Journeywoman's top 10 all-time favourite films
June 18th 2008 05:36
Everyone has personal favourites when it comes to films - some move us or make us laugh, while others simply don't. Here is a list, in no particular order, of my ten all-time favourite movies.
1) Beetlejuice (1988) - I simply cannot fault this movie. I love all of Tim Burton's work but Beetlejuice ranks highest for me; it's funny, original, visually appealing, has a great cast and a fantastic musical score. Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin are totally lovable as the small-town couple who experience all the trials and tribulations of life after death. The supporting cast, which includes a young Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice himself (a rogue bio-exorcist) help make this movie unlike any other.
2) The Sound of Music (1965) - Growing up, I must have watched this movie 100 times. And with a runtime of nearly three hours, that's saying something! Set in the incredible surrounds of Salzburg, Austria, the story of a young woman who leaves the convent to work as a governess for a Naval Captain's seven children has resonated with audiences for decades. Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer have an amazing chemistry, and with the themes of love, war, family loyalty and personal growth, this movie was always going to be a classic. The music by Rogers and Hammerstein is great as well.
3) Amelie (2001) - The colours, the characters, the music - all combine to make a fantastically quirky film, but it's Amelie herself that truly makes this movie. Played by French actress Audrey Tautou, the character of Amelie is at once naive and insightful, and has her own sense of justice. You can't help but love her as she goes about her day-to-day life, helping her friends and co-workers, punishing those who treat others poorly, and eventually meeting the man of her dreams. I've never seen a movie so original; if you haven't seen it then get to the video store and rent it, pronto!
4) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) - Both hilarious and shocking, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a wild ride from beginning to end. Following the antics of a drug-addled journalist (played by Johnny Depp) and his psychopathic lawyer friend (Benicio Del Toro) as they take on Las Vegas, this movie has so many tripped-out scenes, it makes you feel like you're on drugs yourself! Based on the novel by the late and great Hunter S. Thompson, this film is original, vibrant and unpredictable.
5) The Lion King (1994) - It's no wonder this animated Disney film became a successful stage show. The story is surprisingly gritty for a children's film, with the young Simba tricked into thinking he killed his father, having to run away and make a life for himself entirely apart from what he grew up with, before finally coming back to seek vengeance and claim what is rightfully his. It is by far my favourite Disney film - I love the animation, the characters, the music and the feeling you get when you've finished watching.
6) The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - This movie actually gave me nightmares the first time I saw it! It's by far the most chilling film I've ever seen, simply because the events that happen within could (and probably do) happen in real life. Jodie Foster is flawless as Clarice, the young FBI agent sent to hunt down a serial killer, and Anthony Hopkins is truly scary as Hannibal "the cannibal" Lector. The finale is absolutely terrifying; it had me on the edge of my seat praying that Clarice would be okay. In my opinion, it's one of the best thrillers ever made.
7) American Beauty (1999) - Set in modern-day American suburbia, American Beauty goes beyond the surface of everyday life and shows the secrets hidden beneath. It's at once eye-opening, raw and unpredictable, and has some genuinely funny lines, most of which are uttered by leading man Kevin Spacey. It's no surprise that this film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It really is a must-see and changes the way you think about suburban life.
8) The Notebook (2004) - This film is the ultimate love story, and is a genuine tear-jerker. Starring the brilliant Rachel McAdams as Allie, and Ryan Gosling as Noah, the story follows the two young lovers through a passionate summer before the pair are separated through distance, war and family prejudice. They later reunite when they are both in different stages of their lives, and Allie must choose between love and financial security. Based on Nicholas Sparks' novel of the same name, I loved this movie from start to finish.
9) Little Women (1994) - The fourth film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel, Little Women encompasses the themes of family, love, loss, female tenacity and finding one's self as it follows the lives of the four March sisters in wartime America. Starring Winona Ryder, Trini Alvarado, Claire Danes, Kirsten Dunst, Christian Bale and Susan Sarandon, Little Women is brilliantly cast, the settings are beautiful, the music is great and the story is timeless. It's a period drama with bite, and never fails to make me cry.
10) Forrest Gump (1994) - This is one of the greatest films I've ever seen, in terms of story, dialogue and cinematography. Following the life of Forrest Gump, an unintelligent but innately lovable character (played by Tom Hanks, who won the Best Actor Academy Award), the story is at once original and moving, and documents several important periods in American history. It's a very satisfying film, sad in parts, funny in others, and was the deserving recipient of six Academy Awards.
So there you have it - my list of all-time favourite flicks. As you can see, they're quite varied, but like many people I have broad tastes when it comes to films. Let me know what you think.
1) Beetlejuice (1988) - I simply cannot fault this movie. I love all of Tim Burton's work but Beetlejuice ranks highest for me; it's funny, original, visually appealing, has a great cast and a fantastic musical score. Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin are totally lovable as the small-town couple who experience all the trials and tribulations of life after death. The supporting cast, which includes a young Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice himself (a rogue bio-exorcist) help make this movie unlike any other.
2) The Sound of Music (1965) - Growing up, I must have watched this movie 100 times. And with a runtime of nearly three hours, that's saying something! Set in the incredible surrounds of Salzburg, Austria, the story of a young woman who leaves the convent to work as a governess for a Naval Captain's seven children has resonated with audiences for decades. Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer have an amazing chemistry, and with the themes of love, war, family loyalty and personal growth, this movie was always going to be a classic. The music by Rogers and Hammerstein is great as well.
3) Amelie (2001) - The colours, the characters, the music - all combine to make a fantastically quirky film, but it's Amelie herself that truly makes this movie. Played by French actress Audrey Tautou, the character of Amelie is at once naive and insightful, and has her own sense of justice. You can't help but love her as she goes about her day-to-day life, helping her friends and co-workers, punishing those who treat others poorly, and eventually meeting the man of her dreams. I've never seen a movie so original; if you haven't seen it then get to the video store and rent it, pronto!
4) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) - Both hilarious and shocking, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a wild ride from beginning to end. Following the antics of a drug-addled journalist (played by Johnny Depp) and his psychopathic lawyer friend (Benicio Del Toro) as they take on Las Vegas, this movie has so many tripped-out scenes, it makes you feel like you're on drugs yourself! Based on the novel by the late and great Hunter S. Thompson, this film is original, vibrant and unpredictable.
5) The Lion King (1994) - It's no wonder this animated Disney film became a successful stage show. The story is surprisingly gritty for a children's film, with the young Simba tricked into thinking he killed his father, having to run away and make a life for himself entirely apart from what he grew up with, before finally coming back to seek vengeance and claim what is rightfully his. It is by far my favourite Disney film - I love the animation, the characters, the music and the feeling you get when you've finished watching.
6) The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - This movie actually gave me nightmares the first time I saw it! It's by far the most chilling film I've ever seen, simply because the events that happen within could (and probably do) happen in real life. Jodie Foster is flawless as Clarice, the young FBI agent sent to hunt down a serial killer, and Anthony Hopkins is truly scary as Hannibal "the cannibal" Lector. The finale is absolutely terrifying; it had me on the edge of my seat praying that Clarice would be okay. In my opinion, it's one of the best thrillers ever made.
7) American Beauty (1999) - Set in modern-day American suburbia, American Beauty goes beyond the surface of everyday life and shows the secrets hidden beneath. It's at once eye-opening, raw and unpredictable, and has some genuinely funny lines, most of which are uttered by leading man Kevin Spacey. It's no surprise that this film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It really is a must-see and changes the way you think about suburban life.
8) The Notebook (2004) - This film is the ultimate love story, and is a genuine tear-jerker. Starring the brilliant Rachel McAdams as Allie, and Ryan Gosling as Noah, the story follows the two young lovers through a passionate summer before the pair are separated through distance, war and family prejudice. They later reunite when they are both in different stages of their lives, and Allie must choose between love and financial security. Based on Nicholas Sparks' novel of the same name, I loved this movie from start to finish.
9) Little Women (1994) - The fourth film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel, Little Women encompasses the themes of family, love, loss, female tenacity and finding one's self as it follows the lives of the four March sisters in wartime America. Starring Winona Ryder, Trini Alvarado, Claire Danes, Kirsten Dunst, Christian Bale and Susan Sarandon, Little Women is brilliantly cast, the settings are beautiful, the music is great and the story is timeless. It's a period drama with bite, and never fails to make me cry.
10) Forrest Gump (1994) - This is one of the greatest films I've ever seen, in terms of story, dialogue and cinematography. Following the life of Forrest Gump, an unintelligent but innately lovable character (played by Tom Hanks, who won the Best Actor Academy Award), the story is at once original and moving, and documents several important periods in American history. It's a very satisfying film, sad in parts, funny in others, and was the deserving recipient of six Academy Awards.
So there you have it - my list of all-time favourite flicks. As you can see, they're quite varied, but like many people I have broad tastes when it comes to films. Let me know what you think.
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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Comment by Glen Atwell
Computer Game
Where's a Hitchcock classic? Spielberg? Jurassic Park?
If The Notebook gets a guernsey, where did Dumber & Dumber rank? Number 11?
Glen.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
American Beauty and Amelie are truly great flicks though. Can't say I feel any fondness toward the others though ... Although when I saw Beetlejuice when it came out I chose to study it for my Film Analysis course at university ... I had to see it five times or more and I was well sick of it by the end. Each to their own, of course ....
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Little Women and Forrest Gump are the only ones that I found over rated.
I can't watch the Notebook anymore unless I receive Kleenex sponsorship! The rest are just awesome.
Have you read the book for Fear and Loathing? I love the movie but the book had me crying daily with laughter!!
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice!!
I watched Kung Fu Panda this morning and was thinking about my review. Am going to write in the morning but was thinking that Kung Fu is just as good as Nemo and Lion King. I miss the Lion King - might have to watch again!
Thanks for the read!
Comment by Journeywoman
Great Hair Style Tips
I Dream of Hollywood
Fashion Peach
Glen, it's a top 10 of my all-time favourites, not the all-time greatest. Spielberg never really did it for me (except with E.T., that was great) and the only Hitchcock I've seen is Psycho. Can't say that I've seen Dumb and Dumber either.
Bryn, yep my tastes are broad, to be sure. Sometimes I'm in the mood for a tear-jerker, other times a thriller, other times a weird arthouse flick. As you say, each to their own.
Jason, yep I'll be seeing Kung Fu Panda this weekend, I'll let you know what I think of it. Will check out your review also.