It’s been a while since I did one of those silly internet games, yes? Well, Frykitty recently posted a movie meme, and I’m going to join in. This list is apparently based on Entertainment Weekly‘s 100 classic movies of the past 25 years. I’m going to break from the ongoing list method (“bold everything you’ve seen”? uh, no…) and use the following format:
- If I haven’t seen it, the film is listed in red.
- If I saw it but would never watch it again, the film is
listed in strikethru. - If I saw it and loved it, the film is listed in bold. (I own many of these on DVD.)
- If I saw it but have no strong reaction, the film is listed in normal type.
And here’s the list:
1. Pulp Fiction (1994) — I have never understood the lovefest for Quentin Tarantino
2. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-03) — we all know my love-hate relationship with these films
3. Titanic (1997)
4. Blue Velvet (1986)
5. Toy Story (1995) — though I haven’t seen it, I’ve heard it twice, and think it’s very loud
6. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
7. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
8. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
9. Die Hard (1988)
10. Moulin Rouge (2001) — the first half hour of this is amazing
11. This Is Spinal Tap (1984) — Kris and I love this film
12. The Matrix (1999)
13. GoodFellas (1990)
14. Crumb (1995) — almost a cross-off; interesting, but not redeeming
15. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
16. Boogie Nights (1997)
17. Jerry Maguire (1996)
18. Do the Right Thing (1989)
19. Casino Royale (2006) — my favorite Bond film; can’t wait for this fall…
20. The Lion King (1994)
21. Schindler’s List (1993)
22. Rushmore (1998) — I love this movie so much I paid like $80 for the Criterion version…
23. Memento (2001)
24. A Room With a View (1986)
25. Shrek (2001)
26. Hoop Dreams (1994)
27. Aliens (1986) — I know everyone loves Aliens, but the first film is one of my favorite movies of all time
28. Wings of Desire (1987)
29. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
30. When Harry Met Sally… (1989) — hilarious; havne’t watched it in a while
31. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
32. Fight Club (1999)
33. The Breakfast Club (1985)
34. Fargo (1996)
35. The Incredibles (2004)
36. Spider-Man 2 (2004) — one of my favorite superhero movies
37. Pretty Woman (1990)
38. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) — meh
39. The Sixth Sense (1999) — I was surprised by this movie TWICE! (I couldn’t remember the ending the second time around)
40. Speed (1994)
41. Dazed and Confused (1993)
42. Clueless (1995)
43. Gladiator (2000) — t-e-d-i-o-u-s
44. The Player (1992)
45. Rain Man (1988)
46. Children of Men (2006) — an underrated film; loved it
47. Men in Black (1997)
48. Scarface (1983)
49. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) — one of my favorite movies
50. The Piano (1993) — ugh, I hated this movie
51. There Will Be Blood (2007) — sitting on our DVD player, though (and has been since April)
52. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad (1988)
53. The Truman Show (1998)
54. Fatal Attraction (1987)
55. Risky Business (1983)
56. The Lives of Others (2006)
57. There’s Something About Mary (1998)
58. Ghostbusters (1984)
59. L.A. Confidential (1997) — at one time, I loved this film; haven’t seen it in a while
60. Scream (1996)
61. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
62. sex, lies and videotape (1989)
63. Big (1988)
64. No Country For Old Men (2007)
65. Dirty Dancing (1987)
66. Natural Born Killers (1994)
67. Donnie Brasco (1997)
68. Witness (1985)
69. All About My Mother (1999)
70. Broadcast News (1987)
71. Unforgiven (1992) — a great film
72. Thelma & Louise (1991)
73. Office Space (1999)
74. Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
75. Out of Africa (1985)
76. The Departed (2006) — how this won Best Picture (even in a weak field) is baffling
77. Sid and Nancy (1986) — no desire to see it
78. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
79. Waiting for Guffman (1996)
80. Michael Clayton (2007)
81. Moonstruck (1987) — saw this on a “date” with Kristin, if I remember right!
82. Lost in Translation (2003)
83. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987)
84. Sideways (2004)
85. The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)
86. Y Tu Mama Tambien (2002)
87. Swingers (1996)
88. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
89. Breaking the Waves (1996)
90. Napoleon Dynamite (2004) — “do the chickens have large talons?”
91. Back to the Future (1985)
92. Menace II Society (1993)
93. Ed Wood (1994) — this movie was awful
94. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
95. In the Mood for Love (2001) — a gorgeous film
96. Far From Heaven (2002) — a typical example of type of film (like “The Piano”) I hate
97. Glory (1989)
98. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
99. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
100. South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999)
I used to watch a lot of movies, but my pace has really slowed over the past eighteen months. (And we all know why, right?) I’m sure I’ll watch many more in the future, however. (Kris told me to remind you all about her list of classic films. After seeing that list and knowing how much work she put into it, I’m going to find a way to port it to Get Rich Slowly…)
What’s funny (to me) is that I haven’t even heard of about 10 of these movies. And you and I have very different movie tastes, though that isn’t funny or surprising.
You *loved* Fight Club? Seriously? I thought it was decent for the majority of the movie, but the ending just made the whole premise that the movie was based on absolutely unplausible. Why would such a mass of people follow one man who was fighting with himself? It makes no sense…
Somewhat to my surprise, the only one you say you’d never watch again which I especially liked was Ed Wood, which I actually think was a terrific film, probably Tim Burton’s best film (well, of the ones I’ve seen).
Of the ones you say you loved, there were a few that I thought were terrific, but none that I thought were bad.
There are a lot more on the list that I haven’t seen than you. I’ve probably seen more films made before 1970 than after, at this point, and this list doesn’t even go back this far.
One of my all-time favorite films isn’t even on the list, though: The Shawshank Redemption.
It does my heart good to think of you and Kris watching “Spinal Tap” giggling in the dark, whispering the lines.
I agree with your view on “The Departed.” It was sloppy and the ending left me with a bad taste. I think it won because of all the people involved. The Academy felt like someone who was involved in the making of the movie should have won it for a past effort, so they just gave them a gift.
I have Evil Dead 2 if you’re interested. I admit that it seems somewhat incongruous, however, given your particular choices in movies. Even though I think the Evil Dead movies are great, I doubt you will as they’re not really your cup of tea. Of course, I thought that Bruce Campbell ought to have been James Bond back in the early 90’s, so who am I to judge.
+1 for Evil Dead 2. I was shocked to see it on the list. It has 3 or 4 great quotes. Very funny spoof. I should see it again. I think it was college when I saw it last–that was, um, (oh god, how many years ago?), nevermind.
Interesting that Saving Private Ryan is sixth but it did not win the Oscar for best picture in 1998. Shakespeare in Love did.
Ahhh, yes . . . the awkward double–I wouldn’t have remembered that Moonstruck was the movie. I’ve seen it 2-3 times since. I wonder what became of Taina?