So here we are. Just 30 movies to go. It is at this threshold where I consider these movies "legendary" to steal a word from Luke. I found my top 30 to be very sacred in a way because I knew these were truly the best of the best. And that says a lot about some of these movies because I have seen some of them just once. Enough intro though, let's get to the films.
30. Happy Gilmore (1996)
Starring Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald, Carl Weathers
Directed by Dennis Dugan
Unlike Luke, I don't need another movie to couple with this one. Instead, this movie stands out all by itself. It can do that because it is simply that funny of a movie, with a great heart behind it that is impossible to not fall in love with.
In my list of favorite movie characters, I think Happy Gilmore is one of my favorites. The reason: he is real. Obviously, I don't mean that as a real person but as real as in personality and attitude. He doesn't like change. Not many people do. he likes to do things his way and people appreciate that about him. But at the same time, he accepts change enough to fall in place with the standards of society or in this case, the game of golf.
But those changes come with some modifications. He still plays the game with a hockey stick. He still dresses like a bum. He still uses a caddy that eats crackers that serve as ball markers. And he makes no excuse for the people who have come to follow him on the golf course. In fact, he embraces it as does the Tour, much to the chagrin of Shooter McGavin (easily one of the best "bad guys" in my mind).
The movie is funny from start to finish. That's because of a mix of great acting, writing, and scenes that are simply memorable. Bob Barker probably gets asked about his fight in this movie every day. What is also has though going for it is the backstory of why Happy is playing golf. It's not for him or his glory or fame. He does it for his Granny, who has lost her house. How can you not root for someone who doesn't even play the game for themselves or to prove a point? That's who Happy is and that's what makes this movie so good.
I can't even count how many times I've seen this movie. Easily more than 5 times and then numerous times watching parts of it when I see it on TV. It's just an addicting watch. This is by far Adam Sandler's best character and best movie. Every movie since has tried to live up to this one but it never will.
29. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Starring Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandie Newton
Directed by Gabriele Muccino
Simply put, you have to be heartless to not be moved by this movie. It's the true story of Chris Gardner, who lost it all in a bad investment, was homeless for more than 6 months while trying to raise his kid, and working his butt off just to make it all work for him, and more importantly, for his son.
I don't cry in movies. I've only cried during two movies in my life. One was Marley and Me (and I knew the dog was gonna die) and a movie that will make this list later. But this one almost became the third. But unlike the other two, I almost cried in this one in happiness. The end scene when he accepts the job is truly moving. All he had worked for and endured in the past 6 months just to get by had been worth it. He had gotten the opportunity of a lifetime but not because of connections, the color of his skin, or pity. Instead, it was all because of his hard work.
If you know me, I not only like an underdog story, but I like positive people. I can't be around people who always expect the worst or always talk about things that are clearly depressing. Brings me down, brings them down and is just against my motto of Hakuna Matata. With all that said, that is another reason why I love this movie. Despite everything in his life falling apart, Chris never was negative. He stayed strong and not just for his own sanity but for his kid, knowing the hurt would be magnified that much more on him at such a young age. I like to think that if I ever ended up in that situation, I would act the same way Chris did. Not give in to all the negative but instead stay positive and keep working hard to turn the whole situation around.
As far as the acting, Will Smith does a tremendous job playing Chris. He earned an Oscar nomination for this and it is well-deserved. He puts the right amount of emotion into every scene, especially the ones that you know Chris really was going through a tough time. I think what helped Smith look so genuine on screen is that he was acting with his own son Jaden. They say actors truly throw themselves into roles, getting lost into their character. Well, if that's the case, you'd like to think Smith was just imagining being in the same situation with his son, making it easy to feel so passionately about staying strong in tough times. Jaden does a great job here playing the precocious, happy-go-lucky kid. He didn't over-act it as some kids do.
I have seen this movie twice all the way through and each time, it inspires me. It also keeps me grounded knowing that I am very lucky. I have a job that pays me. I have a family that is and will always be there for me. I have friends who are always more than willing to help me. Chris didn't have that and survived. A great film and one that should me a must-watch for all.
28. Collateral (2004)
Starring Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith
Directed by Michael Mann
In movies these days, it's not very often the main character is a bad guy. And if so, there are main characters. You know, a good guy to offset the bad guy. But that is not the case in this movie. There's no argument who the star of this movie is. It's Tom Cruise. And there's also no argument that he's a bad guy.
With that said, Jamie Foxx and Jada Pinkett Smith are fabulous in this movie. In fact, Foxx was nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe for his supporting role in this movie (He won the Oscar for Ray that year). But this movie is good because of Cruise and his character, Vincent. It is so out of character for Cruise to play someone like this. He has played a bad-ass before. He has played someone who kills people before. But he has never a bad-ass bad guy who kills people. Too bad because he's really good at it.
The concept is an interesting one. Max, a taxi driver picks up a lady. She is off to work late at her office, the U.S. Justice Department. Gets her number after good conversation. Drops her off and looks for his next fare. That next fare is Vincent, a hitman. He offers Max $600 flat rate to take him to 5 different places. Max agrees reluctantly. At the first stop, a dead body falls onto the cab. Right then, the story and movie steps on the gas and never lets go.
There's just a lot to like about this movie. Cruise's character is so slick and calm at all times, despite being a killer of innocent people. Yet, he has a quick temper with Max when he gets wishy-washy on driving him around. Max is a fun character because he is again "real". Foxx does a great job playing someone we can all relate to. Doing the job not for love of the job, but to get enough money to move on and pursue a dream. The plot is strong and since the movie takes place in the span of just one night, it moves at a fierce pace. One that is welcome so you never get a chance to catch your breath. Plus, the ending is one that I put up there with one of the best. The ending can make or break a movie and I remember thinking in this movie that I hope they didn't screw it up and they did not. It came right down to the end and was a fitting end to a frantic night.
When I made my first movie list in 2008, Collateral was #16. The reason for the fall to #28 is two-fold. First off, saw a lot of great movies in the past 2.5 years. Secondly, I found myself not watching this movie or craving to watch this movie as much as others. I still love it, as seen by its ranking this high, but that feeling told me it needed to be dropped a bit. But don't let that take away from my strong opinion of just how great this movie is and in my mind, Tom Cruise's best effort in a movie.
27. Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Starring Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman
Directed by Clint Eastwood
I've only seen this movie once and I was "forced" to for a college class. It was this or "Cinderella Man". I chose this one because it won the Oscar and that it included Morgan Freeman, one of my favorite actors. I couldn't be happier with my decision because despite seeing this movie only once, it is among my favorites.
The plot of this movie is incredibly strong. Straight from IMDB, "A hardened trainer/manager works with a determined woman in her attempt to establish herself as a boxer." The road though from determined woman to successful boxer is a fun one to watch. The road though from successful boxer to the way the movie ends is an ever better one. The emotions this movie puts you through are ridiculous. And you're guided by a screenplay written by the great Paul Haggis (more on him later in the countdown), directed by one of the greats in Eastwood, and the acting from 3 of the best of our time right now in Eastwood, Freeman and Swank. There's a reason this movie is the last movie to date to be nominated in every major category.
There is something about boxing movies too that appeal to me. As you know, boxing is a brutal sport. It takes a special person to even participate in the sport. Swank does a great job portraying that persona, especially one that is a woman. She is hard-nosed, driven, but at the same time, a bit fragile. Eastwood is the trainer that has seen it all and been through it all, and doesn't like to deal with a lot of BS. Early on, the partnership looks destined to fail. But the relationship blossoms with each win and they grow very close. And as if that weren't enough, you get a guy like Freeman who adds levity to each situation and is a go-to guy for both in the film. The relationships between the 3 is what makes this movie so special. In a sport like boxing, you need people in your corner and Swank has that in Eastwood and Freeman.
The movie does not disappoint with the ending either, as other sports movies tend to do. I credit that to Haggis and Eastwood. In fact, the way it ends is what may have won it the Oscar for Best Picture. It didn't just win Best Picture. Eastwood won for Best Director (his 2nd in the category), Swank won for Best Actress (her 2nd in the category) and Freeman won for Best Supporting Actor (his 1st Oscar after being nominated 3 other times). Haggis was nominated for adapted screenplay as well as Eastwood for Leading Actor but lost to deserving competition. If not, this movie would have really had a haul. I can't wait to see this movie a second time. I know it will be great once again.
26. Role Models (2008)
Starring Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, Jane Lynch
Directed by David Wain
Imagine this setting when watching this hilarious comedy. The $2 theater (so you know the sound quality sucks and the seats are uncomfortable) and there are 3, maybe 4 people watching this movie with you at 2:00pm in the afternoon. Sounds great huh? Well, actually yes, because I'm pretty sure if that theater was packed with people or if I went to this movie the month it came out, I wouldn't hear one line of this movie because it is laugh-out-loud funny.
My first thought after leaving this movie: This is a top 25 movie of all-time. Well, at that time, it was. But it fell to #26 after seeing some other fantastic flicks. But boy, does this one deserve its inclusion on this special list. The concept of the movie is great. Couple of guys who got in trouble with the law have to do some community service. Being a big brother seems easy enough, except though when you get kids like Augie (nerdy weirdo) and Ronnie (potty-mouth troublemaker). As much as Rudd and Scott are funny in this movie, so are Christopher Mintz-Plasse (of "Superbad" fame) as Augie and Bobb'e Thompson as Ronnie. Their lines or awkwardness really make for some classic scenes and face-offs between big brother and "little brother".
The amount of great scenes and/or moments are too many to mention in this blog. I also know there are tons of great quotes as well, many of which I do not know simply because I have only seen this movie 1.5 times. I'm working on that. The movie is 99 minutes but could easily go for another 10-20 and I'd be just fine with that. Literally, I don't remember a time in the movie where I wasn't laughing or smiling. The writing is just that good and the execution of the actors is as well.
I've said this a million times I feel like now but Paul Rudd just doesn't star in bad movies. And if so, I just haven't seen them. Yet again in this movie, he does not disappoint with his dry sense of humor but great comedic timing. Scott is an underrated comedic actor. It all depends on the role. Stifler in "American Pie" was good for him and so is this one. He is clearly lacking the ability to be responsible but his growth in the movie is fun to watch, of course through errors. And a shoutout to Jane Lynch, who again in a supporting role, proves she can be as funny as anyone. Her role as the creator of "Sturdy Wings" is one of my favorites. Her no-nonsense attitude mixed with her witty responses and sharp insults make for some of my favorite moments in the movie.
I could go on and on about things I love about this comedy. It is not talked about by many as one of the better ones in the 2000s. But it really should be. Yes, the Judd Apatow comedies are funny. I have a couple of them on my list. But this one, actually co-written by Rudd himself, has that same innocent quality as the Apatow ones with just a bit more funny and crude humor. I hope one day it gets its due as one of the better comedies of its time because it truly is.
25. Any Given Sunday (1999)
Starring Dennis Quaid, Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx
Directed by Oliver Stone
We march into the top 25 with a movie that 2.5 years ago was #13. Why the fall? A realization that there are just better movies than this. But only 24 that I have seen.
A little background to his selection. I saw this movie at either age 13 or 14. At that time, I loved the NFL but never understood the behind the scenes parts of it. All I knew was the on the field product and that was just fine. In fact, I wish I still only knew about that part because those days, I liked every player because I never knew anything about their offseason antics, such as contract disputes, arrests, marriages, etc... And I really had no clue how free agency worked. This movie opened my eyes up to all of that and did so with great acting, cinematography, and a story that never quits.
What I like to always say about sports movies is that sports are good enough where you don't have to over-dramatize them. Well, to my knowledge, this movie does the best job when it comes to accurately depicting how the NFL works. Veteran players who hold on for too long out of pride. Wives of those veteran players pushing for their husband to keep playing for her benefit, not for his. Players pushing their bodies to limits they should not, just to reach contract milestones for bonus money. Egos raging in a locker room that should be cohesive and uplifting. Team doctors not doing what's right for the athlete but instead their job. That same thing goes for the coaches. Players with humble beginnings who get their shot and then change completely due to the fame and fortune. Ownership with rocky relationships with coaches. Also, ownership looking to relocate or threatening to just to squeeze more money out of the local government. I could go on but I'll stop there. This sound familiar? Cause it should because it is what happens in today's NFL...and all of these issues are brought up in this movie.
Now when you make a movie about football stars, it helps to have a couple actually starring the movie. In this case, that's Lawrence Taylor and Jim Brown. But they are just 2 of what is a stellar cast that includes Academy Award and Golden Globe winners and nominees: Dennis Quaid, Cameron Diaz, Al Pacino, Jamie Foxx, James Woods, LL Cool J, Matthew Modine, Aaron Eckhart, Bill Bellamy, Ann-Margaret, Elizabeth Berkeley, John C. McGinley and Charlton Heston. A cavalcade of stars to say the least. Sometimes that can spell disaster but under the direction of 3-time Oscar winning director Oliver Stone, it works.
With so many storylines going on in the movie, I understand its 150 minute run time. The thing is it doesn't feel that long. It moves from game to game, week to week, story to story that you lose concept of time. You instead get lost in the season this team is having and how they are managing to keep it together despite all the stuff going on in the background, the stuff fans never get to see. Plus, thanks to some great writing, you get some funny lines, some dramatic lines, and some scenes that are just simply powerful.
I remember when ESPN came out with "Playmakers" after the success of this movie. ESPN branded the series as a truer take of professional football. Well, viewers did not agree, deciding to not watch the show after a well-watched premiere. I was one of those viewers, opting instead to give the benefit of the doubt to Any Given Sunday. Unlike "Playmakers", the movie didn't seem to over dramatize things. The football scenes didn't seem too ridiculous. the actors were believable and the intensity of the movie kept me interested. As a guy who hates sports movies, I am surprised I like this movie. But if more sports movies were like this one, then I may change my stance.
24. The Dark Knight (2008)
Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart
Directed by Christopher Nolan
I have never been a big fan of Superhero movies. You know, Batman, Spiderman, any of the Marvel characters. I see all the movies because my friends do or because they are always the "summer blockbuster" but I rarely leave one and say "Wow". This movie though made me say just that.
I think the reason I don't like superhero movies is because I know just how fake they are. It's hard to get lost in a movie you never truly believe in. This movie though is different and for two reasons. Christopher Nolan's direction and Heath Ledger's acting.
I'll start with the directing. Granted I wasn't on set but I have a feeling Nolan had a lot of input on how this movie would unravel. The pace of this movie is excellent. It starts off fluid but picks up quickly once the Joker begins his antics. Once he is caught, things slow down. Not slow down to the point of boredom but enough for you to catch your breath and start thinking where the movie will go from there. Once he breaks out of the jail, the movie finishes as a feverish pace that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's hard to not enjoy this movie when you're constantly entertained. And unlike some Spiderman movies, the fight scenes are not epic long. They progress and allow for some good dialogue as well. It also allows for some character development. This is much appreciated.
As far as Ledger's performance, what is there to say but Bravo. Just as Christoph Waltz had me mesmerized by his character in "Inglourious Basterds", Ledger does the same. It is completely out of character for him. To think this is the same guy that convinced me he was secretly in love with a gay cowboy is mind-boggling. he truly lost himself in this character. He let it consume him and by doing that, gave a performance that I will never forget. His take on the Joker was not only funny and quirky, but a bit creepy. It was a take no one had probably imagined he could do or would do. Ledger made the Joker sick and twisted but at the same time, humorous. It was a character I looked forward to seeing in the next movie before he died. And by the way the movie ended, I think Nolan was thinking the same thing. I am so glad he won the Oscar for this role. Whether he won it because voters thought he truly deserved it or because they wanted to honor a good performance from an actor who died too soon doesn't matter. This was a performance that needed to be recognized in some way and the Oscar is as good as it gets.
Looking back at this movie, there are other things to like. The other actors from Gary Oldham as Det. Gordon, Eckhart as Two-Face, and the always dependable Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox. You also get the best of special effects, from the action scenes to the gadgets Alfred gives to Batman. But above all, it's the story and Heath Ledger that I always come to as to why this movie is among my favorites. I can only hope "The Dark Knight Rises" builds upon the momentum of this amazing film.
23. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman
Directed by Frank Darabont
Not sure what the biggest travesty is. The fact that I didn't see this movie until my senior year of college or that it didn't win one Oscar. It was nominated for 7 but as good as this movie is, it should have been rewarded with SOMETHING. Well, if it's any consolation, it gets recognition here for being the 23rd best movie I've seen...with the likely potential of moving up.
Like some movies before, I have only seen this movie once. But that one time was all I needed to know how great this movie and story is. Luke had been imploring me to see this movie since we ever started discussing movie and I know why now. It has a lot of what I like in movies. The underdog story to a degree. A well-written and acted movie. And of course, a Black-White relationship.
I'm a sucker for movies with great relationships. I'm not talking romantic but instead, ones involving friends, co-workers, teammates, etc... You get the idea. Well, you get just that when talking about Andy and red. Two guys who would have no business talking to each other if not for the situation they get put into in jail. When I first saw it, it reminded me a bit of "American History X" as Derek becomes friends with a Black inmate who coaxes him back from the Neo-Nazi racist he had grown to become. In this case though, Andy is a straight-laced man charged with a crime he had not committed. But while many of the prisoners verbally and physically abuse him, Red befriends him and the rest is history.
How this movie unfolds is what makes it an instant classic. Andy is not your typical inmate. He is intelligent. He does taxes for the warden and other prison staff. He helps build a library. He does good deed after good deed just to get shut down or broken emotionally by the warden that it seems he is never going to ever live a normal life again. But like I said about Chris Gardner in "The Pursuit of Happyness", Andy stays strong and stays positive. And thankfully, he has a friend in Red who stays loyal. A relationship that started so innocently had grown into a full-on friendship that would eventually extend beyond the prison walls.
Trying to write about his movie will never do it justice. I understand that. It's just that good of a movie dramatically. The amount of ups and downs in this movie always keep you emotionally invested. The pace of the movie always keeps you interested. And the morality of certain events in the movie always have you thinking. But in the end, this movie is all about the friendship between two prisoners. It's one I like to think I have with many of my friends...and probably the reason this ranks so high on my list. When I see this movie a second time, I expect it to move up because I have a feeling I will respect it that much more for the great story it tells.
22. Avatar (2009)
Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver
Directed by James Cameron
I think it's fair to say that when James Cameron does a movie, he likes to do it big. Just like Titanic, Avatar pushes the limits to what we think of special effects in movies and what is possible. But like Titanic, this movie is more than just innovative and captivating effects. It is a great story, and that is what ultimately earns it this lofty ranking in my top 100.
But before I get to the story, let me remark about the effects. I am not a fan of 3D movies. They cost an extra $5 on average and never please. Yeah, you get one or two scenes that are cool with the glasses on but in all, you feel like you've been conned into paying more money for the same movie that was in 2D. This is not the case for Avatar though. Seeing this movie in 2D is amazing, don't get me wrong. I re-watched it in standard definition and it still captivated me. But seeing this in 3D really brings the best out of this movie. And it has nothing to do with trying to gimmicky and having objects fly at you or anything. It was all about the image quality. The colors popped. The Navi people looked incredibly real for something the audience no doubt knows is not. It just made the movie stand out like no other has before. It was truly impressive.
As for the story, it is top notch. Again, you can't just put effort into great effects. You have to give the people a reason to talk about it. And this one is a talker. In fact, it is even a bit controversial. Long story short, the government wants to invade and destroy the Navi tribe and their land for a precious material that is worth millions of dollars. When they send a former Marine to scout the land as one of the Navi, he becomes torn on whether to report to the colonel on the best way to invade or to be loyal to the Navi people he has grown to respect and love. The events unfold from there in spectacular fashion as you get all sides of the story and get great action from a movie that doesn't feel like it should.
What makes this a talker is that this situation is very similar to what the U.S. does when invading countries. Are they doing it for the right reasons or all the wrong reasons? Yes, the precious material is worth a lot of money and would do wonders for the economy but at the cost of killing innocent people? Was dropping atomic bombs on innocent people in Japan a good or bad thing? That's a debate for another day. But the fact is lots of innocent people died who had nothing to do with the disagreement between the two countries. But the story Avatar tells can be drawn to a smaller scale when you consider how much of nature has been destroyed to make room for frivolous things like mega-stores, roads, housing developments, etc.. And I say frivolous because these things aren't necessary. Yes, they make lives more convenient and make money for somebody, but ultimately, it destroys living organisms for good.
It is a long movie (162 minutes) but I'll say exactly what I said after I watched it the first time: I can't think of one thing to take out of the movie. It moves at a good pace and every scene is important. Whether to move the story along or to develop a character or relationship or to give background or foreshadow for a future event. There is no scene you can just throw away. Overall, it is just a solid movie in every way. I hear there is a sequel in the works and while I have come to not disagree with anything James Cameron does, I don't know if a sequel is necessary. This movie stands alone by itself. But money talks and grossing over $2 billion worldwide screams "let's try a sequel". If it's half as good as this one, then it may also make this top 100 list. That's just how good this movie is.
21. Uncle Buck (1989)
Starring John Candy, Macaulay Culkin, Jean Louisa Kelly
Directed by John Hughes
You just saw it on Luke's list. Now you see it on mine. A comedy that is never talked about as one of the best but surely should be. And not because of its laugh out loud moments as with some of the other comedies on my list, but because at its core, it is just a great story....that's also pretty darn funny.
Can't remember when I first saw the film but I know right after seeing it, I repeated the same line uttered by Macaulay Culkin over and over: "I'm a kid, that's my job". It's the last line of what is easily my favorite scene of the movie when Culkin and John Candy go back and forth, as Culkin grills on everything in Uncle Buck's life from women to his lack of a job. But there are many more memorable moments. Buck threatening Tia's boyfriend Bug, microwaving socks to dry them, and every time his car came to a stop, the backfire on it sounding like a gunshot. Just classic comedy stuff.
What makes this movie so enjoyable is that again, it feels real. It is just a heart-warming story of an Uncle who wants to do right but keeps doing wrong. He is hapless in this role as caretaker of 3 children. But he means well, something the younger kids get but 15-year old Tia does not. Instead, she just sees a guy who gets in the way of her living her life. A guy who is out to embarrass her in every way. The give and take in their relationship is one of the highlights of the movie as both learn how to live with the other.
But it's more than their relationship. Buck has one of his own with an ex-girlfriend who is fed up with his boyish behavior. But she warms up to him as takes on this challenge of caring for the kids and even helps him later. By living with the kids and forcing himself to be responsible, he learns a lot about himself. In the end, the kids do gain his respect as a loving Uncle who while not the brightest or the most conventional, loves them and only wants the best for them.
The acting in this movie is great. Kid actors are always fun and Gaby Hoffman and Culkin are wonderful in this movie. Jean Louisa Kelly does a nice job playing the bratty Tia. But who we kidding? The star of this movie and what makes it what it is is the late John Candy. He was simply the perfect guy for this role. His physical appearance alone looks of someone who doesn't care too much. His comedic background comes in handy here as he cracks one-liners that ither sting or have you cracking up. And his ability to make every scene one to remember is top notch. He commands the screen and keeps you entertained. It is a shame he is gone because his comedy style on screen is one of my favorites.
I have no clue how many times I've seen this movie but it's more than 5. It's just that good. It reminds me of my childhood and now adulthood as I try to relate to kids. Written by John Hughes of "Home Alone" fame, it has a plot that moves and hits all the right buttons. Roger Ebert wrote in his review of this movie in 1989 "The movie is filled with good intentions and good feelings, but they seem to conceal another side of Uncle Buck - a side that makes the movie feel creepy and subtly unwholesome. " With all due respect Roger, I disagree wholeheartedly. I leave you with this thought:
"How would you like to spend the next several nights wondering if your crazy, out-of-work, bum uncle will shave your head while you sleep? See you in the car."
Alright all, we're down to 20. We're done revealing 10 movies at a time. Instead, we're going 5 movies at a time. That's right, we're stretching this countdown out. Make sure you check out Luke's set of 10 here and come back to this blog and his to see trailers and reactions to each other's list.
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