Movies You Never Get Tired Of
Setting The Mood
There’s nothing like bringing home a new movie. You’ve watched the previews multiple times and know deep down that it is just what you’ve been waiting to enjoy. You refuse to read the reviews of others for fear of spoiling the ending. Great expectations of viewing a masterpiece, whether it be in story or special effects, create heightened excitement. You just can’t wait to see it!
Popcorn and drink ready, you wipe the sweat from your upper lip and insert the disc into the player. Quickly, you make every attempt to either "Skip" or "Search" through the other previews to arrive at the menu screen. Finally, your wait has ended. You punch the remote to “Play Movie” and the moment of gratification begins. Or, does it?
Two hours later (if you're still awake) you wonder why in the world you ever spent the money. Useless plot, a storyine you’ve seen multiple times, poor acting, and special effects that no longer make you squeal with delight. So, what do you do?
Time For The Oldies!
It’s time to return to some old reliable offerings. These are not listed in any particular order. I have no favorite movie of all-time, as my moods and desires change as often as another movie is released. These are simply movies that can be watched over and over and still satisfy. Movies that restore your faith in that not every film made by Hollywood is a complete waste of time.
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#1 - Fargo (1996)
Humor, violence, irony and a great story within a story within a story. And, it’s based on true events! William H. Macy needs money desperately. He concocts a scheme to have his wife kidnapped and held for ransom, that he’ll collect. Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare are the two kidnappers that each have their own agendas. Francis McDormand is the very pregnant law enforcement officer that has to put it all together. You'll enjoy the three stories told here and how they come together at the end.(Be sure to keep track of the amount of food consumed in this movie. It'll blow the seams out of any diet!)
Positives: 1) It never drags, 2) Great Acting, 3) Tremendous story, and 4) Well edited and directed. Negatives:None.
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#2 - Big Fish (2003)
Humor, romance and fantasy combine to bring you a "feel good" movie. A young man goes through life seeking the truth as he escapes the "tall tales" his father passionately tells at every opportunity. Sounds somewhat boring, doesn't it? This is a story that reminds us to have faith, remember behind every lie there is a truth, and to cherish those we love. Albert Finney is the elder version of Ewan McGregor as the story switches from current events to tales of the past. Billy Crudup is the son that believe his father to be the world's greatest storyteller, and wishes he could tell the truth just once. McGregor makes the movie as he travels from life's episode to episode, dealing with a giant, a shape-shifter, and Siamese Twins on his way to procuring the love of his life.(I could have lived a long and healthy life without ever having seen Danny DeVito semi-nude. Now, it's too late!)
Positives: 1) Moves quickly and seamlessly, 2) Great Acting, 3) Unique story, and 4) very well directed and edited. Negatives: 1) Slowed down once or twice, but quickly regained speed.
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#3 - Twister (1996)
Action, drama, romance, special effects and nature's fury join hands. A pair of tornado hunters (Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt) spend a couple of days chasing down tornadoes with their perfectly cast crew, including Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Alan Ruck. Jamie Gertz appears as the new fiancée of Paxton, who quickly finds his real desire is inserting a device into a major tornado to provide data that can allow for faster notification of those in the tornado's path. Okay, it's far fetched, I'll grant you. Basically, it's a movie that will keep you interested by combining all of the human elements with some pretty good special effects! For those days you don't feel like thinking and just want to pass a couple of hours having a good time, it's a great flick. (I just want to find a person that keeps as many porterhouse steaks on hand as the aunt in the movie!)
Positives: 1) Fast paced, 2) Over the edge special effects, 3) Bill and Helen draw each other's acting strengths and hide the other's weaknesses well, 4) tight editing.Negatives: 1) Story is a little beyond reality and 2) lack of depth of storyline.
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#4 - Sling Blade (1996)
Drama, subtle humor, violence are prominent in this dark tale. Billy Bob Thornton both starred and directed this film of an adult finally released from a mental hospital after having been a victim of child abuse. He is quickly "adopted" by a single parent family, finds a talent for fixing small engines, and becomes a thorn in the side of a violent control freak (Dwight Yoakam). Recognizing episodes of abuse taking place, Thornton makes a decision to keep history from being repeated. Thornton's depiction of this unique personality, complete with his personal visual transition and speech pattern delivery, demonstrates his talents more than any offering before or since. If you haven't seen this film, or even if you have, put it back in the player and watch it again. It's guaranteed not to disappoint!(A friend of mine in the restaurant business said that his wait staff was sick and tired of hearing "French fried potaters". Once they started giving packets of mustard with them instead of catsup, people stopped imitating.)
Positives: 1) Tremendous acting, 2) Great storyline, 3) Humor in character's just being themselves, and 4) clean editing. Negatives: 1) Not a feel good movie and 2) Disjointed periods of flow.
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#5 - The African Queen (1951)
Adventure, Action, Drama, Humor...this is a movie that give you everything! Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn demonstrate what being a true actor is in this tale of two individuals brought together by occurrences beyond their control. From hating each other to loving each other, this is a story of the ability to find internal strength and make extreme sacrifice. Shot on location, film follows the river voyage of the couple as they fight wild animals, rapids and swarms of mosquitoes. This is a movie you can watch time and again and never be bored. (After hearing Bogart imitate animals and try to sing a few lines, you'll understand why he never had a hit record!)
Positives: 1) Exceptional acting, 2) Humor , 3) Great storyline, and 4) Tremendous directing and editing. Negatives: Ending is somewhat a fantasy, but what 50's film wasn't!
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#6 - It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
Comedy of all types, Action of all types, and a mystery of hidden money all blend to make this film the top comedy of all time. How could it fail when it combined the talents of Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Mickey Rooney, Phil Silvers, Jonathan Winters, Jim Backus, Dick Shawn, Edie Adams and Spencer Tracy? It couldn't. Add a surprise comedic performance by Ethel Merman and the recipe is complete! When a car accident's dying victim provides news of a hidden cache of money, it's off to the races for our group. Cars, bicycles, airplane relics and any transportation available become vehicles of comedy and amazing acts of stunt driving. From start to finish, you'll find yourself laughing two to three times a minute during this wonderful production. (Watching Dick Shawn dance with his beatnik girlfriend is something like watching your grandmother dance in spandex … slow, twisted and painful!)
Positives: 1) Non-stop Action & Comedy, 2) Perfect Cast, 3) Strong Storyline, and 4) Impeccable directing. Negatives: None
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#7 - King Kong (1933)
Action, Adventure, Humor, Violence and Special Effects in this classic masterpiece! We all know the story. It's been repeated, without much success, many times over since this original appeared on the screen. Yet, the story of a giant ape being taken from the jungle to New York City still brings new audiences to the theaters every time a new version is released. However, the original grabbed me as a child and still holds me captive to this day, regardless of how good modern day special effects may be. There will never be another Ann Darrow like Fay Wray, and there will never be another Carl Denham like Bruce Armstrong! And, even though it was filmed in tedious stop action movements, the original ape is still the monster that haunts my desire to stroll in the jungle. (Make sure you get the uncut version that shows Kong sniffing Fay Wray, especially if you're of the male gender. No, it's not erotic, just kind of funny if you're as mentally challenged as I!)
Positives: 1) Amazing flow, 2) Original storyline, 3) Subtle humor, and 4) Unbelievable acting. Negatives: Black & White, and 2) Technically backward by today's standards.
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#8 - Little Big Man (1970)
Action, Adventure, Satire, Violence and Drama in a setting of the old west. Dustin Hoffman (still thriving from his appearance in "Midnight Cowboy")gives an amazing performance as a 121 year old man reminiscing about his days as a member of an Indian tribe, gunfighter, and scout for General Custer. Never boring and always amusing, Faye Dunaway in a supporting role provides for a very humorous bath time as Dustin is first rescued from the "savages" that brought him up. (I was so happy when I saw this movie in 1970. I had thought for sure Faye was dead after "Bonnie & Clyde". Boy, was I relieved!)
Positives: 1) Great flow, 2) Humor mixed with action, and 3) Strong directing and editing. Negatives: 1) Storyline moves in different directions too many times.
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#9 - Murder By Death (1976)
This is a comedy of comedies, only surpassed by "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World". What happens when you put Peter Sellers, Peter Falk, Eileen Brennan, James Coco, Elsa Lancaster, David Niven, and Maggie Smith in a movie…pure chaos! Five detectives of literary fame (and their sidekicks) are brought together to discover who killed the home's owner (Truman Capote), who isn't dead yet! Add a blind butler (Alec Guinness) and a deaf mute cook (Nancy Walker), and the fun begins. It's almost too much at times as you go back in forth in this movie of confusion, illusion and delusion. (I had inhaled prior to seeing this film the first time and was amazed to find it just as funny when I was straight (which wasn't often back then!).
Positives: 1) Slapstick and Verbal Humor, 2) Great character interaction, and 3) Strong character portrayals. Negatives: 1) Almost seems lost in direction at times and 2) Weak ending.
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#10 - The Birds (1963)
Horror, Romance, Action, Suspense and subtle humor is provided by the master Alfred Hitchcock in this offering. This movie was prime for a sequel that didn't happen until 1994, and then disappointed most of those that had waited for years. Of course, that may have something to do with Hitchcock not being around to control its production and such. Or perhaps, his intentional omission of "The End" at its completion was meant something more sinister. Originally based on a short story by Daphne de Maurier, audiences were held spellbound as Tippi Hedren and Rod Taylor fought attack after attack of vengeful birds for their very existence. If you've never watched this film because you thought it to be like "Snakes On The Plane", forget the comparison and get a copy today! (Would you believe my mother took me to see this when I was very young? She also took me to vampire, werewolf and Frankenstein movies. I'd hide under the covers at night and pray for safety. After getting married and eating some of the exotic dishes my wife prepares, hiding under the covers is no longer an option!)
Positives: 1) Great Storyline, 2) Strong acting, 3) Never before tackled special effects, and 4) Quality directing. Negatives: 1) Special effects editing, 2) Over acting of support characters, and 3) Special effects editing.
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#11 - Hatari (1962)
Adventure, Action, Humor and Romance mixed with a wide variety of wild animals and The Duke, and you've got a movie to remember! Unfortunately, this film never hit the critics liking. It may have been because it wasn't the typical John Wayne movie. Instead of the old west, the plains of Africa filled the screen. Another factor might have been that he didn't have to shoot anyone, or get shot at in this movie. No, not the average movie for Wayne. Yet, for what it offered, kids could watch in amazement without having their eyes covered. There's plenty of action to keep you interested as rope captures and high speed chases of antelope, giraffe, and rhino take place. Veteran actor Red Buttons supplies most of the humor as "Pockets", an ex New York City cab driver that's afraid of animals. (This is still not on Blue-Ray!! I own two purchased DVD copies, as well as, two copies recorded from one of the pay networks. Can you say, "Obsessed"?)
Positives: 1) Great shots of wildlife, 2) Speedy flow, 3) Strong character interaction, 4) Perfect mixture of elements, and 5) Strong directing and editing. Negatives: 1) Baby elephant segments tend to take too much of storyline and drag upon occasion, and 2) Not a good movie for those believing that all animals need to stay in the wild.
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#12 - Psycho (1960)
Drama, Mystery, and Horror make this the second movie by Alfred Hitchcock to make my list. Classic is too small a word for this movie. Anthony Perkins as the mentally damaged hotel owner, Janet Leigh as the shower victim no one will ever forget, and Vera Miles as the sister that wants to find her sister. Combined with perfect film and dramatic music editing, the Master of Suspense presents us with mental and visual images that stay with us long after the projector ceases operation. (Alfred Hitchcock knew just how much nudity to show to keep things erotic. As an adult, I understand that. As a kid, I was really ticked off!)
Positives: 1) Perfect casting, 2) Great storyline, 3) Unbelievable Climax, and 4) the master's directing and editing control. Negatives: None
A Final Note
There are a multitude of quality films that can make your boredom go away. If you're a special effects fan, you probably appreciate the original "Star Wars" and "Star Trek"films, in addition to the "Lord Of The Rings" offerings and "Avatar". Action fans can always enjoy "Platoon" or "Full Metal Jacket" if they want to see excessive violence, as well as, the "Predator" and "Alien" groupings. Shoot 'Em Up Western fans can't forget the classic "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "Rio Lobo" or "Silverado."Horror fans can enjoy the "Underworld" series, and sit back in fright with "The Exorcist" or "Halloween". Comedy consumers have numerous offerings beyond today's standard extremes. "Airplane" or "Blazing Saddles" will both satisfy yearnings. Early"Pink Panther" and Woody Allen films "Bananas", "Play It Again Sam", and"Sleepers" also keep you smiling. In the Mystery Category, Hitchcock's "Rear Window", "Vertigo", and "North By Northwest" are winners, and the Sean Connery"James Bond" collection is a great mix of multiple components. Other great selections in their own genre are the "The Godfather" collection (drama, action) and the "Men In Black" films (comedy, action, adventure, fantasy). Many will even enjoy the "Harry Potter" series, although they won't admit it in public!
Actors and actresses always have their loyal followings. Abbott & Costello was the best comedy team ever, Humphrey Bogart never made a bad movie, John Wayne was the only cowboy in Hollywood, John Travolta is the coolest actor ever, Clint Eastwood is the best depiction of a detective that's ever hit the big screen, and there's never been an actress as hot as Elizabeth Taylor. If you don't believe it, just ask their fans! All listed offer some great movies, but selection is the key to your enjoyment.
Compile your own list of films you love to watch over and over and share it with others. Listen to their choices and add those to your selections. Building a list of great movies not only will keep you from taking your anger out on those you love, but you can save the cash you'd spend on new releases for some more micro-wave popcorn!
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