Anyone who knows me knows how much I love movies. I love to discuss and critique them. I also love to discuss my favorite films. I searched, and didn't find a thread on this subject (if I missed it, I apologize), so I thought it would be fun to make a thread where everyone can discuss their favorite movies. Here's my personal list, which does admittedly change sometimes (except for the film at #1, which is permanent):
10. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011): I am genuinely surprised by how much I love this film, but something about it just clicked with me. I love the World War II setting, and the theme of the underdog being the hero really resonated. Plus it has a fabulous musical number ("Star Spangled Man") which is awesome.
9. Boogie Nights (1997): Despite the subject matter (the 70's porn industry), this is a powerful and well-made film. Julianne Moore gave a phenomenal performance, and should have won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress that year. All of the performances and the direction are superb.
8. Moulin Rouge! (2001): This seems to be a love it or hate it movie. I of course am in the love it camp. The story is extremely simple, but it is very well done. Special mention must go to the visuals. They are amazing. Also, Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor are outstanding.
7. Gone With The Wind (1939): There's a reason this movie is a classic. Everything about it screams Hollywood's Golden Age. It's not perfect, and is historically inaccurate (especially in regards to slavery. I've always been appalled by that part of this country's history 🙁 ) but the way the story is presented is outstanding. Vivien Leigh is the best part of this film. She simply IS Scarlett O'Hara.
6. Superman: The Movie (1978): The best superhero film ever made, if you ask me. The pacing in this movie is perfect. It does not feel even close to being two and a half hours long. The film is fun, and has a terrific sense of wonderment to it. John Willaims' score is bold and majestic. Of course, Christopher Reeve is perfect as Superman. Not to be corny and cliche, but he made you believe a man could fly. 🙂
5. Star Wars (1977): This is the perfect Science Fiction/Fantasy film. Of course this movie revolutionized special effects, but it's much more than that. It's the perfect adventure movie. It also has my favorite movie villain of all-time (Darth Vader.)
4. The Exorcist (1973): I remember seeing this for the first time in 1999, and it shocked the hell out of me (pun not intended.) I had never seen any movie be so bold, shocking, and profane. It took me a few years to work up the nerve to see it again, since it scared me so much. Nowadays, even though I'm no longer religious, the film still resonates. Yes parts of it can be seen as offensive to some, I think it offers a mature viewpoint on the subject of faith. Linda Blair was extraordinary in this. It still amazes me how much she had to go through while making this movie. I think the best performance overall in the film has to be Jason Miller as the emotionally conflicted priest Damien Karras. His performance is very subtle, yet you can feel his inner pain and turmoil. An outstanding film in every respect.
3. Titanic (1997): When I saw this movie in January 1998, it was love at first sight. This film harkens back to Hollywood's Golden Age. It is a deeply romantic film, to be sure. Of course, it is much more than just Jack and Rose being star-crossed lovers. It is also about the tragedy of the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic. The tragedy of the sinking on April 14, 1912 is faithfully recreated and can be overwhelming. I did understand in 1998 that the sinking was tragedy, but it hits me even harder when I watch the film these days. I had never seen anything like Titanic in 1997, and the film still has the power to deeply move me to this day.
2. Shelter (2007): This is probably the least known film on my list, but I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good and realistic romantic/coming of age movie. The main character Zach has basically given up his dreams so he can provide a stable environment for his nephew Cody whom his sister pretty much neglects. Then he begins a relationship with Shawn, and begins to reevaluate what he really wants in life. It goes beyond being merely a "gay" movie, it also touches on themes of growing up and finding your real family. It also does not play into any stereotypes. All gay-themed films should be this good.
And finally....
1. Beauty And The Beast (1991): I know, shocker right. 😀 To me, this is the perfect movie. The main characters (Belle and The Beast) are perfect, the animation is perfect, the score is perfect, the songs are perfect, etc. It may be a fairy tale, yet I buy into it 100%. There are several scenes that I love, but to me the ballroom scene and the transformation scene are nothing short of exquisite. The ballroom scene where Belle and The Beast dance while Lansbury sings "Beauty And The Beast" is so simple, and so completely perfect. And no matter how many times I've seen it (must be close to 1000 by now, I'm not even kidding) the transformation scene where <SPOILER> The Beast lies there dying and Belle says "I love you" <END SPOILER> still has the ability to move me to tears. 😱 This also happens to be the first movie I remember falling completely in love with way back in 1992 at the age of six. To me, "Beauty And The Beast" is nothing short of a masterpiece, and the greatest film ever made. 🙂
Okay, so there's my (novel-long) list. I'd love to read everyone else's!
10. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011): I am genuinely surprised by how much I love this film, but something about it just clicked with me. I love the World War II setting, and the theme of the underdog being the hero really resonated. Plus it has a fabulous musical number ("Star Spangled Man") which is awesome.
9. Boogie Nights (1997): Despite the subject matter (the 70's porn industry), this is a powerful and well-made film. Julianne Moore gave a phenomenal performance, and should have won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress that year. All of the performances and the direction are superb.
8. Moulin Rouge! (2001): This seems to be a love it or hate it movie. I of course am in the love it camp. The story is extremely simple, but it is very well done. Special mention must go to the visuals. They are amazing. Also, Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor are outstanding.
7. Gone With The Wind (1939): There's a reason this movie is a classic. Everything about it screams Hollywood's Golden Age. It's not perfect, and is historically inaccurate (especially in regards to slavery. I've always been appalled by that part of this country's history 🙁 ) but the way the story is presented is outstanding. Vivien Leigh is the best part of this film. She simply IS Scarlett O'Hara.
6. Superman: The Movie (1978): The best superhero film ever made, if you ask me. The pacing in this movie is perfect. It does not feel even close to being two and a half hours long. The film is fun, and has a terrific sense of wonderment to it. John Willaims' score is bold and majestic. Of course, Christopher Reeve is perfect as Superman. Not to be corny and cliche, but he made you believe a man could fly. 🙂
5. Star Wars (1977): This is the perfect Science Fiction/Fantasy film. Of course this movie revolutionized special effects, but it's much more than that. It's the perfect adventure movie. It also has my favorite movie villain of all-time (Darth Vader.)
4. The Exorcist (1973): I remember seeing this for the first time in 1999, and it shocked the hell out of me (pun not intended.) I had never seen any movie be so bold, shocking, and profane. It took me a few years to work up the nerve to see it again, since it scared me so much. Nowadays, even though I'm no longer religious, the film still resonates. Yes parts of it can be seen as offensive to some, I think it offers a mature viewpoint on the subject of faith. Linda Blair was extraordinary in this. It still amazes me how much she had to go through while making this movie. I think the best performance overall in the film has to be Jason Miller as the emotionally conflicted priest Damien Karras. His performance is very subtle, yet you can feel his inner pain and turmoil. An outstanding film in every respect.
3. Titanic (1997): When I saw this movie in January 1998, it was love at first sight. This film harkens back to Hollywood's Golden Age. It is a deeply romantic film, to be sure. Of course, it is much more than just Jack and Rose being star-crossed lovers. It is also about the tragedy of the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic. The tragedy of the sinking on April 14, 1912 is faithfully recreated and can be overwhelming. I did understand in 1998 that the sinking was tragedy, but it hits me even harder when I watch the film these days. I had never seen anything like Titanic in 1997, and the film still has the power to deeply move me to this day.
2. Shelter (2007): This is probably the least known film on my list, but I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good and realistic romantic/coming of age movie. The main character Zach has basically given up his dreams so he can provide a stable environment for his nephew Cody whom his sister pretty much neglects. Then he begins a relationship with Shawn, and begins to reevaluate what he really wants in life. It goes beyond being merely a "gay" movie, it also touches on themes of growing up and finding your real family. It also does not play into any stereotypes. All gay-themed films should be this good.
And finally....
1. Beauty And The Beast (1991): I know, shocker right. 😀 To me, this is the perfect movie. The main characters (Belle and The Beast) are perfect, the animation is perfect, the score is perfect, the songs are perfect, etc. It may be a fairy tale, yet I buy into it 100%. There are several scenes that I love, but to me the ballroom scene and the transformation scene are nothing short of exquisite. The ballroom scene where Belle and The Beast dance while Lansbury sings "Beauty And The Beast" is so simple, and so completely perfect. And no matter how many times I've seen it (must be close to 1000 by now, I'm not even kidding) the transformation scene where <SPOILER> The Beast lies there dying and Belle says "I love you" <END SPOILER> still has the ability to move me to tears. 😱 This also happens to be the first movie I remember falling completely in love with way back in 1992 at the age of six. To me, "Beauty And The Beast" is nothing short of a masterpiece, and the greatest film ever made. 🙂
Okay, so there's my (novel-long) list. I'd love to read everyone else's!
Jodast
Beauty and the Beast karma. Excellent list :)
