As much as I'd love to debate and discuss all films, I have to at least start with personal reviews and more specifically : My own top 10 favorites of all time. Give you guys kind of an idea of what I personally consider my all-time favorite movies, and I'd like to take a Top 10 approach to these things, to all things really!
As always, it's just a mere opinion, some of my selections may be popular choice, and others may be way off the board. But I hope my selections at least compare to bigtime movie fans, serious movie fans, and the random viewers alike, I also hope the ones I've picked (not out of a hat mind you, this took years of work! I swear!) can either coincide with what you've already known and loved about such film, or at the very least open you to a film that may be foreign and unfamiliar to you, to maybe give you a new or different insight on what I think to be a gem of a movie.
What I'd really love is to get comments with your own personal favorite top 10's, and with reasons as to why which one would be your number 8 and why your number 2 is second to your number 1.
Let's get different perspectives on why we love the movies that we do for reasons we can discuss and debate. I'll go first (I don't have a choice!) without further ado :
THE SILVER SCREEN JUNKIE'S PERSONAL TOP 10 FAVORITES
( I paused for applause. What? You never clapped at a monitor before?!)
I'll be writing extensive reviews on each selection in the near future but for now, a couple words will suffice.
1 -
The Deer Hunter (1978)
Looks like an odd choice for number 1 all time, I know, but I happen to be a strong believer in friendship and loyalty, and the friendship displayed here by Michael and Nick, portrayed respectively by Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken (best supporting actor Oscar winner) affected me in a way no other film had ever before, especially with what they go through throughout the whole movie. Powerful stuff.
2 -
Platoon (1986)
I know, I know...
another "Vietnam" movie and I do admit I happen to be fascinated by the subject, and yes, war movies happen to be one of my favorite subjects but this film is about much more then that. The raw reality of it, the way the violence is displayed accurately, the way the soldiers feel about one another, the way Oliver Stone captures the jungle (especially the first night ambush scene, my God). One of the most intense moments I've ever seen on film in my life. And there are very few...
3 -
American History X (1998)
I'm a sucker for mind blowing performances. I happen to think Edward Norton was absolutely robbed of an Oscar for his portrayal of Derek Vinyard, and if you've seen most performances from Norton, this one stands out in a way that makes you shiver. But also, the story is brilliantly fascinating on an issue very few directors/filmmakers like to tackle. But it's the performances that stand out the most in this film.
4 -
Forrest Gump (1994)
I HAVE to do it, again, sucker for performances (what can you say about Hanks in this film) but this is the first movie I can remember watching as a kid that made me feel emotionally involved. What a ride! For this film, it's not just the performances that carry the movie. You can really see the directing and writing outdo itself throughout the picture. The story is so original yet it incorperates crucial moments of our real history to set the stage.
5 -
Back To the Future (1985)
Few films have such an unbelievable story/ adventure/ ride; you name it. The concept! The creativity! The car! What makes it a personal favorite for me though is that it's also one of the very first movies I can ever remember seeing as a kid (born 1986), I've felt connected with "Doc" and "Marty" for as long as I can remember as well as the DeLorian (it's just as much a character as the other two). Any time this film comes on the tube, I make time for it, no matter what.
6 -
Fight Club (1999)
A movie that when I watched for the first time, I couldn't get enough of. The story is good but the twist completely caught me off guard. I always hear about how some people saw it coming (good for them I guess) but I enjoy not seeing those types of things coming. I didn't start liking Brad Pitt until I saw this and Edward Norton was only cementing his spot as one of my favorite actors. But the key here is the director who is definitely one of my personal favourites. David Fincher has a beautiful style to his films and I've never seen one I haven't liked from him.
7 -
Léon (The Professional) (1994)
I won't lie, it should probably be higher on my list. I love every single thing about this movie, from the direction to Gary Oldman's portrayal of Stansfield, easily one of my most favorite villains of all time. The movie feels short, but you don't get bored once. Not even for half a second.
8 -
City of God (Cidade de Deus) (2002)
I had heard over and over again about this movie but I had never got around to watching it until years later and when I did, I was blown away. But I mean BLOWN away. Very few movies can shock me like that. I love the cinematography more then anything: the way it's shot, the fact that it's foreign and subtitled takes NOTHING away from the film. Beautifully violent movie.
9 -
Falling Down (1993)
That's right! I put it in there! I love the story and I love what Micheal Douglas does for this movie. One of his most underated performances ever and the ending gets me every time ( a gem from Joel Schumacher no less).
10 -
Goodfellas (1990),
Casino (1995) or
Raging Bull (1980)
I'm cheating! I can't decide! All three brilliant works by Martin Scorsese with Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci headlining the casts. So I'm putting all three of them as my number 10! Raging Bull got De Niro his much deserved best actor Oscar and Goodfellas got Pesci its much deserved best supporting actor Oscar. Love them all.
Honorable Mentions :
One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
JFK (1991)
Born on the 4th of July (1989)
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Remember, there'll be full reviews on each of these movies in the near future, so keep an eye out for those. So if by some chance actual movie fans come across this, please pitch in your own top 10's!
Take care,
The Silverscreen Junkie
I really enjoyed your blog, Silverscreen Junkie! I really can't wait to read more. Here's my own personal list (in no particular order since I love them equally for their own reasons)
ReplyDelete1) Amelie
It's typically French. The heroine depicts something we all strive to be (and she's so adorable). It's a feel-good movie with a happy ending (doesn't leave you with a bummed out feeling but more of hopeful outlook). The colours & feel of the movie, the directing, the acting, the story line, the narrating. Adore this movie
2) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
I'm not into mushy love stories. This is more my idea of romantic movies. The director's done a fantastic job at showing Joel's dull world until Clementine pops along for the ride. The whole process of having someone erased from your memory. Everyone would love to erase a heartbreaking past relationship. Is it worth it though? Even in memories, they love each other. Beautifully written script (couple of lines I love to steal). There's way too much to mention in a simple paragraph but that's it in a nutshell (oh and hell of a performance from both Carrey & Winslet; what I feel is a switcheroo in roles...Carrey usually gets the kooky roles whereas Winslet gets the more pensive characters)
3) Pulp Fiction
Quentin at his best! I don't think he could ever top this (Reservoir Dogs & Kill Bills all get high praise but not as good as this!) He's got a knack for picking a killer soundtrack (and some good spaghetti western inspiration). Fantastic script which dabs into everything from sarcasm to dark humour. All of the story lines keeps me on my toes. I love it all, one of the best "everyone in this movie is linked without knowing it" movie
4) Garden State
Zach Braff's done an outstanding job at both writing and directing this movie. Another classic plot of a girl saving a man from his "demons" or in this case, emotional detachment. It has the feel of an indie movie but richness in every frame of the movie. I have to mention (like every movie) that the soundtrack contains perfectly picked songs from then-obscur indie bands & songwriters which I find is a character in itself as it seems to explain Braff's character's feelings. Natalie Portman's portrayal of an adorable free-spirit (who's also somewhat of a liar) is very credible. This movie is raw in emotions.
5) Edward Scissorhands
The best movie of the many Depp/Burton collaborative work. It's a sort of fairytale which appeals a lot to me. It's very colourful in a sort of 50's advertisement sort of way. I never seem to see Depp in this movie but solely the character which is a very hard thing to accomplish in my opinion. It's sweet and delicately sad. Beautiful soundtrack by the amazing Danny Elfman.
6) 500 Days of Summer
ReplyDeleteAgain, this is the sort of love movie that I adore. I guess I have a thing for narratives too. I like the non-chronigical order of the relationship and above all, it's a realistic take on modern relationships. Complex yet independent women with today's softie sort of men. Great soundtrack which meshes very well with the imagery. Zooey Deschanel is a darling and Joseph Gordon Levitt is one suave hottie.
7) Good Will Hunting
Robin Williams totally swept me with his speech about real love to a young Matt Damon. The script was flawlessly written by Ben Affleck & Damon (which won them an Oscar). The directing and the cinematography (which is very Gus Van Sant!) all did justice to this movie. Much like The Town, I feel Boston had a strong presence in this movie.
8) Almost Famous
Cameron Crowe really took me on a ride with this one. It makes you want to relive the late 70's (or in my case, actually live it) with all of the rock & roll-ness lifestyle. Somewhat based on his own experience, I really felt what the 70's were all about (although from the perspective of rockstars) and makes me so sad that real music is sparse nowadays.
9) C.R.A.Z.Y.
One of the best Quebecor movies I've ever seen
10) tie between Dumb & Dumber / There's Something About Mary
You can laugh at me all you want, these were the days when good comedies weren't all about Adam Sandler's / Judd Apatow's crew. They were honestly a modern take on the slapstick movies they had in the olden days. I think those will be our classics in the future.
Honorable Mentions
Chaplin / Walk The Line / La Vie En Rose
These movies (based on true stories) are so very well filmed with AMAZING acting from main actors to supporting roles alike. I like a lot of 'based on true stories" movies but these are by far my favorites.
Beauty & The Beast -
My favorite Disney movie! Oh but who am I kidding by only picking one? There's so many to choose from. And don't get me started on Pixar!
Run Lola Run -
Entertaining from beginning to end. Various alternatives to a single problematic plot. You really get the feeling that you're rushing along trying to find a solution to Lola's problem. Very original and beautifully shot.
White Oleander -
Haven't read the book but I am SURE this movie does justice to it. This movie certainly didn't get enough praise. Despite being the main actor to a list of star-studded actors, Alison Lohman blew me away.