My 100 Favorite Films: 10–1
This is an ongoing piece where I rank my 100 favorite films of all time.
Welcome to the on-going countdown of my 100 favorite films! This is for 10 through 1. If you are looking for previous posts, just click on the grouping you would want to see: 100 to 91, 90 to 81, 80 to 71, 70 to 61, 60 to 51 and 50 to 41, 40 to 31, 30 to 21 and 20 to 11.
10. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
During the height of my UFO craze, sometime from 5th grade to high school, I watched any films about outer space (or aliens) I could get my hands on. 1951’s The Day the Earth Stood Still was just a film I walked into one day, but I am sure glad I did. Starring Michael Rennie and Patrica Neal, the film depicts the world “standing still”, as an unknown object lands in Washington D.C., which brings alien life to Earth.
But this alien life-form (Rennie) walks and talks just like a human. He is not here to rage war but to bring peace. He just to find the right person to tell. The film is iconic in its imagery and characters — particularly Gort, a robot. I enjoyed the film’s different take on “alien invasions”. This is a more thought provoking film, where the conversations run deep and its not all about the horror/shock that aliens exist.
Like all 1950's science-fiction films, the metaphor to communism is apparent. The Day the Earth Stood Still does not shy away from that metaphor, but this film has a ton more to say than blanket metaphors: the role of governments, science vs faith, innocence of a childhood. The messages are abundant and well told.
9. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Cinematic moments pave the way for creating a classic film. Stephen Spielberg’s films usually have iconic moments, created masterfully but the directing legend. Saving Private Ryan is no different. The team of Spielberg and Hanks is a tandem not to be messed with, coupled with the fact this is a World War II film that was released at the height of “World War II nostalgia” — the late 1990's.
Saving Private Ryan is full of patriotism (not a bad thing) but also some gut-wrenching film-making. The opening scene is famous for how brutal and in-your-face the action is during the storming of the beach on D-Day. Spielberg does not shy away from the grotesque side of war, even though this film has a touch of the “romantic” side. Wade’s death, Reiben’s outburst and the final battle are all cinematic moments done to perfection — moments that will live inside my head for years to come. Adding to this fantastic film experience is a wonderful score by John Williams.
Whenever a film comes out, with Tom Hanks somehow involved, never bet against the film. Saving Private Ryan is apex Hanks.
8. Amadeus (1984)
In the most obnoxious way possible: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
The battle for musical superiority in Vienna is on display in Amadeus, and the winner has one of the most obnoxious laughs you will hear. So what, he is a musical genius? Amadeus re-tells the story (the film is more myth than historic fact) of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the “rivalry” between him and Antonio Salieri.
Amadeus is an epic, a beautiful, engaging epic. The film is full of the sweet sounds of Amadeus’ compositions, as well as performances that bring to life the world he lived in. Tom Hulce (Amadeus) and F. Murray Abraham (Salieri) are the two stars that absolutely entrance you back in time with their stellar performances. For me, the music reigns supreme. It engrosses you and equals the epic proportions of the film. The music, in this case, is just as much the star of the film as the characters.
To think music written in the 1700's would be used to anchor a film made in the 1980's shows how much of a genius these men were.
7. Gattaca (1997)
My favorite author of all time is Ray Bradbury and, when I first saw Gattaca, I instantly fell in love: this is Ray Bradbury come to life.
Taking place in the “not so distant future”, Gattaca is about a man who dreams of flying in space — but can not because of genetics. In this world, your death age, sickness and any other genetic information is revealed at birth. Eugenics are everything. As much as the film is about the science, Gattaca is also about beating the system and not lying low when one dreams of achieving their goals.
At the center of this story lies Jude Law and Ethan Hawke, both incredible. Uma Thurman provides the story with its heart, and the film has solid supporting roles from Gore Vidal (!) and Ernest Borgnine. Gattaca is a smart science-fiction film that feels as if this could actually happen, which I enjoyed. The film is grounded in realism, but leaves enough to let the mind wander…
6. The Godfather: Part II (1974)
Originally, I had both the first and second films, but, after some thought, I am sticking to only one: the second film. The first film, as a whole, is the better film. It is leaner and follows through on the plot points that stem from the story. But, The Godfather: Part II has the best story in the entire “Godfather universe”: young Vito.
The Godfather: Part II interweaves its story between a contemporary story (picking off where the first one left off) and the story of how Vito Corleone arrived and survived during the turn of the century in the United States. The backstory — flashbacks scenes — is the most interesting story and the best crafted. For this, the second one wins out.
Robert De Niro is perfect as young Vito. Displaying the perfect of balance of sympathy and growing ruthlessness, De Niro (who won the Oscar) embodies the classic American immigrant story. The world, in this case New York City and Italy, captured by director Francis Ford Coppola is detailed and enriching. The streets of New York City come alive and are inviting, despite the dirt and grime that plague the city. The flashback scenes carry this film to the top 10 — they are that good.
5. Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Officially the greatest sequel of all time (kidding), the Bride of Frankenstein is a follow-up to the Universal classic Frankenstein. Boris Karloff returns as “the Monster” and Elsa Lanchester was chosen for the part of “the Bride”. The film re-visits the science behind bringing man back to life, but, as always with sequels, the game is bigger.
The characters, Dr. Frankenstein and Doctor Pretorius, are classic horror movie characters. The fun with this film is its everything pop culture informs us of these old, black-and-white horror films. Are they scary? No. But the film is all about the romantic-Gothic atmosphere, and the Bride of Frankenstein is full of atmosphere. The story, while crazy and certainly fantastical, is sweet: “the Monster” needs a friend, in this case a bride. We let our mind wander and enjoy the ride.
The make-up and character designs are classic and make the film so much more enjoyable to watch. The film is hammy, but it is “horror ham” and that is the type of vibe I love.
4. Halloween (1978)
Horror, I can not get enough of the stuff.
Before even watching this film, Halloween was iconic in our household. My mom, a big fan of the holiday, went to see this as a teenager in theater. Thinking it was a film about the holiday, she was surprised to see — probably horrified, too — that Halloween was a bona fide horror film. Plus, she had to babysit that night. At least, I tell her, she saw the best.
Halloween is easily the best horror film made. Its craft, while partly because the film was made so cheaply, is unparalleled with films today. Directed by John Carpenter (and starring a young Jamie Lee Curtis), Halloween is the perfect, moody fall film. Its feel — more of a play on light and shadow than gore — had a lot to do because of budget reasons. But, Carpenter knew the style worked and he used it masterfully. Playing with our senses, the tension builds with just the right camera shot and some music.
Technically under the slasher genre, the film does not follow the beats of one. It is a slow burn, setting itself up for a perfect third act. The pay off is horrifically successful.
Also, the theme.
3. The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
I love this film. I looooooooove this film. Michael Mann’s best work (take that Heat!) is one of the best stories from before the United States was a country. This adaption of James Fenimore Cooper’s classic novel, The Last of the Mohicans is a beautiful, epic tale that represents everything great and horrific about the American experiment.
The film stars Daniel Day-Lewis (already off to a great start), Madeline Stowe and Wes Studi. The film blends cultures together with a message to modern audiences: this is how the United States became to be. Hawkeye (Day-Lewis) is a white man raised by the Mohican tribe; the film interestingly comments on racial identity in colonial North America.
Beyond the politics of its message, The Last of the Mohicans is a beautiful film. Shot in the Blue Ridge Mountains (the film takes place in upstate New York), the wilderness is every bit a character in this adventure tale — especially the end. I contest there is no better sequence in film than the climax of this film. Utterly silent, despite the gorgeous tune called “The Gael” being played, the scene is heartbreaking, courageous and breathtaking.
2. Apollo 13 (1995)
For awhile, Apollo 13 was my number 1. This film was a childhood favorite, as space was a huge interest of mine. I remember watching and playing along — manning a make-believe shuttle just as Tom Hanks and his crew were manning one in the film. When Apollo 13 was over, I read about the actual missions — as well other NASA missions. It captured my imagination.
The film re-tells the tragic (which turns out uplifting) story of the Apollo 13 space mission. A powerhouse of performances: Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Ed Harris and Kathleen Quinlan. Expertly directed by Ron Howard — easily his best film — Apollo 13 is full with tension. I have seen this film over 45 times, and each time is just as tense as the last. More specifically, every time I get to the re-entry sequence, I question if Hanks and crew will survive.
That is a credit to the film-making — the score, the shots, the acting. Apollo 13 is aided by the fact story is true. If you can, listening to the audio-commentary with Jim Lovell (the pilot who Tom Hanks plays) helps deepen the understanding of the Apollo 13 mission.
Despite never reaching the moon, the Apollo 13 mission is uplifting. It’s showing the best of mankind: working together for the common good of others. Stories like that make a damn good film and Apollo 13 is among the best.
1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Finally, number one. I am really not breaking any new ground here. The Shawshank Redemption is on my people’s top 10 lists. But, I am not here to be creative or cute; these are my hundred favorite films. I take this seriously.
The Shawshank Redemption is my favorite film ever made. The film, based on a Stephen King novella, has a beautiful arching story, where the character’s actions and words have satisfying or heartbreaking consequences. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman have tremendous chemistry together and give the performances of a lifetime — especially Freeman who narrates the story. Director Frank Darabont captures the tone of each passing era with skill and creates absolutely iconic moments: the roof-top scene, Robbins’ escape, the opera scene.
Like all of my favorites on this list, The Shawshank Redemption is utterly re-watchable. No matter which scene you may jump into to, the urge to finish the film exists. The film has one iconic character after another: Andy, Red, the warden, Hadley, Heywood, Brooks. They all feel as if you know each person and, in a strange world, could be your friend. Having characters that audiences can invest in elevates the film to another great level.
Of course, one of the lasting quotes to come from the film is: “Hope is a dangerous thing”. It can be, for sure. But I’ll always remember Andy’s response: “Remember that hope is a good thing, Red, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”
