Everyone, I have an announcement to make. Try to contain your excitement, but I've come to a milestone: I've reached 100 posts! In honor of the occasion, I thought it would be fun to celebrate in the best way possible–with a list! (God, I love a list.) I decided to go all AFI and list my 100 favorite films. And I have to say, it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. 100 films is a lot and I felt like after about 20ish, I really had to rack my brain coming up with things. But, then I suddenly had 100 and kept thinking of new films. Suddenly I had to make the Sophie's Choice (which is not on here–sorry, Meryl) of what films got the cut. Then I couldn't decide on the ranking. How can one compare a film you loved in childhood to one that shaped you as an adult? But at some point I had to stop tinkering because, honestly, the order could change and films could be dropped and added just with how I'm feeling moment to moment.
Let me just clarify that this a list of my personal favorite films. These are the films that I go back to time and time again. The one's that spoke to me, affected me, or just make me happy. It is NOT a list of what I think the best movies are. Citizen Kane is considered one of the best film ever made, but have you ever met anyone who names it as their favorite? That's not to diminish it's artist merit at all. And I know Hocus Pocus isn't likely to be cited as a milestone in cinematic history, but that doesn't stop me from loving it any less or looking forward to seeing Bette, SJP, and a talking cat named Binx every year at Halloween.
I found that the list tends to skew films from the late 90's-early 2000's. That was the time that I began to nurture my cinephilia. In high school, I would rent about 5 movies at a time from Blockbuster (remember going there?) and watch them all in the basement. I actually used AFI's list as a starting point at what to start watching. Gradually I began to incorporate world cinema and my interests began to grow. Adolescents is such an important time in shaping your interests–when you become passionate about something. So, it would only make sense that those films find themselves on this list.
Without any further ado, here we go:
Let me just clarify that this a list of my personal favorite films. These are the films that I go back to time and time again. The one's that spoke to me, affected me, or just make me happy. It is NOT a list of what I think the best movies are. Citizen Kane is considered one of the best film ever made, but have you ever met anyone who names it as their favorite? That's not to diminish it's artist merit at all. And I know Hocus Pocus isn't likely to be cited as a milestone in cinematic history, but that doesn't stop me from loving it any less or looking forward to seeing Bette, SJP, and a talking cat named Binx every year at Halloween.
I found that the list tends to skew films from the late 90's-early 2000's. That was the time that I began to nurture my cinephilia. In high school, I would rent about 5 movies at a time from Blockbuster (remember going there?) and watch them all in the basement. I actually used AFI's list as a starting point at what to start watching. Gradually I began to incorporate world cinema and my interests began to grow. Adolescents is such an important time in shaping your interests–when you become passionate about something. So, it would only make sense that those films find themselves on this list.
Without any further ado, here we go:
1. Gone With the Wind (1939)
No offense to Vertigo or The Godfather, but the greatest film all of all time for me will always be GWTW. I've seen it countless times (including a couple times on the big screen) and always get caught up in it as if it's the first. Scarlett O'Hara (and Vivien Leigh's portrayal of her) is the greatest character in all of cinema.
2.Sense and Sensibility (1995)
I watched this movie almost once a week in high school. It was the film that introduced me to Kate Winslet (my favorite actress of all-time). It's also the first Oscar race that I feel started me off on my obsession. Further Reading on S & S
3. Moulin Rouge! (2001)
I saw this film 7 times in the theater-including twice on the opening weekend. It was like nothing else I'd ever seen. Words cannot describe the joy this film gives me.
4. The Hours (2002)
Based on one of my favorite books, I was skeptical of how it would work. But, the movie stands on it's own thanks to David Hare's screenplay and some amazing actresses. I like to watch this when I'm depressed and just wallow in sorrow...
5. The Age of Innocence (1993)
If you haven't gathered by now from the list, I love a period piece. No film is more sexy or heartbreaking–all with a PG rating. Starring three of my favorite actors.
6. A Place in the Sun (1951)
Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor are so beautiful in this. It reminds you of how glamorous Hollywood was. Even admits such a dark tale.
Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor are so beautiful in this. It reminds you of how glamorous Hollywood was. Even admits such a dark tale.
7. The Little Mermaid (1989)
The film that started my love for movies. I can still remember seeing it in the theater at the age of 8. I wanted to be Ariel, but, more importantly, it made me want to be a Disney animator. Further reading on Disney and Mermaid
8. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
This was the last film I saw multiple times in the theater. It combined the weird, cool Charlie Kaufman world that I loved from Being John Malkovich, but this time gave it a heart. Still one of Kate's best performances.
9. Portrait of a Lady (1996)
It just finally came out for the first time on DVD in Dec. But, it doesn't matter because I already have it memorized. I used to rent the VHS from the library and endlessly watch it. I love the flourishes that Jane Campion adds so it's not a typical period film. I still think Barbara Hershey should have won the Oscar that year.
10. The End of the Affair (1999)
I feel like it's hard for a movie to surprise me. I was completely taken aback by the ending of this film and Julianne Moore's performance. This is another film, like S & S that I watched a lot. It's perfect on a rainy day.
The rest of the 100 after the jump
12. The Sound of Music (1965)
13. Reality Bites (1994)
14. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
15. All About Eve (1950)
16. Mary Poppins (1964)
17. Heathers (1988)
18. Sleeping Beauty (1959)
19. Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1996)
I didn't like this film the first time I saw it. Then I proceeded to watch it once a day for a month. So, yeah, I guess you can say it grew on me.
20. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
21. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
22. Little Women (1994)
23. Titanic (1947)
24. The Philadelphia Story (1940)
25. I Am Love (2010)
21. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
22. Little Women (1994)
23. Titanic (1947)
24. The Philadelphia Story (1940)
25. I Am Love (2010)
26. Jean Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast (1946)
27. Being John Malkovich (1999)
28. Dangerous Liaisons (1988)
29. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
30. Some Like It Hot (1959)
31. Heavenly Creatures (1994)
32. The Princess Bride (1987)
33. The Piano (1993)
34. Big Business (1988)
I loved Bette Midler as a child and made my parents rent this film at least once a month.
27. Being John Malkovich (1999)
28. Dangerous Liaisons (1988)
29. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
30. Some Like It Hot (1959)
31. Heavenly Creatures (1994)
32. The Princess Bride (1987)
33. The Piano (1993)
34. Big Business (1988)
I loved Bette Midler as a child and made my parents rent this film at least once a month.
35. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
36. Troop Beverly Hills (1989)
I remember thinking that it was Bette Midler on the cover and made my parents rent it. It wasn't–but I loved the film and added it to the rental rotation.
36. Troop Beverly Hills (1989)
I remember thinking that it was Bette Midler on the cover and made my parents rent it. It wasn't–but I loved the film and added it to the rental rotation.
37. Shakespeare in Love (1998)
38. Singin' in the Rain (1952)
39. In the Mood For Love (2001)
40. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
41. Hocus Pocus (1993)
42. Boogie Nights (1998)
43. Mean Girls (2004)
44. Rebecca (1940)
45. Giant (1956)
46. Toy Story Trilogy (1995, 1999, 2010)
47. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
48. Sunset Boulevard (1950)
49. Clueless (1995)
50. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
51. Dangerous Beauty (1998)
I don't think a lot of people know this film. I sought it out and saw it three times in the indie theaters when I was in high school. I still think Catherine McCormack should have gotten an Oscar nom.
52. Pretty Woman (1990)
53. The Big Lebowski (1998)
54. The New World (2005)
55. My Fair Lady (1964)
56. Back to the Future (1985)
57. The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi (1980, 1983)
I don't include the first movie because it's the last one I saw and...I didn't like it. But we had Jedi on VHS and watched it all the time.
58. Splash (1984)
59. The Parent Trap (1961)
60. Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
61. Chinatown (1974)
62. It Happened One Night (1934)
63. Waterloo Bridge (1940)
64. Before Sunrise/Before Sunset (1995, 2004)
65. Tangled (2010)
66. Amelie (2001)
67. Metropolis (1927)
68. Roman Holiday (1953)
I remember seeing this film on PBS with my dad when I was younger. Started my interest in Audrey.
69. Atonement (2007)
70. Far and Away (1992)
I know lots of people don't look kindly on this film, but I love it. It was my first Nicole Kidman film.
71. Erin Brockovich (2000)
72. Belle du Jour (1967)
This was the first film that I ever saw Catherine Deneuve, one of my favorite actresses, in.
73. Lust, Caution (2007)
74. Casablanca (1942)
75. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
76. Good Will Hunting (1997)
77. There Will Be Blood (2007)
78. Bringing Up Baby (1938)
79. Romeo and Juliet (1968)
80. Far From Heaven (2002)
81. Pride and Prejudice (2005)
82. A League of Their Own (1992)
83. Inglorious Basterds (2009)
84. My Own Private Idaho (1991)
85. The Color Purple (1985)
86. Children of Paradise (1945)
87. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
88. Amadeus (1984)
89. Annie Hall (1977)
90. Girl With A Pearl Earring (2003)
I was so into Vermeer that I went to the Netherlands to see this painting. I love how the film looks like a painting.
91. Talk to Her (2002)
The first Almodovar film I saw and still my favorite
92. Death Becomes Her (1992)
93. (500) Days of Summer (2009)
94. City of God (2003)
95. Children of Men (2006)
96. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
97. The Wings of the Dove (1997)
98. Before Night Falls (2000)
99. Magic Mike (2012)
100. Anna Karenina (2012)
These last two films were my favorite of last year. Let's see how well they hold up in the coming years
38. Singin' in the Rain (1952)
39. In the Mood For Love (2001)
40. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
41. Hocus Pocus (1993)
42. Boogie Nights (1998)
43. Mean Girls (2004)
44. Rebecca (1940)
45. Giant (1956)
46. Toy Story Trilogy (1995, 1999, 2010)
47. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
48. Sunset Boulevard (1950)
49. Clueless (1995)
50. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
51. Dangerous Beauty (1998)
I don't think a lot of people know this film. I sought it out and saw it three times in the indie theaters when I was in high school. I still think Catherine McCormack should have gotten an Oscar nom.
52. Pretty Woman (1990)
53. The Big Lebowski (1998)
54. The New World (2005)
55. My Fair Lady (1964)
56. Back to the Future (1985)
57. The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi (1980, 1983)
I don't include the first movie because it's the last one I saw and...I didn't like it. But we had Jedi on VHS and watched it all the time.
58. Splash (1984)
59. The Parent Trap (1961)
60. Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
61. Chinatown (1974)
62. It Happened One Night (1934)
63. Waterloo Bridge (1940)
64. Before Sunrise/Before Sunset (1995, 2004)
65. Tangled (2010)
66. Amelie (2001)
67. Metropolis (1927)
68. Roman Holiday (1953)
I remember seeing this film on PBS with my dad when I was younger. Started my interest in Audrey.
69. Atonement (2007)
70. Far and Away (1992)
I know lots of people don't look kindly on this film, but I love it. It was my first Nicole Kidman film.
71. Erin Brockovich (2000)
72. Belle du Jour (1967)
This was the first film that I ever saw Catherine Deneuve, one of my favorite actresses, in.
73. Lust, Caution (2007)
74. Casablanca (1942)
75. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
76. Good Will Hunting (1997)
77. There Will Be Blood (2007)
78. Bringing Up Baby (1938)
79. Romeo and Juliet (1968)
80. Far From Heaven (2002)
81. Pride and Prejudice (2005)
82. A League of Their Own (1992)
83. Inglorious Basterds (2009)
84. My Own Private Idaho (1991)
85. The Color Purple (1985)
86. Children of Paradise (1945)
87. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
88. Amadeus (1984)
89. Annie Hall (1977)
90. Girl With A Pearl Earring (2003)
I was so into Vermeer that I went to the Netherlands to see this painting. I love how the film looks like a painting.
91. Talk to Her (2002)
The first Almodovar film I saw and still my favorite
92. Death Becomes Her (1992)
93. (500) Days of Summer (2009)
94. City of God (2003)
95. Children of Men (2006)
96. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
97. The Wings of the Dove (1997)
98. Before Night Falls (2000)
99. Magic Mike (2012)
100. Anna Karenina (2012)
These last two films were my favorite of last year. Let's see how well they hold up in the coming years
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