Who Is the Star of Me? and Top 25 Favorite Movies

         I'm linking to this post as my participation in The Listing Hop hosted by Bish Denham.  Since I'd already put together this list someone had suggested that I should participate in the blog hop so here it is again for those who missed the list the first time around.

         Scroll down for my list of my top 25 favorite films.

  The Question of the Month is hosted by Michael G D'Agostino from A Life Examined.  The first Monday of each month I'll be answering a question posed by Michael prior to event day.  Click on the link to his blog for more participants.   

      Here is this month's question:

 “Who would play you in a movie of your life?” 

       This is not a good question to ask me.  For one thing I don't keep up with many newer actors and that's obviously the crop from which I'd have to pick unless we were talking about actors from all time.   Even then I'm not sure who I'd think would play me well because I can't remember their names.  

        Since my life has been neither particularly heroic, tragic, or even all that romantic, I'd probably want to see my life as a comedy.  But who to choose?   Damn, I'd make a lousy casting director.  

          I guess I'll just go with that guy--you know, the funny guy who was in that funny movie--what was it called?   Aw, you know.   The funny movie with that uproariously funny actor what's-his-name.   Maybe I'll think of it later.   Or maybe you can tell me.

          Bad answer I suppose, but it's the best I've got.

One of the twin movie theaters at Casino Theatre Entertainment Center, Mount Pocono, Pa. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 25 FAVORITE MOVIES EVER MADE?

      This question was asked at Stephen T McCarthy's blog and since we're on the subject of movies I thought that this would be a good time for me to post my list.  You too can join in with your own list by linking your post to Stephen's blog or by answering in the comment section of his post on the topic.

        Here are the rules in part:

Top 25 lists should be in TWO PARTS: The Top Ten, and The Next Fifteen. You don't need to order them as #1, #2, #3, etc. You can alphabetize them if you want (that's helpful), or you can just list them in any random order, so long as we can tell the Top Ten from The Next Fifteen (because 'Top 10' movies will receive 3 points, while 'The Next Fifteen' movies - in your Top 25 list - will receive 2 points).
And, according to our old rules, a person can list singly a movie from a series, or they can take the ENTIRE SERIES and list it in one spot. 

       For more details, again, visit Stephen T McCarthy's blog to get the complete story on this.  I'll be listing my films in no particular order other than what comes to my mind first.  This was more difficult than I expected.   My list today might vary next time I'd think about it, but this is a good overview of some films I tend to have enjoyed over the years and still enjoy watching.  Some of my listed films will be unlikely to show up on the bigger list of the generally most favorite films, but I've been told I have some odd taste in films.  That's okay because I know that I'm right.  My choices are all quality films.  For more information about each film in my list you can click on the title.

My Top Ten


Fellini's Roma (1972)--There is so much to this film and I find it to be a visual delight as well as an interesting social and historical commentary.   Since there is not much in the way of story or strict continuity to this film, I can watch it all in one sitting or just specific parts and always enjoy it.

Apocalypse Now (1979) --Not necessarily the best war movie ever made, but probably the best war allegory.   Those who dismiss the film as being "unrealistic" are missing the point I think.

The Wizard of Oz  (1939)--I've been enjoying this since I was a kid.  Some things never get old.

Night of the Living Dead (1968)--This is one of the eeriest scariest films I've seen.  A masterpiece of film making minimalism.   George Romero proved that you don't need a massive budget, big stars, and extreme effects to create a film with lasting impact.

Kiss Me Deadly (1955)--One of the best film noir films ever.  I've gotta have at least one film noir on this list and I can't think of one I like much more than this one.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)--A wonderful surrealistic western with so much going on that it seems like three movies.   I guess that's why it has three titles.



Mulholland Drive  (2001)--It's weird and I like weird.

The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961)--An interesting film that might be more relevant now than when it was released.  One of those what-if films that might make you think a bit.  Also, more evidence that big effects and CGI don't necessarily make a great film.  A good film maker can do a lot with a small budget.

On the Beach (1959)--This one scared me when I was a kid, but also fascinated me to the extent that I never forgot it.  Now that I have the DVD I watch this at least once a year.  An outstanding film that has a lot of impact.  I get chills whenever I even just think of the closing scene of this film.


Intolerance (1916)--For a film made nearly 100 years ago this is pretty darn amazing.  I'll put this up against just about any film made in the past 10 or 20 years.  Yes, it's silent so that will be a turn off for a good many people.  Those with the patience and aesthetic appreciation of great film art will be rewarded by managing to hang in for over three hours to see this film through to its conclusion.

Next Fifteen 
(most of these could easily be fitted into my top 10)


8 1/2 (1963)--A great film about writing, film making, relationships, and inspiration.  It has all the elements that most modern movie goers hate--black and white, foreign language with subtitles, little in the way of action, puzzling story line at times, and so on.  This film stirs my emotions.  It does require some intellectual investment for those who are willing to spare the time and effort.

The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)--A favorite since my childhood.  Now I see it in a much different more spiritual way and like it even better as an adult.  Yeah, black and white, low budget, limited special effects--modern audiences might want more, but for me this film is just about perfect as it is.

Evita (1996)--I am a big fan of musicals.  I enjoy the music in this one and I thought Madonna did an excellent job in the lead role.  It's a gorgeous cinematic experience.

Ed Wood (1994)--Fun and optimistic.  When you think of it, director Tim Burton achieved a rather incredible feat with this film:  He made us love and admire one of filmdom's greatest losers.

Dames (1934)--Since I tend to watch Busby Berkeley films repeatedly, I have to include one on my list and this is among his best. 

North By Northwest (1959)--A film by Hitchcock has to be on my list.  This one is among my favorites.

The Gay Divorcee (1934)--Fred Astaire is one of my all time favorites so it stands to reason that one of his films has to be on my list.  This film is a lot of fun.   "The Continental" dance number is a tour-de-force that makes this film of special appeal to me.

Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941)--W.C. Fields was one of comedy's geniuses and this film is proof of that.  This movie is as outlandish as they come as well as being surrealistically absurd.  Watching this film makes me think that this is where Fellini must have gotten inspiration for some of his films.  The car chase near the end is madcap fun.

Gladiator  (2000)--Epic film making in the 21st century.   Rousing entertainment in the old fashioned tradition.

The Ten Commandments   (1956)--I love the Biblical epic films, especially those of the 1950's. This is one of the best of them.

The Matrix Trilogy  (1999 & 2003)--Thoughtful science fiction.   Always worth revisiting for me.

Knowing (2009)--This one's a real guilty pleasure for me.  I'm a Nick Cage fan and I'm fascinated by apocalyptic films. This is among my favorites in the genre.  Besides my 2009 review on Amazon for this film spawned a conversation thread that has continued for six years now.

Mad Max Trilogy (1979, 1981, 1985)--The newest "Mad Max" movie was a disappointment for me.  It just goes to show that excess in film making does not necessarily make for better films.  The original trilogy is the best.  Filled with action, but allowing for decent character development and good story telling, these are films I watch with more frequency that the average film I've seen.



Pulp Fiction (1994)--Inspired in part by the film Kiss Me Deadly (see my top ten), Pulp Fiction provides a unique story telling film experience.  If it's on TV, I stop to watch.  Otherwise, I've got the DVD and the video so I can watch it whenever I want.

It's a Wonderful Life    (1946) --A Christmas tradition that never fails to bring me a smile and perhaps a tear.  A reaffirmation that even when things seem to be going to the crapper, ultimately life can be wonderful.

       So how about you?  Who would play you in a movie about your life?   Do any of your favorite films agree with those on my list?   Is there any such thing as a Federico Fellini fan in this blogging crowd?

         

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