These are just my personal favourites, movies I have watched several times and plan to watch again. Feel free to comment or submit your own choices. The films are from all genres and are not listed in order of preference.
1. American Graffiti (1973, Universal). Directed by George Lucas. Written by George Lucas, Gloria Katz, George Hyuck. Starring Richard Dreyfus, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charlie Martin Smith, Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips, Cindy Williams, Bo Hopkins, Harrison Ford, Wolfman Jack.
The music, the cars, the characters, the (first ever in film) intertwined stories of four main characters was all beautifully executed on a shoe-string budget and, despite the studio's predictions, turned into a major hit. Spawned a re-birth of hot rodding and a love of '50's, 60's nostalgia that continues to this day. I love everything about this movie and never get tired of seeing it, even though it is a mild PG by today's standards (proving blood, nudity, and swearing aren't necessary in a good film).
Favourite scene- the final drag race on Paradise Road.
Favourite line- Bo Hopkins; "I got an idea. I got a good idea."
2. Pulp Fiction (1994, Miramax). Directed and Written by Quentin Tarantino. Starring John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Ving Rhames, Bruce Willis. Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Anyone who hasn't seen this movie more than once needs to go get it right now and watch it again. The ultimate in "cool" films, every scene is a masterpeice, not to mention the brilliant choice of music. Note the interwoven stories of several main characters owes homage to American Graffiti.
Favourite scene- when John Travolta accidently blows the black kid's head off in the car.
Favourite lines (can't pick just one from this film)- Uma Thurman to John Travolta; "I want that trophy, so dance good."
Samuel L. Jackson- [Jules shoots the man on the couch] "I'm sorry, did I break your concentration? I didn't mean to do that. Please, continue, you were saying something about best intentions. What's the matter? Oh, you were finished! Well, allow me to retort. What does Marsellus Wallace look like?"
3. Fargo (1996, MGM). Directed by Joel Coen. Written by Joel and Ethan Coen. Starring Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi. Nominated for seven Oscars, winner of two.
Dark comedy about greed and the unpredictable results of it's pursuit by the uncommonly talented Coen brothers. I love how the film starts off so unassuming and gets intensely involving as it progresses. Ever since that first viewing (not in the theatre, but on DVD well after it was released) I get sudden, irresistible urges to watch it again, even though it doesn't star some seriously hot young female.
Favourite scene- when the cop pulls the bad guys over with the ensuing late night car chase.
Favourite line- Steve Buscemi: "Hey- I was bangin' that broad!"
4. Cape Fear (1991, Universal). Directed by Martin Scorsese. Written by John D. McDonald. Starring Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange, Juliette Lewis.
One of the few instances in which I prefer the remake to the original, although the original is a great film, too. Scorsese's ability to jar the watcher and keep them on edge with his choppy editing and intense close-ups, while also eliciting career-best performances from his actors all adds up to a stunning film about guilt and revenge.
Favourite scene- when Nick Nolte investigates the house and slips in the blood.
Favourite line- De Niro: "You're gonna learn about loss."
5. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981, Paramount). Directed by Steven Speilberg. Written by George Lucas, Lawrence Kasdan, Phillip Kaufman. Starring Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Denholm Elliot. Winner of four Oscars.
I'll never forget how much I enjoyed this movie the first time I saw it. One of very few films I saw more than once at the theatre, and have watched a dozen times since. Action from start to finish, with evil Nazis and a likeable hero, far superior to the B-movie serials from the '50's it was made in homage to.
Favourite scene- the fight between Indy and the big bald guy around and under the airplane.
Favourite line- John Rhys-Davies: "Asps...very dangerous. You go first."
6. Casino Royale (2006, Sony). Directed by Martin Campbell. Written by Neil Purvis, Robert Wade, Paul Haggis. Starring Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen.
This is the best of all the 007 films, including the ones Sean Connery made. I've been a huge fan of James Bond from a very young age, and was pleased to see the odd choice of Daniel Craig turned out to be such a good one. But the screenplay and especially the direction and action sequences were far superior in Casino Royale to just about any other movie of it's genre out there.
Favourite scene- the chase through the construction site just after the title credits.
Favourite line- Eva Green's Vesper to Daniel Craig's Bond: "It doesn't bother you? Killing all those people?" "Well I wouldn't be very good at my job if it did."
7. Rear Window (1954, Paramount). Directed by Alfred Hitchock. Written by Cornell Woolrich, John Michael Hayes. Starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly. Nominated for four Oscars.
My favourite of the Hitchcock films, although I love many of them. Hitchcock was a genius at creating suspense by putting an ordinary man into dangerous situations. A flawless film in every respect.
Favourite scene- when Grace Kelly goes across to investigate Raymond Burr's apartment and Burr returns sooner than expected.
Favourite line- Grace Kelly: "Jeff, you know if someone came in here, they wouldn't believe what they'd see? You and me with long faces plunged into despair because we find out a man didn't kill his wife. We're two of the most frightening ghouls I've ever known."
8. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953, 20th Century Fox). Directed by Howard Hawks. Written by Charles Lederer, Joseph Feilds, Anita Loos. Starring Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell.
While I also loved The Seven Year Itch, and recognize her best acting was in Bus Stop, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes shows Marilyn at her multi-talented best; dumb (?) blonde comedienne (second to none), stunningly beautiful, and a fantastic song and dance artist. The fabulous Jane Russell co-starring in it didn't hurt the film, either, as she was just as perfect for her role as Marilyn was.
Favourite scene- Marylin singing "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend."
Favourite line- Marilyn: "I want to marry him for your money."
9. The Gumball Rally (1976, First Artists). Directed by Charles Bail. Written by Charles Bail, Leon Capetanos. Starring Michael Sarrazin, Tim McIntyre, Raul Julia.
This action-comedy features a coast-to-coast race between daredevils driving top-end sports cars that is far superior to the better-known Cannonball Run movies that were essentially re-makes of it. Some of the best race scenes ever filmed, (basically the entire film) instead of a just a few clips here and there between too much other crap. They used real Cobras and Ferrari Daytonas (million-dollar collectibles today) at real speeds, too, instead of just speeding up the film to make them look faster. Unlike most films from the mid-'70's this one holds up by today's standards.
Favourite scene- the race through the man-made riverbeds in L.A.
Favourite line- Raul Julia: "And now my friend, the first-a rule of Italian driving. [Franco rips off his rear-view mirror and throws it out of the car] What's-a behind me is not important."
10. The Big Lebowski (1998, Polygram). Directed by Joel Coen. Written by Joel and Ethan Coen. Starring Jeff Daniels, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi.
I love almost everything the Coen brothers have made. Oh, Brother Where Art Thou, and No Country For Old Men (and Fargo above, obviously) rate high on the list as well. But The Big Lebowski is more than just a funny movie. Visually it's stunning in the attention to detail in maintaining a theme, especially since it is bowling-alley kitsch. Interesting camera work lends to the quirkiness, but most importantly are the fabulous portrayals by the perfectly cast actors.
Favourite scene- The Dude walking out of the millionaire Lebowski's house with a rug over his shoulder, stopping to chat with Bunny Lebowski at the pool.
Favourite line- Jeff Bridges: "They peed on my rug."
11. Ocean's Eleven (2001, Warner Bros.). Directed by Steven Soderberg. Starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts.
This is another re-make I like better than the original, with all due respect to the Rat Pack. I find the first movie drags in many places and isn't shot particularly well. This film rivals Pulp Fiction for movie "coolness", an important attribute for me. The A-list cast shows why they get the big bucks, even if you can see how much fun they're having with it. I love heist films, and this one just edges out The Great Train Robbery and The Italian Job (original and remake) by having that added element of classy style and a great twist at the end.
Favourite scene- Danny and Rusty "discussing" how many people they'll need to pull the job off, with Rusty saying nothing.
Favourite line- Julia Roberts to George Clooney: "You're a liar and a thief." "I only lied about being a thief, I don't do that anymore." "Steal?" "Lie."
12. Two-Lane Blacktop (1971, Universal). Directed by Monte Hellman. Written by Rudolph Wurlitzer. Starring James Taylor, Dennis Wilson, and Warren Oates.
This spare cult classic about two drag-racing drifters who agree to a cross-country race for pinks against a man known only as G.T.O. is a favourite of anyone who likes car films which have more than just fake, sped-up chase scenes in them. The dialogue is minimal, the race scenes realisitc and exciting, the ending unique and the whole film representative of America's fruitless search for meaning at the time it was made. Initially a failure at the box office, it is now considered a work of genius by director Monte Hellman. (A point of interest is that the same '55 Chevy was used a year or so later in American Graffiti).
Favourite scene- The opening drag-race scene.
Favourite line- James Taylor: "Make it three yards, motherfucker, and you've got yourself an automobile race."
Special mentions: To Kill a Mockingbird, American Psycho, American Beauty, Back To The Future.
