90. Big (1988) Directed by Penny Marshall; Written by Gary Ross & Anne Spielberg
Starring Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins & Robert Loggia
Greatest Award/Nomination: Golden Globe winner for Best Actor (Musical/Comedy) - Tom Hanks
"Big" is the kind of movie you like as a kid and the kind of movie you love as an adult. It's smart, funny, and Tom Hanks is remarkably perfect. Combining childhood magic with mature situations and a great script AND the scene where Hanks and Loggia play the giant piano, this film is an all time favorite.
89. The Sound of Music (1965)
Directed by Robert Wise; Written by Howard Lindsay, Russell Crouse & Ernest Lehman
Starring Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer & Peggy Wood
Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award winner for Best Picture
This is how musicals should be: outstanding music, great performances, breath-taking scenic cinematography, and a world turned upside-down. The story shifts so suddenly from happy hills of music to a dark time of decadence and turmoil. Julie Andrews, as usual, fits impeccably as Maria, the wannabe nun turned wife, and although I usually dislike Rodger's & Hammerstein's musicals, "The Sound of Music" is their best. Not to mention it's a true story.
88. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Directed by Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris; Written by Michael Arndt
Starring Abagail Breslin, Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, Steve Carrell & Alan Arkin
Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award winner for Best Original Screenplay
I know, if you look back to my 2006 top ten, this didn't exactly hit the top of the list, however, "Little Miss Sunshine" is one of those films (like "Juno") that really sticks with you. It's so funny, so smart, so dry, and very surprising. Arkin certainly deserves the Oscar he won for his ridiculous role as the grandpa, and Breslin breaks out with a growling performance. Oh, and who knew someone could pull off a character that doesn't speak for half the story? Paul Dano knows.
87. The Dark Knight (2008)
Directed by Christopher Nolan; Written by Christopher & Jonathan Nolan
Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman & Michael Caine
Greatest Award/Nomination: Golden Trailer winner for Best Summer 2008 Blockbuster Poster (I'm thinking this will improve come award season)
So exactly a week ago I was only an hour into seeing this film. And, yes, it is that good that it is number 87 on my list. Read the review below, go see the movie for the second or third time, and you'll understand why it can only go up from here.
86. William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet (1996)
Directed by Baz Luhrmann; Written by Craig Pearce & Baz Luhrmann
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, John Leguizamo & Pete Postlethwaite
Greatest Award/Nomination: BAFTA winner for Best Adapted Screenplay
When Mrs. Taylor (my 9th grade English teacher) made the entire freshmen class watch this movie in the auditorium, everyone HATED it. Why? Because they were idiots. Luhrmann lures men and women (ha) into his cinematic-story-telling grasp and won't let go. His style is incredible and enchanting. This interpretation of Shakespeare's classic love tragedy surpasses most of any other analysis of the Bard's work. Plus it's easily my favorite Claire Danes film.
85. No Country for Old Men (2007)
Written & Directed by Joel & Ethan Coen
Starring Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Woody Harrelson & Kelly Macdonald
Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award winner for Best Picture
"No Country for Old Men" is going to be one of those timeless films that lasts longer than the rest. In nearly every which way, it is the consummation of excellence. Every shot, every scene, every angle, every line, and every pull of the air pressure tank delves deeper into the audience's skin. The cast is flawless as well, especially a nightmarish performance by Bardem as the psychotic killer.
84. Sunset Boulevard (1950)
Directed by Billy Wilder; Written by Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder & D.M. Marshman, Jr.
Starring William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim & Nancy Olson
Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award winner for Best Writing, Story & Screenplay
Gloria Swanson, Gloria Swanson, Gloria Swanson. What a freaking performance! Playing the delusional silent film diva, she steals the show, creeping into her scenes like a disease or Michael Myers. However, Holden, von Stroheim and Olson make up the rest of the picture, giving us an unconventional idea of Hollywood, possibly the true Hollywood at the time. Once you're time is up and as long as you made enough money, you can just pull up a chair in the Hills and relive your golden years when you were loved. Nowadays, those washed-up has-beens are in supermarket tabloids across America and the attention has shifted. Shame. If Swanson's Norma Desmond wanted attention, all she had to do was shave her head and become a lesbian.
83. Donnie Darko (2001)
Written & Directed by Richard Kelly
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, James Duval, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze, Noah Wyle & Maggie Gyllenhaal
Greatest Award/Nomination: San Diego Film Critics Society winner for Best Screenplay
After the first viewing of this cult film, I've never been so confused, frightened, and entranced by a film ever. It is eerie, though-provoking, funny, and uses the camera in an extremely original way. Kelly's masterpiece has had a large underground fan base that builds every year, allowing him to bring us other insane projects... cough cough "Southland Tales."
82. The Truman Show (1998)
Directed by Peter Weir; Written by Andrew Niccol
Starring Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Natasha McElhone & Ed Harris
Greatest Award/Nominee: Golden Globe winner for Best Actor (Musical/Comedy) - Jim Carrey
Fuck "EdTV." That said, "The Truman Show" examines America's obsession over entertainment, innocence lost, and the classic bildungsroman tale. Carrey embodies the kid becoming a man - even though he's a man becoming a smarter man. Linney kind of creeps me out in this film (in a good way) and Harris shines as the godlike creator of Truman's life. It's one of those movies that doesn't get old.
81. Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983)
Directed by Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones; Written by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones & Michael Palin
Starring All of the above
Greatest Award/Nomination: BAFTA nominee for Best Original Song - "Every Sperm Is Sacred"
Running boobies, corporate warfare, running boobies, an exploding man, running boobies, Catholic children in musical numbers, running boobies, real life sex ed., running boobies, the grim reaper, running boobies, talking fish, running boobies, meaningless livers, and yes, running boobies.
Starring Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins & Robert Loggia
Greatest Award/Nomination: Golden Globe winner for Best Actor (Musical/Comedy) - Tom Hanks
"Big" is the kind of movie you like as a kid and the kind of movie you love as an adult. It's smart, funny, and Tom Hanks is remarkably perfect. Combining childhood magic with mature situations and a great script AND the scene where Hanks and Loggia play the giant piano, this film is an all time favorite.
89. The Sound of Music (1965)Directed by Robert Wise; Written by Howard Lindsay, Russell Crouse & Ernest Lehman
Starring Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer & Peggy Wood
Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award winner for Best Picture
This is how musicals should be: outstanding music, great performances, breath-taking scenic cinematography, and a world turned upside-down. The story shifts so suddenly from happy hills of music to a dark time of decadence and turmoil. Julie Andrews, as usual, fits impeccably as Maria, the wannabe nun turned wife, and although I usually dislike Rodger's & Hammerstein's musicals, "The Sound of Music" is their best. Not to mention it's a true story.
88. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)Directed by Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris; Written by Michael Arndt
Starring Abagail Breslin, Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, Steve Carrell & Alan Arkin
Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award winner for Best Original Screenplay
I know, if you look back to my 2006 top ten, this didn't exactly hit the top of the list, however, "Little Miss Sunshine" is one of those films (like "Juno") that really sticks with you. It's so funny, so smart, so dry, and very surprising. Arkin certainly deserves the Oscar he won for his ridiculous role as the grandpa, and Breslin breaks out with a growling performance. Oh, and who knew someone could pull off a character that doesn't speak for half the story? Paul Dano knows.
87. The Dark Knight (2008)Directed by Christopher Nolan; Written by Christopher & Jonathan Nolan
Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman & Michael Caine
Greatest Award/Nomination: Golden Trailer winner for Best Summer 2008 Blockbuster Poster (I'm thinking this will improve come award season)
So exactly a week ago I was only an hour into seeing this film. And, yes, it is that good that it is number 87 on my list. Read the review below, go see the movie for the second or third time, and you'll understand why it can only go up from here.
86. William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet (1996)Directed by Baz Luhrmann; Written by Craig Pearce & Baz Luhrmann
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, John Leguizamo & Pete Postlethwaite
Greatest Award/Nomination: BAFTA winner for Best Adapted Screenplay
When Mrs. Taylor (my 9th grade English teacher) made the entire freshmen class watch this movie in the auditorium, everyone HATED it. Why? Because they were idiots. Luhrmann lures men and women (ha) into his cinematic-story-telling grasp and won't let go. His style is incredible and enchanting. This interpretation of Shakespeare's classic love tragedy surpasses most of any other analysis of the Bard's work. Plus it's easily my favorite Claire Danes film.
85. No Country for Old Men (2007)Written & Directed by Joel & Ethan Coen
Starring Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Woody Harrelson & Kelly Macdonald
Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award winner for Best Picture
"No Country for Old Men" is going to be one of those timeless films that lasts longer than the rest. In nearly every which way, it is the consummation of excellence. Every shot, every scene, every angle, every line, and every pull of the air pressure tank delves deeper into the audience's skin. The cast is flawless as well, especially a nightmarish performance by Bardem as the psychotic killer.
84. Sunset Boulevard (1950)Directed by Billy Wilder; Written by Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder & D.M. Marshman, Jr.
Starring William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim & Nancy Olson
Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award winner for Best Writing, Story & Screenplay
Gloria Swanson, Gloria Swanson, Gloria Swanson. What a freaking performance! Playing the delusional silent film diva, she steals the show, creeping into her scenes like a disease or Michael Myers. However, Holden, von Stroheim and Olson make up the rest of the picture, giving us an unconventional idea of Hollywood, possibly the true Hollywood at the time. Once you're time is up and as long as you made enough money, you can just pull up a chair in the Hills and relive your golden years when you were loved. Nowadays, those washed-up has-beens are in supermarket tabloids across America and the attention has shifted. Shame. If Swanson's Norma Desmond wanted attention, all she had to do was shave her head and become a lesbian.
83. Donnie Darko (2001)Written & Directed by Richard Kelly
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, James Duval, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze, Noah Wyle & Maggie Gyllenhaal
Greatest Award/Nomination: San Diego Film Critics Society winner for Best Screenplay
After the first viewing of this cult film, I've never been so confused, frightened, and entranced by a film ever. It is eerie, though-provoking, funny, and uses the camera in an extremely original way. Kelly's masterpiece has had a large underground fan base that builds every year, allowing him to bring us other insane projects... cough cough "Southland Tales."
82. The Truman Show (1998)Directed by Peter Weir; Written by Andrew Niccol
Starring Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Natasha McElhone & Ed Harris
Greatest Award/Nominee: Golden Globe winner for Best Actor (Musical/Comedy) - Jim Carrey
Fuck "EdTV." That said, "The Truman Show" examines America's obsession over entertainment, innocence lost, and the classic bildungsroman tale. Carrey embodies the kid becoming a man - even though he's a man becoming a smarter man. Linney kind of creeps me out in this film (in a good way) and Harris shines as the godlike creator of Truman's life. It's one of those movies that doesn't get old.
81. Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983)Directed by Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones; Written by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones & Michael Palin
Starring All of the above
Greatest Award/Nomination: BAFTA nominee for Best Original Song - "Every Sperm Is Sacred"
Running boobies, corporate warfare, running boobies, an exploding man, running boobies, Catholic children in musical numbers, running boobies, real life sex ed., running boobies, the grim reaper, running boobies, talking fish, running boobies, meaningless livers, and yes, running boobies.
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