My Favorite Movies
Here is my all-time top 100 favorites in order. It's the creme de la creme!
| supdawg1985's Rating | My Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
North by Northwest (1959, Unrated)
I simply cannot do this film justice. It's perhaps the most visually and aurally amazing movie I've seen. From the classic opening sequence accompanied by Bernard Hermann's exhilirating score, the audience knows they are in for a spectacle. Roger Thornhill is a suave business man who answers the wrong page at a restaurant and is mistaken as an undercover spy. From there on out, the story unfolds with twists and turns at every corner, and Thornhill finds himself in a pursuit of answers, romance, and just trying not to get "slightly killed" as he tries to clear his name. There are classic scenes consuming almost the entire three or so hours, and between the action is a great comedic performance by Grant and witty dialogue, especially between he and his love interest (Eva Marie Saint). Another thing to love about this movie is it's whole nature of unpredictability. This leaves things open for moments of shock and an eagerness to see what happens next, and how it plays out. Hitchcock doesn't disappoint with the ending either. The last 15 minutes or so are flawless and resolves the story with a banging, satisfying conclusion. This movie is my favorite Hitchcock movie, and was ahead of it's time. It can be considered one of the first action movies, and one of the best. 6/5. |
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| 2 |
Army of Darkness (1993, R) |
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| 3 |
Cabin Boy (1994, PG-13) |
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| 4 |
GoodFellas (1990, R) |
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| 5 |
Sling Blade (1997, R) |
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| 6 |
12 Angry Men (Twelve Angry Men) (1957, Unrated)
A movie I popped in on a boring night because I had atleast heard it was pretty good...and yeah, it's pretty good alright. The chemistry between all the actors was magical. It may have taken place in basically one room, but I was so reeled in I didn't even care. On top of the entertaining clashes between the angry men, it holds a pretty good moral stance as well. All in all, unforgettable! |
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| 7 |
Eraserhead (1977, Unrated)
It took me a fourth viewing to appreciate this movie completely. Coming in with the right mindset is key, and I was pretty much blown away. I really urge people who are planning on seeing this, to not expect a traditional movie with everything plain and clear, because what needs to be understood is that this movie can't be understood...on the surface anyway. The way I enjoy this movie is as an experience of emotion and feeling. It's an amazing trip into the deepest, darkest realms of the human brain, unlocking thoughts from a stream of subconciousness and portraying them as distorted, symbolic, and almost hyperbolic images. Nightmarish and surreal, the world of Henry is painted dark and bleak : the post-modern landscape almost gives a sense of an apocalyptic after world, and the hums of the surrounding industrial wasteland beats like a slow and steady drum. These things really add a lot to the themes of loneliness, depression, apprehension, and anxieties, which are vividly splattered within the awkwardness of Henry's life and impending parenthood - and therein lies the central story. It is the sense of an inferiority-complex that comes with something that is unknown to Henry, and even perhaps the dread of responsibilities that could lock him up for the rest of his life. He feels hopelessly drowned in his despair, and looks for anyway out, whether it be real or fantasy. That is just one interpretation anyway, and the beauty of this film is that there is so much open room for each viewer to make it make sense in their own way. Horrifying, thought-provoking, original, and with an atmosphere that soaks up each scene like a sponge, this movie is a landmark in cinema. |
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| 8 |
The Shawshank Redemption (1994, R)
An engaging story that drips with intrigue. There are likable character that you symphathize with and there are the hateful antagonists that make it all the better once Robbins gets his redemption. Complex on different levels and the subplots intertwine to make it an eyes-glued-to-the-screen 2 and a half hours. |
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| 9 |
Groundhog Day (1993, PG) |
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| 10 |
Fargo (1996, R) |
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| 11 |
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948, Unrated)
Combining exciting action and adventure with textured, detailed character studies, and wrapping it all up with sparkling cinematography, this movie is a stunning achievement that satisfies thoroughly on all facets. We are first taken into the sad, poverty striken world of Fred Dobbs, as he scraps his way just to make a buck, until a "golden" opportunity presents itself when a wiley old prospector tells stories of gold mining out in the Sierra Madre. Fred, alongside his partner, end up teaming up with the prospector, in what originally starts as an honest expedition, but it slowly winds it's way down a path of greed and lust. Moments of mistrust and paranoia encapsulates the group, as the fear of being left out to dry wiggles it's way non-too subtly into the characters' psyche. Among the internal problems within the group, there is also resistance in the form of the brutal wilderness, a suspicious outsider, and most memorably, pesky bandits in disguise as federalis, claiming "they don't need no stinkin' badges!" Entertaining as it all is, what ties the movie together is the morality tale, which takes a seeming level headed man and shows a descent into evil and madness, portrayed most effectively during the suspenseful climax once Fred is alone with his partner. While I could nitpick and say that Bogart's laughs were over the top, or that it is a little slow to get going, this is about as flawless as a movie can get. |
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| 12 |
Raging Bull (1980, R) |
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| 13 |
Rear Window (1954, PG) |
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| 14 |
Raiders of the Lost Ark (Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark) (1981, PG) |
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| 15 |
Jaws (1975, PG) |
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| 16 |
Schindler's List (1993, R) |
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| 17 |
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957, PG)
An astonishing feat by David Lean, and as epic and memorable as his highly regarded classic "Lawrence of Arabia". Set in a prisoner-of-war camp, British soldiers have been captured and defeated and are being held captive by tyrannical Japanese colonel Saito and are to be used to create a bridge that could help Japan's tactics in the war. Clashing differences and the rules of war held up by the Geneva Convention causes a resistance from British officer Colonel Nicholson (played magnificently by Alec Guinness) and it leads to a stand still unless the two sides come to a mutual agreement. Once the bridge's construction takes off, Colonel Nicholson oversees and becomes obsessed with the completion, but Allied forces have another plan. Distinctively split up into a few different acts, it all holds up really well, and hardly ceases to grab attention. The beginning is extraordinary in it's portrayal of Nicholson's stand against the bully of the Japanese, and the intrigue continues with escapee Commander Shears (William Holden) somewhat comical bits. It may lag some during the last half hour, but the suspenseful and gripping ending brings the film to a grand finale that won't be soon forgotten. This is truly a film that lives up to the hype: it's plot and cinematography combined with all around brilliant performances make it one of the best war movies I've ever seen. |
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| 18 |
The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (2001, PG-13) |
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| 19 |
Alien (1979, R)
Finally saw it in it's entirety about a year ago and it's best seen that way. It's droning sense of menace builds up from the get go and once the chest bursts and the ice is broken, all bets are off. Some truly terrifying scenes like the one in the vents and the ending make this not only a sci-fi classic, but a horror one as well. |
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| 20 |
What About Bob? (1991, PG) |
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| 21 |
Dead Alive (Braindead) (1993, R) |
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| 22 |
Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985, PG) |
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| 23 |
Pulp Fiction (1994, R) |
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| 24 |
Raising Arizona (1987, PG-13) |
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| 25 |
No Country for Old Men (2007, R)
This has to be the leading candidate for Best Picture at the upcoming Academy Awards. This grim cat and mouse tale tells of a hunter who thinks he finds himself at the right place at the right time when he discovers a bag full of cash at a rendezvous point, but things quickly get ugly. This movie features one of the scariest villains for any movie I've seen, and this is worth seeing just for that. There is plenty of tension and the Coen Brothers hardly ever let off the pedal. Although the movie could've had a more prevalent theme (it touches bases with a couple), there is such a sense of dread and unpredictability, you'll never feel that anybody is safe and it makes for a very entertaining movie. |
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| 26 |
The Thing (1982, R) |
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| 27 |
Ed Wood (1994, R)
Really intersting movie that takes you to a time when movie-making was starting to boom and young, aspiring artists were trying to make their mark. Johnny Depp portrays Ed Wood as idiotically innocent and ignorant, which seems to be an accurate assessment of the notoriously bad director. It's a really funny biopic with Martin Landau's Bela Lugosi more than often stealing the show with his crude one-liners : "Let's shoot this fucker!". |
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| 28 |
The Graduate (1967, PG) |
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| 29 |
The Fly (1986, R) |
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| 30 |
Election (1999, R)
Takes a rather blase topic of school election and turns it into a hilarious farce. A bit unnecessarily vulgar at times, but it doesn't really rely on that as it has good dialogue and humorous narrations of each characters thoughts. Best part : When Matthew Broderick gets stung in the eye by a bee LMAO! |
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| 31 |
One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975, R) |
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| 32 |
The Exorcist (1973, R)
The things that really have always frightened me weren't really the monsters in the closet or the psychos with the knives...but it's the things that can't be controlled and is of a force greater than mere humans. This movie shows that screwing around with the supernatural and inviting spirits can bring bad results... |
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| 33 |
Back to the Future (1985, PG) |
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| 34 |
Excalibur (1981, R)
The famous legend of King Arthur gets a great tribute here in this mesmerizing movie full of luscious visuals. Every important aspect is covered from the Knights of the Round Table, to Sir Lancelot's story, to the quest for the elusive Holy Grail, and of course, the Sword in the Stone: Excalibur. It wastes no time jumping in setting up the story, showing the somewhat tragic birth of Arthur and the obtaining of the magical Excalibur, which divine power is said to unite the land during a dark time and make he who pulls the sword from the stone, King. What then ensues is Arthur's fear of the power and acceptance by both himself and his people. With the help of Merlin the Wizard he is able to mature into a great King, and his glorious rise is well depicted, but so is the turmoil of sin and corruption that brings a downfall to his kingdom. There is all in all a lot of intrigue story-wise and aurally and visually as well. Classical music is used to great and powerful effect giving the movie a grander scale and everything is enraptured with sparkling cinematography and rich imagery that really gives it an enchanting feel, but that's not to say that the movie is just harmless eye candy. Giving a fair warning, this is quite a gritty and adult-aimed version of the classic tale, so there is some violent battles to be had here, as well as some brief nudity, but it all made it seem more real and it didn't detract from anything. As far as criticism goes, this is a very well received movie overall, but some have complained of a somewhat lack of faithfulness to the original book, but seeing how I never read it, I obviously couldn't nitpick. In fairness, Director Boorman seemed to do a nice job fitting as much as possible into a 140 minute movie. My personal gripe is a small one, but a brief backstory to start would have made things more clear for one's not entirely familiar with everything. As a whole, this stands up to it's mostly high praise, and also stands up to "The Lord of Rings" movies quite nicely too. |
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| 35 |
Ben-Hur (1959, G)
Great story of both redemption and glory through faith during tough times. Epic in every sense of the word, this story shows the tragic demise and rise of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jew who has turned his back against his old friend Messala after refusing to betray his people. Cinematography is a stand out here, especially during the famous chariot race, which also deserves credit for keeping suspenseful even when the end result isn't much in doubt. Also, the music is well done giving this saga an even grander and emotional scope. I guess a lot of positive can be said for a movie that took home 11 Oscars. It's hard to keep attention for almost four hours, but "Ben-Hur' really did hold up nicely. Although there was some sense of anti-climax after the race, it was able to pick back up and recover nicely. An easy movie to hold off, but it's definitely worth the time. |
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| 36 |
Jurassic Park (1993, PG-13) |
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| 37 |
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974, R) |
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| 38 |
The Truman Show (1998, PG) |
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| 39 |
The Pianist (2002, R) |
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| 40 |
American Beauty (1999, R) |
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| 41 |
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006, R) |
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| 42 |
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987, R) |
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| 43 |
This Is Spinal Tap (1984, R)
Hilarious satire of everything in rock and roll from album covers to concert theatrics. It plays out like a caricature, with everything exaggerated, but that's why it's so funny. Each scene is like a classic skit, but it still maintains it's unity. My favorite scene was probably the whole "Stone Henge" concert and the reaction of the band afterwards. Every rock fan/musician should see it! |
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| 44 |
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991, R) |
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| 45 |
Night of the Living Dead (1968, Unrated) |
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| 46 |
The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King (2003, PG-13) |
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| 47 |
Aliens (1986, R) |
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| 48 |
Patton (1970, PG) |
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| 49 |
M (1931, Unrated)
I don't care how old this movie is, it packs a wallop and must have pushed boundaries when it was released. It's significance was even so great that it was used in a Nazi propaganda film. The plot isn't too complicated but it's effective in it's portrayal of a serial killer who is on the loose and wreaking havoc in the German town of Dusseldorf. Children are being kidnapped and killed right on the streets beneath the noses of their parents, but the murderer has left few if any clues behind, making it nearly impossible for the police to hunt him down. The paranoia of the town residents reaches a crescendo and false accusations and tempers flare, causing the police force to buckle down and act at the slightest suspicion. This triggers a disturbance to the underground crime syndicates due to the thick police presence. Trying to get the police off their back in order to operate again, they feel the best solution is to hunt down the child-killer themselves. I am surprised at how well this movie stands up, but it does so because even after all these years, it is much more original than most other crime drama/thrillers I've seen. Visually, it's masterfully shot: the way things are insinuated and shown in shadowy imagery sends off a chilling, primal fear. The raw images stick but the complex characters intrigue. Peter Lorre as the killer isn't just a mindless guy with a knife, but instead he's a three-dimensional man who vividly describes his insatiable compulsion to kill, which is both thought-provoking and scary. It's all around an entertaining and suspenseful watch, all the way to the kangaroo court scene and the race for justice and redemption between the police and the community. The only knock is the sound which goes blank for a couple minutes during certain scenes, but that's not to director Lang's discredit, given the technology back then. Other than that, "M" is a very well put together movie that fascinates and frightens. |
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| 50 |
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939, Unrated) |
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| 51 |
Toy Story (1995, G) |
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| 52 |
Stand by Me (1986, R) |
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| 53 |
Ratatouille (2007, G)
Pixar ups the ante with this highly imaginative and original fish-out-of-water story about an aspiring chef...that happens to be a rat. This was fairly long for an animated movie, but I was impressed at how no minute was wasted here. It could have been tedious, but there was a surprising amount of complexity in this, touching bases with different themes such as friendship, family, deception, superiority, and even a little romance. The CGI was great and so were the gags. The only complaint, really, is that some of the plot might be a bit over the heads of some youngin's. |
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| 54 |
Cast Away (2000, PG-13) |
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| 55 |
Suspiria (1977, R)
Wow, what a hard movie to rate. The beginning of the movie sets the tone with absolutely immersive atmosphere. The death scenes are imaginative and surreal and are like abstract paintings that could actually be considered beautiful with it's use of powerful and rich colors. The middle section, however, falters quite a bit. The ballet scenes are pretty dull and quite cheesy, and the suspense seems to want to build, but too often it bails out on the viewer. The editing was also noticeably poor from scene to scene. The ultimate redeeming quality in this movie is the art direction and music which has some of the best in both categories of any horror movie ever. Weeks after watching it, it haunts my memory because it is so vivid and unnerving. I can appreciate this more because I keep feeling intrigued by it, even if I didn't love it while watching it. It's too bad the plot didn't stack up, or else this would have been amazing...of course plot is a very important component. |
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| 56 |
Deep Red (Profondo rosso) (The Hatchet Murders) (1975, R)
Original horror/suspense film showcases Argento's masterful technique, especially during his ambitious and creative murder scenes. This could be considered an influence to later slasher movies, but is much more complex and less mindless than some of that genre. Things don't take long to get going when a psychic is killed after receiving a vision, as an unknown murderer tries to cover up his/her grisly secret. The main narrative then takes off when a pianist, an eye-witness of the murder, is determined to solve the mystery with help from a reporter and detective. What makes this stand out is some of the horrific imagery throughout, with the doll scene in particular, sending chills. I liked the subtle cleverness of the movie as well, but there were some faults that dragged it down. The half-dubbed in English dialogue drove me crazy, and I feel I missed important clues, so I may have slightly underrated it. Other things that could have been better was the score, which was a little off mood, and the often meandering plotline. The positives defnitely out-weigh the negatives though, and this was a memorable movie. |
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| 57 |
Barton Fink (1991, R) |
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| 58 |
The Seven Samurai (Shichinin no Samurai) (1954, Unrated)
A very long film that inspired "Magnificent Seven" covers a lot of ground during it's 3 and a half hours. The plot takes off from the get go and deals with a village, who's pending doom from wicked bandits, sets off a search for seven worthy Samurais, who will risk thier lives to save them. There are two halves in the movie, split with an intermission: The first half was amazing and the second half was merely good, but as a whole I feel it's essential. The most intriguing part to me was seeing this desperate culture overwhelmed and hopelessly looking for salvation. The whole recruiting part was really well done, giving us a diverse look at Samurais who each had distinct personalities and skill sets. I also commend the way it was handled by director Kurosawa , avoiding trite and formulaic execution. The way of the Samurai is well displayed throughout the movie, from their codes of honor and duty, to the nuances of their rare breed like interactions with the peasants. On top of the characterization was some unforgettable cinematography and camera work, always giving us a geat shot that will sure to stick with the viewer days after the movie ends. It's hard to find fault in this, but the long running time got to me a little by the end. It's hard for me to be reeled in for so long, and is like "Lawrence of Arabia" in that regard. I'm also not as big into clustered battle scenes, even thought it was obviously well done. For those looking for a historic piece of movie-making be sure to check this out. 8.5/10 |
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| 59 |
Paths of Glory (1957, Unrated)
Love or hate him, Stanley Kubrick was a very talented director. He has covered and conquered a wide range of genres from political satire, to artsy sci-fi, to flat out horror, but it was a war movie that really got him noticed when he made the devastating "Paths of Glory". Not an epic like some of his others, but instead, Kubrick elects to go straight for the jugular with a powerful anti-war message. Based on a novel, the movie takes us to World War I as French Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas) is ordered to send his troops on an attack to capture a key enemy stronghold. Even though it is practically a suicide mission, Dax follows the orders from his higher ranking officers, which is one example here of the struggle between chain of command and personal ethics. The attempt is short-lived as many soldiers are barraged by enemy fire, and it forces the others to hastily retreat, but this is not taken lightly by General Mireau, as it prompts him to court martial three soldiers for cowardice. What ensues is a compelling court drama that examines the difference between bravery and sensibility. This is a somewhat similar movie to Clint Eastwood's "Letters From Iwo Jima", in it's promotion for human dignity, and while it isn't as personal or descriptive, it is very moving in it's stance that men should not be simply disposable. To add depth, there is also an underlying story of callousness and personal triumph by the French generals, who pose well as unsympathetic antagonists. From a technical stand point, it is well shot, especially during the trench scenes, and although the battle scene wasn't anything spectacular, Kubrick makes up for it with his visual capturing of emotion, particularly towards the end. With the help of a great dramatic performance by Douglas and a timeless anti-war study, this has been ranked as one of the best war movies ever, and is definitely worth seeing. |
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| 60 |
Batman (1989, PG-13) |
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| 61 |
A Simple Plan (1998, R)
I didn't even know this film existed until I the night I saw it, and it was a pleasant surprise. The story tells of friends from a small town who happen across a sack of millions of dollars, and plan on keeping their discovery a secret. Things then start to get ugly when a tug-of-war between the friends spin things out of control. It's a great story that plays out like a game of Scruples. |
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| 62 |
The Incredibles (2004, PG)
Another worthy addition from Pixar, gives a good push for the best superhero movie ever. What was perhaps most impressive here is how a somewhat tired genre was injected with a lot of freshness, that appeals to both kids and adults. "The Incredibles" takes us to a time when superheroes are domesticated into living a mundane, suburban lifestyle, complete with rush hour traffic jams and leftover meals for dinner. Itching to get back to his glory days, Mr. Incredible gets a chance to rekindle the passion when an opportunity to work for a secret firm comes knocking, but things turn out to be different than what's on the surface: enter superhero family to stop the evil Syndrome and restore peace. Pixar really delivers the goods in the form of rapid action and good satirical pokes at superhero cliches. It doesn't really delve too deep thematically, but there is mention of the responsibilites and acceptance of being a superhero. What makes this most enjoyable though, is the breakneck pace that doesn't hardly let up during it's two hour time frame. |
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| 63 |
Dances With Wolves (1990, PG-13) |
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| 64 |
Of Mice and Men (1992, PG-13)
I'm not gonna be one of those condescending snobs and say that the book was much better...only because I slept through 9th grade English class and can't remember the book well enough. I do know that this was a darn good movie, faithful or not. Sinise was an obvious choice as the protective and brash George, while Malkovich seemed like a possible miscast as Lenny...but boy he pulled out a great performance. Touching story of a lost dream: something that was probably common-theme during the great depression. |
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| 65 |
Citizen Kane (1941, PG) |
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| 66 |
The Shining (1980, R)
Mesmerizing horror story that was hard to watch when I first saw it. There are moments of tension, moments of shock, and moments that'll just stick with you forever, although the scariest thing in the movie might be Shelley Duvall lol. Don't be swayed by the somewhat long running time because the pacing and the momumental build up to the crescendo of insanity is what makes this an all-time horror classic. Much scarier and less cheesier than the made for television version. |
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| 67 |
Gran Torino (2009, R) |
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| 68 |
Misery (1990, R)
I haven't felt so bad for a movie character like this before. The feeling of such helplessness is borderline claustrophobic. I liked how the film just jumped right into the plot too, no beating around the bush. Not too much to complain about here, a well done thriller that had it's fair share of tense moments thanks to that bi-polar bitch! |
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| 69 |
Full Metal Jacket (1987, R) |
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| 70 |
The Passion of the Christ (2004, R) |
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| 71 |
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006, R) |
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| 72 |
Home Alone (1990, PG)
This movie reminds me of myself...it's impossible not to like :) It's got a great feel and charm to the movie thanks to the direction of Columbus, the music of John Williams, and of course, Macaulay Culkin who was woefully replaced in the last two of the series. The booby traps may seem a bit over the top with the violence to some people, but I'm not some people...in fact, let's fast forward to the end! |
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| 73 |
Rosemary's Baby (1968, R)
A wonderfully crafted suspense/thriller by Polanski. I was surprised that it wasn't an all out freak fest, there are definitely scary moments (the dream sequence for instance), but the mystery card is really pushed here. One of the things that makes the movie so great is that the audience feels like Mia Farrow's character, in that they are encapsulated in a bizarre string of events until the evil truth is eventually revealed to them. |
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| 74 |
Flirting With Disaster (1996, R)
I don't think many people know of this comedy, but it's probably my favorite Ben Stiller film. It got great critical reception and has a hilarious plot of a 30 something year old man out on a quest to find his biological parents. The movie was just overall funny. I highly recommend this for someone looking for fun, light-hearted entertainment on a boring night. |
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| 75 |
Vertigo (1958, PG) |
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| 76 |
Freaks (1932, Unrated)
An odd movie from the 30's about circus freaks exacting revenge on a temptress who marries a midget for his inheritance. The build up is great with quite a few memorable scenes, especially given the mere 62 minute running time. Also, considering that the cast were actual "freaks", it made this movie more realistic, even if it meant sacrificing some of the overall acting. I would have liked to give it a little higher rating, but the climax was pretty weak and disappointing in my opinion because it was cut too soon and it was getting really good. Overall, it was a unique experience, and it stands the test of time nicely. |
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| 77 |
Ernest Goes to Africa (1997, PG) |
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| 78 |
The Cable Guy (1996, PG-13) |
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| 79 |
Videodrome (1983, R)
One of the strangest movies I've ever seen, is not for everyone, but there was a good payoff by the end. A sleazy cable tv producer (James Woods) receives an odd signal displaying torture and brutality that he feels could be the new wave of television, but he ends up unraveling a mind bending conspiracy instead when he delves into the origins. The whole premise behind this thought provoking film is that people are being brainwashed by the media, and in this case, a new program called "Videodrome", that transmits frequencies into the mind of it's viewer and causes a brain tumor that sets off hallucinatory visions that blur fantasy and reality. I really liked how challenging this movie was, and there is plenty of surrealistic symbolism that can be interpreted as figurative language of how people are consumed. This satirical bite really gives it an added value. Also standing out in this was the special effects, which were a little silly but cool more often than not. I really didn't care for the beginning but it picked up a good head of steam and I know now not to doubt Mr. Cronenberg. While parts often come through with fuzzy reception, the movie as a whole comes in clear. |
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| 80 |
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004, R) |
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| 81 |
Suburban Commando (1991, PG) |
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| 82 |
Frailty (2002, R) |
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| 83 |
Cape Fear (1962, Unrated)
The 1962 "Cape Fear" proves once again that the original is better than the remake, but not by much. While the remake relied more on an active, violent plot, I liked how this one was more suspenseful and meticulous. On top of that, the casting was perfect for the main leads. Gregory Peck is probably one of the best at playing the straight-faced common man, and Mitchum, like in "Night of the Hunter" proves to be a menacing figure while on screen. With that said, it's hard to knock DeNiro's performance in the 1991 version. This was an altogether surprisingly tension filled thriller (for the time) with the always wonderful Bernard Hermann spicing things up with a great score. |
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| 84 |
First Blood (Rambo: First Blood) (1982, R) |
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| 85 |
On the Waterfront (1954, Unrated)
Downtrodden and guilt-ridden, Marlon Brando puts in a stellar performance as Terry, an overrun union worker who finds himself torn between loyalty and morality. Things take a little while to shape up, as we are bluntly shown the mean streets of which Terry resides, post-mortem of his boxing career, but it becomes quite the involving affair. There are definitely some firey and passionate scenes in this one, that shows off the change endured by Brando, who finally cracks after being tugged by everyone from the priest, his brother, his mob boss, and his new love interest. This ultimately shows how one man can redeem himself, and "become somebody". Not the most entertaining movie, but definitely significant. |
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| 86 |
RocketMan (Rocket Man) (1997, PG) |
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| 87 |
Jacob's Ladder (1990, R) |
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| 88 |
Lawrence of Arabia (1962, PG) |
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| 89 |
It's a Wonderful Life (1946, Unrated) |
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| 90 |
The Deer Hunter (1978, R)
I thought it spent a little too much time in some wrong spots but the overall payoff is devastating as well adjusted friends from a blue collar town learn how the horrors of war can shatter even the most stable of psyches. Watching DeNiro plead to his friend Walken during the final roulette scene was a powerfully tragic moment. Overall, a good take on real, tangible people, so don't expect any John Rambos. |
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| 91 |
Requiem for a Dream (2000, R)
If you ever weren't convinced with how drugs can ruin one's life...check this one out...it shows how it can ruin 4 people's. It starts off showing how happy and how ambitious the characters are, but then shows them all tragically unravel into a life of despair. Relies a little too much of gimmicky camera styles, but the important part is the message. |
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| 92 |
Major League 2 (1994, PG) |
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| 93 |
Forrest Gump (1994, PG-13) |
|
| 94 |
American History X (1998, R) |
|
| 95 |
The Breakfast Club (1985, R) |
|
| 96 |
The Grapes of Wrath (1940, Unrated)
Both heart-breaking and uplifting at the same time, this movie takes us to a bleak time in U.S. history : The Great Depression. The story tells of a persistent family out to fulfill their dream of living a good life, as they head westward to California, after a drought drives them out of Okalhoma. There are so many encounters of hardship in this movie that it makes you grateful for what you have. There is also a very real, and human element throughout the entire film that has you sympathize with the characters, and shows us that we all deserve to be treated with decency and respect. |
|
| 97 |
Predator (1987, R) |
|
| 98 |
RoboCop (1987, R)
Stylish action movie with a dark edge. In the not so distant future in Detroit, a cop is brutally (I mean BRUTALLY) wasted by a batch of real bad asses, and is left for dead. With a race between a couple of corporate businessman fighting for their technology to be featured as the premiere police defense system, Robocop is built to protect and serve. A biting satirical edge along with big-time action propels this must see action movie. |
|
| 99 |
Psycho (1960, R)
Haven't seen it in it's entirety in awhile, but there are definitely some moments of shock that stuck with me. It certainly shouldn't be reduced to a movie about shock value though, because it's too smart of a story and Hitchcock employs his magic with haunting atmospheres and suspense. It must have been hard for audiences to handle this back in 1960! |
|
| 100 |
Casablanca (1943, PG)
Ahh, here it is, one of the greatest films ever made. It's really unfair sometimes to have that mindset before seeing a movie, because I hate to say that I was disappointed. I liked this movie quite a bit, but when thinking subjectively I am not gonna say I LOVE it because I'm "supposed" to. Any way, there's nothing really to bash here, because it is very well made. To anyone not familiar with this, the plot basically depicts a club owner (Rick) who gets caught in a love triangle during a very tumultous time in North Africa's Casablanca. Rick is a very valuable man to his former lover and her husband, a resistance leader against the Nazis, because he holds something more precious than gold - two rights of transit to leave and get to America. Rick ultimately has to decide what the right thing is to do as he's split between love and virtue. Sacrifice was such a huge part of life I'd imagine during WWII, and it is hammered down with great force in this movie. While this may not be in my top 10 favorite movies, it features plenty of classic dialogue and legendary scenes. |




































































































