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I enjoy movies - who doesn't? I must admit I am a little infatuated with Los Angeles and the "Hollywood" promise. Movies can be a microcosm of the world, or is it the other way around? Though I don't make it to theatres very often, I do have cable, and enjoy a well-told story. I love Science Fiction, action, believable characters and "human interaction" whether it is man/woman, parent/child, rock star/body guard, etc. Happy endings are not required, but preferred. You can't watch a good movie when there are commercials. And yes, even though there isn't (or shouldn't be) much interaction, a good movie is best shared. And a really good movie can be watched more than once.
Editor's note: I haven't added any new films in a while, sorry. But these stand as recent modern classics. Perhaps soon I will have the time to expand on this gripping topic.
Feedback? Corrections? You'd probably reach me fastest HERE. Suggestions (with justifications) are welcome. Movies I REALLY didn't/don't like: gratuitous killing (a la "Natural Born Killers", "Face Off, "Saw I,II,III,IV or V", etc.) and movies about unredeemable losers (e.g. "White Men Can't Jump", "Dumb and Dumber", etc.). Redeemable losers are okay in my book (e.g. "The Jerk" or maybe "Leaving Las Vegas"). I wasn't into teen movies even when I was a teen. Tell me a story. Make it come to life. Let me lose myself in the piece for a little while.
In no particular order, my favorites: *discuss* |
| the shawshank redemption |
Instinctively, I don't like movies about prisons or prison life, but this is Steven King at his finest, every frame is just right. Morgan Freeman is perfect, it was true to the novella (to its credit), and the finale is wonderfully uplifting. |
| groundhog's day |
Not a wasted moment in this film, it is fun watching Bill Murray evolve, and it's fun watching Andie MacDowell. See it from the beginning, it's paced perfectly.
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get shorty |
I knew there was one that John Travolta was in that was in this hallowed group. A movie within a movie. I love that. Be Cool will probably be cool.
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the player |
Another movie within a movie. A sly stylish classic (based on stars alone it contains the who's who of 90's Hollywood). Slick and clever. Lots of cameos. |
a hard day's night
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The Beatles - you might like them or you might not care, but as "a day in the life" movies go this one is tops. It's black and white, but that does not detract from it at all. It is a blast watching these pop icons go through recording sessions, rehearsals, interviews, performances at a pace that was surely not too far from their actual daily lives. And their antics and attitude make them quite lovable. But I was lucky enough to be alive when they hit, and know first-hand what that meant to so many. "Help", also directed by Richard Lester, is as much fun, and nearly as good. |
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raising arizona |
If you haven't seen this movie... well whatsamattayou? I knew I had (at least) one favorite with Nicholas Cage. This is it. The Cohen brothers' first outing, as far as I know. It's tongue-in-cheek all the way, not nearly as dark as Fargo. |
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fargo |
Oh okay. I wasn't going to put this one in here, but if you haven't seen it, and you don't have an aversion to some violence, then you should. Interesting. Intriguing. Disturbing. Funny.
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mad max |
The first one was good (recommended), but this one is epic. Mel Gibson is one tough guy and the Australian Outback has become one tough place for those poor post-apocalyptic survivors. No love story here, but a happy ending.
| M*A*S*H |
I was in my mid-teens when I saw this movie. It's really nothing like the TV series, and though disjointed at times, that almost adds to the rough edges that gave it a modicum of sex, desparation and gritty realism. |
| field of dreams |
I watched this again recently, and was grateful nobody else was around at the time, as toward the end I was all choked up. I have no explanation, or excuse, don't care. But if a movie can do that to me, I'm all for it -- it made the list (and that's how Jerry Maguire got there, too). |
jerry maguire
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Renee Zellweger's face as she watches Tom Cruise interact with her "son", is absolutely priceless. A come-from-behind victory. |
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woody allen |
Gee, I guess this isn't exactly a movie. Let's say "annie hall". No... "everything you wanted to know about sex (but were afraid to ask)". No, no, "mighty aphrodite". I'm sorry, I meant "hannah and her sisters", no, "purple rose of cairo". He's troubled at times, but wise, and usually very entertaining. |
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being john malkovich |
Didn't see this right away, I was afraid I'd hate it. But I was pleasantly impressed. I don't know if this one will stay on the "top 38" list, but it's recommended. You do like quirky movies with dark humor, right? |
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la confidential |
I can't explain it, but it had class, good cast, acting and locale, complex story (mol). Decent period piece. |
| brazil |
Speaking of quirky movies with dark humor, this one is as visually dark as they come (which disturbs some, I'm afraid). But if you go in with the right attitude, it's profound. Directed by the American Monty Python (Terry Gilliam). |
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monty python and the holy grail |
Speaking of Monty Python, this is a hilarious farce by that bizarre British comedy troupe. Pay attention, or you'll miss some of the subtle details that make this a "must see" movie for comedy buffs. "Neeeh!" |
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big |
Tom Hanks in a light but memorable role. Like Chauncy Gardner in "Being There", child-like things the kid-turned-adult says are interpreted as wisdom, sarcasm or dry wit, and therefore accepted by those around him. It's a warm, well-written film, an interesting study in relationships, and I like it. |
| se7en |
Just when you thought I was all fluff. This is a gritty, disturbing movie, but it is a story well-told, Morgan Freeman is excellent and Brad Pitt, well he didn't hurt the movie much. It was the first time I remember seeing Gwyneth. |
lord of the rings:
any of them |
Saw the first one in San Luis Obispo at the Fairmont (classic old-style one-large-screen theatre). Wonderful visual effects, entracing story, maybe a little too long, but what to cut?
Two Towers was no less spectacular, and though there might have been some continuity issues, it was beautifully done.
Finally saw the third one. Good resolution. One problem -- why would Peter Jackson make an already over-long movie even longer with the grueling slo-mo sequences up the mountain? It was starting to drag at that point anyway, I remember being annoyed about that. The rest of it -- beautiful. Did the lady who plays Mrs. Aziz on the 2005 24 play Smiegel?
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| pay it forward |
This is a feel-good (for the most part) movie with a feel-bad ending. Still, touching performances and concept. |
| Léon (aka the professional) |
Another seamless movie (Gary Oldman's character (he played a horribly corrupt DEA agent) was a little over the top. Natalie Portman and Jean Reno were both excellent. Lots of violence, but there's a "love" story in there, too. |
| reservoir dogs |
I felt this one was better than the popular 'Pulp Fiction' two years later. Disturbing, graphic, but the cinematography, acting, continuity and dialog are superb. |
| the american president |
Michael Douglas's character is the president we WISH we had. This was a clever script, a great premise, well portrayed. Good "suspension of disbelief". |
| the devil wears prada |
Light fare but good performances. More a chick flick than not. Meryl Streep was, as always, a pleasure to watch. |
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tough guys don't dance |
Wow. Talk about a gritty dysfunctional group of bizarre characters, It was sometimes hard to follow, but had just the right touch of mystery and "film noir" (and I called it that before I looked at Maltin's limp-wristed review in the IMDb). Ryan O'Neal seemed out-of-place at first, and the perfect choice by the end, and then there's Isabella. *sigh* |
| bridge on the river kwai |
Top to bottom a great movie. An epic. Get comfy and sit it out. |
| the great escape |
Not as great as 'Kwai', but full of excellent actors, action, and no Colonel Klink. |
| the thing (1982) |
Great special effects, eerie story and location. Kurt Russell has shed his Disney "clean guy" image once and for all. Fun, tense ride. DO NOT eat before seeing this film.
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harold and maude
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This dates me, but what the heck. Bud Cort (who was in M*A*S*H) was so perfect for this role I don't think Hollywood could look at him differently for years. Dark, defiant, funny story, a good snapshot of the era (produced in 1971 - sixties tinged). Better than Brewster McCloud. Cat Stevens music throughout (which worked well). Harold and Maude web site |
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One of my all-time favorite movies, extremely rewatchable. The hero (or heroine) is clearly a woman, which is grand. "Alien" had too much artificial tension. This one has so much genuine tension it was tough to sit through the first time at the theatre. I thought it had a happy ending. |
| the omen |
Another classic "horror" movie best seen when undistracted. Pssst. It's about the second coming. 666. The sequels are okay, especially Omen II, but this one is top-notch. Not for the squeamish. |
| jaws |
My only complaint is that it scared the begeebers out of so many who would have otherwise enjoyed a recreational swim in the ocean. |
| the terminator |
What can I say? |
| terminator II |
The third one was not a "classic" by comparison, and the ending... Well, that's depressing... But it was good to see Governor Schwartzenegger dust off the leather suit one last(?) time.
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| a clockwork orange |
Futuristic masterpiece. |
| the limey |
Be patient - this is a subtle great LA film not about LA. Well paced cinematic masterpiece of dialog, continuity, and plot. And they told Terrance Stamp to sound as bloody Cockney as he could. Some great quotes in there I'm writing down the next time I see it. Inspired continuity.
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| 2001 |
Considering the time (1969) the special effects are excellent! If the Columbia hadn't exploded, we might be closer to Kubrick's vision of the future. |
| west side story |
Great score, acting and dancing. Haven't seen it in over 20 years, but it still strikes me, I'll probably get it as a DVD. Very few musicals are going to be on my list. Musicals are far better live.
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| accidental tourist |
What a sad, quaint, wonderful story. Geena Davis was well-cast.
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| soylent green |
Starring Charlton Heston. Even today, this serves as a stark portrayal of a possible (overpopulated) future. I remember after seeing this movie in the theatre I was thrilled about trees, clean air, and jars of strawberries.
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| liar, liar |
There are some parts of this movie that made me laugh so hard it hurt. |
| good morning, vietnam |
Ditto for this one, especially once radio personality Robin Williams gets on-air. Later, it seems to get a little uneasy and nearly controversial. |
| catch-22 |
A grim but satisfying look at war. Well-made, packed with stars of the era. Additional review. |
| blade runner |
What an incredible "look" this flick maintains throughout. Voice-over or not, Harrison Ford is great as the reluctant bounty hunter. |
| the fifth element |
What a hoot! |
| the sixth sense |
I like (reluctant hero) Bruce Willis. Well-crafted. Great ending. |
| unbreakable |
Same writer, and also has a wonderfully unexpected twist at the end. |
| a fist full of dollars |
The original spahgetti western. Not for thinking too hard, but good story, action and bravado. "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" had a broader sweep, but somehow this one gets the nod. |
| the outlaw jose wales |
Follow a succession of very bad guys that Clint Eastwood aptly dispatches. |
| where eagles dare |
Okay, so I like Clint Eastwood. This one has Richard Burton, too. |
| roxanne |
Witty, funny, touching (and sure, sometimes silly). Steve Martin is wonderful, and Darryl Hannah is... well... Darryl Hannah. |
| jumanji |
I know I'll take some flak for this one, but if you sit down and watch it, you'll see it has all the ingredients of a "classic". And talk about your happy endings... You have to really try hard to not like Robin Williams.
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| three days of the condor |
This is an excellent "reluctant" spy thriller, Robert Redford is perfect in this role. |
| the hunt for red october |
Alec Baldwin and Sean Connery in a Tom Clancy thriller, what's not to like? |
| honorable mentions |
| alien |
Ok, I guess if we hadn't had "Aliens" to compare it to, this would stand out as one of the best horror flicks of all time (it may be sci-fi, but it's HORROR). Aliens is Alien x 100. The alien is based on an H.R.Giger work whom they didn't seem to want to credit. |
| dave |
Kevin Kline plays an unlikely but lovable pretend president (we've seen our share of them), this must be an Ivan Richtman script (yup, it is). It's good to be king. |
| the jerk |
Steve Martin definitely gets you laughing, this is silly and fun. |
| grand canyon |
Danny Glover and Alfre Woodard have a scene when they first start dating, with chemistry you can practically smell. Kevin Kline is always interesting when he isn't doing an accent. Steve Martin is underused in a non-comic role, but it's a scary, touching film. |
| ferris bueller's day off |
This one put Matthew Broderick on the map. Great "Chicago" piece. |
| adventures in babysitting |
This is another "Chicago" area flick, and features a very young Elizabeth Shue. It is nearly silly, with a heart. |
| the blues brothers |
Classic "Chicago" flick (third in my trilogy), great cameos and musicians. What a romp! The late great John Lee Hooker played a street music scene. |
| it's a mad, mad, mad, mad world |
Speaking of great cameos, this over-the-top comedy was full of action and laffs. If you're too young to know who Jimmy Durante is, then you might not recognize some of the many "special guests" that drop into this old gem. |
| dreamscape |
A striking sci-fi thriller starring Dennis Quaid. Someone wants to murder the president in his sleep. Good effects, if memory serves. |
| apocalypse now |
I guess. |
| time bandits |
Fun and silly.
| music man, patton, cabaret, gunga din, wait until dark, garbo speaks, blue velvet, the magic christian |
Good Stuff. |
| green mile, saving private ryan, punchline, (yes, I like Tom), fight club (grim but pointed) |
Newer Good Stuff. |
| princess bride, yellow submarine, labyrinth, willow |
For the kids. |
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Mark Scott, All Rights Reserved.
