Capturing movies (and series), in no particular order, that have made an impact on me and stuck over time. I’m not saying these are the best movies of all time, but these are ones that recurringly rattle around my brain or remind me of particular moments in my life. They’re meaningful to me for some reason, and I figure if I compile a list I may begin to understand why certain films rise above others for me.
Having started the list and reflecting on it later, I clearly lean toward satiric comedies, space/futuristic epics, and sentimental films. There are vast genres underrepresented such as classic dramas, romantic comedies, musicals, documentaries, action/adventure, horror. I’m not sure why that is.
Princess Bride (1987). So many good quotes and life lessons. My favorite, among many: “never get involved in a land war in Asia”. A simple fairy tale love story dressed up with wonderfully smart dialogue, quirky characters and likable performances. A movie with its heart in the right place, and it seems like everyone was having a grand time making it. I really ought to read the book, sometime.
Blade Runner (1982). For its dripping wet, dark vision of a Japan-influenced future, and for the insight into slave-based replicants gaining consciousness. A mind-blowing film, even if I still don’t understand its various endings over time. Film noir of the future. There are now several versions and endings to choose from — not sure which is “best” but it’s the overall look and feel that stays with me.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). I didn’t enjoy the long ape sequence and didn’t understand the “Star Baby” ending, but the middle sequence depicting the shuttle, space station, moon, mission to Jupiter and, of course, HAL, are brilliant evocations of the way the future was supposed to be. Stanley Kubrick’s film (co-written with Arthur C. Clarke) was groundbreaking in 1968 and still ahead of its time today, 50 years later (ouch!).
The Matrix (1999). This film came out of nowhere at the time. The special effects (bullet time, 360 camera rotation, kung fu wire tricks) were new. The look with gun fetishes, long trenchcoats and graphic novel come to life sensibility was cool and iconic. The “life is illusion” reveal mid-way was mind-bending. What’s sad is the aftermath: the look was co-opted by Columbine killers, the effects were overused in other movies and now football games, the sequels were miserable, and the Wachowskis became irrelevant filmmakers.
Star Wars (the first one, Episode 4, I guess, 1977). The first film was groundbreaking, a spaghetti western (space opera, they say) in space. From the opening scroll and star cruiser this film was one of the first that felt like a ride. The well-worn look of the machinery, eastern sensibility of the Force, Alec Guinness’ Jedi mind tricks and the personified evil of Darth Vader set its own empire in motion.
Local Hero (1983). A sweet, magical love letter to quirky Scottish charms. I loved the little village, odd characters, and subtle asides. The music by Mark Knopfler was terrific (he also did Princess Bride soundtrack). Kissing off the oil company always resonated with me. A film that has always been close to my heart.
My Brilliant Career (1979). While I was in college I discovered this film at the Georgetown Theatre and saw it multiple times. I was enchanted by Australia and the story of female empowerment. The performance by Judy Davis started a fine career of her own. Why isn’t this film more readily available today?
Field of Dreams (1989). A soppy but memorable male romance of baseball and dads. I enjoyed the book which builds the story of Shoeless Joe Jackson into a dreamscape of Iowa, with a little J. D. Salinger thrown in. The movie glows romantically, sometimes ludicrously, and is overall more syrupy than I like, but I did love the performance of Burt Lancaster at his twinkliest.
Casablanca (1942). Classic film making at its classiest. True romance, a war story without war, Bogart being a noble sad sack, Ingrid Bergman being incandescent, a bunch of quirky side characters makes it deservedly one of the all-time bests.
Citizen Kane (1941). Classic film making at its most bravura. Orson Welles’ tour de force (writer! director! producer! actor!) dramatization of William Randolph Hearst’s life. Everything on the screen is larger than life. That it was Welles’ first film is absolutely astonishing. That he had trouble following it up the rest of his life is a Hollywood tragedy in its own right.
Key Largo (1948). Another Bogart gem, this one basically a stage play in a Key Largo hotel during a hurricane. Edward G. Robinson as a classic villain and Lauren Bacall as a staggering newcomer. Not groundbreaking cinema, but great performances and a cool story.
Sleeper (1973). Woody Allen when he was funny. An anarchic, romantic, silly, slapstick look at the future…and he got a lot of the stupid parts right.
Life of Brian (1979). Truth to tell, I loved the Monty Python TV shows more than any of their movies, but of the movies I like this one best. So many great quotes and bits. I love the skewed perspective of not-quite-Jesus (a la Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead), the bickering People’s Front of Judea (“What have the Romans done for us?”), and “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”.
Young Frankenstein (1974). Mel Brooks’ goofy-smart inside-out tribute to Frankenstein and all horror movies. Gene Wilder at his best (and co-wrote), great casting all around, and so many great lines.
The Producers (1967). Springtime for Hitler! Mel Brooks! Zero Mostel! Gene Wilder! What’s not to like?
Finding Nemo (2003). My favorite animated movie to date. Pixar outdid itself re-creating undersea worlds. The story of father (and Dory) searching for son is sweet, clever and well-constructed.
Dr. Strangelove (1964). Kubrick’s masterful satire of the Cold War and nuclear annihilation. Peter Sellers is great in multiple roles, and George C. Scott chews up the landscape.
In Bruges (2008). Not quite a dark comedy, but a well-crafted crime drama with an anarchic streak. It’s Waiting for Godot with guns…and more happens. Terrific deadpan performances from Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell. Plus it made Bruges, Belgium (which I hadn’t really heard of before) look beautiful.
Black Mirror. This is a British/Netflix series of standalone futuristic stories, some of which rank among the very best, prescient films. The most memorable for me include: Nosedive (2016), San Junipero (2016), USS Callister (2017), and Fifteen Million Merits (2011). The common thread among these is they are not terribly scary or violent, but provoke thoughts about impacts of technology and where we are headed as a society.
Runners Up: Films that nearly made my cut, but haven’t (yet).
Blazing Saddles (1974).
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) / Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983).
Time Bandits (1981).
Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984).
Take the Money and Run (1969) / Play It Again, Sam (1972).
Saving Private Ryan (1998).
Get Out (2017).
The Fog of War (2003).
Lost in Translation (2003).
Grand Budapest Hotel (2014).
This is Spinal Tap (1984) / Caddyshack (1980) / Animal House (1978).
Best in Show (2000) / A Mighty Wind (2003) / Waiting for Guffman (1996).
The Last Waltz (1978) / Stop Making Sense (1984) / Concert for George (2003).
The Big Lebowski (1998).
Everything, Everywhere, All at Once (2022)
Near Misses: Commendable films that should have been up my alley but didn’t quite work for me.
Wag the Dog (1997).
The Death of Stalin (2017).
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005).
Brazil (1985).
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