.
5. Amadeus (1984)
A semi-factual biography of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, it expresses the burden of genius (one I know all too well, my friends), the jealousy of rivals, the loves and passions of his life, and above all the desire to be loved. That's what I get out of it anyway. Far more than just a costume drama or a biography, the highs and lows of this movie are as extreme as any you'll find. Tom Hulce as Wolfie is unforgettable, and this is my father's favorite movie.
6. The Sound of Music (1965)
An absolute classic at the age of 36, this movie's greatest moments come during the songs written by Rodgers and Hammerstein. One of their last musicals, it's my personal favorite, and even going on a weeklong trip with only that soundtrack to listen to hasn't made me hate it. From the opening credits "The Sound of Music" to the later "Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi," and "Edelweiss," the songs are effortlessly performed by Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer and the children, and are still singable by your average Dick and Jane. One of the first movies I saw when I was a pup that taught me what the Nazis were.
7. Sleeping Beauty (1959)
My favorite Disney film, this is a beautifully adapted fairy tale. Although for much of the film, Aurora/Briar Rose is pretty much a standard virginal damsel in distress waiting to be awoken by true love's first kiss, for the first two-thirds of the film she's enchanting and the most beautiful of Disney's stable of improbably proportioned beauties. No talking animals here, but the forest is magical just the same. No sarcastic villain sidekicks, but just Maleficent, who's Evil Incarnate. Wonderful music, artistic characterizations and backgrounds, unmatched by Disney before or since.
8. Back to the Future (1985)
This silly little Robert Zemeckis flick is wonderfully both nostalgic and cynical, and is a comedy/adventure that anyone enjoy. Michael J. Fox's best movie role, and unforgettable performances from Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd, and especially the inimitable George McFly himself, Crispin Glover. One of the first movies to use the whole "time paradox" sci-fi contrivance that has since fueled many a Star Trek, Outer Limits, and Twilight Zone episode...and make it non-geeky and enjoyable.
9. Sunset Boulevard (1950)
Billy Wilder's classic and uniquely American tragedy that involves fame, fortune, and the universal tragedy of aging. A Hollywood picture from the time when Hollywood was still an event, a place, not competing with television and the internet and other media for our attention. A compelling mystery, but the acting, especially from Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond, elevates this above most other films. If you've never seen this (and chances are you haven't), you should really check it out.
10. Fight Club (1999)
Most of you will probably question my including this with the others on this list, but this film more than any other has captured the general fears, malaise, and ennui that's afflicting the men of the 1990s and early 2000s. You want to know the fears I have? The threats I feel encroaching on my own life? Rent this movie. Unquestionably vulgar, undoubtedly violent, this movie is so much more than the sum of its parts. If you don't understand it, don't worry about it. The point is that there are millions of men out there who DO. We see our surrogate selves in Edward Norton, who is so universally US that his character isn't even given a name.....he's the anonymous everyman. He is me.
That's it. My Amazing List. Here's a list of the runners-up, who all eventually make it onto this list...but they're not there today.
All Quiet On The Western Front (1930)
As Good As It Gets
American History X
Being John Malkovich
The Bugs Bunny and Road Runner Movie
A Christmas Story
The Day the Earth Stood Still
E.T.
Fantasia
A Hard Day's Night
Hoosiers
Inherit the Wind
King Kong
The Last Emperor
Life is Beautiful
Magnolia
The Maltese Falcon
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Pinocchio
The Princess Bride
Quiz Show
The Shawshank Redemption
Schindler's List
The Searchers
A Streetcar Named Desire
Superman
Toy Story
Toy Story 2
Waiting for Guffman
West Side Story
And that's really it.
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Epinions.com ID:
JediKermit
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 in Movies, Kids & Family, Books |
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Member: Quinn
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Reviews written: 2137
Trusted by: 600 members
About Me:
Books, Movies, and Toys. Is there more to life?
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