Good Films

Tonight, I set out to list my top ten favorite films and quickly realized it would never work out.  Instead, I've decided to list a bunch of movies and say why I like them.  That seems so much less threatening.  And no, I do not have the energy to link to every one of these movies.  Find 'em on your own!

The Matrix—This movie made people think and simply looked great.  It set the standard for a lot to follow it.  Unfortunately, that standard was ignored by the Wachowski brothers when they made the sequels.  Oh well.

The Professional—Little baby Princess Leia was so cute as she learned to use a sniper rifle.  Gary Oldman was amazing as the badguy.  Jean Reno is probably the most lovable hitman to date.

Rudy—That guy just did not know how to give up.  And it was based on a true story, too.  You gotta love the little hobbit!

Four Weddings and a Funeral—This movie just makes me laugh.  I'm sorry, but Hugh Grant as the bumbling Britisher still works for me to this day.

Legends of the Fall—#1 I like Brad Pitt...and it's not because of his manly good looks.  #2 this story will rip your heart out.  I love it when the family rallies around Brad in the end.

Good Will Hunting—Probably my favorite movie.  I am fascinated by the subject of prodigies and love to see Matt Damon stick it to the man.

Captain Corelli's Mandolin—My wife thinks I'm crazy whenever I bring this movie up.  I think it was the music that did it for me (i.e. the soldiers singing opera songs and the mandolin playing).

Searching for Bobby Fischer—There's the prodigy thing again.  Plus, I like chess.

The Lion in Winter—There was a time when I probably would have said this was my favorite movie.  Katherine Hepburn is simply amazing.  You'll notice I don't have any other "old" movies on this list.  I am definitely biased against them, so you know this one has got to be special.

Sweet Home Alabama—Sorry, but there are definitely some "chick flicks" on this list.  I just like the love story in this movie.

The Five Heartbeats—This one is definitely high up on my list.  You may not have heard of it.  It was made by Robert Townsend back in 1991.  It's about a Temptations-like singing group.  I'm a singer, so that's a big part of the attraction.  It features some really great singing.  It also packs a lot of emotional punches.

The Die Hard Trilogy—Bruce Willis rocks in my book.  As a kid, I watched Moonlighting religiously.  Action, comedy, colorful uses of the "f" word...what more could I guy ask for?  (Does that make up for Sweet Home Alabama?)

Notting Hill—Another movie by the "Four Weddings" crew.  Very funny.

My Best Friend's Wedding—Julia Roberts again, you might ask?  I didn't used to like her, but she's grown on me.  You've gotta realize that this movie features two funny scenes involving singing.  That's a big plus in my book.  That scene with the helium balloons is priceless.

Dumb and Dumber—This is one of the few Jim Carrey movies I really enjoyed.  When I previewed this movie in a movie theatre, I actually fell out of my seat laughing.  Let me tell you something, that aisle was kind of sticky.

The Family Man—The story of a man learning the true value of having a family.  Great, heartwarming message.

Mansfield Park (1991)—A movie list from a closet chick-flick guy would not be complete without a Jane Austen film.  My wife and sister are both Jane Austenites and I must admit I really like most of the films (plus this way I don't have to read the books, which I'm told takes a lot longer).  I even like the BBC versions better than a lot of the Hollywood versions (i.e. Emma).

I like talking about movies, so tell me some of your favorites!

Comments

[will]

Wow, how does one even make a list like this. I would definitely need to add "Harvey", "A River Runs Through It", "High Fidelity", any Monty Python film, esp. Holy Grail and "Office Space".

[Kevin]

That's a pretty good list. I love Good Will Hunting, The Family Man, Notting Hill, rudy and many of the other ones. I'd put Grosse Point Blank on there and maybe a few others, but that's why it is your list.

[sam]

i'll throw in apocalypse now, raising ariona, pulp fiction, when we were kings, the insider, braveheart, american history x, donnie darko -- you're right, this is just too hard.

[Bill]

Will, it's not easy and you feel like people are going to make fun of you (at least I do). I've never seen High Fidelity. I'll have to check it out.

Kevin, that's funny that you mention Grosse Point Blank...quirky movie!

Sam, Pulp Fiction definitely came close to being on the list. I've never seen American History X...that's one that my wife would never watch with me. I'll also have to watch When We Were Kings now.

This is much better than Netflix recommendations!

[Jen]

I'd have to agree with the addition of Grosse Point Blank - but then again, I love any movie with John Cusak.
It's very funny that you mention Mansfield Park Bill, my absolute favorite book, you should read it - it's much better than the movie.
What about French Kiss? I'm sorry but I've seen that one plenty of times and I still crack up laughing every time.
I would also have to add the National Lampoons Vacation movies. Some were better than others, but you can't beat classic Chevy Chase comedies!

[Patrick]

Great lists! Here is mine...
Star Wars, Matrix, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Monty Python's "Holy Grail", A River Runs Through It, Apocolypse Now ("I love the smell of napalm in the morning!"), The Jerk, Four Weddings and A Funeral (I'm with ya, Bill, Hugh Grant is fantastic in this!), A Christmas Story, Nightmare Before Christmas, The Man With Two Brains, Hoosiers, Breakfast Club ... does the South Park Movie count?!

[Bill]

I probably should have included Star Wars, Pat. It makes me sad when I see how little kids appreciate it these days. Episode One WAS kinda crappy, though.

And no, South Park does not count. Thanks a lot, now I'll have to edit that out of your comment (jk).

[Kevin]

Pat's movie list is much better than his music list on his site. ha ha ha. The Jerk? how could I forget?! That was great. I was just thinking we need a list going of the top 10 lame or cheesy movies that we like. I know I have a bunch that I wouldn't want to (but would if everyone else did)admit I secretly like.

[Patrick]

Oh, sure Kevin, it's not enough to diss me on my own site... now you have to go elsewhere and do it!?!?! Are you suggesting The Jerk is cheezy!? Martin's performance is nothing short of brilliant!

[Kevin]

Actually i was agreeing with you, Pat. Great movie. I think I almost peed my pants watching it. He's a funny guy (well, I guess he was before all his more recent films).

[ragamuffin diva]

I am strangely attached to the movie "A Knight's Tale", but it's not my favorite. I think "It's a Wonderful Life" or "The Shawshank Redemption" is my favorite movie, but I could go on and on about the chick flicks, "An Affair to Remember" being way at the top. I'm just a sentimental raga diva.

[ragamuffin diva]

I am strangely attached to the movie "A Knight's Tale", but it's not my favorite. I think "It's a Wonderful Life" or "The Shawshank Redemption" is my favorite movie, but I could go on and on about the chick flicks, "An Affair to Remember" being way at the top. I'm just a sentimental raga diva.

[Bill]

I thought about including Shawshank, too. Your inclusion of "An Affair to Remember" reminded me of some exceptions to the "old movie" aversion I have. I do happen to like a lot of movies with Grace Kelly and Doris Day in them. The exposure to these came from my wife.

Never actually seen "An Affair." Maybe I'll give it a try.

[will]

An Affair to Remember is one of my favorites too.