The 10 Best Voice-Over Performances of All-Time

Over at The Film Experience, we had another of our monthly Team Experience Polls in which this month we chose the 10 Best Voice-Over Performances in film. Although animated movies are the first thing that come to mind, it was open to all vocal performances in which the actors themselves do not appear on screen. We also ruled out the use of stop-motion performances in which the actor actually performs the entire performance on green screen to be turned into a CGI creation later (otherwise Andy Serkis as Gollum would've certainly made my list). Six out of the ten performances I chose made their way to the final list which you can read here.

Creating remarkable performances with only the use of their voice, these 10 actors prove that even without the full use of their bodies and image, they can can still create complete characters using only a single element of their actorly tools. The voice is a powerful instrument that was the original method of storytelling, so it's only right to highlight 10 cinematic performances that carry on that oral tradition.

Honorable Mentions (I could've probably created an entire other list with any of these actors): Paige O'Hara Beauty and the Beast, Eartha Kitt The Emperor's New Groove, Christine Cavanaugh Babe, Jennifer Cody The Princess and the Frog, Jeremy Irons The Lion King, Minnie Driver Tarzan, Brad Bird The Incredibles, George Sanders Shere Khan, Jimmy MacDonald Cinderella, Douglas Rain 2001: A Space Odyssey

10. Alec Baldwin as the Narrator in The Royal Tenenbaums

"All memory of the brilliance of the young Tenenbaums had been erased by two decades of betrayal, failure and disaster."

Before we became more familiar with the deadpan comedic delivery of Baldwin, thanks to his weekly adventures as Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock, we got a taste when he played the brilliantly droll narrator for Wes Anderson’s film about a family of eccentrics. Everything in an Anderson film is a carefully calculated creation and Baldwin’s voice – deep, soothing, with just the right amount of sarcasm coming through- is equally precise, providing the perfect narration for Anderson’s curio.

9. Geraldine Page as Madame Medusa in The Rescuers

"Adopted? What makes you think anyone would want a homely little girl like you?"

Madame Medusa never really gets the same sort of attention that bigger Disney villainesses like Cruella De Vil and Maleficent receive. And originally, the studio had even toyed with the idea of bringing back Cruella as the baddie in The Rescuers. Luckily they decided to create a new evil creation otherwise we would’ve missed out on the unforgettable voice work of Oscar-winning actress Geraldine Page. Marrying beautifully with Milt Kahl’s animation (her look apparently based on his ex-wife), Page would even act out the entire performance in the recording studio. But what sets her voice work apart from the other evil women mentioned is her unique delivery – totally unexpected choices and vocal variations. My sisters and I still quote her distinct line readings years after watching the film.

8. Scarlett Johansson as Samantha in her

"I want to learn everything about everything. I want to eat it all up. I want to discover myself."

Scarlett Johansson's performance as the iOS system programed to have a personality and think for herself may be the most recent entry on my list, but I have no doubt that her vocal performance, in which she delivers a fully-developed, fleshed-out, and completely touching character - all with just her raspy voice - will stand the test of time. When director Spike Jonze recast the actress originally hired to voice Samantha (Oscar nominee Samantha Morton, who was deemed too cold and robotic during the editing process), he certainly made a wise decision when he chose Johansson. Her natural warmth and girlish eagerness give Samantha a purity that make the audience fall in love with her just as much as Joaquin Phoenix's Theodore does in the film.

7. Jean Shepherd as the Narrator in  A Christmas Story

"My mother was about to make another brilliant maneuver in the legendary battle of the lamp. The epic struggle which follows lives in the folklore of Cleveland Street to this very day."

Most holiday films have a tendency to be overly sentimental and sappy, which is probably why A Christmas Story with its biting humor and skewed sensibility has emerged as one of the truly great holiday classics (There's a good reason it's run 24 hours on cable in December). And that's all thanks to its creator, Jean Shepherd, (the film is based on his short stories about his own childhood) and his narration as the older Ralphy looking back on his troubled youth. Lending his voice to his own words, the story becomes even more personal and more specific in its comedy. Just don't shoot your eye out...

6. Lucille La Verne as the Evil Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

"Slave in the magic mirror, come from the farthest space, through wind and darkness I summon thee. Speak! Let me see thy face. "

A life-long actress (she was doing Shakespeare at the age of 14 and made her Broadway debut in 1888), La Verne delivered her lines as the haughty and beautiful Evil Queen in Disney's first animated film with the skill and aplomb that only a seasoned stage veteran could deliver. Her rich tones and regal vocalization make the Queen memorably chilly and heartless. But what's even more impressive is that La Verne was able to show off her versatility by also supplying the voice when the Queen transforms herself into the hag to temp Snow White with the poisoned apple. Altering her queenly voice into an old crone's crackle (she took out her dentures to help give the hag an added note of authenticity), La Verne gives two great performances in the same character and set the blueprint for all future Disney villains. 

5. Kathleen Turner as Jessica Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

"I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way."

When a woman looks as flashy and larger-than-life as Jessica Rabbit, she needs a singular voice to match her exaggerated feminine figure. Luckily the filmmakers decided against the obvious choice of something overtly girly and breathy (like a Betty Boop or Marilyn Monroe) choosing instead the sensuously husky voice of the Oscar-nominated Turner. And a legend was born. Turner, taking inspiration from the femme fatales of the 40s like Lauren Bacall, knows how to make Jessica's lines seductive and mysterious, but what really takes it to icon status is the unexpected humor she's able to infuse into the character. Taking what could potentially be a one-note, walking sexual innuendo, Turner fleshes her out (ahem...) completely. 

4. James Earl Jones as Darth Vader in The Star Wars Trilogy

"The Force is strong with this one."

Darth Vader has been so throughly integrated into pop culture and his voice one of the most recognizable in all of film, that sometimes it's easy to take for granted just what a perfect union vocal work and image can be in shaping a legacy. The evil black gas-mask appearance of Vader needed the commanding boom that only a James Earl Jones could bring. Would we still be remembering how he shockingly told Luke Skywalker that he was his father if James Earl Jones hadn't brought as much authority as he did? Which is why it was always so disappointing to see the actor that they used behind the mask in The Return of the Jedi, stripping Vader of the power he had over us for decades. We choose to only remember him as he should be  - with the assertive bass of Jones.

3. Pat Carroll as Ursula the Sea Witch in The Little Mermaid

"You'll have your looks. Your pretty face and don't underestimate the importance of body language."

Even though the part was originally offered to Bea Arthur and Elaine Stritch was cast and left production after clashing with lyricist Howard Ashman, it's impossible to imagine anyone else bringing to life Ursula in the same way that Pat Carroll was able. Making every single line her own  (her entire performance is quotable and she's given one of the best songs of any other Disney villain), Carroll makes the most of every moment and made Ursula one of the most memorable Disney characters in the process, which is no small feat when she's up against such fan favorites as Ariel and a Caribbean-accented crab. 

2. Ellen DeGeneres as Dory in Finding Nemo

"I shall call him Squishy and he shall be mine and he shall be my Squishy"

A lot of times animated films get hijacked by an unforgettable sidekick that steals the spotlight from the main characters. But when they're as hilarious as Ellen DeGeneres voicing the forgetful Dory, the overt scene-stealing is more than welcome. And DeGeneres' work in the film is what turned Finding Nemo from a cute film about a clown fish trying to find his missing son and turned it into a run-away success, even named one of Time magazine's 100 Greatest Films of All-Time. DeGeneres' good-natured, wholesome comedy could've had the potential to be old-fashioned and square but her work is just as laugh-out-loud funny in its silliness as it was a decade ago. And she expertly handles the emotional moments as well, proving that she's just as skilled as an actress as she is a comedian. Her Dory is certainly not dumb as she seems. Now has anyone seen little Fabio around...

1. Robin Williams as the Genie in Aladdin

"What would you wish of me?

For better or worse, he's the reason that every animated film since has utilized big-name stars to voice its characters. (I'm looking at you, Dreamworks.) But what Williams does with the Genie is not just stunt casting to get people in seats (okay, it may have started off that way). He simply is the Genie. The character is so enmeshed with who Williams is as a performer that it may just be the comedian's best work. Free from the confines of live-action and utilizing the limitless possibilities that the medium of animation is capable of (where you only have to dream it to achieve it), his breakneck energy and rapid-fire delivery is free to explore and create.  And Williams takes full advantage of his freedom. Ad libbing for hours and shaping the entire structure of the film around his delivery, his was the first vocal performance that I remember people seriously campaigning to get an Oscar nomination. The film simply wouldn't exist without Robin Williams and you couldn't wish for a better performance.

55 Things in Honor of the 55th Anniversary of Sleeping Beauty

On this day, 55 years ago, the Walt Disney animated film Sleeping Beauty was released in theaters. It's hard to imagine a time when such a big film would be released at the end of January, but I guess back in 1959 they figured people wanted to see good films throughout the entire year (Oh, how times have changed). Thanks to its gorgeous animation and perhaps the best villain to come out of the studio, Sleeping Beauty holds a place as my favorite animated film from the classic era (or pre-The Little Mermaid). It also takes on a new life this summer with the live-action film version starring Angelina Jolie as Maleficent. In honor of this anniversary, I'm celebrating with 55 factoids, fun-filled tidbits, or just random observations concerning the film. Hail to the Princess Aurora!

1. The film was only the 3rd Disney animated feature based on a fairy tale (Snow White and Cinderella being the other two). The next fairy tale inspired film wouldn't come until 30 years later.
2. It is also the last fairy tale inspired film that Walt Disney himself was involved with.
3. Sleeping Beauty was Disney's 16th animated film
4. Production on the film started in 1951 and lasted nearly a decade
5. As the years past, Walt became more and more concerned and involved with the creation of Disneyland and took a hands-off approach toward the film.
6. The look of the film was a departure from the previous films and was intended to look like a medieval storybook brought to life
7. Artist Eyvind Earle was the color stylist and in charge of the backgrounds
8. The backgrounds were so intricate that a single background painting would take from 7 to 10 days. A normal background usually took a single day to complete.
   
9. Walt actually stole the kiss story element from the story of Sleeping Beauty to be used in Snow White. In the original Grimm fairy tale, Snow White has the piece of apple stuck in her throat. As the prince has the glass casket carried away with him, it gets dropped and the apple dislodges itself and it awakens her. What, food falling out of your mouth isn't a romantic enough way to break a spell, Walt?!?
10. The film was shot in Super Technirama 70 mm film as opposed to 35 mm
11. Despite being the titular character, the Sleeping Beauty only appears in about 18 minutes of the film–less than any other Disney Princess
12.  The music for the film was adapted from Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty ballet by George Bruns (as a kid I always thought it said George Burns. He's so talented!)
13. The film's only Oscar nomination came for the score. It lost.
14. Walt originally wanted the three good fairies to be exactly the same.
15. Animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston thought it would be better to give each their own personality and color (Thank goodness. How else would we have had the famous Pink/Blue dress color fight?)
16. Although Aurora is one of the rare Disney characters to have both parents, her mother is never named in the film. Notes suggest it was supposed to be Leah and now the studio just goes with that.
17. The Queen also has exactly two lines in the entire film: "And you're not offended your excellency" and the poignant and complex, "Oh, no!"
18. There's also debate on who actually provided that voice. Some sources say that it was never written down and others think that Verna Felton (who voiced the fairy Flora) provided the Queen's voice as well.
19. Eleanor Audley provided Maleficent's wicked voice. She also provided the voice of Lady Tremaine (Cinderella's stepmother). So does this mean that Angelina and Cate Blanchett (currently filming a live-action Cinderella as the stepmother) are the same actress as well? 
20. It's rumored that the animators used Audrey Hepburn as an inspiration for the look of Aurora. It sounds more like a nice story as she looks absolutely nothing like Audrey. Because they both have thick eyebrows? This is like that rumor that Tinker Bell was modeled after Marilyn Monroe. Lies! It just sounds good.
21. Flora's gift to the baby princess is the gift of Beauty.
22. Fauna's gift is the gift of Song
23. Haven't you always wondered what Merryweather was actually going to give as a gift to Aurora? Hopefully some intellect to go along with that pretty face and awesome singing voice.
24. In the original fairy tale, the princess sleeps for 100 years before she is awakened. Disney's princess sleeps for about 8 hours or so. Or what doctors recommend as a good night's sleep.
    
25. Marc Davis was responsible for animating both Aurora and Maleficent. The latter's design was so complicated that he pretty much animated her for the entire film.
26. Prince Phillip was the first Prince to actually have a name...and a personality
27. A flame-thrower was used to make the sound of fire being shot out when Maleficent changes into a dragon
28. Castanets were used to make the sound of the jaw snapping. Olé!
29. Live-action references were used extensively on the film as the human characters were intended to move more realistically than in any other previous film.
30. My favorite part of the entire film is after Aurora is awakened and she and Phillip come down the stairs. But the reason it's my favorite is because I love the way her dress falls behind her as she walks down. It's so beautiful and elegent. Something that the plastic looking clothes in CGI have yet to master. 
    
    
    
31. Apparently Maleficent's raven is named Diablo. 
32. How come Maleficent's raven–I mean, Diablo–doesn't change to pink and blue when he spies on the fairies and gets hit with the colorful magic?
33. The cookies that Merryweather makes appear with her wand are shaped like Mickey Mouse
34. Even though it was opened 4 years before the film, the castle in Disneyland is named Sleeping Beauty's Castle and was used to garner interest in the film. The original plans were to make it Snow White's castle.
35. Maleficent is actually an evil fairy (not a witch) and the self-proclaimed Mistress of All Evil.
    
36. She resides in the Forbidden Mountains. You know, just a relaxing get-away spot.
37. The design of Maleficent's goons were based on gargoyles
38. The goons also make an appearance in Toontown in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
39. Sleeping Beauty was the last film to use hand-inked cels. Starting with 101 Dalmatians they started using Xerox. 
40. When Maleficent transports herself from her castle to stop Phillip from reaching Aurora, she turns  into a firework–taking the Katy Perry song quite literally.
41. The "Once Upon a Dream" sequence was created 4 different times and was so costly that it nearly bankrupt the studio.
42. Barbara Luddy provided the voice of Merryweather. She had previously provided the voice for Lady in Lady and the Tramp. 
43. I remember being so impressed as child that Maleficent curses, "Now shall you deal with me, O Prince, and all the powers of HELL!"
44. To this day, whenever I'm baking something, I still pronounce teaspoon as tsp. Oh, Fauna, you're my baking spirit animal.
45. Aurora is named for the dawn, but that was also her name in the ballet.
46. The Brothers Grimm version of the story has her named Briar Rose, which is the name used when she goes into hiding.
47. The part where Maleficent taunts Prince Phillip in the dungeon was originally supposed to be a scene in Snow White but the animators were not confident with the animation of the Prince which is why he appears in that film so little.
48. To defeat Maleficent, Prince Phillip is gifted the Sword of Truth and Shield of Virtue by the three good fairies. Those sound like fancy condom names...
49. Mary Costa, who provided the voice of Aurora, also worked as a professional opera singer. She was asked by Jackie Kennedy to sing at the memorial service for JFK in LA in 1963 and also performed at the inaugural concert at the Kennedy Center in DC.
50. If there's one take-away from the film, it's this: spinning wheels are evil. Don't touch them!
51. At its release, the film barely made enough to cover the 6 million dollars it cost to make the film.
52. Because of all the times it has been re-released, it is now the second highest grossing film of 1959 (behind Ben-Hur)
53. The film was only the second Disney animated film released on VHS (the first was Pinocchio)
54. For the record, the last shot of Aurora's dress is pink. Flora wins.
55. But, I think everyone is in agreement that blue is better. Team Merryweather!

My Oscar Ballot 2013

For some strange reason, I have yet to be asked to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. I can't think of why. Perhaps my invitation got lost in the mail. But how else will they be able to factor in my choices for the best of the year? Luckily, over at The Film Experience, we've submitted our own Oscar ballots. Check back on Tuesday at The Film Experience, after the votes have been counted, to see who our collective winners are. In the meantime, below is the ballot I submitted for consideration. And I have to say that it was a lot harder to compile than I thought. I kinda felt like I was just picking the same movies over and over again in a different order. But, I looked over a list of all the films released over the year, and these were definitely the ones that I thought were the best of the year.

* * *

Best Picture

1. Her

2. 12 Years a Slave

3. Frances Ha

4. Gravity

5. Frozen

6. The Wolf of Wall Street

7. The Place Beyond the Pines

8. Stories We Tell

9. Inside Llewyn Davis

10. Before Midnight

Best Director

1. Steve McQueen 12 Years a Slave

2. Spike Jonze Her

3. Alfonso Cuarón Gravity

4. Sarah Polley Stories We Tell

5. Martin Scorsese The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Screenplay

1. Spike Jonze Her

2. Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig France Ha

3. John Ridley 12 Years a Slave

4. Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke & Richard Linklater Before Midnight

5. Terence Winter The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Actor

1. Joaquin Phoenix Her

2. Oscar Isaac Inside Llewyn Davis

3. Chiwetel Ejiofor 12 Years a Slave

4. Leonardo DiCaprio The Wolf of Wall Street

5. Michael B. Jordan Fruitvale Station

Best Actress

1. Cate Blanchett Blue Jasmine

2. Greta Gerwig Frances Ha

3. Brie Larson Short Term 12

4. Emma Thompson Saving Mr. Banks

5. Julie Delpy Before Midnight

Best Supporting Actor

1. Michael Fassbender 12 Years a Slave

2. Ryan Gosling The Place Beyond the Pines

3. Keith Stanfield Short Term 12

4. Matthew Goode Stoker

5. Colin Farrell Saving Mr. Banks

Best Supporting Actress

1. Lupita Nyong'o 12 Years a Slave

2. Scarlett Johansson Don Jon

3. Sarah Paulson 12 Years a Slave

4. Elizabeth Debicki The Great Gatsby

5. Léa Seydoux Blue Is the Warmest Color

And the Oscar Goes To...Not These Films

Over at The Film Experience, my fellow contributors and I had another one of our nifty monthly polls. In light of all the fall Film Festivals giving us our first look at Oscar hopefuls (Telluride wrapped up this weekend, the Venice Film Fest wraps up on Saturday, overlapping Toronto which starts tomorrow, and the NYFF starts on September 27 where I'll actually be seeing some films including the Gala Tribute to Cate Blanchett! Man, I'm exhausted just typing all that. That's a lot of festivals. I almost forgot what I was trying to say) this month's poll focused on those films that looked so hopeful on paper or early in the season then went on to disappoint come Oscar time. We bring you the 10 Biggest Awards Season Flops.

The rules were that the film couldn't have received more than 2 nominations and could not have been nominated for Best Picture nor could it have won in any category (which means Nine was not eligible. It received 4 nominations, you guys!) As my own personal rule, I also decided to not include films that were nominated in the acting categories or Director. I found that the films usually fall into two types: Good to great movies that for some reason or other never caught on with voters and films with Oscar buzz that ended up being huge stinkers.

Only 4 from my personal ballot made the list, so I'm sure there were a lot of votes spread out from various films. I had a tough time with my list as usually if a film loses their awards buzz I'll have forgotten it as quickly as an Academy member forgets releases from the early part of the year. I'm surprised by the inclusion of Bobby on the list as I felt like it never had any sort of real potential, awards-wise (Golden Globe nomination, I hear you say. The Tourist and Burlesque, I answer you). I'm also saddened by the spots held by The Crucible and Into the Wild as I really loved those movies at the time and wish they had gotten more Oscar lovin'. Anyway, here is my list:

1. J. Edgar (2011)

2. Beloved (1998)

3. Australia (2008)

4. Zodiac (2007) (which I did the write up for on TFE)

5. The Ides of March (2011)

6. Man on the Moon (1999)

7. All the King's Men (2006)

8. The Ice Storm (1997)

9. Love and Other Drugs (2010)

10. Bright Star (2009)

In conclusion, I leave you with the number one biggest flop as chosen collectively by Team Experience (and it just so happens to have been my choice for #1 as well). A couple years old, but still damn funny:

One of these days, Leo. One of these days...

My Pick's for 10 Most Memorable Performances in the Films of Hitchcock

This month (next Tuesday, August 13, in fact) would have been Alfred Hitchcock's 114th birthday (not that he would have lasted that long anyway, judging by the size of him...) and in honor of Hitch, Team Experience, of which I am a proud card-carrying member of (well, there's not actually cards), over at The Film Experience ranked our 10 Most Memorable Performances in a Hitchcock Film. The only stipulation was "Memorable" not "Best" so anyone and anything was up for grabs. (I believe a bottle of mineral ore in Notorious may have even had a mention.) I, personally, decided not to double up on Actors' performances – just one from Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly, and Ingrid Bergman. I'll also be the first to admit that I'm not all that familiar with his Silent Films or the British Films of the 30s, so apologies to any of those performances I may have slighted. Anyway, on to my ballot:

10. Grace Kelly as Lisa Fremont in Rear Window
or should I say, from top to bottom: Lisa. Carol. Fremont. One of the greatest film entrances...

9. Doreen Lang as The Hysterical Mother in the Diner in The Birds

I haven't seen the film in years, but I still remember her. Just watch this clip and tell me that's not memorable:

8. Tippi Hedren as Marnie Edgar in Marnie

This part is bonkers and after watching HBO's The Girl, I have a new appreciation for Tippi and what Hitch made her go through. She says he prevented her from getting an Oscar nom for this...

7. Ingrid Bergman as Alicia Huberman in Notorious

and the longest kiss in film history:

6. Joseph Cotten as Uncle Charlie in Shadow of a Doubt
that stare...

5. Joan Fontaine as the second Mrs. de Winter in Rebecca
I think Rebecca may be my favorite Hitchcock film. And you've got to be pretty memorable when you don't even have a name in a film and you're the main character.

4. Cary Grant as Roger Thornhill in North by Northwest
You can read my write up at the post. GQ named his suit the most influential in all of cinema:

3. James Stewart as Scottie Ferguson in Vertigo
Who knew a nice guy like Jimmy could be so crazy/creepy:



2. Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates in Psycho
"We all go a little mad sometimes."

1. Judith Anderson as Mrs. Danvers in Rebecca
Simply the best:

"You're overwrought, madam. I've opened a window for you. A little air will do you good. Why don't you go? Why don't you leave Manderley? He doesn't need you... he's got his memories. He doesn't love you, he wants to be alone again with her. You've nothing to stay for. You've nothing to live for really, have you? Look down there. It's easy, isn't it? Why don't you? Why don't you? Go on. Go on. Don't be afraid..."

100 Posts: 100 Films

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:

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.

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