Favorite Flicks!
A fellow cinephile asked me to make a list of my "Top Ten Films." "That's like asking a dog to pick his favorite tree!" I laughed. "Try!" He challenged. I jabbed back, "How do you choose between Star Wars and The Matrix? Sound of Music and Hairspray? Somewhere in Time and Ghost? Platoon and Saving Private Ryan? Arsenic and Old Lace and Groundhog Day? Pretty in Pink and Juno? For that matter...Django Unchained and Hateful Eight?" Well, that slowed him down, but not enough to get him to back down.
Rather than assert the impossibility of such a task, I started naming my "favorites" in each genre, and he was compelled to go head-to-head. This was a game changer. Not only did he go well beyond his initial "ten," but he also realized that his cine-file was crammed full of really awesome films.
For almost an hour, we ping-ponged, reverently, adding merits like, "Best Cinematography, Best Story, Best Twist, Best Jokes, Best Action Sequence, Best Ensemble, Best Love Scene, Best Production Design, and so on." Our conclusion: There's no REVERENT way to pick only TEN!
Historical Epics--
Midway (2019), Dunkirk (2017), Hidden Figures (2016), Hacksaw Ridge (2016),
Twelve Years a Slave (2013),
The Help (2011), Pearl Harbor (2001),
The Green Mile (1999), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Titanic (1997), Amistad (1997)
Braveheart (1995), Shawshank Redemption (1994), Legends of the Fall
(1994), Schindler's List (1993),
The Last of the Mohicans (1992),
Dances With Wolves (1990), The Last Emperor (1987), Platoon (1986),
Roots (1977), The Great Escape (1963);
The Ten Commandments (1956)
Dramas--
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019),
Argo (2012),
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006),
Brokeback Mountain (2005),
A Beautiful Mind (2001), Cast Away (2000), Pleasantville (1998),
What the Deaf Man Heard (1997),
Good Will Hunting (1997), Apollo 13 (1995),
Forrest Gump (1994), What's Eating
Gilbert Grape (1993), Leap of Faith (1992)
A Few Good Men (1992),
A League of Their Own (1992),
Regarding Henry (1991),
Steel Magnolias (1989),
Dead Poets Society (1989), Beaches (1988),
Rain Man (1988), Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Terms of Endearment (1983),
War Games (1983),
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Comedies--
I Feel Pretty (2018), Kingsmen: The Golden Circle (2017), The Heat (2013),
21 Jump Street (2012) Bridesmaids (2011),
The Other Guys (2010), The Hangover
(2009), Night at the Museum (2006),
Talladega Nights (2006),
The Terminal (2004), Anchorman (2004),
Napoleon Dynamite (2004), School of Rock (2003), Miss Congeniality (2000),
The Big Lebowski (1998), Liar Liar (1997),
Kingpin (1996), Tommy Boy (1995),
Groundhog Day (1993),
My Cousin Vinny (1992),
City Slickers (1991), What About Bob (1991),
The Naked Gun (1988), Big (1988),
Ghostbusters (1984),
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Trading Places (1983),
Stripes (1981), History of the World Pt. 1 (1981), Caddyshack (1980)
Crime Thrillers--The Girl on the Train (2016), Minority Report (2002),
Training Day (2001), Fight Club (1999), Boondock Saints (1999),
Double Jeopardy (1999), The Saint (1997),
Seven (1995), Speed (1994), The Net (1995),
The Fugitive (1993),
The Pelican Brief (1993), Point Break (1991),
The Last Boy Scout (1991),
The Silence of the Lambs (1991),
Sleeping with the Enemy (1991),
Die Hard (1988), No Way Out (1987),
Dog Day Afternoon (1975),
In the Heat of the Night (1967),
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Crime Dramas--
American Hustle (2013), The Boondock Saints (1999), A Simple Plan (1998),
Primal Fear (1996), Fargo (1996),
Seven (1995), Heat (1995),
Pulp Fiction (1994), True Romance (1993),
A Few Good Men (1992), Sea of Love (1989), Black Widow (1987)
Mysteries--
Gone Girl (2014), Prisoners (2013),
Shutter Island (2010), The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009), Zodiak (2007),
The Da Vinci Code (2006), Gone Baby Gone (2007), Mystic River (2003), L.A. Confidential (1997), The Usual Suspects
(1995), North by Northwest (1959)
Coming of Age--
The Way, Way Back (2013), Juno (2007),
Almost Famous (2000), American Pie (1999), School Ties (1992),
My Girl (1991), Dead Poet's Society (1989),
Pretty in Pink (1986), Stand By Me (1986),
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986),
The Breakfast Club (1985),
Sixteen Candles (1984), The Outsiders
(1983), American Graffiti (1973),
The Graduate (1967)
Gang & Gangster Dramas--
The Irishman (2019), The Departed (2006),
Gangs of New York (2002), Casino (1995), The Usual Suspects (1995),
Pulp Fiction (1994), Reservoir Dogs (1992),
Goodfellas (1990), The Untouchables (1987),
Scarface (1983), The Outsiders (1983),
Godfather (1972)
Westerns--
The Hateful Eight (2015), Django Unchained (2012), Brokeback Mountain (2005), Maverick (1994),
Far and Away (1992), Tombstone (1993), Young Guns (1988),
Romantic Comedies--Silver Linings Playbook (2012), Crazy Stupid Love (2011), 50 First Dates (2004),
The Wedding Singer (1998),
As Good As It Gets (1997), While You Were Sleeping (1995), Dave (1993),
Groundhog Day (1993),
Sleepless in Seattle (1993),
Look Who's Talking (1989),
When Harry Met Sally (1989), Big (1988),
Coming to America (1988),
Moonstruck (1987),Overboard (1987),
Coming to America (1988),
Mannequin (1987), Can't Buy Me Love (1987), Tootsie (1982),
It Happened One Night (1934)
Romantic Dramas--
Chocolat (2000), Notting Hill (1999),
Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998), What Dreams May Come (1998),
Shakespeare in Love (1998),
Phenomenon (1996), Sabrina (1995),
First Knight (1995),
Milk Money (1994), Sommersby (1993),
It Could Happen to You (1992), The Bodyguard (1992), Working Girl (1988),
Say Anything (1989), Always (1989), Cocktail (1988), Mystic Pizza (1998)
Dirty Dancing (1987),
The Pick-up Artist (1987), Top Gun (1986),
Flashdance (1983),
An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)
Supernatural/Fantasy/Romances--
Winter's Tale (2014), Midnight in Paris
(2011), The Time Traveler's Wife (2009),
Twilight (2008), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), Enchanted
(2007), Stardust (2007), Just Like Heaven
(2005), 13 Going on 30 (2004),
Serendipity (2001), Meet Joe Black (1998),
City of Angels (1998), Heart and Souls
(1993), Love Potion No. 9 (1992),
ForeverYoung (1992), Ghost (1990),
Always (1989), Chances Are (1989),
Peggy Sue Got Married (1986),
Splash (1984), All of Me (1984),
Somewhere In Time (1980),
Heaven Can Wait (1978)
Romantic Adventure--
Romancing the Stone (1984),
Jewel of the Nile (1985),
Fantasy--
All Harry Potter (2001-2011),
Stranger Than Fiction (2006),
The Chronicles of Narnia (2005),
The Lord of the Rings (2001),
The Mummy (1999), Clash of the Titans (1981), Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Supernatural Dramas--
Field of Dreams (1989),
Supernatural Thrillers--
Premonition (2007), Dragonfly (2002),
What Lies Beneath (2000), The Gift (2000), Frequency (2000),
Unbreakable (2000), The Sixth Sense (1999), Devil's Advocate (1997),
Flatliners (1990), Firestarter (1984),
The Dead Zone (1983),
Supernatural Horrors--
Pet Sematary (1989), Child's Play (1988),
Children of the Corn (1984), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Christine (1983),
Poltergeist (1982), Carrie (1976),
The Exorcist (1973)
Science Fiction--Safety Not Guaranteed (2012), Source Code (2011),
Inception (2010), Transformers (2007),
The Matrix (1999),
Bicentennial Man (1999),
Men In Black (1997), Contact (1997),
Independence Day (1996), Jurassic Park
(1993), Terminator 2: Judgment Day
(1991), The Abyss (1989) Back to the Future (1985), Return of the Jedi (1983), ET (1982), Tron (1982),
Bladerunner (1982), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Star Wars (1977)
Superhero Adventures--
Avengers: Endgame (2019),
Captain Marvel (2019), Black Panther (2018), Wonder Woman (2017), Doctor Strange (2016), Man of Steel (2013),
The Avengers (2012), Thor (2011),
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011),
Iron Man (2008), Batman Begins (2005), The Incredibles (2004),
Spider-Man (2002), X-Men (2000),
Batman (1989), Superman (1978)
Musicals--Rocketman (2019), La La Land (2016), Burlesque (2010), Mamma Mia (2008), Chicago (2002),
Anastasia (1997), A Chorus Line (1985),
Amadeus (1984), Grease (1978),
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975),
The Sound of Music (1965),
West Side Story (1961), Singin' in the Rain (1952), The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Musical Dramas--
Yesterday (2019), A Star is Born (2018), Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), Jersey Boys (2014),
Whiplash (2014), Step-Up (2006),
Dreamgirls (2006), Walk The Line (2005),
Ray (2004), Selena (1997), What's Love Got to do With It (1993),
The Doors (1991), Dirty Dancing (1987),
La Bamba (1987), Purple Rain (1984),
Footloose (1984), Flashdance (1983),
The Buddy Holly Story (1978), Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Musical Comedies--
Pitch Perfect (2012), Hairspray (2007),
School of Rock (2003), Sister Act (1992),
That Thing You Do (1996),
The Commitments (1991),
Blues Brothers (1980)
Biographical/Sport Dramas--
The Fighter (2010), The Blind Side (2009),
Invincible (2006), Coach Carter (2005),
Million Dollar Baby (2004), Remember The Titans (2000), Rudy (1993),
A League of Their Own (1992), White Men Can't Jump (1992), The Karate Kid (1984),
Rocky (1976);
Disney and/or Pixar Animations--
Toy Story 1-4 (1995-2019), Coco (2017),
Up (2009), The Incredibles (2004),
Finding Nemo (2003), Monsters, Inc. (2001), Mulan (1998), A Bug's Life (1998), James and the Giant Peach (1996), Pocahontas (1995),
Lion King (1994), Beauty and the Beast (1991), The Little Mermaid (1989),
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Pete's Dragon (1977), Mary Poppins (1964)
Dreamworks Animations--
Megamind (2010), Madagascar (2005),
Shrek (2001), Antz (1998)
Family Favorites--
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2009),
Spy Kids (2001), The Parent Trap (1998),
Jack Frost (1998), Matilda (1996), Blank Check (1994), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993),
The Sandlot (1993), Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken (1991), Hook (1991), Home Alone (1990), Honey, I Shrunk The Kids
(1989), All Dogs Go To Heaven (1989),
The Princess Bride (1987),
Gremlins (1984), A Christmas Story
(1983), The Muppet Movie (1979),
Charlotte's Web (1973), Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971), Miracle on 34th Street (1947), It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
Action/Adventure--
Taken (2008), The Bourne Identity (2002), The Fast and the Furious (2001), Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000), Timecop (1994), Blade (1998), Rush Hour (1998),
Armageddon (1998), Mission Impossible (1996), Speed (1994), True Lies (1994), Point Break (1991), The Last Boy Scout (1991), Total Recall (1990),
Die Hard (1988), Bloodsport (1988),
Lethal Weapon (1987), Robocop (1987),
The Running Man (1987), The Delta Force (1986), The Terminator (1984),
Beverly Hills Cop (1984), First Blood
(1982), 48 Hours (1982), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Mad Max (1979), Enter the Dragon (1973), Death Wish (1974)