Top Ten Movies
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Cloud
- Himajin - Get A Life
- Posts: 14443
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Thanks for asking politely. I use case-based reasoning.
The Three Laws of Robotics:
1. A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
-I, Robot (Asimov)
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duotrouble
- Trouble Maker
- Posts: 4966
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- Location: returning to the darkside
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What a fun thread! 
These are in no real order. 
Star Wars (1977) - I'm a HUGE fan of everything Star Wars but the first movie that started it all makes my top 10. I remember very clearly sitting in the theatre at only age 6 and seeing my world change. This movie has influenced me in every aspect of my life. It's the first movie that I ever saw more than once in the theatre, maybe 20 times.
The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) - Since I had already seen Citizen Kane, when my college friends asked me to go see The Magnificent Ambersons with them in an art house theatre, I was very reluctant. I thought Orson Welles was overrated. Citizen Kane, while visually stunning, was lacking in story and depth. It just bored me but I went to see it. WOW! I found it amazing.
Shadow of a Doubt (1943) - As far back as my memory goes, I've loved Alfred Hitchcock. He IS the master of suspense. And when asked the question "who would you like to meet alive or dead?", my answer is always Mr. Hitchcock. I've even tried to model my writing style after him - take you right to the moment and then shut the door leaving the rest to your imagination. I learned early on that your imagination can be much scarier than anything anyone can show you. This particular Hitchcock film stands out because it's Hitchcock's "perfect" film. Everything has an opposite. The ending however was ruined by the studios needing a happy ending.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) - Again, I'm going with the original. It's the movie that began the trilogy. It's also the happiest of the three movies. Well, it does take a dark turn towards the end.
My brother read this series of books, including the Hobbit, when he was in high school. He loved it so much that my mom read them too so they could talk about them. He wanted to share the experience with me but Mom told him I wouldn't enjoy the books. She was right. It wasn't until after college that I got into reading. When this movie came out, I wanted to learn more about the Hobbit world. My brother loaned me all 4 of his books. He was beaming because finally he could share his love of Tolkien with his little sister. I enjoyed reading all 4 books but I'll never read them again. Once is enough. Whew! 
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) - In high school, I was required to read To Kill a Mockingbird. I was never happy to be required to read any book and rarely ever did. I usually just asked someone about it and listened well in class. My teacher decided the students had to teach the class per chapter. Well, now I had to read it. And being first alphabetically, I had chapter 1. It was interesting to learn about how differently people were treated based on their color, money and social status. I had been very sheltered from that. When we finished reading the book, we got to watch the movie in class. I was captivated. It was my first experience of how movies adapt books.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) - The Harry Potter books had been out for some time when the movie was released. Several people I knew were reading the books and saying all these words I'd never heard of before like muggle. My best friend and I were watching tv when an ad for the new Harry Potter movie aired. She turned to me and said it looked interesting. I said I was curious what all the hype was about. So we went shortly after the movie opened in theatres. We now have a date to see each Harry Potter movie opening night. I'll be sad when they're finished with the series.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) - Can you say Johnny Depp?
When I was 6, my family took a trip to Orlando, Florida. We went to Disney World. Yes, kiddies, this is before Epcot was there. 
There was only the Magic Kingdom. Sadly, I don't remember much from that trip except one thing - the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. So when I heard there was a movie being made based off the ride, the child inside of me was screaming.
From Hell (2001) - Strangely enough, I have a favorite serial killer. His name is Jack the Ripper. He has haunted my dreams my entire life. My college roommate used to tell me that I was one of Jack's victims and that's why he sometimes chases me in my dreams. I think it's mainly because I'd stay up late reading about him or watching specials about him on tv. What kinds of dreams do you think you'd have?
But to have my favorite actor, Johnny Depp, go chasing after a killer who haunts me . . . it's like a dream come true. 
Gone with the Wind (1939) - Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn if you like this movie or not. I love it!
It's the old south at it's best and worst. It helps too that I live in the city that burned down. The Civil War is such a compelling area of history for me so to see it from a non-soldier's side is very interesting to me. Most people complain about the length and it's out-dated language but I think it's all wonderful especially for the period of time it was made in.
Lost in Translation (2003) - This movie came out shortly after I had returned to the states from Japan. I remember going to the theatre by myself to watch it. There were only around a dozen people in the theatre. At the end of the movie, I was bawling.
It wasn't so much the plot that got to me. It was the spirit that was captured by the movie. That's exactly how it feels to be in Tokyo. The photographer giving Bill Murray directions and then having the translator give half the amount of words was hysterical. It's so true. It's their polite way of speaking. I rewatched this movie right before going back to Tokyo and felt more prepared than ever. Tokyo's like my second home and this movie helps me get over my homesickness. 
These are in no real order. Star Wars (1977) - I'm a HUGE fan of everything Star Wars but the first movie that started it all makes my top 10. I remember very clearly sitting in the theatre at only age 6 and seeing my world change. This movie has influenced me in every aspect of my life. It's the first movie that I ever saw more than once in the theatre, maybe 20 times.
The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) - Since I had already seen Citizen Kane, when my college friends asked me to go see The Magnificent Ambersons with them in an art house theatre, I was very reluctant. I thought Orson Welles was overrated. Citizen Kane, while visually stunning, was lacking in story and depth. It just bored me but I went to see it. WOW! I found it amazing.
Shadow of a Doubt (1943) - As far back as my memory goes, I've loved Alfred Hitchcock. He IS the master of suspense. And when asked the question "who would you like to meet alive or dead?", my answer is always Mr. Hitchcock. I've even tried to model my writing style after him - take you right to the moment and then shut the door leaving the rest to your imagination. I learned early on that your imagination can be much scarier than anything anyone can show you. This particular Hitchcock film stands out because it's Hitchcock's "perfect" film. Everything has an opposite. The ending however was ruined by the studios needing a happy ending.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) - Again, I'm going with the original. It's the movie that began the trilogy. It's also the happiest of the three movies. Well, it does take a dark turn towards the end.
My brother read this series of books, including the Hobbit, when he was in high school. He loved it so much that my mom read them too so they could talk about them. He wanted to share the experience with me but Mom told him I wouldn't enjoy the books. She was right. It wasn't until after college that I got into reading. When this movie came out, I wanted to learn more about the Hobbit world. My brother loaned me all 4 of his books. He was beaming because finally he could share his love of Tolkien with his little sister. I enjoyed reading all 4 books but I'll never read them again. Once is enough. Whew! To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) - In high school, I was required to read To Kill a Mockingbird. I was never happy to be required to read any book and rarely ever did. I usually just asked someone about it and listened well in class. My teacher decided the students had to teach the class per chapter. Well, now I had to read it. And being first alphabetically, I had chapter 1. It was interesting to learn about how differently people were treated based on their color, money and social status. I had been very sheltered from that. When we finished reading the book, we got to watch the movie in class. I was captivated. It was my first experience of how movies adapt books.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) - The Harry Potter books had been out for some time when the movie was released. Several people I knew were reading the books and saying all these words I'd never heard of before like muggle. My best friend and I were watching tv when an ad for the new Harry Potter movie aired. She turned to me and said it looked interesting. I said I was curious what all the hype was about. So we went shortly after the movie opened in theatres. We now have a date to see each Harry Potter movie opening night. I'll be sad when they're finished with the series.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) - Can you say Johnny Depp?
When I was 6, my family took a trip to Orlando, Florida. We went to Disney World. Yes, kiddies, this is before Epcot was there. There was only the Magic Kingdom. Sadly, I don't remember much from that trip except one thing - the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. So when I heard there was a movie being made based off the ride, the child inside of me was screaming. From Hell (2001) - Strangely enough, I have a favorite serial killer. His name is Jack the Ripper. He has haunted my dreams my entire life. My college roommate used to tell me that I was one of Jack's victims and that's why he sometimes chases me in my dreams. I think it's mainly because I'd stay up late reading about him or watching specials about him on tv. What kinds of dreams do you think you'd have?
But to have my favorite actor, Johnny Depp, go chasing after a killer who haunts me . . . it's like a dream come true. Gone with the Wind (1939) - Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn if you like this movie or not. I love it!
It's the old south at it's best and worst. It helps too that I live in the city that burned down. The Civil War is such a compelling area of history for me so to see it from a non-soldier's side is very interesting to me. Most people complain about the length and it's out-dated language but I think it's all wonderful especially for the period of time it was made in.Lost in Translation (2003) - This movie came out shortly after I had returned to the states from Japan. I remember going to the theatre by myself to watch it. There were only around a dozen people in the theatre. At the end of the movie, I was bawling.
It wasn't so much the plot that got to me. It was the spirit that was captured by the movie. That's exactly how it feels to be in Tokyo. The photographer giving Bill Murray directions and then having the translator give half the amount of words was hysterical. It's so true. It's their polite way of speaking. I rewatched this movie right before going back to Tokyo and felt more prepared than ever. Tokyo's like my second home and this movie helps me get over my homesickness. Can you hear this fangirl squee?!
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JuniorMintKiss
- Eiyuu - Hero
- Posts: 198
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Oh this is too hard! But I'm comfortable in saying that these movies I will never EVER live without...
* A&E Pride and Prejudice (1996) = Colin Firth...enough said.
*As Good As It Gets = Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt are so great in this movie. The humor is dark, witty, and so dry - I LOVE IT!
^Captain Horatio Hornblower = The version with Gregory Peck and Virginia Mayo. I love Peck and all his movies, but this one tops them all (sorry Roman Holiday!) He's really quite funny in this movie.
^The Farmer's Daughter (1946) = Loretta Young and Joseph Cotten are fantastic together. It's really cute and oh so romantic (Young won the Oscar for best actress for her work in this film).
*It’s Love I’m After (1937) = Can you tell I'm a sucker for the ol' ones? Any Leslie Howard fan needs to watch this one and then own it! It also has Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, and Eric Blore. Finding a copy is hard to find, though.
Napoleon Dynamite = I saw this in Denver and I don't think I've ever laughed and cried so hard in a theater. It must be the small town podunkiness in me.
^Naughty Marietta (1935) = Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy in their first operetta together. Drool! Everything is beautiful in this movie: cinematography, clothing (by Adrian), music, and on screen romance between the two leads. Frank Morgan plays the stumblebum governor. My all-time fave movie!
*Pygmalion (1938) = Another great Leslie Howard movie, precursor to My Fair Lady, but without the music. Funny stuff!
*Reduced Shakespeare Company, The = Three guys performing the complete works of William Shakespeare in under an hour and a half? Great vaudeville! A cherished addition in my collection.
*Scarlet Pimpernel, The (1983) = Anthony Andrews, Jane Seymour, and Ian McKellen. I abhored this movie the first time I saw it, but now I love it. It's soooooo good. Sink me!
* A&E Pride and Prejudice (1996) = Colin Firth...enough said.
*As Good As It Gets = Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt are so great in this movie. The humor is dark, witty, and so dry - I LOVE IT!
^Captain Horatio Hornblower = The version with Gregory Peck and Virginia Mayo. I love Peck and all his movies, but this one tops them all (sorry Roman Holiday!) He's really quite funny in this movie.
^The Farmer's Daughter (1946) = Loretta Young and Joseph Cotten are fantastic together. It's really cute and oh so romantic (Young won the Oscar for best actress for her work in this film).
*It’s Love I’m After (1937) = Can you tell I'm a sucker for the ol' ones? Any Leslie Howard fan needs to watch this one and then own it! It also has Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, and Eric Blore. Finding a copy is hard to find, though.
Napoleon Dynamite = I saw this in Denver and I don't think I've ever laughed and cried so hard in a theater. It must be the small town podunkiness in me.
^Naughty Marietta (1935) = Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy in their first operetta together. Drool! Everything is beautiful in this movie: cinematography, clothing (by Adrian), music, and on screen romance between the two leads. Frank Morgan plays the stumblebum governor. My all-time fave movie!
*Pygmalion (1938) = Another great Leslie Howard movie, precursor to My Fair Lady, but without the music. Funny stuff!
*Reduced Shakespeare Company, The = Three guys performing the complete works of William Shakespeare in under an hour and a half? Great vaudeville! A cherished addition in my collection.
*Scarlet Pimpernel, The (1983) = Anthony Andrews, Jane Seymour, and Ian McKellen. I abhored this movie the first time I saw it, but now I love it. It's soooooo good. Sink me!
Too many movies, my list is completely fluid and could change at any time.
Here’s a list:
Pinocchio (1940-Disney)
When I first saw this on tape as a child it was like a horror movie (“No, no. There's no risk. They never come back... as BOYS!”).
Pinocchio leaves home which leads to being enslaved by Stomboli; leaves home again which leads him to “Pleasure Island” where he watches in horror as his friend literally turns into an ass, and then it starts to happen to him 
(“Give a bad boy enough rope, and he'll soon make a jackass of himself.”); learns his father has been eaten by Monstro, and dies while saving his Dad.
The joy
I felt at the end of the movie when Pinocchio is brought back as a real boy is unforgettable; and the horror of a pen full of boys, now donkeys, screaming for their mothers terrified me (“Quiet! You boys have had your fun. Now pay for it!”).
The Bicycle Thief - Ladri di Biciclette (1948)
In an instant the world both gives and takes away everything our protagonist needs to provide for his family.
The scene where father and son are sitting in a restaurant eating cheese toast and the father says “… if only I had a bicycle. We could eat like this everyday.” had me bawling.
The Wages of Fear – Le Salaire de la Peur (1953)
Great movie.
In a slimy, rundown, decrepit South American village a skuzzy oil company uses a group of tough as nails men to transport nitroglycerine in the worst conditions imaginable.
A wonderfully put together movie, it gives the viewer a sense of anxious terror as the protagonists are driven to their breaking points.
The 400 Blows – Les Quatre Cents Coups (1959)
The film captures a child’s sense of the world as Antoine Doinel is punished for every action he takes. If he does bad, he’s punished. If he does good, he’s punished.
The grimy realistic world becomes a fantastical nightmare.
Cool Hand Luke (1967)
“Sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand.” Unforgettable dialog.
“What we got here is: failure to communicate.”
I’ve never seen a better movie that’s shown men victimize other men
for the sake of pride or a need for absolute power, while hiding behind a list of ill conceived rules as justification.
Hokey adaptations have been made, but nothing has equaled the lunacy of putting a man in a Chain Gang for chopping down parking meters, or Luke’s sacrificial triumph.
Le Samouraï (1967)
The coolest movie ever made.
Alain Delon plays control freak hit-man Jef Costello. Jef keeps the visage of cold as ice emotionless killer as his perfect murder plan is crumbling around him. As the movie goes on it becomes impossible to continue his ritualistic routine but at the same time he’s unable to exist without it.
“Why Jef?”
“Because I was paid to.”
Straw Dogs (1971)
Push a wimpy, good-natured, average guy too far and he’ll turn into a violent, vicious, inhuman animal.
“Jesus! I got ’em all.”
Macho, Violent, and Brutal.
“I don’t know my way home.” “That’s OK. I don’t either.”
Taxi Driver (1976)
Vietnam War Veteran going from lonely anti-social eccentric to homicidal maniac … to city hero.
“You talking to me?”
RoboCop (1987)
This movie is a winning combination of slick comic book design, snappy dialog, and hilarious social commentary, with ultra-violence. Family man Alex Murphy is sacrificed to corporate greed in order to create RoboCop.
“I had a guaranteed military sale ... Who cares if it worked or not?”
Men with Guns (1997-John Sayles)
In the aftermath of chaos, to the victims, it doesn’t really mater: what happened, who was responsible, or why it was done. Because no matter what the cause, those who have suffered are still in need of help.
I thought the imagery in this movie was very powerful.
I should have added a really big spectacular movie like Ben-Hur(1959)
...Oh well … maybe next time.
Here’s a list:
Pinocchio (1940-Disney)
When I first saw this on tape as a child it was like a horror movie (“No, no. There's no risk. They never come back... as BOYS!”).
Pinocchio leaves home which leads to being enslaved by Stomboli; leaves home again which leads him to “Pleasure Island” where he watches in horror as his friend literally turns into an ass, and then it starts to happen to him (“Give a bad boy enough rope, and he'll soon make a jackass of himself.”); learns his father has been eaten by Monstro, and dies while saving his Dad.The joy
I felt at the end of the movie when Pinocchio is brought back as a real boy is unforgettable; and the horror of a pen full of boys, now donkeys, screaming for their mothers terrified me (“Quiet! You boys have had your fun. Now pay for it!”).The Bicycle Thief - Ladri di Biciclette (1948)
In an instant the world both gives and takes away everything our protagonist needs to provide for his family.
The scene where father and son are sitting in a restaurant eating cheese toast and the father says “… if only I had a bicycle. We could eat like this everyday.” had me bawling.
The Wages of Fear – Le Salaire de la Peur (1953)
Great movie.
In a slimy, rundown, decrepit South American village a skuzzy oil company uses a group of tough as nails men to transport nitroglycerine in the worst conditions imaginable.
A wonderfully put together movie, it gives the viewer a sense of anxious terror as the protagonists are driven to their breaking points.
The 400 Blows – Les Quatre Cents Coups (1959)
The film captures a child’s sense of the world as Antoine Doinel is punished for every action he takes. If he does bad, he’s punished. If he does good, he’s punished.
The grimy realistic world becomes a fantastical nightmare.Cool Hand Luke (1967)
“Sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand.” Unforgettable dialog.
“What we got here is: failure to communicate.”
I’ve never seen a better movie that’s shown men victimize other men
for the sake of pride or a need for absolute power, while hiding behind a list of ill conceived rules as justification.Hokey adaptations have been made, but nothing has equaled the lunacy of putting a man in a Chain Gang for chopping down parking meters, or Luke’s sacrificial triumph.
Le Samouraï (1967)
The coolest movie ever made.
Alain Delon plays control freak hit-man Jef Costello. Jef keeps the visage of cold as ice emotionless killer as his perfect murder plan is crumbling around him. As the movie goes on it becomes impossible to continue his ritualistic routine but at the same time he’s unable to exist without it.
“Why Jef?”
“Because I was paid to.”
Straw Dogs (1971)
Push a wimpy, good-natured, average guy too far and he’ll turn into a violent, vicious, inhuman animal.
“Jesus! I got ’em all.”
Macho, Violent, and Brutal.
“I don’t know my way home.” “That’s OK. I don’t either.”
Taxi Driver (1976)
Vietnam War Veteran going from lonely anti-social eccentric to homicidal maniac … to city hero.
“You talking to me?”
RoboCop (1987)
This movie is a winning combination of slick comic book design, snappy dialog, and hilarious social commentary, with ultra-violence. Family man Alex Murphy is sacrificed to corporate greed in order to create RoboCop.
“I had a guaranteed military sale ... Who cares if it worked or not?”
Men with Guns (1997-John Sayles)
In the aftermath of chaos, to the victims, it doesn’t really mater: what happened, who was responsible, or why it was done. Because no matter what the cause, those who have suffered are still in need of help.
I thought the imagery in this movie was very powerful.
I should have added a really big spectacular movie like Ben-Hur(1959)
...Oh well … maybe next time.
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ZombieBunny
- Kishin - Fierce God
- Posts: 439
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2006 5:41 am
Sounds like me with Titanic.....sans Leo.duotrouble wrote:From Hell (2001) - Strangely enough, I have a favorite serial killer. His name is Jack the Ripper. He has haunted my dreams my entire life. My college roommate used to tell me that I was one of Jack's victims and that's why he sometimes chases me in my dreams. I think it's mainly because I'd stay up late reading about him or watching specials about him on tv. What kinds of dreams do you think you'd have?