My Top Ten

Well, the Oscars are this weekend, and if you've read any of my previous blogs you know that I'm a Hollywood/movie buff.
Once again I won't be watching the telecast live (I'll be at work)...but I will be interested in the overall results of the show.
At this time of the year when the Academy picks their top movies, actors and actresses, it made me think, what are my top picks for what I believe are the best movies of all time?
Well, one thing's for sure, you're probably gonna disagree with me on one or many of these, but here you go....
By the way, I'm listing each one because I feel very strongly that they are genuinely fantastic movies, and also, just so you know, they are mostly recent movies 1980's on...
Also, if you have any suggestions for fantastic movies...please pass them along...

10. Tombstone- I love really, really good westerns, and this one is my absolute favorite. The acting, screenplay, costumes, set design, everything...is fantastic. The non-stop action keeps you on the edge of your seat and for the ladies...there's an underlying love story. I thought Val Kilmer's portrayal of Doc Holliday was absolutely spot-on.

9. Sense and Sensibility- If it wasn't so darn lovey-dovey, then I would say that this is my favorite movie of all time...but because it is...I had to put it at number nine. I have been a fan of Jane Austen's writing since I was a child. My father was born in Ireland, and grew up in Ireland and England...so the stories he told me about the way of life there...and especially the English countryside...left me with a fascination that I couldn't shake. This movie gives you both the breathtaking beauty of the English countryside, as well as the fantastic re-telling of a classic love story (with plenty of sorrow in between.)

8. Romeo and Juliet- In addition to my love of Jane Eyre's writing, I am also a huge Shakespeare fan....quite unhealthy in fact. I know every word of this play...and obviously, this movie. This 1996 remake of the best love story of all time, is quite different than what anyone probably would've expected to see. I remember being so psyched when this movie was coming out, that I went to see it the first day that it was available in the theatres. Being such a huge Shakespeare fan, I was appalled after the first few minutes of the movie. I thought the film's director, Baz Luhrmann, was butchering the story. But the more I watched, the more I understood and grew to appreciate his style. And now, years later, this film is one of my all-time favorites.

7. Legends of the Fall- Ah, what can I say about this film. It is so, so fantastic. Everything from the breathtaking scenery of Montana, to the skilled actors in the film, to the heart-wrenching stories that weave every character together. The one scene where Anthony Hopkins' character has had a stroke, and attempts to write his thoughts on a chalkboard, gets me every time. I can't watch it unless I want to be depressed for a few good hours afterward... but it's worth it.

6. Big Fish- This is one of Tim Burton's imaginative films, that is really in a league of its own. I have a ridiculous imagination, so the constant unbelievable story lines were very appealing to me. I really did feel like the main character had done all the things he said he had done. The end really got to me too, and it was very difficult to watch such a lively man, fade away.

5. Braveheart- Everyone knows this movie's great, right? I don't think I really have to say much. Mel Gibson always delivers, and everything about this film is just spectacular.

4. Gladiator- I love this movie. I took years of Latin class, and part of that class, was learning all about the ancient Roman culture. I learned a lot of things that peaked my interest in this fascinating time period...and the movie Gladiator definitely didn't disappoint. The costumes, set, storyline, and of course the acting skills of Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix...were superb.

3. Last of the Mohicans- Another one of those movies where I've memorized every line. This movie came out in 1992, and started my love of the Smoky Mountains. When I first saw this film, I still lived in Illinois. Well, you can pretty much imagine that seeing the beauty of the mountains and the lush, green colors of the woods...made me want to quickly leave behind the Chicago skyline and cornfields. This movie is one of my absolute favorites because it mixes little bits of history, with a love story....not to mention it has a fantastic soundtrack that I could listen to over and over again... Now everytime I visit my favorite place (the Smoky Mountains), I hear the fiddles in my head...

2. Goodfellas/ Scarface- I couldn't make up my mind for the #2 spot. I love both movies too much. Yes, I know they're incredibly violent (as my Mom would say), but if you get past all that, you see that they are fantastic movies, with fantastic storylines. Not to mention the fact that I am extremely interested in true crime stories and mafia history (fact or fiction.)


1. Requiem for a Dream- how often can you say a movie changed your life? Well this one, definitely changed my outlook on it. It's very, very graphic, so I don't encourage screening the movie in front of kids, but the message is amazing. It shows you the depth of every human emotion that ever existed. It's a dark, sad look at the dangers of drug abuse and addiction. It's based on a book by Hubert Selby Junior. Ellen Burstyn was nominated for several awards, including an Oscar, for her role in the movie. I think it didn't get much critical acclaim initially ( it was released in 2000) because of the graphic nature of the film. I will say though, that despite my warnings, everyone I've told about this movie, listed it as one of their favorites after watching it. If you're ready to be put through the emotional ringer, you may want to give it a shot.


Honorable Mentions (that I wanted to include in the list but didn't...as well as my favorite comedy movies that have no business in a top ten list): Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, Psycho (the original), the Chronicles of Narnia, the Notebook, Talledega Nights, Elf, 300.

Posted by on 02/22 at 08:29 PM