I Love That Movie!

While my publisher for my Family Movie Night column took her annual vacation, I took a break from writing about movies directly.

Next week will see the return of my Friday posts of the column. It is already written but as it does not publish till next week in the paper, I felt it fitting to wait to post it up here.

However, this week I thought I would take the time to post what I think are some of the best movies ever made. I would ask that you do not consider this a definitive list but one that requires comments and discussion. After all, I could be wrong or forget about something that is truly great.

This is my criteria. The movie has to be one that makes you think about it, even years after seeing it. It may or may not be ground breaking in its genre but it is the one of the best examples in its genre.  It may or may not touch a special place in your heart but the feeling upon seeing the movie should be one of transcendence, as if you were transported and have a difficult time re-adjusting to life as you know it for awhile.

Joseph Cotten and Orsen Wells in Citizen Kane, Picture from IMDb.com

1. Citizen Kane (1941) While some may dismiss this movie for not being evergreen, you cannot dismiss the fact that this movie would influence film-makers for decades. I am not sure what is more interesting – the movie or the stories behind the movie. People have been debating the true meaning of ‘rosebud’ for ages. I will stop and watch this movie whenever it is on because I love watching Joseph Cotton and Orson Wells battle it out on screen.

Tony Perkins in Psycho, Picture from IMDb.com

2. Psycho (1960) The scariest movie ever made – still. Alfred Hitchcock put more scares in a movie that had the least amount of blood I have ever seen. Maybe it is Tony Perkins’ disarming youth that makes him the perfect villain. What I know is that it has been years since I have seen this movie and it still gives me chills.

Bruce from Jaws, Picture from IMDb.com

3. Jaws (1975) A movie with a lot of terror and great little scenes throughout. Plus the music has become a universal note of danger. Bah-bum, bah-bum. And then … gotcha!

Clark Gable and Claudette Cobert, It Happened One Night, Picture from IMDb.com.

4. It Happened One Night (1934) It was one of the first screwball comedies that would lead to romantic comedy and it remains one of the best out there. Perhaps only When Harry Met Sally… surpasses this movie for greatness. One thing to look for when watching the movie; Colbert believed her ‘best’ side was her left and seldom gave a right profile.

Singin' In the Rain Poster, Picture from IMDb.com

5. Singin’ In The Rain (1952) This is the gem of all movie musicals, even with the ‘Gotta Dance’ sequence that stops the action. But really who cares? Cyd Charisse is dancing and it is incredible. It is one of those rare movies that exudes joy.

Javier Bardiem in No Country for Old Men, Picture from IMDb.com

6. No Country For Old Men (2007) This movie remains one of those that I can never stop thinking about. It was a movie that made us realize there is an actor in Josh Brolin and that Javier Bardiem was a character with a strange set of principles. I still find various images coming to me and feeling sorry for all of the people who came into contact with Anton.

Woody and Buzz from Toy Story, Picture from IMDb.com

7. Toy Story (1995) Pixar figured out how to make perfect movies without relying on Disney’s formulas of missing parents. Instead they create a movie with complete characters, exciting action sequences and non-stop fun. Tim Allen and Tom Hanks captured the essence of buddy relationships in this movie that speaks to its audience, not down.

Picture from IMDb.com

8. Spirited Away (2001) If there was ever a reason to argue for Anime, this movie is it. Hayao Miyazaki creates animation by hand that is incredibly beautiful with stories that are deep and spiritual. Some scenes looked like black and white poetry while others were as wonderful as a Monet painting. The story is of a girl who works at a spa for the gods of Japan in an effort to save her parents who mistakenly ate the food of the gods. Incredible, beautiful, breathe-taking.

Movie Poster, Picture from IMDb.com

9. Nosferatu (1922) Made during the silent era, this is the vampire movie of all time. The shadows, the eerie creature, the consequences. Forget Twilight , this is the real deal of the fascinating and horrors of life with a vampire.

Animal House, Picture from IMDb.com

10. Animal House (1978)  A crazy, crude movie that lives on and on and on. I have not seen it in years but whenever I see a picture of John Belushi, I think of this movie. The movie is based at a university and the house is the home of the wildest craziest fraternity.

You don’t know Bette Davis?

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day? Do you considerer it another day or one that you can share with a variety of family members and friends?

 With it being on a Sunday, it means you can take Friday, Saturday or Sunday to have a special meal and time with your sweetie. Maybe you plan to have a special day with the kids, making cookies or a craft.

 I have no idea what I will be doing for Valentine’s Day beyond having the church choir sing a special song for that day to God. After that, all bets are off. I have a feeling I may need to get red decorating sugar so we can make heart cookies at my house.

 What I usually like to do is pick out a special movie to watch together with my husband. It might be Bull Durham or When Harry Met Sally…  Those are classics for our generation. I assume some people will be trying to get An Affair to Remember or Casablanca because those are also classic movies on the subject of love. I might even go as far as to find an old Bette Davis movie so that my son can finally see what a great actress can do in a movie.

I was shocked when I said first said her name a few weeks ago and my oldest son did not know who she was. I told him we need a Bette Davis film fest and the first choice might be Dark Victory (1939) in which Davis plays a socialite who learns she has a brain tumor and there is nothing the doctors can do for her. How she chooses to live the end of her days is the victory here and Davis gives it her all. Bring the tissue box for a performance that was the fourth of Davis’ eleven Oscar™ nominations.

 Davis had a long career starting in the 1930s and lasting until she died in 1989. My son only recognized her when he looked up her career on IMDb.com and saw Watcher In The Woods (1980) on her list of credits. Don’t stop there. Take the time to find some of her greatest performances including All About Eve (1950), The Little Foxes (1941) and Jezebel (1938).

 These movies, while having nothing objectionable, content wise are better suited for older teens. Davis stated that all she ever wanted was for movies to be larger than life. Her goal was to portray life on the screen with a bit of an “umph.”

 Meryl Streep may be one of the best living actresses but Bette Davis was one of the best ever.

 Until next week, see you in the rental aisle.

 Let the world know your family’s recent selection by dropping a line to momgoestothemovies@sbcglobal.net. You can also ‘friend’ me on Facebook.