Favorite Films

Just cuz:

The Thin Man (1934) - The first is best, but Nick & Nora are wonderful throughout.

Casablanca (1942) - The dialogue is amazing – still one of the all-time best.

To Sir, With Love (1967) - My favorite of the “inspirational teacher/troubled students” movies. Great song, too!

Harold and Maude (1971) - I love this so much, I recorded the film onto a 90-minute cassette so I could listen to it in the car or on my Walkman.

What’s Up, Doc (1972) - A modern screw-ball comedy that’s second to none. Babs was never better.

The Godfather/Part II (1972/1974) - Both films are epic – runner-up in this genre is of course Goodfellas(1990).

Jaws (1975) - Enough said, right?

Star Wars (1977) - I was 8 when this appeared, and my Dad got passes from work, so we saw it the first week it was out. To me, it’s still the best of the bunch. And for any nit-pickers, I’ll say it: Star Wars IV: A New Hope. Happy?


Grease (1978) - First movie I saw multiple times (3) in the theater. The transformation of Olivia near the end still gives me chills.

The Warriors (1979) - Similar to Flash Gordon in that it’s very cartoony, but as a fantastical view of New York in 1979, it’s spot on. And great song by Joe Walsh!

9 to 5 (1980) - Dolly’s best. Lily isn’t bad either!

Flash Gordon (1980) - Love it – and great soundtrack from Queen.

The Thing (1982) - The special effects have never been matched, even though – or maybe because – it was made before CGI.

The Big Chill (1983) - I haven’t seen it in awhile, but when I was in high school I loved this film, so I had to include it.

This is Spinal Tap (1984) - I saw this in the theater, then saw the group play an all-ages show at the Channel in Boston. I’ve seen this more times than I can count. Great soundtrack, too!

Midnight Run (1988) - So many good quotes, it makes my head spin.

Tremors (1990) - I saw this at a sneak-preview show before I even knew what it was about. I was pleasantly surprised by this homage to 50’s B-movies, not to mention the appearance of Mr. Keaton as a gun-toting, conspiracy-minded survivalist.

Almost Famous (2000) - The extended director’s cut, also known as “the Bootleg,” is best. This is the movie that made Kate Hudson a star - and deservedly so!

Erin Brockovich (2000) - I wouldn’t have thought this would make my list of favorites, but it’s one of the few movies that I totally enjoy watching every time I see it.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001) - Most of the movie is just so much window dressing for the songs, but what a group of songs! Actually a movie about finding your true love. Wonderful.

Girls Will Be Girls (2003) - I watched it with a group of guys, and almost everyone in that room has since bought the dvd. Bitchy fun at its best!

The Incredibles (2004) - see comments from Erin Brockovich above

Special mention has to go to the films of Jackie Chan. I'm not talking about the American-made films like Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon, their sequels and other pablum. I'm referring to the Hong Kong films that he co-wrote, directed, choreographed and/or sang the theme song! I could do a whole blog on why I love Jackie Chan (and may do someday), but suffice to say that the action in movies like the 2 Armour of God films, the Police Story films, Drunken Master 2 and (my favorite) The Miracle (also called Mr Canton and Lady Rose) is better than almost everything else out there.