My Favorite Movies

The best movie ever made. Yeah, I know that's a pretty gigantic-assed statement based solely on some of the cinematic icons that have been made over the last 70 years, but this movie re-invented modern filmmaking. It changed how Hollywood operated financially and changed how we look at movies. George Lucas single-handedly brough sci-fi fantasy to real relevance by his tireless work for the creation of life-like special effects. His story was one-of-a-kind. Admit it, when you first saw this movie and saw that Star Destroyer fly across the screen after the opening message scrawl and then John Williams' music you got goosebumps. Every movie that has been filmed since the original Star Wars has paled in comparison to its scope, soundtrack, story and cultural significance. Get used to the idea of this being the best ever because I know I'm right, for once.

Sets the bar for cool, even if it's not entirely accurate of how real gangsters should behave. It's fantasy people! A film that's full of iconic scenes and lines. Case in point, the scene of the scuffle between Mr. White (Harvey Keitel) and Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi) where Mr. White ends up pointing his gun down at Mr. Pink and Mr. Pink pointing his gun up at Mr. White flat on his back. I love this movie's dialogue so much that I will just play the movie like someone plays their stereo and just listen to the movie without really watching. And who can ever forget Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen) cutting off that cop's ear while dancing to the song "Stuck in the Middle With You." The consummate guy film.

Mythic and poignant in its own right, this is no sequel, but a simple continuation to the original. Of course, all the Star Wars movies are like that. ESB's strength is its acting and story line. Luke's training with Yoda may be one of the most powerful movie moments ever. Luke slowly begins to realize that the fate of everything lies on his shoulders and he is woefully under-prepared. Charming, but also dark enough to be enjoyable for anyone.

The Coen Brothers' are masters at developing odd, quirky, mirthy original characters. Their screenwriting and character generation is second to none in today's cinematic landscape. This movie is the epitome of that statement because, in all seriousness, The Big Lebowski is character-driven plot. There is no story, which makes it brilliant. Jeff Bridges' work as The Dude may be his best role and certainly has become his most iconic. I guess I related to this character more than I have any other movie character out there. I love bowling, white russians and once got into a fight with three Germans. I also dated a woman who became a porn star and have an ex-girlfriend named Maude who's an artist. I'm also a bit lazy at times. This is a fun, trippy and totally absurd movie, but damn I love it. It never gets old.

In my opinion, Paul Newman's best movie and one of the best stories ever. Not really a movie, but a commentary on man's relationship with his God and how we choose to keep living and fighting even though we know we're all doomed to die eventually. Great acting, especially from George Kennedy, who won an Oscar for his role. It's highly emotional and highly entertaining.

How thrillers should be made. No need for high-tech gadgetry or CGI. Just a good story, good writing and good execution on film.

The most original idea for a movie of the 1990s. The philosophic and existentialist dialogue, mind-blowing special effects and cool action made this a classic for all time.

The essential western. Some people don't like the English dubbing because it was shot entirely in Italy (hence the mantra of Spaghetti Western), but still a very enjoyable movie and one of the all-time greats.

Though it glamorized something that wasn't all that glamorous (i.e. The Mafia) this is still one of the greatest movies ever made and hands down the greatest gangster movie franchise ever. An incredible cast, story and directing job. Superbly powerful.

An iconic movie. John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara were fantastic in this. Great cinematography and a delightful story.

I can never make up my mind which movie was Kubrick's best work; this or 2001: A Space Odyssey. I want to lean toward Clockwork because I simply have a dark twisted mind and get off on certain dark and twisted things. Call me a weirdo. Malcolm McDowell was superb and in the same zone he occupied in Caligula -- dark, utterly corrupt and fun to watch. The story was relevant and the execution was precise and exceptionally well done. Kubrick weilded the camera like Rembrandt did an oil painting. His trademark camera angles and use of bright colors was delightful. It's just shocking enough to get your attention, just edgy enough to make it different from anything else out there and just violent enough to make it cool as hell. Worth multiple viewings. IF you can handle the violence. This movie was originally marketed as X-Rated. Not because of sex but because of the violence and rape scenes. But despite all the criminal brutality and general debauchery this movie is highly intelligent with its social commentary. I am also eternally grateful Kubrick elected not to use that strange language the characters spoke with in the original novel. That stuff was just too confusing. One trivia note, the bodybuilder bodyguard that carries the old man in the wheel chair? David Prowse (aka the actor who wore the Darth Vader suit during the filming of the original three Star Wars movies).

Along with Rear Window, Hitchcock's best films. Like so many of his movies the stories and intensity were way ahead of their time. My favorite Jimmy Stewart role.

The single most important movie of the 90s and one of the 10 greatest movies ever filmed. Maybe the best originial screenplay ever written. Of course, this movie was inspired by many, many different pulp ficitonal novels, it really copies nobody. It's its own unique animal, which makes it that much more brilliant. The strength of this movie is its dialogue and story structure. Each character interaction is it's own mini-film and each character's plot path is artfully portrayed in an intriuging tie-in story arc. Everything has to do with everything even though certain characters never share the same stage with each other. Their actions act as a ripple effect and affect someone else in the story in an brilliant and twisted way. A great soundtrack and phenomenal cast to boot. Also single-handedly started about 2,000 copycats. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But the imitation of Pulp Fiction, historically, has been anything more less disappointing. Pulp Fiction will NOT disappoint you. Slick, stylish and edgy enough to keep you interested and full of moments that keep you on the edge of your seat because you're sensing the impending doom. Explores the depths of what people are capable of doing, even if what they're doing is as insignificant as picking up a fighter on the run from the local mob or something as morally-ambiguous as preventing an enemy from being sodomized. Not for the faint of heart.

Maybe Hitchcock's best movie and possibly Jimmy Stewart's best role. The first movie that delved into voyeurism as chic.

One of the 20 greatest movies of all time and maybe the greatest epic ever filmed. Sweeping, powerful and magnificently done. The movie that also made Peter O'Toole one of history's greatest actors. His talent may only be rivaled by the late, great Laurence Olivier. A powerful, sweeping monster of an epic that leaves you satisfied and wanting more. They don't make movies like

Maybe Jack's best role. Certainly his best overall movie and definitely one of the most enjoyable flicks ever.

One of my all-time favorites an one of the 25 best movies ever made. In my opinion was Newman's best role. Jackie Gleason won the Supporting Actor Oscar for his turn as Minnesota Fats, even though he maybe had 10-12 lines of dialogue through the whole movie. Just shows you how powerful an actor he was.

Mind bending, disturbing, unsettling and downright intelligent. The last true rock opera ever produced and the only rock opera that isn't hokey, forced or poorly acted. Bob Geldof's central character work is phenomenal and Roger Waters' songwriting are absolutely critical to every scene. Granted, this is pure political commentary, especially if you are from England. But there are universal themes that apply to everyone in the world even today (i.e. fascism, anti-war sentiments, mind-control, the power of fame and its ability to corrupt). A cinematic masterpiece and a one-of-a-kind that can never be duplicated.

Mind-trippingly strange and delightful at the same time. Made legendary by Francis Ford Coppola's supposed nervous breakdown during filming.

Along side Crash and Mystic River, one of the strongest American movies to come out in the last 10 years.

Scorcese's masterpiece. One of the 50 greatest movies and maybe the bets mob movie ever. Great dialogue, acting and screenplay.

Pure cinematic opera. One of the best 50 American movies of all time and one of the strongest American films over the last 15 years along with Crash, Mystic River, American Beauty and Shawshank Redemption. Michael Mann flexes his directoral chops in this film as he showcases the ripple effect of one decision throughout the entire plot. Superb acting, writing and direction. A once in a lifetime cast. De Niro and Pacino's cafe conversation and the massive gun battle at the end make this movie powerful and fun to watch. The cast is unbelievable and you know you have a fantastic movie when you have Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, Jon Voight, Amy Brennaman, Ted Levine and Mykelti Williamson as supporting characters. I watch this movie several times a month

Maybe the single greatest movie cast ever. Though not directed by Tarentino, he did write the screenplay, which is fresh and solid. Great acting by Slater and Oldman and one of the best dialogue exchanges ever between Hopper and Walken.

A fantastic unconventional western. Just a free-for-all in mindless violence in the same vein as a Martin Scorcese film, though this is a western Sam Peckinpah turns up the blood in this baby. No good guys vs. bad guys. One of the best and most violent movie climaxes ever filmed.

One of the 10 greatest movies ever. Brando's signature film and an inconic movie quote ""I coulda been a contenda!"

First off, If you view this film do NOT miss Stacey Keach's opening monologue. It's absolutely critical to understanding the madness of this film.

Secondly, I don't reccomend this movie unless you're ready for some dark stuff and I'm not talking about walking around at night. Delves into the depths of the human soul, both good and evil. This is one is on par with A Clockwork Orange in terms of its status as brilliantly mind-blowing but almost unbearable to watch at times. Personally, my favorite Stacey Keach role. His Colonel Kane is kind of a messed-up cross between Rambo, Sigmund Freud and a drunken Clint Eastwood at the end of Unforgiven. Granted, there are some hilarious scenes in this movie. This is, afterall, filmed in an insane asylum. But trust me, this is NOT a comedy. Don't let the DVD or Flixster synopsis fool you, either. It's artistic value and social/religious commentary are fairly interesting. William Peter Blatty's direction and cinematography work are in top form. The screenplay adaptation from the novel is superb (it had better be, the director wrote the frickin' book LOL!) and Keach turns in a performance that should have probably been Oscar worthy if not for the overall edginess of the plot. The ending you might find rewarding or disappointing, depending on your own personal beliefs and how patient you are. The film also bogs down about 1/2 through only to pick up like a rocket shot to the moon, which ironically is a central plot point and emphasis of the supporting role of Captain Cutshaw played by Scott Wilson. It will shock you and even horrify you at times. There is a horrendously brutal fight that, essentially, is the climax to the entire film. But Blatty also manages to sneak in some tenderness and believable hope of redemption, which doesn't necessarily make it a happy ending...only a slightly less bleak one. The movie, at the very least, makes you seriously think, which is always the hallmark of good art. If you're in the mood for some very edgy, but smart cinema, I definitely reccomend this film. If you think Harry Potter is edgy, then maybe you should pass on this one.

A stunning psychological thriller with maybe the single most shocking ending of any movie ever made. Truthfully, when you first saw this did YOU see the ending coming? Even as grisly and dark as this film was I didn't see that final plot twist coming and when it hit I came away shocked, apalled and with a sick feeling in my stomach. What a great ending! A phenomenal cast with Pitt, Freeman and Kevin Spacey at his all-time best. "What's in the box????!!!!!" That's all that needs said.

A Hollywood icon. Sean Connery's first Bond movie is the most enjoyable and is the sexiest one of the seven 007 films he did. Ursula Andress' emergence from the ocean is the all-time best Bond girl moment.

In what might seem cheesy to some, comes across as raw, edgy and profoundly strong to others. "Warriors, come out to plaaaaaayyeeeeee!!!!""""

The story and dialogue were good, but the filmmaking and cinematography fell short somehow.

One of the few movies I can stomach with Tommy boy. A fantastic cast regardless.

The movie was fantastic until they got out of boot camp. For some reason it when to hell after that.

A fun homage to Kung Fu movies. Uma Thurman's Beatrix Kiddo is done so well you actually find yourself rooting for a cold-hearted killer. And now with David Carradine gone, these movies take on an even eerier feel. Maybe Carradine's best movies. RIP Kane. Tarentino at his best. LOVED LOVED LOVED IT!

Though not the bloodbath of Volume I, this one was a very good movie in its own right. More cerebral in many aspects. You discover the backstory between Beatrix and Bill. You learn more about Beatrix's training. The battle between Beatrix and Elle (Darryl Hannah) is just not the best girlfight I've ever seen it's one of the best 1-on-1 fights in cinematic history. Tarentino shows off his best talents in this film because he takes away all the blood and gore and gives us an ending that is memorable. Made even more eerie with the passing of David Carradine. Watch both Volume I and 2 together.

The best of the prequel trilogy and the third-best in the entire saga. Lucas does a spectacular job of transforming Anakin into Darth Vader. It evoked senses of disgust and sorrow for the characters. I really felt heartbreak for them. Ian McDiarmid's Emperor Palpatine was absolutely fantastic. Hayden Christiansen turned in a good role as the fallen Anakin. MUCH better than his Episode II performance. Movies where the bad guys triumph are always hard to swallow, but it was necessary in this instance to set up Episode IV. Made A New Hope a much more enjoyable film.

I must admit the Ewoks killed my Star Wars buzz a little, but I still loved this movie. A great way to end the saga. Luke's final battle with Vader and the Emperor is worth multiple viewings. Luke redeeming Anakin Skywalker was very powerful.

Though I thought its Best Picture Oscar win was more for the trilogy as a whole than for this movie in particular, it's still very good. Frodo's final fight with the ring and Gollum is a classic scene.

One of the top 10 westerns ever and one of the greatest casts of actors ever assembled. A veritible All-Star game of talent.

The single greatest Kung Fu movie ever made. So well acted that you don't mind the subtitles.

The only X-Rated movie to get an Oscar nod. Worth watching once just to see Dustin Hoffman's performance.

One of the 50 greatest movies ever. Delightfully mirthy and dark with very good acting, dialogue and a fanastic story. The movie that launched the Coen Brothers careers and invented a movie genre all its own (i.e. the mirthy mind-fu#@). Awesome, awesome, awesome. You might also start talking with that Canadian/North Dakota accent after viewing. Just a warning.

An all-time classic. Maybe the best adaptation of The Odyssey ever and definitely one of the best comedies.

ONe of the 50 greatest movies ever. Cary Grant's best role and a masterpiece of cinematography.

I'm partial to The Good, the Bad & The Ugly, but still a manificent western.

One of the most mind-blowing movies of all time. De Niro and Christopher Walken were magnificent together. It's a shame they haven't done more movies together because their acting talent is unparalleled. Check out the Russian Roulette scene. Very dark but very deep and powerful in its own right.

Second only to The Sound of Music in terms of all-time greatest musicals. Somehow manages to make dancing men look tough and menacing without making it look silly. A superb adaptation of Romeo & Juliet and one of the greatest movies, period, ever made.

Before Mel went insane he made sweeping epics like this one. Aside from the ending being historically wrong and kind of cheesy, was the kind of movie that comes around only once a generation anymore.

The only 2 movies over the last 12 years that were stronger than Crash were Mystic River and American Beauty.

I absolutely loved this. Check out the scene where Bill Murray chats with the Wu-Tang Clan. Classic stuff.

One of the top 50 movies ever made. Natalie Portman's acting performance at such a young age steals the show from everyone, which really says something considering how mind-blowingly brilliant Gary Oldman is in this movie. One of the most creatively shot films ever made. Director Luc Besson is a master at creating shots that are both visually pleasing, but do so without interrupting the flow of the movie. A superb script with a great storyline. A bit violent. We are dealing with mafia hitmen and crooked DEA agents afterall. But you won't mind the violence so much because it's integral to the underlying moral of the story, which is redemption.