The Average Joe's Drama Top Ten.
Dec 24 '00
From now on I am referring to my lists as my Top Ten Favorites. I doubt anybody is going to agree 100% with my choices, so I won't label them as the best ever. This Drama Top Ten list is probably the most difficult that I have ever had to compose. A drama movie can be a movie from any genre. I've tried to keep my list as close to true drama's as I can, but I guarantee that some will not fall into your idea of drama. There aren't any real surprises or shocker's on my list, but maybe there will be one or two you might have forgotten about. My lists are almost always made up of movies that have been released in the last quarter century and this list is no different. Well enough of me explaining myself and let's get down to business.
12. Say Anything
This movie is one of the true dramas on my list. The movie is very entertaining and has one of my favorite actors in it. John Cusack is one of the best and should have gotten much more recognition for this movie. This is a great drama although you may not cry. The story is great and will make you feel good at the end. This would make a terrific first date movie.
11. Pulp Fiction
This movie probably rates much higher on most lists. I love this movie and definitely consider it a drama. The movie is all about people's lives and how ordinary interaction with other people affects their lives. I love the way Tarrantino made the movie in broken up segments and lets you piece them together as you watch. Too many great actors in this movie to be ignored also. This is another movie that won't make you cry but it will keep you fastened to your seat by using dialogue alone.
10. Titanic
I doubt that there is anyone left on the planet who hasn't seen this one. Without a doubt this movie should make everybodys' top ten lists. This is almost a perfect movie. It has action, romance, drama, and a great historical basis. Whenever a movie is based on a historical event, it makes the viewer relate to the movie on a more personal level. You won't be sitting there thinking, "Oh this is just a movie and these people never really had to live through that." Well with Titanic what you see is what probably actually happened and it really sinks in how terrifying it must have been for those passengers. There is one scene in this movie that makes my wife cry everytime she sees it. It is the scene when after the ship has sank and the lifeboats are circling around looking for survivors, they pass a dead baby that is frozen and floating aroun in the midst of all the bodies. That scene will make almost anybody cry.
9. Rudy
One of the best "feel good" dramas ever. This is one that can bring tears of joy to your eyes. I was surprised when I saw this at the theater that the whole place wasn't chanting, "Rudy, Rudy!", at the end. You are guaranteed to be rooting for Rudy by the end of this movie. The movie has one of the greatest personal triumph storylines ever written. If you haven't seen this movie you really should. It will make you feel good all day.
8. A Time To Kill
I am not a big fan of Joel Shumacher, but he really nailed this movie. This is probably my favorite courtroom drama of all time. It may not be mentioned often enough as one of the best surprise endings of all time. Everybody talks about the Usual Suspects as having the best ending, but A Time To Kill should not be forgotten. Who would have thought that Matthew McConaghey was going to break out with that awesome speech at the end? Certainly not me. This wasn't a real tear-jerker to me, but it did tug at a few heartstrings.
7. The Shawshank Redemption
This movie caught me off guard. I had no clue what to expect when I watched this the first time. I doubt that there will ever be a better movie made as far as storytelling goes. The movie tells a story and keeps you riveted for the whole time. There is not one slow moment to this film. This was accomplished without the use of action. That is the trademark of a great drama. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman are at the top of their game in this movie and really deserved Oscars for this movie. I can't believe that this wasn't the Best Picture of that year. What a shame!
6. Legends Of The Fall
I fell in love with this movie because of its' cinematography and the beauty of the landscapes. After watching it the first time I began to love the story. It is the story of three brothers and how their lives are torn apart because they all fall in love with the same woman. Brad Pitt is outstanding and so is Aidan Quinn and Henry Thomas. This movie has never made me cry, but it makes my wife cry sometimes. It is a sad movie and doesn't have too many happy moments, but this is a must see drama and I hope everybody watches this one.
5. Scent Of A Woman
Most people would associate Al Pacino with mafia movies. This is Al Pacino at his finest. This movie is a great story and contains the key elements of comedy and drama. The comedic value isn't slapstick or over the top laughs, it is just subtly funny and will have you letting out a giggle here and there. The stroy is serious and you will fall in love with Pacino's character before the end of the movie. He is portrayed as a jerk throughout the movie but really comes through at the end. Pacino deserved his Oscar for this movie and I am glad he got it.
4. Dances With Wolves
Kevin Costner's triumph. That's what this movie is. This movie is a masterpiece. This movie is so engaging that you will be captivated for the whole three hours plus of running time. Costner put together a period piece that really works. I never really had thought about the plight of the American Indians on a personal level until I saw this movie. The movie does a great job of making you feel and understand what they endured during that time in history. Costner deserved all of his Oscars for this movie. I just want to know how somebody does a movie like this and then does Waterworld?
3. Unforgiven
Wow! Two westerns in a row. Much like Costner, Eastwood delivered us his masterpiece with Unforgiven. This movie doesn't contain any historical signifigance, but it is a great drama. Eastwood develops every character in the movie just enough so that you can either sympathize with them or root against them. There really aren't any villains in this movie and that is what makes it so great. The worst person in the movie is Clint himself, but you have to root for him at the end. This is another movie that keeps you hanging on until the end without the use of much action. If you haven't seen this movie it is an injustice.
2. Braveheart
Another actor turned director. Mel Gibson outdoes Costner and Eastwood with his period piece Braveheart. This is not only my second favorite drama, it is my second favorite movie of all time. This is a drama that combines action and drama to keep you riveted. Mel Gibson is great and he also deserved his many Oscars. The story is very historical and covered a topic many people have never known anything about. It is all about Scotland gaining its freedom from England. Great directing, great action, great scenic shots, and of course plenty of great dramatic moments. This movie is a must on every drama list.
1. Saving Private Ryan
What can I say? This movie is at the top of every list that it can fall into. Horror is about the only category it doesn't top. Saving Private Ryan is my favorite movie of all time. If you watch this movie and don't have a new found respect for the veterans of WWII, then you should be ashamed. This movie is the real deal. These men gave their lives thoughtlessly for you and I to be free and for all the people of Europe to be free. Storming the beaches of Normandy was no picnic and this movie gives you the gory details of how it went down. The first half hour of this movie is the best scene in movie history. It is historically correct and very graphically depicted. Spielberg has moved himself up to God-like status with this movie. I watch this movie every Memorial Day just to remind myself what it is all about and you should too. If you watch this movie on Memorial Day you will definitely get the feeling of that particular holiday.
Well another list is done and I feel accomplished. To the ten or so people who do actually read this, I hope you will watch these movies and enjoy them all the way that I have. You may not be in agreeance with my list, but like I said it is my favorites and not a "Best of" list.
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Epinions.com ID:
JEF24
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Member: Doug
Location: Ohio
Reviews written: 40
Trusted by: 4 members
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