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I don't know if Simply Scripts has had a thread like this before. I checked back and didn't see any signs of it, though they probably had one a while ago. Regardless, like myself there are a lot of newcomers to the board. Just list your 10 favorite films. It's quite a challenge I know (they're so many out there!) These 10 should be in order, if not 10 in order just mark the ones you have equal love for. Just write a little about why you liked it so much, whether it had a profound influence on you or just blew your mind. These are YOUR 10 favs of all time. The point of this? Well this is a screenwriting forum. Everyone on this loves film and sometimes it shows in there work (sometimes too closely). It also helps for us to get to know eachother as aspiring filmmakers. This is why this is in the "getting to know you section" I'll start it off with my fav 10 (you can always edit or change them since new movies are always coming out)
1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest 2. Rushmore 3. Magnolia 4. Pulp Fiction 5. Apocalypse Now 6. Boogie Nights 7. A Nightmare on Elm Street 8. Boogie Nights 9. Three Kings 10. Being John Malchovich
1. The Evil Dead - Simple, entertaining, and filled to the brim with splatter. Bruce Campbell's performance is always great. Unlike its sequels, this was the only one to balance horror and humor well, while remaining a horror movie and not a horror comedy. Also, perhaps the best filmed horror movie ever. The camerawork is frantic but coherent and creative even when not taking the budget into account.
2. Ichi The Killer - First off, the characters are so bizzare and charismatic, you can't help but enjoy watching their antics. The violence is cruel and sadistic but director Takashi Miike still keeps the film grounded in black comedy. Also, like Evil Dead, extremely well-filmed. The entire movie has a very colorful manga-esque atmosphere to it and the editting is unconventional and creative.
3. The Fly (Cronenberg) - One of the only horror movies I actually squirm to while watching. David Cronenberg, along with Miike, is a master at gross-out. But stripped of all the horror and sci-fi conventions, The Fly is a very touching and emotional love story. Also wonderfully acted by the always entertaining Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis.
4. GoodFellas - Forget the Godfather and Pulp Fiction. GoodFellas is the best crime film ever made. Great acting by Liotta and DeNiro of course but Joe Pesci steals the show as Tommy. Liotta's voice-over works great and takes the film to a whole other level. Also, Scorsese masterfully captures the glamor and extravegance of being a gangster while at the same time capturing its grimmer aspects, showing the audience that they really don't want this life.
5. Audition - Takashi Miike spends two thirds of the movie setting up both main characters as the sweetest people in the world and slowly introducing more of Asami's true nature until the film climaxes with one of the most shocking and memorable suckerpunches ever in a film. The film has a long lasting effect even after the first viewing. The direction is subtle and methodical before exploding in a cinematic fireball. Brilliant.
6. Natural Born Killers - Like the others, every performance is extremely entertaining and over the top. Tarantino's plot is top notch and Oliver Stone's experimental filmmaking truly reflects the mindset of both Mickey and Mallory Knox. There's a lot of commentary in this one but it's done so casually that the audience is able to recognize it without feeling preached to like in most movies with social commentary.
7. The Hills Have Eyes - Well acted, first off. The "white-bred" family are fascinating to watch as their worldly resources are stripped away and they descend into guttural instinct. The "feral" family offers great over-the-top performances as well, in particular James Whitworth as Papa Jupiter. The film is very suspenseful as well and the violence is brutal but not excessive. It feels real.
8. Day Of The Dead - Memorable performances by eccentric characters who you love to hate or whose quirks are entertaining to watch. Also, a very dark tone throughout the film and pretty much, the best, most grusome zombie carnage in any movie of the subgenre.
9. Suspiria - Like Audition, Suspiria takes the time to build suspense and create the feeling that something is not right until a climax that's actually pretty scary. Wonderfully directed as well. Dario Argento's use of colors and imagery creates a very creepy and bizzare atmosphere throughout the film. And, of course, some great gore scenes.
10. Alien - Do I even need to say anything about Sigorney Weaver? Her performance as Ripley defined that of the strong female character. The tone is slow and suspenseful and the alien looks great even when it's not shrouded in shadows.
1. Star Wars et al...what can I say? I have a soft spot for overkill epic plots.
2. Lord of the Rings - Tolkien's immortal fantasy tale told perfectly by Peter Jackson. I've read the books, and have little complaint on the movies. Also, see above reason.
3. Se7en - This thing had a hell of a twist I never saw coming.
4. The Godfather - I'll group the second into this as well, since they can actually function as a single continuous storyline. Great characters. Great drama. Some intense stuff here. It deserved its best picture awards.
5. The Ring - Though some Japanese loyalists dislike the American version, I feel it is the superior one. And how can you beat every horror afficianado's worst nightmare of the monster coming out of the TV?
6. Halloween - Simplicity at its finest. All the suspense tools in full force in this one make it a great suspenseful film. Some might claim it loses its effect after a few viewings, but so does every film once you acknowledge it as a fairy tale.
7. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan - While the Star Trek series is not the best of movie series, the second installment stands as one of the best movies out there. The characters were well developed and even given boosts to their backstories. Great plot, and some intense dramatic scenes. And even a superior ending to bring tears to the eyes of the hardest of hearts. They should have stopped after IV, which rounded out this mini-trilogy in the now 10 movie series.
8. On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Of all the Bond films, this is not only the most underrated, but it one stands out as the one where Bond chose monogamy. It still has all the Bond conventions everyone loves, but it also shows Bond as a real person capable of emotion and loss. Thinking about the final scene even now simply chokes me up.
9. Rebecca - This Hitckcock film from 1940 contains about 3 or 4 reversals to the storyline in its third act leading us to a mind-boggling conclusion. Love it!
10. Monty Python and The Holy Grail - Thought I'd round out with this one. It's a classic in comedy and remains very funny after multiple viewings which is more than can be said for many modern comedies.
1. Die Hard - John McClane was an idol (and still is) of mine for a long time since I saw this. When asked about my favourite christmas film it's got to be this rough-and-ready action thriller.
2. Pulp Fiction - (these are in no order BTW) what can I say about this crime thriller apart form that it should be on all sorts of top movie lists. Brilliant cast including John Travolata, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson. Oh and that guy, don't know if you've heard of him... Quentin Tarantino I think his name is?
3. The Dead trilogy - All of romero's dead trilogy (not land of the dead as i havent seen it yet, but including the Night remake). Eerie, action-packed and gripping are the words for these zombie classics. So rewatchable.
4. The Thing - Excellent shapeshifting alien action and such a suspensful little film as well. Fabulous stuff.
5. Dirty Harry - Clint Eastwood at his best in this. This is an action packed, gritty cop thriller with an edge to it that most films (especially modern) don't have.
6. The Evil Dead - A brilliant, terrifying, chilling horror spectacular from Sam Raimi. Which of course brought Ash (Bruce Campbell) to light as a true hero from our times.
7. House - Doubt this is on many other peep's top ten lists but this is such a cool flick. It's a comedy-horror about a house and the things inside it. It's better than it sounds.
8. The Terminator - A dark, creepy sci-fi action piece where Arnie first made his name. Followed by a moderate sequel and a pathetic 3rd attempt.
9. Harold and Kumar - a stoner cult classic (usually i hate stoners and their movies) about an asian and an indian guy who go on a surreal night-time burger hunt. B r i l l i a n t.
10. A big tie - Snatch/Shrek 1 and 2/ True Grit/ Robin Hood (cartoon)/ The Fly and many others. (I'll add more).
"We don't make movies for critics, since they don't pay to see them anyhow."
13 — that's right count 'em, 13 — movies on my "Favorite Movies Of All Times" list, though it would really be 17 if I didn't have the dash between Alien and Alien Resurrection. But anywas...yeah...
So, i'm NOT the only one..... No order.... 1. Eraserhead (Lynch) 2. King Kong (Jackson) 3. Scream (slasher fan or not, it's pretty good) 4.Saw 5. Halloween (best low budget ever) 6. The Shining(Kubrick) 8.Donnie Darko 7. The Amputee (kind funny Lynch)
1. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea(1956) 2. Star Wars 3. Raiders of the Lost Ark 4. Planet of the Apes(original) 5. Flight of the Navigator 6. Back to the Future 7. Being John Malkovich 8. To Kill A Mockingbird 9. Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure 10. Bullitt
These are the top 10 that I can think of off my head. They're films that I can watch over and over and never get bored of them.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: The Kid(Chaplin) The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Spartacus Die Hard 1 and 3 The Natural
Mine probably won’t go over real well on this mostly male board but here are my picks:
This is based solely on influence and current memory. There’s no way I could actually come up with a set top ten list.
1) A Tale of Two Cities - Can’t beat this one. Based on a novel by one of the greatest authors ever, Charles Dickens, and starring one of the greatest actors ever, Ronald Coleman. Few stories have captured the melancholy of a man hopelessly in love with someone he has no chance of ever having. Deeply affecting.
2) Gone with the Wind - Scarlet O’ Hara is one of the most recognized characters for a reason. This saga is one of the greatest Civil War stories ever told and single handedly created the soap opera. I hate soap operas but credit where credit is due. Margaret Mitchell knew what people wanted and gave it to them in great measure.
3) Citizen Kane - I couldn’t have a most influential list without a film by Orson Wells. This masterpiece was his first film and perhaps the least intruded upon by studio execs. Though this genius created other great films, he never quite topped this epic work of art.
4) Wuthering Heights - I love Merle Oberon and she was never better than here. Like A Tale of Two Cities, we have a story based on a novel by a great writer, Emily Bronte, and a great star. It’s simple and powerful and I simply love it.
5) King Kong - The original 1933 masterpiece with groundbreaking special effects by Willis O’Brien blew audiences away at the time and, if one views it both as the amazing film it is as well as in historical context, one simply cannot help but be staggered by this achievement. Merian C. Cooper was a real life Indiana Jones and this is a film rooted in real life experiences. Simply amazing.
6) Star Wars - Return of the Jedi - What can I say? Luke Skywalker. How can I not love a guy who defends the entire galaxy? Luke is one of the greatest sci-fi heroes ever created. George Lucas is the most successful independent filmmaker in history. I love that. But Return has a special place in my heart. I was a teenage girl when this came out. The line where Luke says, “You’ve failed, Emperor. I am a Jedi like my father before me,” gave me chills. And the Emperor is the greatest sci-fi villain ever, ever, ever!!
7) 2001: A Space Odyssey - No way could I have a list without a Kubrick film. This movie is one of the greatest sci-fi films and cinematic enigmas in the history of film. Kubrick was so frickin’ far ahead of his time, it’s unbelievable. This film is too easy to dismiss when you don’t understand it but if you engage it, it boggles the mind with its possibilities. One of the most thought provoking films I’ve ever seen. Leonard Maltin called it a “unique masterpiece.” I agree completely.
Love Story - Yeah, I know. Laugh at this one if you want but to a young girl, this movie gives you every ounce of drama a movie can give and dishes it out with one of the greatest love story soundtracks ever. It’s the only formula film I can really say really worked for me and it was a tremendous influence on me in my early days of writing.
9) Metropolis - This 1927 film by the German Fritz Lang has some of the most innovative and amazing special effects for the time. With the exception of a not so good Brigitte Helm performance, this is one of the most influential sci-fi films of all time.
10) The Seventh Seal - This film from Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman about a disillusioned knight during the Crusades is one of those films that just keeps creeping back into my head from time to time. Somehow it planted a seed in my mind. And that’s a sign of a film that has made a true impact on a viewer.
My apologies to Takeshi Kitano. I love a lot of his films but none of them quite made my top ten. That's the problem with top ten lists, I always feel bad about the films I left out. It's like you're putting one down by saying you prefer the other.
Yea I original was going to have it 15, but limiting it to 10 makes you think more about WHY you love certain movies. My other 5 are already mentioned in others lists, maybe on another thread ppl can do 25. But I thought with 10 it would give people to explain why they chose the film if they wanted to.
THE GOLD RUSH - Charles Chaplin MORDEN TIMES - Charles Chaplin THE BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN - Sergei Eisenstein CITZEN KANE – Orson Welles TOUCH OF EVIL – Orson Welles THE THIRD MAN – Orson Welles THE TREASURE OF SIERRA MADRE – John Huston THE MALTESE FALCON – John Huston CASABLANCA – Michael Curtiz THE SEVEN SAMURAI – Akira Kurosawa THE BICYCLE THIEVES – Vittorio De Sica PSYCHO – Alfred Hitchcock LA BELLE DE JOUR – Luis Buñuel AMACORD – Federico Fellini AND THE SHIP SAILS – Federico Fellini THEOREM – Pier Paolo Pasolini THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY – Sergio Leone CRIES AND WHISPERS – Ingmar Bergman ROSEMARY’S BABY – Roman Polansky CHINATOWN – Roman Polansky THE PARTY – Blake Edwards THE FRENCH CONNECTION – William Friedkin MIDNIGHT COWBOY – John Schlesinger MARATON MAN - John Schlesinger TAXI DRVER – Martin Scorsese RAGING BULL – Martin Scorsese HAIL MARY – Jean Luc Godard EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SEX – Wood Allen ZELIG – Wood Allen DUEL – Steven Spielberg CLOSE ENCONTERS OF THE THIRD KIND – Steven Spielberg INDIANA JONES AND THE RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK – Steven Spielberg JAWS - Steven Spielberg STAR WARS – George Lucas AMERICAN GRAFFITI – George Lucas THE GODFATHER – Francis Ford Coppola APOCALYPSE NOW – Francis Ford Coppola BLUE VALVET – David Lynch DIE HARD – John McTiernan PLATOON – Oliver Stone PULP FICTION – Quentin Tarantino THE SIXTH SENSE – M. Night Shyamalan CITY OF GOD – Fernando Meirelles
This is the list, as seen on my myspace account. Some may be odd choices, but all are my favorites, as seen in different lights:
Aliens, Jaws, 28 Days Later, Dawn of the Dead (both versions), I Heart Huckabees, Spider-Man 2, Dark City, The Incident, Shaun of the Dead, The Warriors, Ravenous, The Specials, Batman Returns, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn, American Psycho, The Invisible Man, The Royal Tenenbaums, Haute Tension, From Dusk 'Til Dawn, Hellboy, Cannibal! The Musical, Comic Book: The Movie, Dick Tracy, War of the Worlds (original), Starship Troopers, Ghostbusters 1 & 2, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, The Fly (both), Army of Darkness, Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai, The Thing, C.H.U.D., Mallrats, X-Men 2, Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade, Ed Wood, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, The Untouchables, The Iron Giant, The Fifth Element, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Team America: World Police, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, Batman Begins, Broken Flowers, King-Kong (both the original and Jackson's)
I like how you pick and choose, as opposed to going with the whole series. I agree with all three selections that you have plucked from the larger wholes.
9) Metropolis - This 1927 film by the German Fritz Lang has some of the most innovative and amazing special effects for the time. With the exception of a not so good Brigitte Helm performance, this is one of the most influential sci-fi films of all time.
Yay! Another Fritz Lang fan. We're a dying breed. I love Metropolis but I reckon 'M' is his best movie.
Everyone I speak to seems to hate the Mabuse series, but I love it. Mabuse is without doubt the scariest movie character ever.
1.) Marty 2.) Saturday Night Fever 3.) Papillon 4.) Midnight Cowboy 5.) Clockwork Orange 6.) It Happened One Night 7.) Robin & the 7 Hoods 8.) Reservoir Dogs 9.) Pulp Fiction 10.) Escape From New York
I completely forgot about this movie! I owned it years ago and watched it so much that the DVD was scratched to the point that it was unwatchable. Had I remembered this, it would've certainly made my top five. It's such an original film and works on so many levels. The performances are great (especially Robert Carlyle), the story's great, there're some cool gore scenes, some funny scenes, some funny/gore scenes, and some weird philosophical stuff (when Robert Carlyle's talking about Manifest Destiny). I really feel bad about forgetting it but then again, I haven't seen it in years.
okay here is my top 10 i guess (no particular order)
-Dead Man's Shoes Movie from england that i dont think many have seen but it's filmed so well and the acting is superb -Pulp Fiction No explanation needed -Unbreakable I just think the attention to detail and the way it contains all the little comic book touches is cool -Memento One of the most unique movies in a while although some people still insist it's a gimmick -The Good The Bad And The Ugly I don't think I need to explain this one, if you've seen it you'll know and I'm sure most of you have -Double Indemnity I love the plot and the dialogue for this movie, I hope they don't ruin it with a hollywood remake -Shawshank Redemption Again, no explanation needed -Goodfella's Same as above -Signs Despite all the logic holes that people bring up about this movie it still ranks as one of my favorites of all time. M. Night is one of the best directors out there at the minute and he always get the highest quality acting from those working for him. -American Beauty I don't really know why I like this but I just do
I like how you pick and choose, as opposed to going with the whole series. I agree with all three selections that you have plucked from the larger wholes.
Yeah, I very much enjoy all of the Indiana Jones movies as well as the original "Star Wars" trilogy; "Last Crusade" and "Empire" just happen to be my favorites. As for "Wrath of Kahn," I'm with George: it's the only really good "Star Trek" film to date (though I don't even really like "Star Trek" all that much; I'm just a sucker for a solid revenge flick).
Quoted from James McClung
I completely forgot about this movie! I owned it years ago and watched it so much that the DVD was scratched to the point that it was unwatchable. Had I remembered this, it would've certainly made my top five. It's such an original film and works on so many levels. The performances are great (especially Robert Carlyle), the story's great, there're some cool gore scenes, some funny scenes, some funny/gore scenes, and some weird philosophical stuff (when Robert Carlyle's talking about Manifest Destiny). I really feel bad about forgetting it but then again, I haven't seen it in years.
What is very interesting about "Ravenous" is not only has it managed to create itself a nice little cult following, but it's that same cult following that has spawned many ideas and interpertations of the movie. For example, many fans of "Ravenous" claim that Carlyle's character is, in fact, Satan. I don't know how exactly how that is, but many say there are quite a few similarities between Calhoun (Carlyle's character) and The Devil as he is presented in the bible. I just thought that was pretty interesting.
~Star Wars Saga~ Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Episode IV: A New Hope Episode II: Attack of the Clones Episode VI: Return of the Jedi Episode I: The Phantom Menace
~Lord of the Rings Trilogy~ Return of the King The Fellowship of the Ring The Two Towers
~The Matrix Trilogy~ The Matrix Matrix Revolutions Matrix Reloaded
and then...
1. Fight Club 2. Requiem for a Dream 3. Memento 4. The Usual Suspects 5. Dark City 6. Schindler's List 7. The Seven Samurai 8. Saving Private Ryan 9. The Good, The Bad, The Ugly 10. Se7en
So yeah, those are my favorites, here's in my opinion, the 10 Best movies made...
1. Citizen Kane 2. The Godfather 3. Casablanca 4. Seven Samurai 5. The Good, The Bad, The Ugly 6. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope 7. Bonnie and Clyde 8. Dr. Strangelove: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb 9. Vertigo 10. Jurassic Park
Just my opinion...
-Zavier
Though earth and man are gone, I thought the cube would last forever. I WAS WRONG.
i cant believe NOBODY has mentioned forrest gump!!!! the ultimate human condition story. c'mon people!!!!
I was dirty on it for getting the Best Picture Oscar over Pulp Fiction. However, it was a good film, but that doesn't mean people have to place it in their top 10. I had to leave a lot of great films out of my mine.
im an extreme pulp fiction fan. but i feel more people can relate to the times and trials of a simpleton like forrest gump. it was worthy
This is where it becomes subjective. I actually related more to Butch, Jules and Vincent Vega, than I did Forrest Gump. Pulp Fiction was a better film for mine. But as I say, it's purely subjective. Movies are not race horses, there is no absolute way of proving which one is the best.
I actually related more to Butch, Jules and Vincent Vega, than I did Forrest Gump.
I didn't mean to relate to the characters. I meant that the story was just a beautiful work on life and its trials. I box for a living as of now and I still don't relate to butch either way. And jules and vincent, forget it. im from los angeles, but it aint really like that.
1) Lord of the Rings Trilogy - The greatest films of all time in my book. Nothing will ever catch up to this at all. It just goes to show that Peter Jackson is better than any other director alive.
2) Star Wars (Original trilogy) - These are awesome films who now have to link to the shame of the new trilogy that George Lucas punished us with.
3) Chronicles of Narnia - I've been waiting for this for a long time...it was awesome! I might be going to work as an intern on Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian this fall, I've been talking with the asst. director about it for a few weeks.
4) King Kong - No matter what people say, this movie was great. It had great acting, great effects, good story, etc. Who ever say's this film was a rip off of the original is just trying to sound cool, because nothing about this film rips anything off of the original.
5) Serenity - Way better than the new Star Wars movies...the acting in it was superb.
6) Passion of the Christ - An awesome movie.
7) Red Eye - My brother hates movies...and he liked this one. I thought it was great, too.
8 ) The Incredibles - By far the best Pixar film ever made!
9) Monty Python and the Holy Grail - This movie was hilarious!
10) Toy Story - When this first came out my mom had to take me to see it five times. It has remained on my list since it came out.
1) The Great Escape 2) Starship Troopers 3) Fight Club 4) American History X 5) Sin City 6) Crash 7) Full Metal Jacket The Others 9) Ed Wood 10) Papillon
1.Unforgiven 2.Taxi Driver 3.Girl Interrupted 4.An inspector calls 5.Hobsons' Choice 6.The Lord of The Rings (trilogy) 7.Se7en 8.Saw 9.Crash 10.American History X
I don't know who'd be interested but hey, these maybe not in this order but they are my top 10.
ALIENS AMERICAN BEAUTY AMERICAN PIE CRASH FRIDAY GLENGARRY GLENROSS HAROLD & KUMAR GO TO WHITE CASTLE MEMENTO THE OUTSIDERS PLATOON PULP FICTION RESERVIOR DOGS ROUNDERS SAW SCREAM SIGNS SIN CITY STAR WARS 1 2 3 4 5 6 TOMBSTONE
Sorry - can't nail it down to under 10. Here's my list in no particular order. These are my favourites, not necessarily the best ever made:
Supertroopers Aliens Braveheart In The Mouth Of Madness Donnie Darko Trainspotting Lord Of The Rings Trilogy Star Wars Eps 1-3 Highlander Saving Private Ryan Eternal Sunshine On A Spotless Mind A Life Less Ordinary The Untouchables American Psycho American Werewolf In London The Howling Battle Of Britian Monty Python - Life Of Brian Monty Python - Holy Grail The Matrix Scream Haunted White Christmas Jaws
I'm sure as soon as I hit Post Reply, I'll think of more...
Wow this is so hard! My favorites change almost monthly but I'll try. These are in no particular order, either, because I don't have one favorite movie.
DOUBLE INDEMNITY THE BIG SLEEP (1945/6 versions, not the dumb '70s remake) TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT NOTORIOUS L.A. CONFIDENTIAL STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE STAR WARS: EMPIRE STRIKES BACK The MATRIX MEMENTO CASABLANCA UNDERWORLD THE MASK OF ZORRO (I don't even know why I like that one so much)
I'm certain there are more-- but staring around my room, these are the only ones I'm thinking of right now.
Andrew, I don't mean to pick on you but I can't believe Starship Troopers is #2 on your list. Sure, it was OK... but #2?
1) Porco Rosso 2) Nausicaa of the valley of the wind 3) Heavenly Creatures 4) Donnie Darko 5) Empire strikes back 6) Wizard of Oz 7) American Beauty Blue Velvet 9) Spirited Away 10) Pulp Fiction
That's it and all these movies are the pirde and joy in my DVD collecton. And yes i am a huge Miyazaki nut. He is my all time favourite director followed by David Lynch.
Eraserhead is cool. Hell, mutant babies and weird pixie girls living in a heater is cool.
And let's not forget that haunting song: "in heaven everything is fine"
But personally for me Blue Velvet is where David Lynch hit his peek, nothing since than from him has hit that bar.
Straight Story is another David lynch classic. Who'd ever thought the twisted mind of Lynch could pull off a G rated Disney movie. I bet Tarintino couldn't step outside his comfort zone and pull this off.
NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (1950's)- Charles Laughton's one turn as director. Scared me as a kid and still does. Robert Mitchum's serial killer preacher stays with you. BOX OF MOONLIGHT- John Turturro, Sam Rockwell, Catherine Keener in a small movie with lovably quirky characters. A CHRISTMAS STORY- Common on! How can you not love this movie? ORIGINAL KING KONG- Just plain fun to watch and heads above the re-makes. If they built a humongous wall why put a Kong-sized door in it? Who cares! GUNGA DIN (1939)- Action, adventure, humor, great heroes and dastardly villians. This film can turn a 180 from slap-stick humor to deadly serious without missing a beat. Cary Grant, Victor McGlaglen and Doug Fairbanks Jr. are a hoot. TOMBSTONE- If only I could write dialogue like this. SAVING PRIVATE RYAN- I've seen just about every WWII film. This is the best. A WALK IN THE SUN (1944 I think)- Director Lewis Millstone's classic study of men in combat. ALIEN- About half the lists include this gothic horror classic. WIZARD OF OZ- It endures. What more can you ask from a film that's pushing 60!
1 a place in the sun (1951) 2 taxi driver (1976) 3 goodfellas (1990) 4 raging bull (1980) 5 jaws (1975) 6 midnight cowboy (1969) 7 citizen kane (1941) 8 the searchers (1956) 9 the quiet man (1952) 10 the long voyage home (1940)
The Hills Have Eyes (2006) Final Destination 3 Scream Halloween 4 Jurassic Park II Stand By Me American Pie 2 Chicken Little The Pink Panther (2006) Dolls
Here you guys go:
What am I working on?!? Splatter - Revisions Bad Hare - Writing
No order 1. Scream 2. High Tension 3. Donnie Darko 4. Shaun of the Dead 5. The Devil's Rejects 6. 28 Days Later 7. Natural Born Killers 8. Elephant 9. Fight Club 10. Fargo
Lolita (1962) Kubrick knew what he was doing. Great cast. Shelly Winters and James Mason are superb. And Sue Lyon was Lolita personified. Love that scene with Prof. Humbert (Mason) seeing Lolita for the first time with her heart-shaped sunglasses and listening to “Lolita Ya-Ya” on her transistor radio.
Rear Window (1954) My favorite Hitchcock movie. All that voyeuristic fun and suspense. What a cast. James Steward, Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter, Raymond Burr. Riveting.
Shawshank Redemption (1994) Had no desire to see this film - initially. My wife raved about it, so ultimately I caught up with it. Wow. The movie plays as sweet as the script by Darabont reads. The VO by Red (Morgan Freeman) works beautifully.
Immitation of Life (1934) Fascinating. I love Claudette Colbert, she reminds me of my mum. And I don’t care what anybody says, Louise Beavers should have been the first African American to win an Oscar. Her portrayal of Delilah Johnson, a black mother trying to raise her defiant daughter who can pass for white, is both spirited and tragic. Better than the Lana Turner/Sandra Dee version.
Enter the Dragon (1973) The vehicle that launched Bruce Lee as an international superstar. He put his own “Game of Death” on hold to do Enter. I will plug the screenwriter, Michael Allin, who never gets any credit. His orig. script was “Blood and Steel.”
Jason and the Argonauts (1963) Epic. The best telling or retelling of the Jason and the Golden Fleece legend. Todd Armstrong was a gallant Jason. And there could never be a better screen Hercules than So. African/Brit Nigel Green. Script by Jan Read and Beverly Cross is superb. Enhanced further by Harryhausen effects and Bernard Herman’s wonderful score.
Frankie Starlight (1995) The kind of script I long to write and the kind of film I can only dream of making. Alan Pentony, Frankie Bois as a young boy, is captivating. Deals with a perpetually-despondent mom Anne Parillaud raising her dwarf son and the influences of the many men in their lives. Ending could be called syrupy, but it works. Not exploitive.
Marathon Man (1976) Great intrigue. Suspenseful. Dustin Hoffman vs. Lawrence Oliver. A dentist drill vs. a long-distance runner. Screenplay by William Goldman, based on his novel.
Time Machine (1960) Awesome. Way, way superior to the ’02 remake. Rod Taylor journeys through time. Victorian, smart and mesmerizing.
Psycho (1960) The standard by which all other psychotic films are compared. I still think that Janet Leight show-slash scene is mind-boggling and perfectly shot. Another vintage Hitchcock.
Almost…
The Birds (1963) Sound of Music (1965) Speed (1994) Million Dollar Baby (2004) Dead Zone (1983) Taxi Driver (1976) First Men in the Moon (1964) The Limey (1999) Running on Empty (198 Pulp Fiction(1994) King Kong (1933) Mighty Joe Young (1949) Lost in Translation (2003) Night of the Living Dead (196 Madame X (1966) History of Violence (2005)
1. Brokeback Mountain 2. Thirteen 3. Boy's Don't Cry 4. Monster 5. American Beauty 6. Sin City 7. Closer 8. Girl, Interrupted 9. Scream 10. Drop Dead Gorgeous 11. The Opposite Of Sex 12. Cruel Intentions 13. Election 14. The Virgin Suicides 15. Donnie Darko
1. Pulp Fiction 2. The Green Mile 3. Memento 4. Primal Fear 5. The Shawshank Redemption 6. Reservoir Dogs 7. Full Metal Jacket 8. Sling Blade 9. 48 Hours 10. Showgirls(Just Kidding) - Stand By Me
(other greats: The Godfather, The Warriors, Scarface, Young Frankenstein, One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest, Go, Monster, Donnie Darko, Insomnia, Identity, Frailty, The Sixth Sense, Dog Day Afternoon, 11:14, Psycho, Clerks, Mask, The Exorcist, Dogma, Closer, The War Of The Roses, Children Of The Corn, The Omen, The Blair Witch Project, Thirteen, The Breakfast Club, Mystic River, Pet Semetary, Ghost World, The Jerk, Spaceballs, Welcome To The Dollhouse, Spinal Tap, Night Of the Living Dead, Silence of the Lambs, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre to name a few.)
and just for the record, Freddy Got Fingered is the WORST movie of all time.
"Picture Porky Pig raping Elmer Fudd" - George Carlin "I have to sign before you shoot me?" - Navin Johnson "It'll take time to restore chaos" - George W. Bush "Harry, I love you!" - Ben Affleck "What are you looking at, sugar t*ts?" - The man without a face "Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death." - Exodus 31:15 "No one ever expects The Spanish Inquisition!" - The Spanish Inquisition "Matt Damon" - Matt Damon
10.) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - This was an original film. I think Jim Carrey did well with a slightly dramrtic roll.
9.) The 40 Year Old Virgin- Sex comedys are usually funny but this is the funniest movie i have ever seen.
8.) Titanic - Yes, I'll admit it. I was in the theater crying with all the other teenage girls.
7.) Cry_Wolf - This got incredibly bad reviews on rotten tomatoes but I loved it. The acting was good, it was brilliantly scripted, with an exellant twist ending.
6.) Basic Instinct - This movie was only famous because Sharon Stone showed her yina but it was such a good film with twists I never saw coming. Wow.
5.) Camp - This was an indie film that was so big it eventually was released with MGM and even is played on Starz every now and then. Brilliant acting, the writing is good and I loved the characters and the music.
4.) Cursed - People slammed this movie saying all kinds of things but I thought it was an original take on the werewolf film.
3.) Donnie Darko - That was weird. I mean that in a good way. It was such a good movie because you felt bad for the family and for Donnie and at the end you just wanna cry *I did*. Plus it can be taken so many different ways I doubt anyone has come to the same conclusion.
2.) The Shining (1980)- Jack Nicholson did the best acting job in this creepy adaption on Stephen Kings Novel of the same name.
1.) Sin City - This movie is the best I have seen. It was so cool in black and white with an extreme noir feeling. It had action, romance, suspense, drama, everything. It deserves an oscar but it was way violent so it isnt popular with the academy.
Honorable Mention:
Darkness Pulp Fiction Scream Teaching Mrs. Tingle *can you tell I like Kevin Williamson?* Friday the 13th American Pie The Craft Stir of Echos Wild Things
Here are 15 of my favorite films in no order whatsoever, I'd never fit all my favorites into ten:
1)Hero. This is what I call "cinematic poetry". Beautiful film in all aspects, the foreign dialogue faded into nothingness due to the brilliance of the film.
2)Shawshank Redemption. Saw this a long time ago, I'm not sure if I would like it as much today but I have very fond memories of it.
3)Star Wars (4,5,6). What can I say, I'm a fan. You just don't get much better characters- Yoda, Vader, the emperor, Obi wan (I also can't get enough of Alec Guinness)...
4)David Lean trio: Dr. Zhivago, Bridge on the River kwai, Lawrence of Arabia. I know this is "cheating", but to use three slots for these would be a bit redundant in a way. Excellent historical movies, of which I actually liked "Zhivago" least (Kwai is on top). Acting perhaps the best aspect of these, with Guinness, O'toole, Sharif and others giving excellent preformances.
5)Oliver! I probably wouldn't include this a week ago, but this musical is the best I've ever seen and the best adaptation of the book I've seen (though I have to give credit yet again to Guinness, for his unbelievable portrayal of Fagin in David Lean's adaptation). Fagin shines, Oliver has the softest voice imaginable, as he should, and everything blends in so well..."Who will buy" is a triumph of musical achievement, as well as many other songs in the film.
6)The House of Flying Daggers. While this and Hero are similar, their beauty merits a double mention. Once again, cinematography and direction trump whatever possible flaws one might find.
7)Strangers on a train. I just had to mention Hitchcock somehow, so I chose this one. A very good film, with some excellent scenes (the head-turning tennis being my personal favorite). A very close tie with Psycho, though.
The village. In my opinion this was Shayamalan's best, though I should mention that Unbreakable and Sixth sense would get a mention if I had room. Something about the music, the acting, and the excellent directing kept me glued to my seat.
9)The Matrix. This I wasn't sure if to add, though I do admire the way it was made. There is something admirable in the hypermodern way it was made, combined with excellent special effects- with a purpose!- and good action. Revolutions was also good but greatly inferior to the first.
10)Finding Nemo. My representative of the animated film genre, which is generally very good (monsters inc., ice age, bug's life, etc.) but has recently deteriorated (robots, madagascar). I found this film better than its predecessors, with the same winning formula of different environments and appropriate jokes.
11)Lord of the Rings trilogy. Being a fantasy fan, I was very skeptic of this series before it came out, but I was surprised. It was an excellent adaptation, with a few bumps on the way but in general a triumph.
12)The Ladykillers (original). I thought the remake didn't come close to this great comedy, which was charming and funny in a multitude of ways. I can't help it but mention Alec Guinness yet again, since he essentially makes this movie with his portrayal of the mad professor. One of the best pieces of acting I've ever seen.
13)Forrest Gump. Yes, I too fell to this movie. Despite a few bumps, this movie is the epitome of sweet-and-charming funny blended with sentimentalist drama. The anti-cynic that I am fell for it. Tom Hanks' acting simply can't be faulted.
14)Dr. Strangelove. I have to represent Kubrick somehow, and this movie is the best of his that I've seen (though I liked Spartacus a lot). It is simply funny. So many memorable scenes and characters bring a smile to my face from this movie...it's just funny, and that's all there is to it (of course, it has a strong political message, but I see this as secondary).
15)Master and commander: the far side of the world. A great movie with strong dramatic moments. Russel Crowe is excellent in the lead and the movie is capturing scene after scene.
I'm sure after I press "submit" I'll remember all the movies I wanted to put on, but didn't...this is what I came up with on short notice.
My apologies to Takeshi Kitano. I love a lot of his films but none of them quite made my top ten. That's the problem with top ten lists, I always feel bad about the films I left out. It's like you're putting one down by saying you prefer the other.
Wow. This was nearly nine years ago. The only movie that I'd still rate as a favourite from this lot is When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? Taxi Driver would be my other favourite. I couldn't name another eight that are clear favourites these days. Interestingly enough both these movies revolve around Vietnam Vets suffering from PTSD.
Shifty – It covers a lot of familiar ground, (drugs, gangsters and council estates), but what sets it apart from the many other gritty British films out there, for me, is that it doesn't spiral out of control and turn into an unrealistic shoot 'em up. It stays true to itself from start to finish and the chemistry between the two main characters, Shifty and Chris is more than convincing. I was even more impressed when I found out it was made for only a 100k.
Tyrannosaur – A hard film to watch but well worth it. There's some brutal scenes throughout but they're not just chucked in there for shock value. The acting is phenomenal all round, making it all the more disturbing.
Shaun Of The Dead – I must've watched it a good thirty times and it still refuses to get old.
Mean Creek – A realistic story of revenge and forgiveness with a quality young cast and great scenery.
Sweet Sixteen – Another tough one to watch (and follow if you're not good with accents and don't like subtitles). But with great performances and a truly gripping story it's probably the best coming of age film I've seen.
Starred Up – I started to hate prison films after watching so many bad ones but this truly restored my faith.
Trainspotting – I remember watching this with my uncle when I was ten. What followed was many restless nights checking my ceiling for dead babies. I've probably seen it a good twenty times since then and there's so many great things about it, it's impossible to pick what I like the best. It hooks you from the opening scene and does not let go. And the soundtrack alone makes it great.
The Guard – To me, this is dark comedy at it's best. The concept is nothing new, a big time FBI agent gets paired with a questionable, small town cop. But the characters, tone and execution make it one of a kind. This Is England – I'm a big fan of all of Shane Meadows' work but this is the film that stood out most. I was a bit weary when the tv series was announced but it turned out to be just as good as the film, if not better.
Recess School's Out – Haven't seen this in a good ten years but it meant a lot to me as a kid.
Other favourites – Human Traffic, Sexy Beast, Short Term 12, Sideways, Quadrophenia, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, The Wackness, Knuckle, Stand by Me, City of God, Kings of Summer, Mud, Dead Man's Shoes, A lonely Place to Die, Kill List, The Selfish Giant, Safety Not Guaranteed, The Scouting Book for Boys, A Room for Romeo Brass, How High, Eden Lake, Four Lions, Dog Soldiers, The 51st State, Wild Bill, Observe and Report, War of the Buttons, Nebraska and Twin Town.
I doubt people who don't hail from the Brit/Scot/Irish part of Europe would even have heard of most of the movies on Kyle-92's list. They are missing out.
Hmm, is there really another 91 Kyles on here?
Come to think of it, most of them wouldn't understand half the accents. I believe Trainspotting ran with subtitles when it played in US cinemas. Large portions of the audience still found they 'dinnae ken'.
Even more amusing when you hear some American accents.
By the way, there some wonderful scripts on my list -- Moonstruck, to name one.
Indeed. Just not particularly my cup of tea. I like Tetley. With a custard cream, obviously.
Moonstruck is a fine film. We're only discussing favourites. The idea that my films are better than your films is as ludicrous as award ceremonies.
Mine aren't better than yours. They are just the ones I prefer. Just like bourbons aren't better than custard creams. They just go better with my tea, in my humble.
Now, I'm off to the drycleaners to sort out my pants.
How could you have been so careless? It can't be done.
I'll stretch the "rules" a bit and expand it as I see fit:
In no particular order (don't make this harder than it has to be! )
Halloween - See what $320,000 could do in 1978? The stars aligned to make this movie: John Carpenter, Debra Hill, Dean Cundey, Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, PJ Soles, Panavision, William Shatner (sort of). I've seen it more times than I can count, and it never loses it suspense or scare factor.
The Little Mermaid - This may have been the first movie I ever saw, or at least in a big, dark theater on a huge screen. Still one of my all-time favorites.
Psycho - Hitchcock will always be the Master of Suspense.
2001: A Space Odyssey - Watched it on TCM HD (Yes, they upscale on that channel), and on the biggest screen in the house. Wow. Breathtaking. One of the best movies I have ever seen, period. Mind-blowing.
A Clockwork Orange - Kubrick does it again.
Spaceballs - Admit it.
Quoted Text
Dark Helmet And what have we got on this thing, a Cuisinart?!
Quoted Text
Barf What the hell was that?
Lone Starr Spaceball One.
Barf They've gone to plaid!
Quoted Text
Dark Helmet Well find them, catch them!
Colonel Sandurz Yes sir! Prepare ship for light speed!
Dark Helmet No-no-no, light speed is too slow!
Colonel Sandurz Light speed too slow?
Dark Helmet Yes, we'll have to go right to...ludicrous speed!
The entire crew gasps.
Colonel Sandurz Ludicrous speed?! Sir, we've never gone that fast before. I don't know if this ship can take it!
Dark Helmet What's the matter Colonel Sandurz... chicken?
Colonel Sandurz (stuttering) Prepare ship--prepare ship for ludicrous speed! Fasten all seat belts, seal all entrances and exits, close all shops in the mall! Cancel the three ring circus! Secure all animals in the zoo...
Dark Helmet Give me that, you petty excuse for an officer! Now hear this! Ludicrous speed!
Colonel Sandurz Sir, hadn't you better buckle up?
Dark Helmet Aw, buckle this! Ludicrous speed! Go!!
The Dark Knight Trilogy - Take that, Joel Schumacher! These are real Batman movies. This is art. The Dark Knight was also the first Hollywood movie to be shot in IMAX.
Inception - Not a lot of post-2000 movies on my list, so they had better be good.
Alien - No explanation needed.
Aliens - Ditto.
Back to the Future Trilogy - Another Dean Cundey goldmine. Great story, great writing, great acting, great everything. I've seen these movies (especially the original) enough times for the space-time continuum to lose its "mind" and explode.
The Lion King - A classic in every way. One of Disney's crown jewels.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit - Dean Cundey does it again. Wonderful blend of live action and traditional cell animation (a lost art today). Bob Hoskins is awesome playing it straight as Eddie Valiant. RIP Bob Hoskins.
Forrest Gump - "Mama always said: Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get."
Pulp Fiction - Almost as quotable as Spaceballs. QT is one hell of a writer and director. Who else can make a quarter pounder with cheese sound compelling?
The Shining - Kubrick. King. Nicholson. "Heeeere's Johnny!"
Dr. Strangelove - Kubrick. Sellers. George C. Scott. Slim Pickens. Cold War satire. I'm glad I had a cool history teacher.
Ghostbusters - If there's something strange (Dun! Dun!) in your neighborhood (Dun! Dun!) Who ya gonna call? A perfect blend of comedy, horror, sci-fi, and fantasy. Bill Murray in anything is worth the price of admission. Ditto Rick Moranis.
Harriet the Spy - Nickelodeon's first theatrical movie, which made Michelle Trachtenberg a star. This was released in 1996, when Rosie O'Donnell had just started her talk show, which became one of the most popular of the 90s. Rosie was everywhere in the 90s, and Harriet the Spy is no exception, playing the nanny/mentor Golly.
The Wizard of Oz - (Tries to hold back any mention of Pink Floyd)
The Terminator & T2 I first saw T2 on VHS, long before I ever saw the original (to my recollection).
Wayne's World Another film I grew up watching on VHS. At the time, I was completely unaware of SNL, except for the Coneheads on Nick at Nite and the 1993 film version. I started watching SNL circa 1996. Wayne's World is such a great comedy with so many memorable moments and quotes.
Quoted Text
Wayne Well, that's all the time we had for our movie. We hope you found it entertaining, whimsical and yet relevant, with an underlying revisionist conceit that belied the films emotional attachments to the subject matter.
Garth I just hoped you didn't think it sucked.
Mrs. Doubtfire - The quintessential Robin Williams movie.
Jaws - Steven couldn't get the damn shark to work, and it worked out beautifully. Quint's speech should be taught in schools.
Honorable mentions:
John Carpenter's The Thing Beauty & the Beast Gone with the Wind Toy Story Trilogy It's a Wonderful Life Scrooge/A Christmas Carol (Alistair Sim version) Batman (1989) Batman Returns Up (Pixar) Lord of the Rings Trilogy Beetlejuice
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10 Favorite Films
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Love Story - Yeah, I know. Laugh at this one if you want but to a young girl, this movie gives you every ounce of drama a movie can give and dishes it out with one of the greatest love story soundtracks ever. It’s the only formula film I can really say really worked for me and it was a tremendous influence on me in my early days of writing.
My scripts:
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