Film Prophet's Top
Greatest U.S. MoviesFrom
150 to 1...
150. Chicago (2002)
Directed by Ron Marshall with a stupendous cast that
includes Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, Queen
Latifah, John C. Reilly, Lucy Liu, Mya, and Taya Diggs. Strong, tough
attitude performance by Renée and Catherine. You can see the killer
instinct in their eyes… this is their best film… one of the best
musicals. A great ending that brings a cycle and system that works over
and over again. One moment you are a celebrity as a defendant and
murderer, the next moment people won't remember your name... or will
they? People could get away with murder, lies, and scandals in Chicago
back then focus on the next. Roxie Hart, Zellweger, hungers for stardom,
but instead ends up in a jail who shoots her husband for cheating with
her. The same went for Velma Kelly, Zeta-Jones, who was once a musical
superstar. When Velma's lawyer, Billy Flynn, Gere, makes Roxie a tabloid
sensation, he sets up a singing, dancing event between the two ambitious
women. 13 Academy award nominations with 6 wins including best picture.
This movie showed the changes in society and the press from the 1920s to
today.
149. All About Eve (1950)
Actress Bette Davis stars in this movie, which is
about her into a theater company. She establishes herself, but an aging
stage actress and a circle of theater friends fall in. This movie was
showered by Oscars such as best picture, director, screenplay, and so
on. There are always people who want to love and to cherish the
spotlight sometime in their life and this movie shows it and proves it
will. The system will always continue that way from the young wanting to
be like the people in the prime spot.
148. Meet the Parents (2000)
A male nurse by the name of Greg Focker, Ben Stiller,
meets his girlfriend's parents before proposing to her. However, her
suspicious father, Robert De Niro, keeps his eye on Greg. Very funny
scenarios that can happen to anyone of us.
147. The Rock (1996)
On Alcatraz... only one person has ever broken out
and now millions of lives depend on two men, Sean Connery and Nicolas
Cage, to break in. They must lead the counterstrike when soldiers
threaten a gas attack missile on San Francisco and others. Ed Harris
plays the villain with support of David Morse. Both were former general
and major, respectively. This is your great action-drama film with an
intense storyline.
146. North (1994)
Young Elijah Wood has had it with his parents. They
are too busy with their careers and don't give North the attention he
needs. The judge rules that he must find new parents in two months or
else return to his own parents. North travels around the world to find
two new parents. Appearances by Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus,
Dan Aykroyd, Reba McEntire, and Bruce Willis. A brilliant, humorous
adventure journey. Excellent scenery and an exciting, pleasing ending.
145. Con Air (1997)
Starring Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, Monica Potter,
David Chappelle, Ving Rhames, and John Malkovich. A newly released ex
con and others are trapped in a prisoner transport plane when the other
prisoners seize control and there is only one innocent man who can help
on the plane.
144. Signs (2002)
A man, Mel Gibson, receives help from his brother,
Joaquin Phoenix, who lives on a farm. They find mysterious crop circles
in the fields, which suggest something more frightening to come. Nicely
suspensed film. Bright future for director M. Night Shyamalan. Luminous
direction, enthralling, astonishing editing. Terrific camera angles. He
is bringing back sparking, suspenseful directed films.
143. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Directed by Steven Spielberg... A group of Earth
children help a stranded alien return home. Kind of scary if viewing as
a kid for a PG film. Nominated for best picture and winner of four
Academy awards.
142. To Catch a Thief (1955)
One of Alfred Hitchcock's films. Not his best, but
still a great film. Starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. Extra long
scenes with extra long dialogue make this Hitchcock film well designed
and very suspenseful.
141. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love
the Bomb (1964)
An insane general starts a process to nuclear
holocaust that a war room of politicians and generals frantically try to
stop. A frightening comedy starring George C. Scott and Peter Sellers
and directed by Stanley Kubrick. Nominated for best picture. The best
war room movie ever made shows history. This film would be taken around
the cold war era.
140. From Here to Eternity (1953)
While Japanese attack looms, an Army sergeant, a
former boxer, and an officer's wife become entangled with others at a
Pearl Harbor base. All they used to do in movies were drink and smoke.
It was found so common back then and thought it was fine and this movie
is a perfect example of that. Oscars for best picture, best director
Fred Zinnemann, supporting Oscar Frank Sinatra. Amazing cast with a
classic, yet disappointing to some, ending.
139. Grease (1978)
This movie is self-said. Many have seen it or at
least know about it. Performances by Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
representing the 1950s with classic karaoke songs along with
friendships, romances, and adventures of a group of high school kids.
138. Toy Story (1995)
Blasted off the future for CGI films. A cowboy toy is
profoundly threatened and jealous when a fancy spaceman toy replaces him
as top toy in a boy's room. Voices by Tom Hanks and Tim Allen.
137. The Terminator (1984)
Directed by James Cameron. A human looking cyborg is
sent from the future to kill Sarah Connor, acted by Linda Hamilton.
A Human Resistance soldier from the future named Kyle Reese is sent to stop it. Arnold Schwarzenegger plays the
evil terminator while Michael Biehn protects Sarah Connor with an
eventual unborn son, John Connor, leader of the Human Resistance. The
sound effects and electronic synthesized music scores with an eighties
Los Angeles street scene creates an exciting, gritty vibe.
136. Network (1976)
A TV network scornfully exploits a deranged ex-TV
anchor's ravings and revelations about the media for their own profit
and ratings. Very in-depth, detailed dialogue that adds in spice to the
movie. Excellent cast in Faye Dunaway, Williams Holden, Peter Finch,
Robert Duvall, and Ned Beatty. Nominated for 10 Academy awards including
winners of Peter Finch, winner of best actor and Faye Dunaway, best
actress.
135. Memento (2000)
Movie brings suspense by told in backwards that adds
in the missing mystery. A man, suffering from short-term memory loss,
uses notes and tattoos to hunt down his wife's killer.
134. A Christmas Carol (1938)
Written by Charles Dickens. One of the most famous
characters in Ebenezer Scrooge. Story of Tiny Tim was famous here.
Scrooge displays no charity to mankind generally and to his employee Bob
Cratchett and his unfortunate son, Tiny Tim. However, he is about to get
his comeuppance when he imagines he is visited by the ghosts of
Christmas past, present, and future.
133. The Shining (1980)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick. Jack Nicholson's
haunting performance, who says the famous quote "Heeeeeeere's Johnny!" A
boy and his parents become caretakers of a isolated, haunted hotel over
the winter…
132. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Starring James Dean and Natalie Wood as a rebellious
young man with a troubled past comes to a new town, finding both friends
and enemies.
131. Twelve Monkeys (1995)
Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, and Brad Pitt are in
this film as a convict is sent back in time to stop a devastating
plague. Things get messed up though as Bruce Willis is sent too far back
and is hospitalized as a poor insane.
130. Courage Under Fire (1996)
With Denzel Washington, Meg Ryan, and Matt Damon… a
US Army officer, Denzel, investigates a female chopper commander's
worthiness for the Medal of Honor. Denzel is one of the best dramatic
actors today. An excellent drama with a great built up story to reach a
final conclusion.
129. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
John Connor is now in his 20's, and a female
terminator, Kristanna Loken, called T-X is after him. Another terminator
is sent back through time to protect John once again on the verge of the
rise of the machines. A new cast, but still the same ol' Arnold.
Hilarious phrases said by Arnold like "She'll be back, Talk to the hand,
Get Out, I'll Drive." The action sequences are smoother here.
128. Demolition Man (1993)
Starring Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, and
Sandra Bullock... a cop is brought out of suspended animation froze for
the future in prison to pursue an old ultra-violent enemy who is loose
in a nonviolent future society.
127. The Toy (1982)
A very under-rated pure comedy film. Not one person
can go without at least fives laughs while watching this film. Jack,
Richard Pryor, is working as a maid for a rich toy store mongul, Jackie
Gleeson.
126. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze
(1991)
This movie brings life to cartoon characters. Better
story than the first and third. The turtles find out where the Ooze,
which made them mutate, came from. Unfortunately, the Shredder learns
about it too...
125. Speed (1994)
Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, and Sandra Bullock star
in a thriller about a cop who must save the passengers of a bus that has
a bomb set to explode if the bus goes below 50 MPH.
124. The Misfits (1961)
Following her divorce, a woman, Marilyn Monroe,
befriends a couple of cowboys, Clark Gable and Montgomery Cliff. Both
men desire her, but she falls for the one that brings out the freedom in
her. Teaming with a 4th, they go in search of rare wild horses. This
film became both Gable and Monroe's final movie. My personal favorites
of Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe as they join together in their last
film. Clark Gable is the only actor who can bring a smile to my face
every time I see him on the screen. He is so enjoyable and perfect at
the same time that his reactions to the characters are just fabulous. He
finds his role and makes the best of it. Monroe is unexpectable and
unpredictable. Monroe today would be between a Madonna and Britney
Spears… trendy, modest, sexy, classy, and tasteful.
123. The Seven Year Itch (1955)
Starring America's cultural icon, Marilyn Monroe,
with Tom Ewell... directed by one of the best in Billy Wilder. Billy
Wilder, known for his stylish comedy-drama films, directed four dominant
movies in one decade. One of the most memorable moments in this movie is
the "The Subway Breeze" with Monroe, which this is pictured as Monroe's
popular snapshot... watch this movie to find out what it is. A man's
family goes on vacation leaving him alone for the summer, while a young
woman model moves in upstairs.
122. Training Day (2001)
Ethan Hawke, on his very first day on the job as a
narcotics officer, a rookie cop works with a rogue detective who isn't
what he appears as… Denzel Washington wins the most deserving Best actor
Oscar that year.
121. Pinocchio (1940)
A living puppet, with the help of a cricket as his
conscience, must prove himself worthy to become a real boy. If he lies,
his nose grows longer. An animated film by Walt Disney.
120. Home Alone (1990)
Macaulay Culkin is accidentally left behind while his
family goes on a trip to France for Christmas. Kevin McCallister,
Culkin, must defend his home against reckless burglars, Joe Pesci and
Daniel Stern.
119. The Goonies (1985)
A group of kids facing their last days together
before a development paves over their homes stagger onto evidence of
pirate's treasure… they go on a discovery hunt, only against other
criminals. Starring Sean Astin and Corey Feldman. Admirable, funny
characters. A fine story.
118. The Bad News Bears (1976)
An aging coach, Walter Matthau, coaches a team of
young misfits in a competitive California little league.
117. Pulp Fiction (1994)
The ending was better than the entire movie. The
ending solved the missing puzzles in the movie's sequence. Hilarious
minor moments that make this movie worthwhile to see. Samuel L. Jackson
was amazing and one of the biggest known casts in the mid-1990s. A big
breakthrough directed film by Quentin Tarantino. The stories of two mob
hit men, a boxer, and a pair of diner bandits interlink in four tales of
violence and salvation. Nominated for best picture. The dance moves by
John Travolta and Uma Thurman will remain forever both goofy and
classic. Oh, a quarter pounder with cheese in England is... a royal
pounder with cheese.
116. The Usual Suspects (1995)
A detective questions a con man about his
relationships with assorted criminals and their link to a ship
explosion... in-depth dialogue. Director Bryan Singer's major influence
was my favorite, Alfred Hitchcock as this movie is a mid-1990 suspense
crime drama... something Hitchcock mastered in. A great group of male
actors who found their roles in this movie. I'm not a fan of Kevin
Spacey, but in this film where he notched down best supporting Oscar, he
was superb. A memorable quote said by Spacey was "The greatest trick the
devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." A
thrilling, shocking conclusion.
115. Final Destination 2 (2003)
A girl, ends up escaping the clutches of death, and
saves others, as well, on a highway disaster. Soon the survivors start
dropping dead and she realizes you can't cheat Death. She gets help from
Clear Rivers, Ali Larter. I'm not a big fan of horror movies. However,
Final Destination 2 is an outstanding horror movie and horror fans alike
will love it, I am sure. This isn't a movie where there is some dumb
killer who kills everyone. Instead, it is a movie that shows that death
can occur anytime, any unexpected place, and anyhow in a pattern. The
sequel has better effects than the first one and has tons more gore. It
has the most amazing traffic accident in the first 10 minutes that I
have ever seen. Ali Larter, one of my favorite actresses, and A.J.
Cook's performance was excellent. It is one of the best female on screen
duo I have EVER seen and I have seen lots of movies as you know.
"There's an unseen malevolent force that surrounds us every day and
determines whether we live or die," a TV talk show guest. "In the end,
no one can escape Death -- and today may be the day that you die." In
such a desensitized world we live in, being able to jump out of your
seat or getting the chills or getting a faster heartbeat means this film
is a winner.
114. Bell Book and Candle (1958)
Kim Novak was stunning, James Stewart excellent as
usual, and Jack Lemmon was great. A modern-day witch likes her neighbor.
However, despises his fiancée, so she enchants him to love her
instead... only to fall in with him for real.
113. Cast Away (2000)
Directed by Robert Zemeckis... a FedEx worker must
survive a crash landing on a deserted island... Tom Hanks, nominated for
best actor in this role, showcases that he is really one of the best of
all-time in this film.
112. Ghostbusters (1984)
One of the funniest comedy-action movies of all-time
starring Bull Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, and
Rick Moranis all perhaps in their prime as three unemployed
parapsychology professors create a business as an unique ghost removal
service. One of my favorites endings growing up as a kid.
111. White Men Can't Jump (1992)
A classical theme. Starring Wesley Snipes and Woody
Harrelson as black and white basketball hustlers join forces to double
their chances in basketball tournaments... but this leads their
friendship into a question...
110. Poltergeist (1982)
Steven Spielberg comes out of this horror-thriller
film as a genius bringing new ideas to the table. What an imaginative
guy. The story is a bout a family's home, which is built on an ancient
Indian burial ground, is haunted by a host of ghosts.
109. Mississippi Burning (1988)
With Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe. They are two FBI
agents in 1964 with different styles arrive in Mississippi to go on an
investigation of the disappearance of civil rights activists. This
crime-drama-thriller has raised issues.
108. Legally Blonde (2001)
When a blonde sorority queen, Reese Witherspoon, is
dumped by her boyfirend, she decides to get him back by following him to
law school, but she learns more than she imagines. A wonderful story
with a great supporting cast in Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Victor Garber,
Matthew Davis, Linda Cardellini, Jennifer Coolidge, and Ali Larter.
Reese grabs are our full attention on her path in law school. Every
scene was perfect. Her character is the greatest young female hero in
any fictional movie. An influencing film... it would make the viewer to
do well at work and/or school. Brilliant written script for an
under-rated film. "You must always have faith in yourself."
107. RoboCop (1987)
Excellent action-drama film. In a crime ridden
Detroit city, a terminally wounded cop returns to the force as a
powerful cyborg to defend order with memories that haunt him. A great
score.
106. King Kong (1933)
A mission team go to a tropical island and discover a
giant gorilla who takes a shine to their female blonde companion as they
bring the gorilla to their city only to raise an uproar.
105. Schindler's List (1993)
An explicit film by Steven Spielberg shows no
remorse. Oskar Schindler, Liam Neeson, uses Jews to start a factory in
Poland during the war. He witnesses the horrors endured by the Jews and
attempts to save them. Nominated for 12 Oscars and winner of 7 awards
including best picture and best director.
104. Field of Dreams (1989)
An Iowa farmer, Kevin Costner, hears voices and
interprets them as a command to build a baseball diamond in his field.
Ray Liotta is Shoeless Joe Jackson. The greatest and profound fantasy
baseball film ever made. It builds up the hope, desire, and focus on a
baseball field and the game itself. It shows work pays off.
103. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
A well-executed film with only 4 main characters, 6
total. A night of fun and drinks for two college professors, one old and
one new, and their wives turns into an emotional and psychological
nightmare. Sincere story of the characters. Strange. A couple strays
another into their destructive path and endless antipathy. A drama about
bad marriages and alcohol drinks. Nominated for 13 Oscars and winner of
5 including best actress to Elizabeth Taylor.
102. AntiTrust (2001)
Ryan Phillippe, Rachael Leigh Cook, Claire Forlani,
and Tim Robbins star in this thriller about a computer scientist's dream
job at a firm turns into a nightmare when he discovers his boss had a
secret, ruthless means of dispatching problems.
101. In Cold Blood (1967)
Based on a true story as two men broke in a farmer's
home and only to find that there is no money there. They end up mad and
then murder the entire family. Later, the film details the search for
them and their trial begins. Nominated for 4 Academy awards.
100. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Directed by Steven Spielberg with the leading role to
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. An Archeologist/adventurer is hired by
the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant, before the Nazis do.
Won 4 Oscars and was nominated for best picture.
99. Tootsie (1982)
At last, a real, delightful comedy that is so down to
earth. Dustin Hoffman takes on the toughest challenge that any actor can
do… being a woman. Michael Dorsey, Hoffman, is desperate because he
can't find a job. That is, until he gets a female role as Dorothy
Michaels in a soap opera and becomes very famous. Of course, nobody
knows that this new television star is a man, except his agent and best
friend who is Bill Murray... but after a while, he has a big problem… he
falls in love with a beautiful co-star, Jessica Lange, who doesn't know
Michael is male! How can he express his feelings since she thinks that
Michael is a woman? As a woman, Michael is also involved with a male
co-star and Jessica Lange's father. Michael was also recently very fine
friends with another girl. Everything gets mixed up as Tootie builds to
an uproarious climax and stands as one of the best showbiz comedies.
98. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
An innocent man, Tim Robbins, is convicted and sent
to jail for the murder of his wife. He meets a man named Ellis, Morgan
Freeman in the prison. "Get busy living or get busy dying." said by Tim
Robbins is one of the most finest quotes in a movie. The villain in this
movie is very mean, arrogant, and ignorant. Teaches us the outside world
is different from a penitentiary... in the outside world you will be
lost and you would have to pay for your own food and shelter. On the
other hand, in the penitentiary, you are taken care of. At night, you
are alone in a dark cell with nothing but your thoughts. You live with
fear on the outside world. Also, we ask ourselves... what can the
innocent man who is charged for life sentence? Strong, deep emotional
ending that faced the true facts of society with a changed person.
Nominated for best picture.
97. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
One of the best war films. Yet, another by Steven
Spielberg, this time with Tom Hanks. In World War II, U.S. soldiers try
to find and save Private Ryan, who's stationed behind enemy lines. A
great cast… the obvious beginning makes this movie rank high. Vin
Diesel's great supporting start. Emotional ending. 11 Oscar nominations
including best picture.
96. Twister (1996)
A couple, Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt, are on the
point of divorce. They keep meeting each other because both are
researchers who chase tornadoes. An extraordinary action-thriller shows
the dark side of nature as it is after to get us and everything in its
path.
95. Marathon Man (1976)
One of the most under-rated scariest film of all-time
that will make you want to close your eyes... twisted plot. This is as
suspenseful as a movie can get. The intensity level is so high. Diamonds
are more valuable than gold... the villain in this movie is a mad man
dentist, Laurence Olivier , who puts Dustin Hoffman in torture as he is
wrapping up loose ends to smuggle priceless diamonds from the U.S.
94. Shakespeare in Love (1998)
A young Shakespeare, out of ideas and short of cash,
meets his ideal woman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and is inspired to write one of
his most famous plays. Gwyneth is added into the play as she disguises
as a man and this starts all the fuss. Filled with a positive will and a
clever romance. Beautiful art direction with 13 Oscar nominations with 7
wins including wins to best picture and actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
93. Minority Report (2002)
Tom Cruise and Colin Farrell star in yet another
Steven Spielberg directed film. This films asks us the question "What
would you do if you were accused of a murder, you had not committed...
yet?" In the future, criminals are caught before they commit crimes, but
one of the officers, Tom Cruise, is accused of one such crime and sets
out to prove his innocence.
92. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Directed by Robert Zemeckis... a toon-hating
detective is a cartoon rabbit's only hope to prove his innocence when he
is accused of murder. He must also solve a case, as Roger's toon friends
need help. Perhaps the best family film. Christopher Lloyd plays the
villain in Judge Doom as he tries to kill all the towns in ToonTown.
91. Rocky (1976)
All 5 movies in the Rocky series were about Rocky's
boxing career struggles and his future opponents, however, the first
movie created all of them, including a win for best picture and
director. Sylvester Stallone was nominated for best actor. A boxer gets
a once in a lifetime chance to fight the heavyweight champ in which he
strives to go the distance for his self-respect.
90. Broken Arrow (1996)
Starring John Travolta and Christian Slater with
director John Woo in perhaps their best action film as terrorists steal
nuclear warheads from the military. However, a pilot, Christian Slater,
and a park ranger, Samantha Mathis, might spoil their plans. A great
build up leading to an all day adventure
89. Titanic (1997)
Directed by James Cameron… starring Leonardo
DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates, Bill Paxton, Gloria Stuart, and
Billy Zane. Every young girl at the time had to see this about 4 or 5
times which is one of the reasons that made this film number 1 of
all-time in the box office, unadjusted that is, that was the only film
to reach over a billion dollars. Who hasn't seen this film? It was a
must see in the year of 1997. It holds the record for most Oscar
nominations, 14, and most awards, 11, including best picture. A shining,
pleasing score. A fictional romantic tale of a rich girl and poor boy
who meet on the ship voyage of an unsinkable ship… or so was it?
88. Ben-Hur (1959)
A grateful motion picture. When a Jewish prince,
Charlton Heston, is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend, he
regains his freedom and comes back for revenge. The best horse chariot
race and ship scene in any movie. Winner of best picture, actor,
director, sound, editing, and so on, which brings a total of 11 Oscars.
87. The Natural (1984)
A great cast featuring Robert Redford, Robert Duvall,
Glenn Close, and Kim Basinger. An overage baseball player comes out of
nowhere to become a legendary player with almost a divine gift.
86. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
One of the most original animated movies ever. Snow
White, pursued by a jealous queen, hides with the Dwarfs. The queen
feeds her a poison apple, but Prince Charming awakens her with a kiss. A
classic story.
85. The Diary of Anne Frank (1959)
The drama, the classic, the war... a true story of a
young Jewish girl who, with her family and their friends is forced into
hiding in an attic in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam.
84. Fantasia (1940)
Walt Disney has the longest resume in entertainment
with all his early directions, writing, voice acting, lots of producing…
Producer of this film. A grand experiment with animation and classical
music stands as one of the top film classics. Leopold Stokowski conducts
the Philadelphia Orchestra. Watch this for the best segment... The
Sorcerer's Apprentice as Mickey Mouse puts on the sorcerer's cap and
makes a little too much magic to handle.
83. The Matrix (1999)
I had to put this movie somewhere on the list even
though I hated the sequel. Movies necessary don't do well in the
industry with a short plot and a long violent story. And for this movie
opened the way for other future movies that dealt with expensive budgets
and special effects that blow people away without noticing a poor plot.
Thank you Will Smith for turning down the role as Neo, which was later
given to Keanu Reeves. The real world is not the world we are living in,
but it is programmed by the Matrix in your head that is the real world,
but it is fake and not the real world... can anyone explain this
correctly? NO… I can't believe I wasted money on the sequel and that
pissed off the people the most. 'Reloaded' was the most disappointed
movie in the history of the film industry. The epic should have ended
with this sci-fi film.
82. Rain Man (1988)
Selfish Charlie Babbitt's, Tom Cruise, father left a
fortune to his savant brother Raymond, Dustin Hoffman, and a pittance to
Charlie; they travel cross-country together. Won best picture with 8
nominations and 4 awards. Dustin Hoffman was superb in this role. This
is a must see for Dustin's performance. Listen carefully to how he
speaks.
81. Hannibal (2001)
An okay follow up sequel
to the original even though Jodie Foster did not return as agent Clarice
Startling… Julianne Moore is the replacement. Anthony Hopkins as Dr.
Hannibal Lecter stole the show. The smartest villain… most intelligent,
strongest, high IQ, very relaxed, wise, and self-aware. Soft, quiet
piano theme. Hannibal returns to America and attempts to make contact
with Agent Starling and survive a vengeful victim's plan.
80. JFK (1991)
A New Orleans DA, Kevin Costner, discovers there's
more to the Kennedy assassination than the official story. Directed by
Oliver Stone. The best John F. Kennedy movie ever made. Also in the film
are Kevin Bacon, Tommy Lee Jones, Gary Oldman, Sissy Spacek, Wayne
Knight, Vincent D'Onofrio, Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, Joe Pesci,
Donald Sutherland, and John Candy. A terrific lineup of male actors.
Nominated for best picture. This movie discovers more points to the JFK
incident.
79. The Sandlot (1993)
A kid moves to a new neighborhood with his mom and
stepdad. He soon wants to learn to play baseball... I'd say this is a
favorite baseball movie for almost everyone...most likely the best kid
executed movie out there. Quality hit songs to go with the time era… a
fine story about baseball in the summertime as kids play it for the fun
and enjoyment. Of course, they learn a lesson in the end.
78. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Directed by James Cameron with Arnold Schwarzenegger
as the helpful Terminator. Linda Hamilton comes back to play her role as
Sarah Connor. Edward Furlong is John Connor. A cyborg, Robert Patrick,
is sent back from the future to kill John Connor before he can grow up
to lead the human race. A protector, Arnold, is sent to help John Connor
to live. First-rate action sequences that were meaningful. Remarkable
quotes such as "I'll be back" and "Hasta la vista, baby."
77. Fight Club (1999)
A man, Edward Norton, disillusioned by what his life
has become encounters an exciting stranger, Brad Pitt, who introduces
him to a new way of life. It's like the movie is humorous, but at the
same time it is so serious. It shows us fighting in a non-grotesque way
mostly, in a healing nature, which is philosophically ironic perhaps, a
great storyline, with twists in the main character, Edward Norton, as
they work around it so he doesn't even have a name. It's very brilliant.
This movie also had some breakthroughs with computer editing and camera
techniques too. Brad Pitt had a strong performance, maybe the best of
his career.
76. Stand by Me (1986)
After the death of a friend, a writer recounts a
boyhood journey with his friends to find the body of a missing boy. A
tremendous young cast in Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, River Phoenix,
Jerry O'Connell, and Kiefer Sutherland. Strong, silent ending.
75. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Frank Capra's directed film has James Stewart as the
idealistic, yet naïve, politician sent to Washington as junior senator
who runs afoul of the political corruption in his state. Jean Arthur
plays his cynical secretary and Claude Rains is the the powerful senior
senator who expects Smith to be nothing more than a rubber stamp.
Nominated for 11 Oscars. As with the best of Capra's films, the
emotional and moralizing are kept in check by wonderful acting and
genuine sensation.
74. North by Northwest (1959)
An Alfred Hitchcock film starring Cary Grant. An
advertising executive is mistaken for a government agent by a gang of
spies. He gets involved in a series of misadventures and is pursued
across the country by both the spies and the government even as being
helped by a blonde. Watch for a great scene in the vacant crop field
where he was suppose to meet someone as a plane comes tries to shoot him
down. Splendid directing of Hitchcock's part and maybe Cary Grant's best
individual film.
73. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the South Depression-era,
defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge and his kids
against prejudice. Gregory Peck won best actor as Atticus Finch, who is
now a top icon in the U.S. Believe or not, Robert Duvall was Boo Radley.
72. The Philadelphia Story (1940)
Hardly any music… based on pure acting and strictly
dialogue. A quiet, slow script. However, Frank Capra does it once again.
This time with James Stewart, America's greatest actor to set foot in
this country, and America's greatest actress in Katharine Hepburn as
when a rich woman's, Katharine Hepburn, ex-husband, Cary Grant, and a
tabloid-type reporter, James Stewart, turn up just before her planned
remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself. Nominated for
best picture as James Stewart won best actor.
71. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Funny and clever… A Detroit cop pursuing a murder
where he friend was killed investigates and finds himself dealing in a
very different culture of Beverly Hills. Eddie Murphy's big break for
his future. The best cop film ever made.
70. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
A private detective, Humphrey Bogart, gets involved
in a murderous hunt for a valuable statuette. The girl who asked him to
follow the man turns out not to be who she says she is and really
involved in something to do with the `Maltese Falcon', a gold statue of
a falcon, the only one of its kind. A great ending that leads you off
thinking what will happen to the character's future. Nominated for best
picture.
69. The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Perfect, suspenseful directed film by Alfred
Hitchcock. Suspicious characters. Well-executed and just like another
fine Hitchcock movie. A family vacationing in Morocco accidentally
stumbles on to an assassination plot and the conspirators are determined
to prevent them from interfering. However, they kidnap their son. With
James Stewart and Doris Day, who includes her prime song of Que Sera
Sera, were superb in this master thriller.
68. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The ultimate fantasy movie. No fantasy film can even
come close to The Lord of the Rings. Under-rated Peter Jackson's
directing was dazzling. Nominated for 12 Oscars including best picture.
In a small village, a young Hobbit named Frodo, Elijah Wood, has been
entrusted with an ancient Ring. Now he must go on an Epic adventure with
fellow companions to the Cracks of Doom in order to destroy the one
ring.
67. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)
Smart script, well-acted film. Meet the Parents kind
of copied the idea and just turned it into a comedy. At the end of the
movie, Spencer Tracy gives a long, important speech that made an impact
on our society. Spencer Tracy's last movie line… "Well Tillie, when the
hell are we going to get some dinner?" Sidney Poitier, the first major
black actor on screen and the first to win an Oscar, says to his dad,
"You think of yourself as a colored man. I think of myself as a man."
Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn play a married couple whose
attitudes are challenged when their daughter brings home a fiancée who
is black. 10 Oscar nominations including best picture as Katharine
Hepburn won best actress.
66. The Patriot (2000)
Benjamin Martin, Mel Gibson, is drawn into the
American revolutionary war against his will when a brutal British
commander kills his son. He then leads a group with his other son, Heath
Ledger, against the British to seek out revenge. Mel Gibson's
performance was marvelous… his character had courage and heart. A
magnificent saga… plenty of twists and turns that will keep you on this
intense roller coaster ride.
65. High Noon (1952)
A sheriff, Gary Cooper, personally compelled to face
a returning deadly enemy, finds that his own town refuses to help him.
Scenes in this are found in The Simpsons in Pappa's Got a Brand New
Badge during the church scene and such. This became a fine start for one
of the most beautiful actresses in Grace Kelly. Directed by Fred
Zinnemann. Gary Cooper won an Oscar for best actor as well as a nod for
best picture, directing, and screenplay.
64. A Streetcar named Desire (1951)
Marlon Brando success began at this film leading to
his famous role in Don Vito Corleone as The Godfather in 1972, strong
acting… Vivien Leigh as Blanche… a character fabricates for herself a
world of delusion and imposes this fantasy upon her surrounding reality,
in an effort to ease her uneasy lot in life led to being insane. 12
Oscar nominations including a win for best actress in Vivien Leigh plus
a key nominations for best picture, director in Elia Kazan, supporting
actor in Karl Malden, and actor in Marlon Brando.
63. Being John Malkovich (1999)
At last, a movie for someone who has ever wanted to
be anybody ... else. A puppeteer takes a job as a filing clerk to earn
some money. One day he accidentally discovers a door… a portal into the
brain of John Malkovich. For 15 minutes, he experiences the ultimate
head trip. He is John Malkovich! Then he's dumped onto the New Jersey
turnpike! The puppeteer, played by John Cusack, and his beautiful office
mate Maxine hatch a plan to let others into John's brain for $200 a
trip. However, there is a twist with unique experiences involving the
puppeteer, his wife, his office mate, and Dr. Lester. Directed by Spike
Jonze and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman brings us a new way of looking at
life... as John Malkovich. One of the best screenplays in the movie
industry. Being John Malkovich is just the beginning to the story...
62. Rope (1948)
Two young men kill another because they feel
inferior. Then, they throw a party, invite numerous people they know,
and serve cocktails off a trunk holding the corpse. Tremendous,
suspenseful crime drama. Alfred Hitchcock did a great job of directing
this as the whole movie took place with inside one apartment. "Murder
improves unemployment, poverty, and waiting in lines for the movies,"
said by James Stewart, who are the young men's former professor. Clever
script, great use of camera. The best movie ever made with only one
setting place.
61. The Pianist (2002)
World War II in Poland tracking one man who is a
Pianist. This Pianist is Adrien Brody, the academy award winner for best
actor in this film, who is a Jew who lives in Poland who struggles to
survive of Nazi tyranny in this historical, autobiographical film. Based
on a true story. Germany was primarily responsible for making all Jews
look forever inferior. Excellent-directed film by the famous Roman
Polanski, who won an unpredictable Oscar for best director. Grace comes
in the form of a second chance - at music, at freedom, and at life for
Wladyslaw Szpilman, Adrien Brody.
60. Cruel Intentions (1999)
Kathryn, Sarah Michelle Gellar, makes a bet that her
step-brother, Sebastian, Ryan Phillippe, won't be able to "do" Annette,
Reese Witherspoon. She is a virgin, who wants to wait until love
happens. If he loses, Kathryn gets his Jaguar car. If he wins, he gets
Kathryn. With plot twists left and right, this movie will have viewers
on the edge of their seats. Highly intense and viewers will be pulled
into the emotions of the main characters. Excellent key starts for young
performers such as Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, who had a
throbbing performance, Reese Witherspoon, who is one of my personal
favorite young actresses, Selma Blair, and Sean Patrick Thomas. One of
the most thrilling endings of all-time. A must watch for all movie fans.
59. The Sting (1973)
Very intense poker, gambling, and horse racing
schemes. Well-directed film by George Roy Hill. To avenge a murder, two
con men out mind a mobster with their betting scams in 1930s Chicago.
Paul Newman and Robert Redford are an enormous team together. 10 Oscar
nods with 7 wins such as best picture and director in George Roy Hill.
58. The Wrong Man (1956)
An under-rated Hitchcock directed film of an innocent
man being accused of something he did not do. Great duo performers of
Henry Fonda and Vera Miles... True story of an innocent man mistaken for
a crime and later tries to prove it. An established, standard theme.
57. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Based on a true story and directed by Steven
Spielberg. After leaving home in the wake of his parents' divorce, Frank
Abagnale, Jr., Leonardo DiCaprio, goes on a career as a con artist.
While still in his teens, Frank successfully passes himself off as both
an airline pilot and a doctor and other identities and becomes the
object of a strong-willed pursuit by FBI agent Carl Hanratty, Tom Hanks.
Christopher Walken got a nod for best supporting actor as the dad. Every
minute of this movie was worth it and told something significant to the
mix. More importantly, Leonardo showed that he is ready to be a prime
adult actor.
56. Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
An old Jewish woman, Jessica Tandy, and her
African-American chauffer, Morgan Freeman, in the American South have a
relationship that grows and improves over the years... Dan Aykroyd plays
her son… the most nicest movie you will ever see… a cute, simple movie
of living life. Winner of best picture and best actress in Jessica
Tandy.
55. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
A just divorced man, Dustin Hoffman, must learn to
care for his son on his own, and then must fight in court to keep
custody of him from his ex-wife, Meryl Streep. Admit I had watery eyes…
funny in the beginning about every day chores like breakfast making and
so on. Key Oscar award winners of best picture, actor in Dustin Hoffman,
supporting actress in Meryl Streep, director in Robert Benton, and
screenplay. I believe Meryl Streep had a leading role, but she did not
appear as much in the movie because it showed more of Dustin and his son
and so the lead went to Dustin's female friend. If Streep was the lead,
therefore, this movie would have swept the Oscars, but only 3 movies
have ever won the big 5 Oscar awards... this movie came oh so close to
that huge accomplishment.
54. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
One of the best suspense horror films of all-time.
Making dead people actually look scary is an A+. Very dynamic and
thrilling with super camera methods. The dead come back to life and eat
the living in this film. Several people barricade themselves inside a
countryside house in an attempt to survive the night. Outside are house
are relentless, shambling zombies who can only be killed by a blow to
the head. They are afraid of fire as the people discover. Horror films
usually aren't noted for its greatness. The popular ones such as
Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and others where
there is some dumb killer who kills everyone, typically teenagers, are
not winners in my book. This film gives a realistic atmosphere to the
setting and gives it a greater sense of tension as it continues right
through to the very depressing conclusion.
53. Citizen Kane (1941)
A terrific masterpiece by Orson Welles as a powerful
newspaper owner Charles Foster Kane was many things to many people, both
in life and in death. Arguably, one of the greatest of American drama
films ever made. The lighting, make up, and filming were so accomplished
in this film and made those three elements a key for future movies. Kane
struggles to maintain rich and gets money in the early 1900s. His final
word before he died was 'rosebud.' Magnificent debuting acting
performances. This movie is like a jigsaw puzzle... there is a missing
piece… a man who could get everything then lost it all such as his wife,
his fame, and his money. Strong sound with a powerful ending. Nominated
for best picture, actor, and director, but lost to stiff competition.
This is definitely still a failed to be appreciated film.
52. Jaws (1975)
Steven Spielberg's first major directed film that
noted a bright future to come as a police chief, a scientist, and a
sailor are set out to kill a shark that is menacing the seaside
community of an island. The movie that invented fear to go in any
type of water. Made people often ask, "Are there sharks in the water?"
if they were going into a body of water. Jaws won meaningful Oscars of
film editing, music score, and sound. Also nominated for best picture.
51. American Graffiti (1973)
This movie should be seen by every teenager in
America. A young great cast that became more popular as their careers
went on. A fine soundtrack, directed by George Lucas, and produced by
Francis Ford Coppola with a nomination for best picture as four seniors
and others on graduation night roam the town in 1962. They spend the
final evening cruising and have every adventure possible before dawn
when they will have to decide what they will do for their future.
50. Strangers on a Train (1951)
Well-written plot, well
executed film by Alfred Hitchcock. Bruno Anthony meets a famous tennis
player Guy Haines on a train. Guy wants to move into a career in
politics and has been dating a senator's daughter, Ann Morton, while
awaiting a divorce from his wife. Bruno wants to kill his father, but
knows he will be caught because he has a motive. Bruno dreams up a crazy
scheme whereby he and Guy exchange murders. Guy takes this as a joke,
but Bruno is serious and takes things into his own hands… this plot is
literally out of control. Astonishing, folks… astonishing.
49. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
The quest to destroy the one ring continues as the
hobbits, Frodo and Samwise, encounter a strange creature named Gollum,
who once possessed the ring and is still under its spell. While the dark
wizard Saruman creates an army of monsters to fight for the evil Lord
Sauron, the hobbits' allies seek the help of the men of Rohan, who are
threatened by the conflict. Terrific tension throughout the film leading
up to the biggest, breathtaking on-screen battle of all-time. Cast
includes Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Sean Astin, Cate
Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, and an under-rated Viggo
Morensen as Aragorn. Six Oscar nominations including another best
picture nod.
48. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Nominated for best picture and director in George Roy
Hill including 4 Oscar award winners. We go on the ride of outlaws of
two Western bank and train robbers who flee to Bolivia when the law gets
too close... Starring Paul Newman, Katharine Ross, and Robert Redford…
perhaps the best male acting duo on-screen. A classic, yet sad, ending.
47. Road to Perdition (2002)
Directed by Sam Mendes… bonds of trustworthiness are
put to the test when a hitman's son witnesses what his father, Tom
Hanks, does for a living in the 1930s. Tom Hanks plays Michael Sullivan
as Paul Newman plays John Rooney. Jude Law is the strange photographer
named Maguire. Connor Rooney, who is John Rooney's son, murders
Michael's wife and other son in their home as Michael seeks for revenge.
One of the most beautiful, suspenseful film created in the twenty-first
century... the acting was above supreme level… the details and scenery
were incredible. If you happen to watch this film, bring a few tissues
with you because you will need them. The scene where we see Michael
tells his son he has to do one more thing and it's over was
heart-pounding. In another scene, Mr. John Rooney tells Michael Sullivan
that we are all going to hell and Michael said not Michael (his son) as
Rooney says you better make sure he won't. Excellent drama peak. It
delivers brilliance on the half of drama and violence. It is so perfect.
The dialogue and everything matches the rest of the story's outcome.
Fantastic, lovely score. One memorable quote was said by John Rooney - A
man of honor always keeps his word. Road to Perdition would have won
best picture in 2002 halfway in the year because the five nominees for
best picture were all December releases.
46. Dial M for Murder (1954)
One of the greatest murder investigations of
all-time. A man, Ray Milland, carries out a plot to murder his wife,
Grace Kelly. When things go wrong, he heads to an impressive plan B. A
brilliant scheme… 95% of the movie was filmed in one Apartment house,
where a murder took place. The rest of the plot is complicated and
contains some fine surprises. As always, it is handled expertly by
Alfred Hitchcock, who makes sure that we focus both on the characters
and on the clues. The camera work shows Hitchcock can do just about
everything a movie can do. What we learn is this - No one can plan and
execute the perfect murder without the littlest thing to go wrong.
45. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
Is trusting someone enough? Two men meet up in
Mexico, and go to work for a contractor, then meet up with an old
prospector, who claims the hills are still full of gold, and if they can
get the cash, he'll go with them. They eventually get the cash from him
after a little persuasion and all three set off for the hills as
friends, but will they return that way? We learn that water is sometimes
more precious that gold. Excellent portray by Humprey Bogart. One of the
first major original films about how valuable it is to have gold. This
movie was significant because it was one of the first to bring two
genres together... action and drama and make it worthwhile to watch.
Nomination for best picture with wins of supporting actor to Walter
Huston and director and screenplay to John Huston.
44. Bambi (1942)
A Walt Disney classic… animated film about a young
deer, Bambi, growing up in the wild after human hunters shoot his
mother. One might say every young child should watch Bambi… the world
would be a better place. It teaches the only values that can't be looked
at in other ways.
43. Remember the Titans (2000)
Probably the best movie about football and a
community, based on a true story of a newly appointed African-American
coach, Denzel Washington, and his high school team on their first season
as a racially integrated unit. The year of 1971 is seen through the eyes
of the football team where the man hired to coach the Black school is
made head coach over the highly successful white coach. The team becomes
the unifying symbol for the community as the boys and the adults learn
to depend on and trust each other. Excellent soundtrack and an
outstanding drama. Touching scenes.
42. Chinatown (1974)
Directed by Roman Polanski starring Jack Nicholson,
Faye Dunaway, and John Huston. Jack Nicholson plays Jakes Gittes who is
a very smart character to be. A private detective investigating an
adultery case stumbles on to a scheme of murder that has something to do
with water. An intriguing, deep plot. Great directed film by Roman
Polanski. Key nominations for best picture, actor, actress, and
director. Do the "bad guy(s)" win the outcome of this movie? You'll have
to see for yourself…
41. Big (1988)
An enjoyable, young Tom Hanks portrays a boy who
wishes to be big at a magic wish machine at a fair. The next morning, he
wakes up and finds himself in an adult body. He has help from his best
friend as he gets a luxurious job and a vacant, large room where he
becomes imaginative. He also meets a co-worker, Elizabeth Perkins, in
where they fall into a relationship. Tom Hanks shines in this film as he
tries to cope with an unfamiliar setting without his mom and with a
world of adults.
40. The French Connection (1971)
What a marvelous movie. Gene Hackman stars as Popeye
Doyle. A police drama portrays two tough New York City cops trying to
intercept a huge heroin shipment coming from France. An interesting
contrast is established between 'Popeye' Doyle, a and dedicated police
officer, Roy Scheider, and his nemesis Alain Charnier, Fernando Rey, a
criminal and one of the largest drug suppliers of pure heroin to North
America. During the surveillance and eventual bust, the movie provides
one of the most gripping and memorable car chase sequences ever filmed.
The movie that made fedora hats look cool. It won Oscars such as best
picture, actor in Gene Hackman, and director in William Friedkin.
39. Rear Window (1954)
Alfred Hitchcock at his best... a great on-screen duo
in James Stewart and Grace Kelly. A wheelchair bound photographer, James
Stewart, spies on his neighbors from his apartment window and becomes
convinced one of them has committed murder. Grace Kelly comes and visits
him now and then to see what is going on. The camera angles are
magnificent. We look at what James Stewart is looking at as if we are
seeing it through his eyes and then the camera shows James's tense,
emotional reactions and then back at what he sees - Alfred Hitchcock
mastered in that in all his films and made it become famous. He delivers
a superb thriller spiked with humor. Alfred is one of the greatest
storytellers to ever hit directing. He was nominated for best director.
Sharp, clever, inventive, with great values all round.
38. Die Hard (1988)
An excellent action plot with an original storyline
of terrorists. The first Die Hard to bring the second and the third. A
New York Cop, John McClane who is Bruce Willis, finds himself in a tight
situation when an office building in Los Angeles is taken over by
terrorists. Apart from himself, everyone else in the building -
including his wife - is held at gunpoint while their captors spell out
their demands. The F.B.I. are called in to survey the situation, but
John McClane has other plans for the terrorists. This movie brought out
the best of Bruce Willis in his beginning action films and sought a
great future career ahead of him.
37. Face/Off (1997)
An exciting film. Directed by John Woo featuring John
Travolta and Nicolas Cage as a government agent Sean Archer, Travolta,
has been chasing Castor Troy, Cage, to avenge his son's death by the
hands of the psychotic terrorist for six years. Now that he put Castor
in a coma, Sean must find a biological bomb that Castor planted
somewhere by being the identity of Castor Troy by taking his face off
and putting it on his and being brought in prison to get information
with the prison mates. However, Troy, who awakes from his coma, takes
Archer's face in order to take revenge on him. Now, Troy turns Archer's
life upside down by assuming his identity. Troy is now Archer's identity
while Aracher is now Troy… stepping inside someone else's shoes. Will
Archer break free from the prison? If he does, who will believe him that
he is actually Sean Archer? Will he get his face back or will Troy have
the last laugh? So many questions with unexpected plot twists. Imagine
if you were Sean Archer in this type of situation, what would you do? A
powerful attention grabber.
36. The Birds (1963)
Real birds, fake birds, trained birds, stuffed birds,
mechanical birds, it was just incredible... Director Alfred Hitchcock's
last great film he made starring Tippi Hedren as the main character as
birds suddenly begin to attack people with increasing numbers as the
birds increase viciousness. It is like the birds turned on the humans
until they got fed up with them as they needed to attack humans since
they were put in cages and were not treated to their standard in
society. It is Nature vs. human as the victims are not truly innocent...
humans have taken nature for granted and suddenly the humans are at risk
against nature. Amazing set pieces… Alfred brings out the changes of
points of view at the main character. We take nature and abuse it and
then it becomes a risk. In one scene where a car goes on fire, it goes
from a still frame images to still frame images. It was just so
brilliant on Alfred's part. He always has something new up his sleeve as
he invents various neat things that the audience tends to ignore, but it
fits so well in the movie. The visual effects were so remarkable at the
time it was made. It opened the doors of special effect movies that they
can actually have a bit of success with it.
35. Seabiscuit (2003)
True story of the depression-era audience, pleased
racehorse named Seabiscuit whose victories lifted not only the spirits
of the three-man team, Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, and Chris Cooper,
behind it, but also those of the nation as well. A memorable quote - I
think it's better to break a man's leg than his heart. Superb score.
Great main cast of Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, Elizabeth
Banks, Gary Stevens, a real life jockey, and William H. Macy. Breathe
taking score. The horse and his jockey, trainer and owner try to
overcome hardships and failure to succeed. It was like "Rudy on a
horse." It will touch your heart and warm it up. Chris Cooper was
exceptional once again. Intense horseracing sequences. Horseracing kept
minds off the depression era and started to make money by betting.
Emotional builder. Great part during the final race that was showing
only pictures of people at that time and their radios as we only hear
what is coming out of the radio during the horserace. The automobile
changed the ways of transportation from horses to cars. An excellent
docudrama that will have people talking about this under-valued film for
decades.
34. Gangs of New York (2002)
Directed by Martin Scorsese with a cast of Leonardo
DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cameron Diaz, and John C. Reilly. In
mid-nineteenth century New York, gangs of Irish immigrants face off
against bands of local anti-immigration citizens in a bloody turf war.
Set against an environment of poverty and political corruption, the film
tells the story of a young man, DiCaprio seeking revenge against the
powerful gang leader, Day-Lewis, who killed his father. Most Americans
have a massive gap in their knowledge of U.S. history for the period
from 1776 until right around the Civil War. Daniel-Day Lewis' nominated
best actor performance is the best of the new century.
33. Rudy (1993)
Based on a true story… Sean Astin does an excellent
job acting as Rudy Ruettiger… a motivating film. His brothers and others
have always told Rudy that he was too small to play football, however,
he is determined to overcome the all odds and fulfill his dream of
playing college football for Notre Dame. He takes this process step by
step and learns to excel in every obstacle he goes by. He must make
sacrifices. This means so much to him than anything else. This true
story portrays more heart than any other character in America's film.
Electrifying, moving, stunning score. Great setting. It has built a
tough affect on the game and people. This movie is encouraging and
inspiring that the heart for any game means the most. If you have the
heart, you build confidence.
32. The Green Mile (1999)
An enormous cast which includes Tom Hanks, David
Morse, Bonnie Hunt, Sam Rockwell, and Michael Clarke Duncan. A
marvelously told story. This movie will seize the viewer's emotions from
the start to end. An outstanding 'tear jerker.' The story about the
lives of death row guards in a penitentiary in the 1930s leading up to
the execution of a wrongly accused man, John Coffey who is Duncan, who
has the power of faith healing. A brilliant, touching plot with a twist
in during the film. However, one guard named Percy is a stuck up, mean,
and violent person. They are in for a strange experience that involves
an intelligent mouse, later named Mr. Jingles, who loves cornbread,
brutal executions, and the revelation about Coffey's innocence and his
true identity that brings the twist in the plot. We are so focused on
the characters in this film than any other story put together. Comical,
but at the same time sad, because the guards must do their job at death
row.
31. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
A psychopath is kidnapping and murdering women.
Believing it takes one to know one, the F.B.I. sends Agent Clarice
Starling, Jodie Foster, to interview a frantic prisoner, Another
Hopkins, who may provide psychological insight and clues to the killer's
actions. The prisoner is Dr. Hannibal Lector who is a brilliant,
murderous cannibal who will only help Starling if she feeds his morbid
curiosity with details about her own complicated life. This twisted
relationship forces Starling not only to confront her psychological
demons, but leads her to face with a demented, heinous killer, an
incarceration of evil so powerful, that she may not have the or strength
to stop him. This move brings the thrills… it makes your eyebrows go
closer to your eyes... makes you think deep about the next move. Swept
away by both Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins performances, perhaps the
greatest 'villain' ever in an American film. Only one true 'horror' film
has won Best Picture. This movie was one of three to sweep the Academy
awards picking up best picture, best actor in Anthony Hopkins, best
director in John Demme, best screenplay, and best actress in Jodie
Foster. One of the scariest, frightening, grossest movies. An intense,
suspenseful film.
30. Raging Bull (1980)
A biographical film about the middleweight champ, but
emotionally self-destructive Jake LaMotta. His violence that makes him
unstoppable in the ring brings the same anger that also drives Jake to
beat his wife and his brother Joey and sends Jake down a
self-destructive spiral of suspicion and temper. The best boxing film of
all-time. Nicely directed by Martin Scorsese. Robert De Niro acts as
Jake LaMotta and his brother is Joe Pesci, who becomes his boxing
manager. Oscar nominations such as best picture, director in Martin
Scorsese, and supporting actor in Joe Pesci including a major win to
best actor in Robert De Niro.
29. Adaptation. (2002)
Nicolas Cage plays twins as screenwriter Charlie
Kaufman, Nicolas Cage, struggles to adapt the book The Orchid Thief for
the screen, he is frustrated by his twin brother, Nicolas Cage, Donald's
seemingly effortless transition from unknown lay about to successful
blockbuster screenwriter. His problems with his own project lead Charlie
to interview author Susan Orlean, Meryl Streep, whose relationship with
her book's main character, Chris Cooper, may be more complicated than it
appears. Directed by Spike Jonze. So, how are flowers so passionate? A
memorable quote said by Meryl Streep is "You are what you love, not what
loves you." When Charlie might get into life troubles of knowing too
much, he falls into an adventure of real life filled with emotions and
hardships and finds out characters actually do change and to top it all
off, this movie was based on a true story, but Charlie Kaufman created
the ending. A screenwriter who put himself into the movie script along
with his own twin brother to add in a special ending to the author's
book. The Kaufman brothers were nominated for the screenplay for an
Oscar, as this is the first time in Oscar history that a nomination has
been bestowed upon a fictional character. The Kaufmans was robbed off an
Oscar for achievement in writing for an adapted screenplay. Also
nominated were Nicolas Cage in best actor and Meryl Streep in best
actress. Chris Cooper finally won an Oscar in his great performance as a
supporting actor. What a great, deep, true story. This is a definite
must watch for all movie fans.
28. The Godfather, Part II (1974)
Early life and career of Vito Corleone, Robert De
Niro, is portrayed while in current times his son expands and
strengthens his grasp on his crime association in the 1950's. Michael,
Al Pacino, attempts to move his family business to Las Vegas and tries
to purchase various casinos in a private fashion. Nominated for 11
Oscars and won key awards such as best picture, director in Francis Ford
Coppola, and supporting actor in Robert De Niro. This is Robert De
Niro's first major start as it was an enormous role that he made superb.
This is also Al Pacino's best-acted film along with Robert Duvall as one
of Al's brothers in the film. Beautiful sound and score… well directed.
The whole cast was splendid. They commit violent crimes and murder in
such a way that no superior person would no about it. It was done so
flawlessly!
27. The Family Man (2000)
Amazing, emotional, excellent story. Possibly the
best-balanced family romance-comedy film in the last fifty years.
However, it had every genre in the mix including fantasy. On Christmas
Eve, two days before he pulls off a multi-billion-dollar merger, Wall
Street hotshot Jack Campbell, Nicolas Cage, gets a phone message from a
woman, Téa Leoni, he almost married 13 years before he left to go on an
airplane for a job. He meets a mysterious man, Don Cheadle, in where
Jack says he has everything he needs. The man laughs at him and says you
put this on yourself, Jack. The next morning was Christmas as Jack wakes
up next to his old girlfriend, in some sort of parallel universe, in a
12-year marriage. Over the next few weeks, he gets a glimpse of what his
life would have been like if he'd married her including a house in New
Jersey, two children, bowling trophies, a job at his father-in-law's
tire store, an affair from another woman, and a lot of love from his
wife Kate. When this adventure ends, what will he do? This is a movie
you would want to watch many times.
26. The Gold Rush (1925)
Directed, starred, and written by Charles Chaplin in
the greatest silent masterpiece of them all. The best silent film ever
made. Chaplin is the most brilliant and smartest entertainer who ever
lived. Some call him the creator of comedy. The first major person in
the entertainment industry. A lone prospector ventures into Alaska
looking for gold. He gets mixed up with some burly characters and falls
in love with the beautiful Georgia. He tries to win her heart with his
outstanding charm.
25. On the Waterfront (1954)
The Waterfront Crime Commission is about to hold
public hearings on the working union and underworld penetration. As
workers are turned against each other, Terry Malloy, Marlon Brando,
inadvertently participates in the murder of fellow longshoreman Joey
Doyle. Union boss Johnny Friendly arranges the murder along with other
illegal dockside activities, aided by Terry's brother Charley. Terry
begins to feel spasms of conscience. When Joey's sister Edie sees more
in Terry than he sees in himself and Father Barry urges him on, Terry
reassesses his past and begins to regain responsibility for his actions.
Excellent score, great dialogue. Perhaps the greatest and most famous
speech in movie history- Marlon Brando as Terry Malloy talking to Rod
Steiger as Charley Malloy during a car ride -
Charley Malloy: Look, kid, I -- how much you weigh, Slick? When
you weighed one hundred and sixty-eight pounds you were beautiful. You
coulda been another Billy Conn, and that skunk we got you for a manager,
he brought you along too fast.
Terry Malloy: It wasn't him, Charley, it was you. Remember that
night in the Garden you came down to my dressing room and you said,
"Kid, this ain't your night. We're going for the price on Wilson." You
remember that? "This ain't your night"! My night! I coulda taken Wilson
apart! So what happens? He gets the title shot outdoors on the ballpark
and what do I get? A one-way ticket to Palooka-ville! You was my
brother, Charley, you shoulda looked out for me a little bit. You
shoulda taken care of me just a little bit so I wouldn't have to take
them dives for the short-end money.
Charley Malloy: Oh I had some bets down for you. You saw some
money.
Terry Malloy: You don't understand. I coulda had class. I
coulda been a contender. I coulda been someone Charley, instead of a
bum, which is what I am, let's face it. I'm a bum. It was you, Charley.
Starring Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, and Rod Steiger. A great theme to
the working industry. Nominated for 12 Academy awards with 8 wins such
as best picture, best director in Elia Kazan, and best actor in Marlon
Brando.
24. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale and her dog, Toto, and
her three companions - the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow
- go on the Yellow Brick Road to Oz. All four have become pop-culture
icons and central figures in the legacy of fantasy for children. The
Wicked Witch of the West who covets Dorothy's enchanted ruby slippers is
the only way Dorothy can get back home. This film is still as fresh and
frightening as it was when first released. Dynamic production with the
design, decoration, special effects, cinematography, score, and songs
like "Over the Rainbow." Catchy tunes and melodies like Follow the
Yellow brick road. More importantly, it showed black & white
representing Dorothy's home in Kansas as the picture transfers in Color
when she goes on an expedition in Oz. Admirable characters as each of
the three companions have one weakness or fear as it shows that nobody
is perfect… this is the one classic film that all kids should see first.
And one of the best repetitive quotes ever to hit theaters - There's no
place like home!
23. In the Heat of the Night (1967)
Sidney Poitier as a Philadelphia homicide detective
named Virgil Tibbs, an African-American detective, is asked to
investigate a murder in a racist southern town. He is arrested on
general principles when a white man is found dead. Tibbs' being Black is
enough reason for him being in jail. When his identity is established,
his boss offers his services to the small town sheriff who has little
experience with murder investigations. He tries to help the chief of
police, Rod Steiger, and the crew out. As the two policemen learn how to
work together, they begin to make progress on the crime. Excellent,
powerful plot during the time it was released. Won an Academy award for
best picture in tough competition along with best actor in Rod Steiger.
22. October Sky (1999)
Beautifully directed by Joe Johnston… heart cozy,
passionate score… impressive setting. Based on a true story set in the
late 1950s Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son, who was inspired by the
first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes.
Homer Hickam begins pursing a dream and sticking to it and doesn't give
up as his struggling town, which is based on a coal mine, odds are
against him including his own father's wishes and a discouraging
principal. The father ignores his son and focuses on the town's coal
mine instead. He believes his son will follow his footsteps when he
becomes a man. Will they soon eventually will all fall and believe in
Homer's spirit? Homer gets help from several people including his
inspiring teacher and his supporting cast of three friends. Emotional,
encouraging story. One of the greatest motivating films in the late
twentieth century. Young Jake Gyllenhaal's best film as Homer Hickam.
Chris Cooper, one of the top supporting actors of my time, ties in
everything as the father with a strong performance. From the producer of
Field of Dreams and directed by Joe Johnston brings you a movie that
will make you cry at the end every time.
21. The Apartment (1960)
Understandable, stylish, enjoyable... maybe the best
overall story and direction in a comedy-drama. A corporate climber whose
boss and others use his apartment for hanky-panky aids a young woman as
he rises his status in his company. Memorable quotes such as "Why do
people have to love people anyway?" Classic scene with Jack Lemmon
practicing a speech to say to his boss and keeps practicing until he
walks up to him and forgets it. Outstanding, straightforward dialogue. A
fascinating film with a plot that grabs the audience with a mixed up,
captivating affair and the director of Billy Wilder, who won an Oscar
best director for this film, does not cheat or fool anyone. A solid
heart warming ending… loved it. Pleasing performances by Jack Lemmon,
Shirley MacLaine, and Fred MacMurray. Winner of best picture, director
with notable nominations of Jack Lemmon, Jack Kruschen, and Shirley
MacLaine.
20. Taxi Driver (1976)
Director Martin Scorsese and actor Robert De Niro
team up in this film and could possibly be the best Director-Actor
combination of all-time in all their films together. Poised performance
by Robert De Niro. I love Jodie Foster as an actress as she can bring so
much authority into the slightest, but influencing role. Well-directed
film by Martin Scorsese. When a movie combines Robert, Jodie, and a
great cast of supporting actors with an outstanding script along with
Scorsese's brilliant direction with the stunning cinematography, and
enduring score, that movie will give the audience a truly unforgettable
cinematic experience. Nominated for best picture, actor in De Niro,
supporting actress in Jodie, and music score. This movie is an urgent
watch immediately.
19. Amadeus (1984)
F. Murray Abraham earned an Academy award for best
actor for his imperious performance as Antonio Salieri who is in a young
rival with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, played by Tom Hulce, also nominated
for best actor, who was extraordinary. The incredible story of Wolfgang
'Amadeus' Mozart, told in flashback mode by Antonio Salieri, who is now
confined to an insane asylum. Antonio Salieri believes that Mozart's
music is divine. He wishes he were himself as great musician as Mozart
so that he can praise the Lord through composing. However, he can't
understand why God favored Mozart, such a vulgar creature, to be his
instrument. Salieri's envy has made him an enemy of God whose greatness
was evident in Mozart. He is set to take revenge. Excellent told story.
Shows how Mozart is brilliant, motivated, and very ambitious at a young
age, who has major talents at composing piano play. Started shining with
no high social status. Was not overly poor or high. This movie won Best
Picture in this year I was born. Outstanding sound. It asks us questions
like does God control all and does god decide who lives and who dies?
Marvelous, well-acted movie with under-rated actors with no huge names.
I was very impressed. Excellent job by Milos Forman, who won an Oscar
for best director.
18. Singin' in the Rain (1952)
Movies stars/actors in the late 1920s try to adapt to
the new technology of sound and talking in movies from silent
pictures... very funny part where their first sound film is premiered
with various errors. An excellent story with a hilarious bit of romance
with history behind it…a brilliant comedy... Gene Kelly's performance
was magnificent and I fell in love with Debbie Reynolds' character,
charisma, and voice. I'm glad I saw this movie. A glorious classic film
musical. In 1927, Don Lockwood, Kelly, and Lina Lamont, Jean Hagen, are
the darlings on the silent silver screen. Off screen, Don, aided by his
happy-go-lucky friend and piano accompanist, Donald O'Connor as Cosmo
Brown who is hilarious, has to dodge Lina's romantic overtures,
especially when he falls for chorus girl Kathy Selden, Debbie Reynolds.
With the advent of sound in motion pictures, it is decided to turn Don
and Lina's new film into a talking and a musical at that. The only
problem is Lina's voice, which measly words cannot describe. Thus, Kathy
is brought on to voice over her speaking and singing voice in secret,
and Don's on top of the world. But then… Lina finds out...
17. Star Wars (1977)
Also known as Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope...
invented the greatest created movie weapon - the lightsaber. It came out
with the most popular collectibles toward any film. There were too many
series and sequels to this film with new characters. One was fine. The
best original cast of characters for the first Star Wars film that
includes Mark Hawill as Luke Skywalker and Harrison Ford as Han Solo
with characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi, C-3PO, Chewbacca, R2-D2, Princess
Leia, Grand Moff Tarkin, and Darth Vader as Luke Skywalker leaves his
home planet, teams up with other robots and such as he tries to save
Princess Leia from the evil of Darth Vader… an excellent lineup of known
characters. It brought the start for their success for the 5th, 6th,
episode I, II, and soon III Star Wars. This movie had 11 Academy Award
nominations including best picture with 7 award winners. Director George
Lucas did an outstanding job restoring the original print, but enhanced
many of the visual and audio effects. He also added some stunning new
scenes. Since the theatrical re-release, Star Wars has gone on to become
one of the highest-grossing marketed films of all time.
16. Jurassic Park (1993)
Written by Michael Crichton and directed by Steven
Spielberg as they bring you the best creature movie of all-time which
comes in a form that no human on this planet has ever seen a live one in
person - I'm talking about a dinosaur. People have been experimenting
and trying to come up with the best look for a dinosaur. However, this
movie accomplished that and made dinosaurs become more famous than it
ever was. Starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Samuel L.
Jackson, Wayne Knight, and many others. On a remote island, a wealthy
entrepreneur secretly creates a theme park featuring living dinosaurs
drawn from prehistoric DNA. Before opening the attraction to the public,
he invites a top paleontologist, a paleobotanist, a theorist, and his
two eager grandchildren to experience the park and help calm concerned
investors. Though, the park visit is anything, but peaceful… great build
up suspense leading to see the first action live dinosaur on the big
screen as the park's security system breaks down. Nevertheless, the
prehistoric creatures break out and the excitement builds to surprising
results. Surprising effects, presentation, and originality. I remember
watching behind the scenes and making of specials on television…it was
very interesting in how they bring life to dinosaurs on the screen at
the time. It was big. Stupendous score. Won all their nominated Academy
awards such as sound, editing, and visual effects.
15. A Christmas Story (1983)
This is perhaps the most enjoyable movie made that
icons the all-American Christmas. So many laughs, so many memories, and
classic moments make this movie one to remember forever. People watch
this movie over and over again during the holidays as it raids over our
television channels in December. One time or another, we can all relate
to Ralphie in a way. Ralphie, a young boy growing up in the 1940s, has
to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder BB
gun really is the best gift for him. He sets out to convince the world
this is the perfect gift. Memorable parts such as when the "old man"
just got a major award… a leg lamp, the mom is making sure The Old Man
doesn't come near her turkey, Ralphie's friend gets his tongue stuck to
a phone pole, and Ralphie utters the f-word in front of his father also
known as the "The F-dash-dash-dash-word." Christmas is drawing nearer
for Ralphie and the world as he visits Santa at the mall in hopes of
asking him for his dream gift. Will he receive his dream present? Let's
hope so.
14. The Graduate (1967)
A young man, Dustin Hoffman, just out of college
doesn't know what to do with his life. However, being involved with a
young woman, Katharine Ross, AND being seduced by her mother, Anne
Bancroft, probably wasn't it. Dustin is tired of being the golden boy
for his parent's friends and a college track star so he embarks upon an
affair with the wife of his father's boss. Benjamin leads a frustrated
life and often sees adults in a bizarre way. What will happen to him?
Best director went out to Mike Nichols with key nominations to Dustin
Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, and Katharine Ross. Nice, fearful, romantic,
cheerful, sad, angry, so much emotions built up in a Simon & Garfunkel
sound tracked movie. The movie described the characters great. Lines
like "Are you here for an affair?" and others became cultural
touchstones.
13. Sunset Boulevard (1950)
Recently deceased movie writer Joe Gillis tells of
his outing with delusional silent movie star Norma Desmond. The movie
opens when Joe Gillis is floating face down in a swimming pool as the
homicide crew arrives. He narrates the events back to us leading to the
opening scene of the movie. Joe Gillis is a bankrupt screenwriter who
hides from car repossessors in the garage of a deserted-looking mansion,
which is to be the bizarre home of Norma Desmond, an old retired silent
screen star. Joe takes shelter there, with a so-called job of rewriting
Norma's hopeless 'comeback' screenplay. Weeks pass… feeling more and
more like a kept man, Joe grasps at reality in the form of a secret
friendship with script reader Betty Schaefer, the script reader who
originally rejected his efforts and is hooked up with his best friend
and would now like to collaborate with him, but it's too late... This
movie is part of our collective memory and most of the dialogue
continues to be quoted even today like the line "All right, Mr. DeMille,
I'm ready for my close-up." Sunset Blvd. is one of those great movies
that have become a part of popular culture. With 11 Academy award
nominations such as best picture and directing with awards like
screenplay writing. This movie represents the glamour part. An old,
ambitious woman being carried away to try to get back in the spotlight
again… a tremendous main cast with most likely their finest
performances. Excellent directed film by Billy Wilder. This movie can
make the audience so interested into the events and the main characters.
It is written so terrific and smooth.
12. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
A Story about Bonnie and Clyde, sometime lovers.... a
somewhat romantized relation of their livelihood of the notoriously
violent bank robbing couple and their gang... as a living, they rob
banks, steal cars, murder people, and meet people. Hilarious, fun,
stylish, and entertaining. It's interesting to go on a course once in a
while with the "bad guys." The movie teaches us that the early 1930s had
poor security... a very original story… Gene Hackman first big film gets
him notice as Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway's partnership on the screen
was just so fantastic. Reminds me a bit of Butch Cassidy and the
Sundance Kid. This movie also shattered the crime film industry,
combining comedy into mayhem with youthful criminality. Nominated for
every major category such as director by Arthur Penn, picture, actor
Warren Beatty, actress Faye Dunaway, supporting actor Gene Hackman, and
screenplay with a total of 10 nods. Sturdy, to the point ending.
11. How the West Was Won (1962)
The history of the United States Western expansion in
the as told by the story of one pioneer family's history. The family
from New York, heading West in the early 1800s brings the children and
grandchildren eventually reach the Western shore after decades of
hardships, war, crime, and struggle. Nominated for 8 Academy awards
including best picture brings the biggest epic story on screen
representing three generations of one family and friends. A star
stunning cast at the time with names likes Carroll Baker, Lee J. Cobb,
Henry Fonda, Carolyn Jones, Karl Malden, Gregory Peck, George Peppard,
Robert Preston, John Wayne, James Stewart, and Debbie Reynolds. The
placing of the performers in this film with the respected times are done
so well seeing the children growing up to be adults simultaneously as
the United States change. It has all the great elements of an extensive
historical epic can have and it was so wonderfully done in the early
1960s.
10. Casablanca (1942)
Story is not long and to the point with an excellent
screen write. Classic performances by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid
Bergman. Humphrey Bogart is Rick Blaine and who is perhaps one of the
greatest heroes and characters in an American film. Directed by Michael
Curtiz. Winner of best picture, screenplay, and directing. Casablanca
has been raised to cult status mainly because of its memorable
performances. Humphrey Bogart had perhaps his greatest role as Rick
Blaine, the cynical American refugee whose Casablanca bar/casino is a
focal point of wartime deception. Equally evocative is Ingrid Bergman as
Rick's former love. Rick Blaine, who has the possession of two valuable
letters of transition, has his world turned upside down when his lost
love, Ilsa, Bergman, returns, with her husband... One of the best
endings of any movie ever, which invented classical phrases, scenery,
and remarks that are used out in later films with quotes such as 'I
think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship' 'I don't like
disturbances in my place... either lay off politics, or get out' and
'Here's looking at you, kid.' Time goes by, but this 1942 Oscar winner
remains an audience favorite.
9. Some Like It Hot (1959)
Principally, two male musicians, Tony Curtis and Jack
Lemmon as Joe and Jerry, so desperate to get a great job that they
disguise themselves as women and play with an all-girl band in
gangster-dominated 1929 Chicago after they witness a gang lord mob
shooting in a parking garage. Fearing that they will be next on the
mobsters' hit lists, Joe devises an ingenious plan for disguising their
identities. Soon they are all dolled up and performing as Josephine and
Daphne in Sweet Sue's all-girl orchestra. The guys make the acquaintance
of Sue's lead singer Sugar Kane, Marilyn Monroe, in what may be her best
performance. Joe and Jerry immediately fall in love, though of course
their new feminine identities prevent them from acting on their desires.
Still, they are determined to woo her and they enact an elaborate series
of gender-bending ruses complicated by the fact that flirtatious
millionaire Osgood Fielding, Joe E. Brown, has fallen in love with
"Daphne." The plot gets even thicker when the mob boss and his boys show
up. Nominated for 6 Oscars… this movie has ended up the biggest
moneymaking comedy up to 1959. Full of hilarious set pieces and movie
in-jokes… it has not flawed with time and in fact seems to get better
with each passing year. One of the greatest American comedies of
all-time… oh, it also had legendary sex symbol Marilyn Monroe, who is
the greatest sex star of the 20th century. The title blonde bombshell
was first given to her. She showed her funny side, sexy side, serious
side, and entertainment singing side in this movie as she represents
rich, glamour, and Hollywood. Directed by Billy Wilder. One of the most
funniest and original endings ever.
8. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Jack Nicholson's performance as Randle Patrick
McMurphy in this role was one of the best of all-time. Directed by Milos
Forman who has a custom to express great films describing a strict
relationship between two people. Winner of best picture, actor in
Nicholson, actress in Louise Flectcher, directing, and writing which
means this was one of three to get a prominent accomplishment of
sweeping the Academy awards. A man, Nicholson, sent to a mental hospital
and finds the head nurse, Flectcher, a lot more dangerous than the other
patients find her. McMurphy thinks he can get out of doing work while in
prison by pretending to be mad. His plan backfires when he is sent to a
mental asylum instead. He tries to liven the place up a bit by playing
card games and basketball and trying to watch television with his fellow
inmates, but the head nurse is after him at every turn. An inquisitive,
calamity ending.
7. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
An angel helps a compassionate, but despondently
aggravated businessman, George Bailey as James Stewart, by showing what
life would had been like if he never existed. As a boy, George saved his
brother from drowning. As a young adult, his father, an owner of a
business, whose business represents the town, dies. He was in a tense
rival with another rich businessman who wants his ways. So, George takes
over and gives his college money to his brother who becomes quite famous
later on, especially in the war, as George stays back and tries to run
the business against Mr. Potter, who wants to buy him out, and marries
his high school sweetheart and has children. The angel Clarence then
shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn't been for
all his positive deeds over the years. Will Clarence be able to convince
George to return to his family and forget about suicide? The greatest
and happiest ending of any movie, a tearjerker. James Stewart in the
middle of his career was astonishing. Major Oscar nominations of best
picture, director in Frank Capra, and actor in James Stewart. This movie
is now the most beloved American film.
6. It Happened One Night (1934)
A young woman, Claudette Colbert, named Ellie
Andrews, runs away from her wealthy father and soon to be married to
King Westley. On a bus, she meets street-smart reporter Peter Warne,
Clark Gable. She is gently helped by him who's actually a reporter
looking for a story. In fact, Warne doesn't give her any choice: either
she sticks with him until he gets her back to her husband or he'll blow
the whistle on Ellie to her father. Either way, Peter gets what he
believes he wants… a really glorified newspaper story. They are
reluctantly in love and afraid to admit it to each other. What will
happen if she mistakenly thinks that Warne has run out on her or if
Ellie returns to King Wesley? The turns… the joys… the happiness.
Finally, a movie without someone dying. This movie defines what a film
should be made like. Cocky remarks of "Oh, yea" that created sarcasm.
What a storyline in the 1930s. Funny, brilliant dialogue… Clark Gable is
so balanced and poised and fits in so perfect with Claudette Colbert. A
man can do so much for a woman and this man has done it, but it an
ordinary way. A miraculous story. Classic scenes that are enjoyable and
humorous. It was so great and told with terrific ideas at the time the
movie was made in the early 30s. Think about that. A straightforward
ending. Everything mentioned or did in the movie is seen in most of
today's films still. This movie is still as breezy and beguiling today.
Frank Capra is the first best director ever to hit Hollywood with his
compelling drama-comedy-romance. Ultimately, this was the initial chief
film and it was the first to sweep the Academy awards going five for
five. The film is full of memorable scenes often referred to in other
films. Inspired combination makes this film both an energetic
entertainment and an elevating experience.
5. Vertigo (1958)
One of Alfred Hitchcock's finest and darkest films.
Two key highlights: a mesmerizing score by Bernard Hermann and a
haunting final shot. Exceptional art direction and sound. The most
under-rated film of all-time. A lost masterpiece by Hitchcock… there was
not a missed note or piece… a unique piece of work. James Stewart and
Kim Novak fit so magnificent together in this movie. This move is so
powerful that scenes from the film were shown in other movies like
Stuart Little 2 and 12 Monkeys. Probably the most complete plot in a
movie. It opens as Scottie Ferguson, James Stewart, realizes he has
vertigo, a condition resulting in a fear of heights, when a police
officer is killed trying to rescue him from falling off a building.
Scottie then retires from his position as a private investigator, only
to be lured into another case by his old college friend, Gavin Elster,
Tom Helmore. Gavin tells Scottie that his wife, Madeleine, Kim Novak,
has been possessed by a spirit and Elster wants Scottie to follow her
and sees what she does on a daily basis. He hesitantly agrees, and thus
begins the film's wordless montage as Scottie follows the beautiful yet
mysterious Madeleine through 1950s San Francisco. After saving her from
suicide, Scottie begins to fall in love with her and she appears to feel
the same way. BUT THEN BAM… THE ULTIMATE TURING POINT IN MOVIE HISTORY
HAPPENS… the tragedy strikes as Hitchcock leads the movie into a new
direction with each twist in the movie's second half changes our
presumptions about the characters and events.
4. The Godfather (1972)
This is the movie that gave "Italian-Americans" the
reputation of an edgy, modest, smart, loyal, hard working, quiet guy
approach that people should always respect them and take them serious.
The movie that started the whole family business portrayal. A brilliant,
tranquil score with 10 Academy award nominations with wins such as best
picture, actor in Marlon Brando, and screenplay. Directed superbly by
Francis Ford Coppola who is joined with Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and
Robert Duvall. Mafia boss', Brando, innocent son, Pacino, gets involved
in the family business when his father is critically wounded in a mob
hit. The father who is called 'The Godfather' is Don Vito Corleone who
is the head of his New York Mafia. Problems arise when a gangster
supported by another Mafia family, Sollozzo, announces his intentions to
start selling drugs all over New York. Don Vito does not like the idea
of selling drugs, as he is happy with the gambling and protection
processes that make him money. Sollozzo then kidnaps one of Vito's
advisors and tries to make him force Vito's son to agree to sell drugs,
but the plan goes wrong when Sollozzo finds out that Don Vito is still
alive... During the daughter's wedding party of the opening scene shows
the greatest respect towards Vito Corleone or anyone in a movie as men
come up to him asking for various types of favors. Classic quotes like
"Don't ever take sides with anyone against the family again. Ever."
"It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business." "I'll make him an
offer he can't refuse."
3. Psycho (1960)
The Man... The Music... The Mother...The
Madness...The Movie. Director Alfred Hitchcock's extraordinary direction
and brilliance makes this movie impossible to compare. If Alfred was
born 30 or 40 years earlier, think of what we would have lost since the
movie industry was not around then. Marion Crane, Janet Leigh, does not
have enough money to marry her boyfriend and neither does he. She has a
small job at Lowery's office. However, a rich oil tycoon comes to the
office to give Lowery forty grand to buy a house for his daughter's
wedding present. Marion takes this money and packs up and heads for
Fairvale to see Sam, her boyfriend. The unforgettable music starts that
makes us suspicious every second. She ends up at the Bates Motel where
she meets Norman Bates, Anthony Perkins, a troubled young man who seems
to be obsessed with his mother. After Norman gives Marion dinner, she
goes back to her room for a shower... and then the most memorable scene
in any movie occurs - the frightening shower scene. The star of the
movie is a killer while the leading character in the beginning of the
film dies out. The shower meant she washed the dirt off her from being a
thief and we thought this movie was about Janet Leigh stealing money
until that shower scene... a huge turning point… it was the most
powerful scene at the time and yes, now a days there are scary scenes,
but that scene was the most complete scene ever… it was shocking and
thrilling as no one can not get over it. During the final sequences of
the film, we once again here that hideous music score that grabs your
attention and fits the mood and action perfectly. We are telling the
character and shouting to tell the person not to go down the stairs… you
don't see that today where we are pulled into the movie and want to
control and talk to the characters. Finally, a movie that gives you
imagery and aggressive music. It was shot in black in white while the
new thing was done in color… Psycho changed movies so that it is
required to see any movie from the start and not from the middle. Psycho
II and III were enjoyable, okay continuous sequels, but it lost that
top-notch quality that Hitchcock mastered in creating. Anthony Perkins
as Norman Bates continues to excel in the suspenseful sequels with a
tremendous supporting cast. Although, this movie is usually remembered
as a shocker, there is actually very little violence. Its effect is
maximized by the skillful build-up and by the atmosphere that Hitchcock
created so carefully. The pacing is well done that slowly builds up the
tension and only releasing it when it will have the maximum effect… this
movie is a sensation and the main settings makes it even better… the
Bates Motel and the Bates' old house. Any possibility could occur in
that environment. The fine cast is led by Anthony Perkins, who is simply
outstanding in a very challenging role. Janet Leigh who was a big star
during the release as we thought the movie was about her. Vera Miles
plays her sister. The movie would not have been quite the same without
these underplayed, but thoroughly memorable performance. We learn that
everyone has a split personality… the dark side or the happy side.
2. Forrest Gump (1994)
One man has been through it all during his lifetime.
This motivating story has everything… it has the comedy, heartbreak,
joy, tears, romance, laughter, action, drama, generation change, and
American history. One man can do it all. This movie shows the American
dreams in the mid-late 1900s. A great inspirational story and a top
American film ever made. The emotions in this movie are so tense, but at
the same time we have an enjoyable moment after the next and then hits
us with more emotional turns. The music is absolutely outstanding. This
story is about a slow-witted, but warm-hearted man who somehow captures
the center of the essential events of the 20th century in a funny and
heartwarming epic. Tom Hanks plays the title character, who is in love
with his childhood best friend, Jenny who is Robin Wright, who finds
that his ability to run fast takes him places. As an All-Star football
player, he meets John F. Kennedy… as a soldier in Vietnam, he becomes a
war hero… a world champion ping-pong player… a successful shrimp-boat
captain… and with all this he still yearns for the love of his life, who
takes a different approach to her life and a much sadder path. Hanks'
existing in this film is funny and impressive, but the heart of the film
lies in its sweet love story and in the triumphant performance of Hanks
as an unassuming soul who gets the most from his life and times. Hanks
is so calm and so relaxed that he is confident in his roles and make the
audience enjoy him on screen. Tom Hanks won Oscar for best actor and
what I believe is the strongest performance... the movie was nominated
for an incredible 13 categories with a win of best picture. This movie
achieved in every possible aspect of a movie - acting, directing,
writing, producing, film editing, visual effects, art direction, set
decoration, makeup, cinematography, and sound. Astounding quotes said by
Forrest Gump - "Now, maybe it's just me, but college was very confusing
times. " "Lieutenant Dan, I got you some ice cream. Lieutenant Dan, ice
cream!" "Mama always said life was like a box a chocolates, never know
what you're gonna get". "(Forrest has finished assembling his rifle)
Forrest: Done drill sergeant! Drill Sergeant: Guuuuuump! Why did you put
that weapon together so quickly, Gump? Forrest: Because you told me to,
Drill Sergeant? Drill Sergeant: Outstanding, Gump! This is a new company
record! If it weren't such a waste of a fine enlisted man, I'd recommend
you for OCS! You are gonna be a general someday, Gump!" "Bubba: Anyway,
like I was sayin', shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it,
boil it, broil it, bake it, sauté it. There's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp
creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's
pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp
soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger,
shrimp sandwich. That- that's about it." "Bubba: Have you ever been on a
real shrimping boat? Forrest: No, but I've been on a real big boat."
"And then in the desert, when the sun comes up... I couldn't tell where
heaven stopped and the earth began. It's so beautiful." "You know, it's
funny what a young man recollects, 'cause I don't remember being born. I
don't recall what I got for my first Christmas, and I don't know when I
went on my first outdoor picnic, but I do remember the first time I
heard the sweetest voice in the wide world." "Then Bubba said something
I won't ever forget. Bubba: I want to go home."
1. Gone with the Wind (1939)
Directed by Victor Fleming brings America the most
outstanding motion picture ever made... the film that changed
Hollywood's views of movies forever... the most popular Hollywood movie
ever made… winner of ten Academy awards including best picture.
America's most popular film without a question. Civil War era romance of
an epic story. This number one film narrates the love between Scarlett
O'Hara and Rhett Butler during the American civil war, one of the most
tumultuous periods in America's history. It's the history of a selfish
woman, Vivien Leigh as Scarlett, who doesn't want to admit her feelings
about the man, Clark Gable as Rhett, she loves… But Ashley, the man she
has wanted for so long, is going to marry her placid cousin, Melanie.
Mammy, the African-American maid, warns Scarlett to behave herself at
the party at Twelve Oaks. There was a new man there that day, the day
the Civil War begins… Rhett Butler. Scarlett does not know he is in the
room when she pleads with Ashley to choose her instead of Melanie. Rhett
is the most masculine character on screen and the two most famous names
together of all-time. Scarlett started out fragile and egocentric in the
movie, but later, however, during the harsh events that have happened to
the culture, she had to adjust to become a determined, strong-willed
person. It was the past and the people with their rich or poor clothes
on the plantations that was Gone with the Wind. People today forgot how
life was during the civil war time and right after it. This movie
accomplished that in four tremendous hours. The war changed their lives
by deaths or a part from their home and war-torn streets. Vivien and her
family lived on the famous fictional "Tara" or a plantation. This movie
was one of the first to be full in color, in which color is the one
technical aspect of a film that hasn't improved over the years. An
enormous achievement in art direction, color, sound, and cinematography
for the year of 1939. It is definitely worth the watch of this film's
success, drama, war, and romance. Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh are a
reason why this film is number one. They pair up in the best on screen
duo this country has ever seen. The film shows how the movie goes when
Vivien is without Clark and shows Vivien with Clark, as she is an
enhanced person with Clark. The finest movie they have ever been it.
Every moment of four hours is worth a million dollars with them. The
greatest acted movie with a wonderful supporting cast. Number one in box
office of all-time adjusted with inflation. If I were to be any actor,
it would have to be Clark Gable. He is one of the most fundamental,
masculine performers ever committed to a film he was in. I love his
emotions and reactions to the other characters on the screen. Classic
quotes and memorable quotes that we might hear in a part of everyday
speech… "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." and "Take a look my
dear. It's an historic moment you can tell your grandchildren about how
you watched the Old South fall one night." were said by Rhett Butler and
the most captivating quote of all-time is said by Vivien Leigh… "After
all, tomorrow is another day."
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