My Top Ten Movies of All Time....at least for today.
Mar 27 '04
The Bottom Line ....
If you were to ask a person to list their favorite films of all time, their answers would depend on several factors. For instance, if you were to make that request of a teenager, their list would most likely include films that incorporate the most advanced of special effects. Then again, if you were to ask my Mother, who is in her 70's, the first film she will mention is the 1958 deeply dramatic film I Want To Live with Susan Hayward (a very touching film, if you've never seen it). A persons' age, their experiences and their personal tastes are going to determine the films that they consider the "10 Best Movies Ever".
My personal favorites are the films that have touched me in some way. They are not necessarily those that made the most money, or required the most money to produce, or garnered the most Oscars. My list includes films that have changed my perspective and opened my eyes. They may have made me cry with either sorrow or happiness. And there are those that made me wish that I could travel to another land or to another time.
Disclaimer: This list is subject to change without notice, depending on my mood, the weather, the time of day, if the fish are biting, if the grass needs cutting and various other assorted factors.
Without any further ado, here are the films that today, and I repeat TODAY, I would answer as the 10 Best Movies Ever. They are in no particular order, with the exception of the last 2, my absolute favorites.
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E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial 1982
Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Dee Wallace-Stone
Rated PG, Running time 115 Minutes
Produced and Directed by Steven Spielberg, this is a film about love and friendship. At the beginning the story is seen through the eyes of a young boy, Eliot. He has heard noises coming from his backyard and is convinced that something is out there. And he's right. There is a creature, an alien, hiding in the shed. Once they get past their initial fear of each other, Eliot and the alien, E.T., attempt to communicate. Eliot is also trying to hide E.T. from his family, his friends and some bad guys dressed in what appears to be "space suits". The relationship between Eliot and E.T. grows into a special friendship that results in them sharing everything, including illness.
My first thought was to not include E.T. on my list. It's such an obvious choice, isn't it? It has made gabillions of dollars and watched by gabillions of viewers (please don't quote those figures, they may have changed since I last checked). No matter how obvious, it MUST be here, in my book. It's just simply that wonderful.
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The Big Easy 1987
Dennis Quaid, Ellen Barkin, Ned Beatty, John Goodman
Rated R, Running time 108 Minutes
Filmed on location in New Orleans, this film is considered a thriller, but there is so much more to it. The story revolves around a police officer, Remy McSwain, who is investigating a local drug ring. The District Attorneys' Office sends in a young woman, Anne Osborne, to help with the investigation, but she is also looking into allegations of corruption within the police force. Determined to discover the truth, she joins Remy on assignment to a bloody crime scene where a murder has just been committed. Their friendship develops and they also wind up in one of the most sensual (without being explicit) scenes that I've ever watched. It is the characters that are so striking and unique, rather than the plot. The storyline takes a lot of twists and turns, but ultimately it is the performances, the scenery and the music which make this film special.
Again, I hesitated before adding this film. No doubt, it drew me in immediately and never let go. It is, however, not what I would consider family fare or for the very sensitive. What it does have is a combination of mystery, action, romance and some truly memorable characters. It also gave me such an urge "do a little traveling", it captured the essence of New Orleans so well.
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Murder In The First 1995
Kevin Bacon, Christian Slater, Gary Oldman, William H. Macy
Rated R, Running Time 122 Minutes
Based very loosely on a true event, this film deals with the experiences of a man that has been incarcerated in solitary confinement within one of the bare, cold, wet dungeons of Alcatraz for over 3 years. His crime? He stole $5.00 from a store which also housed the local Post Office (which made it a felony), and his subsequent attempt to escape. Within hours upon his release to the general population of the prison this man has committed murder. There is no doubt as to whether or not he did commit this murder, there were hundreds of witnesses. The story revolves around his defense of this crime by a young attorney, who attempts to lay the blame on the institute of Alcatraz itself, claiming it creates murderers, as well as housing them. Excellent performances by both Kevin Bacon and Gary Oldman here.
The opening scenes of this movie have stayed with me through the years. I've never been able to put the visuals out of my mind. I had seen quite a few films whose stories were set in or about Alcatraz, but this one is unique. You can read my full review of this film here.
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Sophies Choice 1982
Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Peter MacNicol
Rated R, Running Time 150 Minutes
This is a complex story, set in a New York boarding house in the late 40's. It surrounds 3 people that reside there, a young writer, Stingo, and an intense, vibrant couple, Sophie and Nathan. They each have their own demons to deal with, but it is Sophies' story that is the focal point of the story. Sophie had been a victim of the Holocaust and her memories haunt her. She tells about her experiences to Stingo in a set of flashbacks. The most memorable scene of the film is when she relives the anguish and horror of a "choice" she was forced to make. The performances, the script, the camera angles, the music and every element of superb movie-making can be found in this memorable film. Meryl Streep was truly phenomenal in this role, very deservedly winning the Best Actress Oscar for that year.
I remember the first time I saw this film and one particular scene that touched me in a way that I've seldom felt, on such an emotional level. So many films that try to recount the atrocities of the Holocaust focus on the victims as just a collective group. This one goes much deeper. It's not one that a person forgets easily.
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Anatomy of a Murder 1959
James Stewart, Lee Remick, Ben Gazzara
Not Rated, Running Time 160 Minutes
Frederick Manion killed Barney Quill in cold blood. There was a room full of witnesses that saw him do it. Manion claims he was filled with rage at the time and doesn't remember. After all, his wife had just been raped by Quill. Manions' wife hires a small town, seemingly simple lawyer to defend her husband. What follows is a battle of wits between this small town lawyer and the big city attorney that has been brought in to prosecute Manion. Directed by Otto Preminger, this film was considered somewhat risque for it's time. Blatant sexuality just oozed from Lee Remick, even when she was required to be innocent and demure. James Stewart was his usual, quite remarkable self. Although this film runs rather long, it has enough unpredictability to keep you wondering what the final outcome will be.
The first time that I watched this movie it was because I personally knew one of the folks that acted as an "extra" and also because portions of it were filmed in a town that I had lived in for several years, Ishpeming, Michigan. Those were the calling cards. Now, when I watch it, there are different reasons. I love a good courtroom drama, a great script and some surprises. This one has them all.
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While You Were Sleeping 1995
Bill Pullman, Sandra Bullock, Peter Gallagher
Rated PG, Running Time 103 Minutes
The story here is about a lonely young woman, Lucy, that works long hours and is trying to make a life for herself. Every morning a handsome man passes by Lucy while she is at work and she finds herself fantasizing about him. One day this man walks by and moments later is attacked by some hoodlums. Lucy manages to rescue him and he's taken to the hospital where he lies in a coma. When this mans' family arrives, Lucy is mistakenly identified as his fiance. The rest of the story revolves around Lucys' struggle to decide whether or not to admit the truth, or to continue to enjoy the company and love that this family extends to her. And there's a little twist when Lucy finds herself falling for her "fiances" brother. There's such a wonderful chemistry between Bullock and Pullman here, as well as a great script. It is set during the Christmas season and filmed in Chicago, which made for some lovely scenery.
Romantic comedies will catch my eye first, so I had to include at least one of them on my list. After watching hundreds of them over the years, this is the one that I consider to be the best of the best in that category.
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Rob Roy 1995
Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, Tim Roth, Brian Cox, John Hurt
Rated R, Running Time 139 Minutes
This story is based on the life of a man, Robert Roy McGregor, who lived in Scotland in the early 1700s. When the story begins he is a simple man, tending the land and caring for his family and his tenants. After receiving a loan and then having it stolen, he becomes an outlaw when he can't repay it. The man that stole the money, Archie Cunningham, is the same man that is sent to track down Rob Roy. He uses some devious methods to bring Rob Roy out of hiding, going as far as raping his wife and burning down his home. Eventually these 2 men face off in a display of swordsmanship that is quite amazing.
This is the film that began my fascination with Scotland and the desire to learn more about it's history. Seeing the beautiful scenery just compelled me to want to visit the country and see it for myself. I haven't made the trip yet, but I'm still hopeful. My full review of this film is here.
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Somewhere In Time 1980
Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, Christopher Plummer
Rated PG, Running Time 103 Minutes
An author, Richard Collier, suffering from writers block decides to get away for a weekend and stops by a lovely old hotel. In it, there is a "Hall of Fame" which houses memorabilia and photos. Richard finds himself intrigued by the portrait of a beautiful woman and decides to do some research to find out more about her. What he finds will send him on a journey through time to be with this woman. Filmed on Michigans' Mackinac Island, the scenery is so very pretty. The time period (1912) costumes and settings are quite remarkable. There was a certain chemistry between Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour that left me holding my breath, it felt so real.
You would think that after you watch a movie a few dozen times, you would tire of it. That is not the case for me when it comes to this film. Every time I see it I feel as though I've traveled to another place and in another time. I've written more about it here.
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The Shawshank Redemption 1994
Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman
Rated R, Running Time 142 Minutes
Shawshank is a prison, a home for Andy Dufresne, who is serving a double life sentence for the murders of his wife and her lover. Andy is an innocent man, though, and his story is told here through the voice of the man who becomes his best friend over the almost 20 years that they spend together behind bars, "Red". Andy deals with his incarceration with a quiet dignity, constantly trying to improve the conditions of Shawshank with the addition of a library and some music. He also finds a way to use his knowledge as a former Banker to become invaluable to the Warden as a bookkeeper, which will eventually be his salvation. Although there are some brutal, violent scenes, Shawshank does not dwell on the horrors of prison life. Instead it focuses on the lives of the men, their eventual "comfort" from the walls that surround them and their dreams for something better. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman were outstanding in their performances, to say the least.
This may sound simplistic, but to me this story is like the old saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade". This man made the best of the hand he had been dealt, using his wisdom and his knowledge to his advantage and always hung on to his dreams.
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Gone With The Wind 1939
Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia DeHavilland, and many, many more
Rated G, Running Time 238 Minutes
Based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell, this is the story of a woman, Scarlett O'Hara, who has been brought up, living a life of luxury during the days leading up to the Civil War. She was always the "Belle of the Ball" and was used to getting her own way. She believes herself to be in love with a man, Ashley Wilkes, and will let nothing stand in her way of getting him. In her quest to capture Ashley, there is another man that stands back and watches Scarletts' manipulations, becoming intrigued with her spirit and determination, Rhett Butler. As the war rages on, Scarlett must come to terms with the death of both of her parents, deal with starvation and the responsibility of caring for her family, the guilt of murder, the managing of a lumber mill, and the loss of a child. This is a true epic that gathered many Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Director, just to name a few.
My fascination with this story began when I was a mere 13 years old, watching it unfold on a big screen. Here was a woman that physically appeared fragile and simple, but had a strength of spirit unlike any heroine I had seen before. She refused to let anything, including war, detour her from doing what she felt was the right thing to do.
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Here are some of the films that may have been on this list if you'd asked me yesterday. Or if you should ask me tomorrow. I'm fickle....
The Godfather
It's a Wonderful Life
Sleepless in Seattle
Schindlers List
Braveheart
Amadeus
The Wizard of Oz
Forrest Gump
One Flew Over the Cuckoos' Nest
Star Wars
Groundhog Day
Gladiator
Steel Magnolias
And a few ideas from my Son, the Flamepillar himself....
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One thing I noticed while compiling my list is that I've neglected to include any movies that were made in recent years. Just to clarify, this is not an attempt to ignore those films. There have been many that I more than likely will include on a future list (Pirates of the Caribbean, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, One Hour Photo, just to name a few). For now, though, they are going to "sit on the back burner". If they still are in my mind and they still touch me in some way after their initial appeal has worn off, then I'll probably include them. Only time will tell.
8-)
~~Nedi~~
My Other Top 10 Lists:
10 Best Romance Movies
10 Best Tear Jerkers
10 Best Moods for Movies
10 Best All Star-Studded Films
10 Best Westerns
10 Best Rock N Roll Movies
10 Best Goldie Hawn Films
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Member: Nedi
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