My friend Foolish Knight has set forth another
challenge. To share my twenty five favorite films (in order of first favorite to twenty-fifth favorite). I started compiling a list and realized that I needed to define what favorite meant. There were just too many movies to choose from. Is it a favorite because it was significant and artistic? Is it a favorite because of its impact? Or is it a favorite because I in fact watch it repeatedly? I decided that a favorite needed to be a movie I enjoy watching over and over again. The kind of movie you never tire of. This means my list below does not always include what I considered some of the greatest movies (based on significance or artistic achievement). Many movies are amazing and impacted me but I can't watch them more than one time. So please remember that when you read my list. I also made a conscious decision to be totally honest, so I didn't let myself edit the list to make it look more intellectual etc... Because you know we all like to do that.
The List: 25 Favorite Movies
1.
Chocolat - The book is not so good, but the movie is fantastic. I don't even know why I love it so much but I do. It's pretty, and I watch it a lot.
2.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - This is my idea of an epic love story and the bonus is that its combined with crazy martial arts. Its so beautiful at times its just breathtaking.
3.
Amelie - The music, the kookiness all go into my love of this one. Lost and lonely people breaking out and finding love.
4.
The Usual Suspects - Crazy, crazy, crazy. My love of Kevin Spacey began with this movie. Its violent but the story is so great. I didn't know it was coming, which is one of the best elements in a movie. Its a classic in my opinion.
5.
Pride and Prejudice - The new version because its so pretty, but I do adore the 6 hour one also. In fact if I could combine the two I would.
6.
Breakfast at Tiffany's - This combines many of my favorites: Audrey Hepburn, Tiffanys, and Love stories. Its a little melancholy so I watch it only in certain moods.
7.
You've Got Mail - I don't watch this as much as I used to. But partly it has to be here because of the sheer number of memories I have associated to it from my college days. We watched it repeatedly. And it is so sweet, though I still think meeting people on the internet is totally freaky.
8.
Under the Tuscan Sun - I love this one because it is essentially about someone overcoming tragedy in their life, and learning to really live again.
9.
Shall We Dance (Japanese version only) - So amazing the way this man goes beyond social mores in hopes of getting something more out of his life.
10.
Legally Blond - At first it just seems silly and vapid, but then you realize it has some depth and a good message. Very fun.
11.
Almost Famous - The music and the era this is set in (late 60's classic rock) are so intriguing to me.
12.
Finding Neverland - How can you not love a story that is so sweet. I cry, and cry. Always a sign of a good movie.
13.
Funny Face - Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire dance and sing in Paris. Sigh of happiness...
14.
White Christmas - I NEVER get tired of this. I love the music, the silliness, the cliché Christmas of it all. Sorry
F.K. I'm sure you are cringing reading it. But I've got to be true to myself, now I have that song in my head...
15.
Hello Dolly - If you can sing to it, its good in my opinion. No really, I love musicals and this one is great.
16.
A Love Song for Bobby Long - It's beautiful, though the characters are quite ugly at times. The story of dysfunctional people finding a sense of family and function together. I think its the idea of redemption in it that I love the most.
17.
LA Confidential - I'll never forget the first time I saw this movie. I love plot twists and this movie does it very well.
18.
LOTR-Return of the King - The best because it all comes to an end beautifully.
19.
LOTR- Two Towers - The second almost solely due to Legolas' shield surfing scene.
20.
LOTR- Fellowship of the Ring - Beautiful start.
21.
Drop Dead Gorgeous- Dark humor, but definitely hysterical. I quote this one often. A mocumentary is always great in my opinion, and this one profiles high school beauty pageants in the Midwest.
22.
Blue Crush- I am almost embarrassed by this one but every time I want to just have fun and watch a movie, this is the one I put in. Maybe its all the shots of sun and beaches? It makes me want to surf.
23.
So I Married an Axe Murderer- Mike Myers in the beginning was so very funny. I quote it all the time... "HEAD! PAPER! NOW!"
24.
Moulin Rouge- Sheer genius the way its made and all the songs are so fun. Visually its like a LONG music video.
25.
Best in Show - I had to have at least one from this group on the list. A mocumentary of Dog Show (aka insane) people.
