Guest Post: Ten favourite movies
March 14th, 2012 at 12:00 pm by David FarrarA guest post by Peter Freedman:
Recently at a small party, conversation died. To liven it up again our host asked us to name out Ten Favourite Movies.
So we each sat in a corner of the room and wrote them down. Everyone had finished with a quarter of an hour. Everybody, bar one. Guess who?
I said I was having trouble whittling them down and needed a larger piece of paper.
“How many have you got to choose from?” said mein host courageously.
“Not many,” I cheerily replied. “Down to the last 172, should be finished in an hour. My wife sighed and gave one of her famous “What the f- is he up to NOW?” looks.
Anyway, this is my ten for now, Tomorrow the list will be quite different.
- Inherit the Wind. I am amazed at the number of so called film buffs who have never heard of this film. A real classic based loosely on the Tennessee monkey trial. Now, there wasn’t a chimp in the dock but might as well have been for all the importance the defendant was ,The trial was over a school teacher persuaded by the CLU to test the state law which barred the teaching of evolution. The pawn is played by Dick York later Darren as he was Bewitched. The two real antagonists were, in reality, the legal leviathans Clarence Darrow (Spencer Tracey) and William Jennings Bryan (Frederic March),.The men were lifelong friends, Bryan stood unsuccessfully for President with Darrow’s support. But the two drifted apart and found themselves squaring off in a mall Bible Belt town,.Tracey and March are, of course, brilliant, and so is Harry Morgan (Colonel Potter in Mash) as a befuddled judge. But star of the show is Gene Kelly, who doesn’t dance a step but cleans up in the role of a cynical big city news hound. His best line comes as Bryan is welcomed into the town by the good citizens all singing in unison: “Gimme that Old Time Religion” Seeing Kelly as a stranger needing a bed, one worthy woman asks him if he needs a nice, clean place to stay” “I had one,” says Kelly, “but I left it to come here.”
- Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Surely needs no introduction here, the greatest Aussie film ever made. Knocks that fat girl’s wedding for six. If Dame Edna had accepted a part it would have been No 1. If you haven’t seen it you have missed what one diminutive Asian lady can do with table tennis balls. No more hints, but please remember to duck.
- The Bird Cage. I didn’t care for Mr R Williams till I saw him in this. He’s brilliant but he doesn’t steal the show. Nathan Lane as the “lady” of the house almost takes the honours in his campest performance, but I give my Oscar to Gene Hackman as the tight laced Senator who finds his daughter wants to marry into one of THOSE sort of families. The final scene where a blond-wigged Hackman in drag escapes the paparazzi to the tune of “We are Family” must be one of the funniest in movie history.
- Casablanca. Nothing more to say, move on. Louis, this could be the start of a beautiful friendship. PS: If anyone bets you “Play it again Sam, is this movie’s most famous line take them on. Bergman begs: “Play it Sam, play as Time Goes By.” There is no “again” never was and never will.
- The African Queen. Bogey and his longtime co-star Bergman sail down an African river to torpedo a German boat with home made weaponry. Look for a superb cameo role by the rotund Richard Morley.
- Mississippi Burning. Hackman again, this time as an unconventional FBI man alongside William Dafoe, the straight man. They go to the Miss to investigate the death of two white guys and a negro who had been campaigning for black rights. Closely allied to a real story. Many memorable moments, but the best has to be when a negro hired by the FBI kidnaps the town Mayor and holds him in a small shed, threatening to castrate him if he doesn’t cough. “Do you know, Mr Mayor, how much you bleed when your balls are cut off?”
- Stand By Me. I hate Stephen King but this is magic. A group of young boys go looking for a body and learn the realities of life. Too many stars and great scenes to mention but the classic line has to be “Suck my fat one, you cheap dimestore hood!”
- Romeo and Juliet – the de Caprio/Clare Danes version by a nose from the delightful Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting. The Leslie Howard version made in the 30s doesn’t even get to the gate. FFS Romeo was about 17, not 42!
- Shakespeare in Love. Even if you hate the Bard you HAVE to see this. If R and J wasn’t written this way it should have been. Dame Judi takes the cake with her OTT Queen Liz 1 and has the best line, muttering “too late, too late” when the men are tardy in lowering their capes to prevent the royal tootsies encountering the London mud.
- White Heat. Had to get Cagney in somewhere. Along with E G Robinson’s Little Caesar, this is the quintessential gangster movie. Cagney is awesome as the psychopathic killer Codey Jarrett, but Margaret Whycherly steals her scenes as Ma Jarrett. Almost certainly based on the reallife Ma Barker. Ma Jarrett is evil, immoral, unscrupulous and magnificent.
So there it is. Some great movies didn’t make it, like almost anything based on Dickens. Some Like It Hot, with the immortal line uttered by Dave Barry, a besotted millionaire with the hots for Miss Jack Lemmon. As the couple speed away in his motorboat, Lemmon finally has to come clean. I can’t marry, you, I drink. That’s okay says Barry. I smoke say Lemmon. I don’t mind, Barry replies. I can’t give you children. No problem, we’l l adopt some. Lemmon flings off his wig and shouts: “I can’t marry you, I’m a man!” Barry doesn’t hesitate.
“Well, nobody’s perfect,” he says.
That’s my list, How about giving yours?
This isn’t a top 10, but some movies I love and can always watch again.
- Shawshank Redemption
- Love Actually
- Four weddings and a funeral
- Kick-Ass
- Lord of the Rings
- Blues Brothers
- Kill Bill Vol I
- South Park
- Life of Brian
- Star Wars Episode IV
- The Omen (I and II)
- Alien
- No Way Out
- Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
- Ben-Hur
Related posts:
- Three Hobbit movies
- Guest Post: HOBBIT #1: An Unexpected Journey , Review – John Stringer.
- Lousy Movies
- Guest Post: A Pyrrhic Victory
March 14th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
No Pulp Fiction?
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 12:20 pm
In no particular order some of my favourites:
V for Vendetta, Pan’s labyrinth, Training Day, Shawshank Redemption, Gladiator, Goodfellas, Finding Nemo, Notting Hill, Unforgiven, The Hunt for Red October, Terminator, The Count of Monte Cristo (2002), Crimson Tide, The Birdcage, Life of Brian, Superbad… and more that I can’t think of.
edit: and Death Proof deserves a mention
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 12:25 pm
Peter, it was Katherine Hepburn who co-starred in The African Queen – not Ingrid Bergman.
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Lawrence of arabia, labyrinth, reservoir dogs, lock stock, fight club, shawshank, city of god, Amelia, happy feet! And latest fab is Sarah’s key…
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Its always difficult because there are technical attributes, cinematography, genre defining movies and just plan good fun etc
So;
Vote:Contact – The first half is at the core of driven scientific motive, the second half a bit naf.
Shawshank Redemption – hope and the power of the human spirit
Logans Run – science fiction at it’s purest (pity about the special effects)
Top Gun – some of the finest editing ever in a motion picture
Gladiator – Stiring stuff with revenge to boot, deep emotions
Crimson Tide – the machinations of the chain of commande
Alien – our deepest fears incarnate, brilliant
Groundhog Day – Imaginative comedy, a rare combination
Monty Pythons Holy Grail – Funny, clever and social commentary all in one
All Lord of The Rings movies.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
Casablanca, Key Largo, Unforgiven, Notting Hill, Where Eagles Dare, Red River, Ford’s Cavalry trilogy, The Searchers, Life of Brian, Goodfellas, Godfather, Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Love Actually, Manchurian Candidate (the original version), Lavender Hill Mob, Heat, The Third Man, A Man for All Seasons, African Queen, Amarcord, Never on a Sunday, Mona Lisa, Pride and Prejudice (the Laurence Olivier version), and many more I can’t think of at the moment
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
Some other goodies:
Fargo, The Quiet Man, The Sound of Music, Where Eagles Dare, The World of Suzy Wong, Sexy Beast, Defence of the Realm, Dances with Wolves, Howard’s End and No Country for Old Men (in fact pretty much anything by the Coen brothers)
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 12:53 pm
The comment in the post re Some Like it Hot is wrong
Dave Barry did not say ‘nobody’s perfect’ Joe E. Brown as Osgood did.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZymBti7700
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
You look at the rubbish on other peoples lists and it makes you realise why when you walk into a carpet shop they have shed loads of that load floral shit that you havent seen on any of your mates floors since 1983.
There is no accounting for taste.
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
In no particular order:
1. Platoon
Vote:2. Galdiator
3. Braveheart
4.Godfather 1 and 2
5. The Sixth Sense
6. A Beautiful Mind
7. American History X
8. Fight Club
9. Lord of the Rings
10. Pulp Fiction
March 14th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Office Space, Gladiator, Requiem for a Dream, Good Will Hunting, Fight Club and I’m sure a lot more I con’t think of right now…
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
Peter – do you enjoy having a vagina?
my god. im surprised thelma & louise wasnt on there
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
Better to have one than be one dime.
Like a large penis.
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 1:26 pm
1 Empire Strikes Back
Vote:2 Jaws
3 The Departed
4 Shawshank
5 Heat
6 The Dark Knight
7 American Beauty
8 Silence of the lambs
9 Back to the future
10 Seven
March 14th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
@la Grande Fromage
Vote:LOL ‘everybody else’s tastes are shit except mine’. A legend in your own mind.
March 14th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Casablanca, Out of Africa, Star Wars IV, 2001, Godfather 1 and 2, A Single Man, Cabaret, Dr Zhivago, A few good men, Mulholland Drive, In the heat of the night,
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
1. The Italian Job
2. Get Carter
3. Ipcress File
4. The Man who would be King
5. Zulu
Then it gets difficult.
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
So not much of a Michael Caine fan then James.
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
Lance, not all your picks are shit. I will give you Top Gun.
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
I also like Primal Fear, A Few Good Men (if only for Jack Nicholson’s speech), The Game…
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Jack Nicholson is superb but he does tend to play the same sort of person. Unlike meryl Streep who is a genius and so modest with it. Just my type.
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 2:23 pm
imagine how much more successful streep would be if she wasnt so dog ugly
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 2:45 pm
Who the fuck is Peter Freedman and why should I care what movies he likes?
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
I should have included ‘Inglorious Basterds’
Vote:The opening scene of the ‘Jew Hunter’ interrogating the farmer was superb.
March 14th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
1. Shawshank
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Whoops:
Vote:Shawshank
Empire of the Sun
lawrence of arabia
African Queen
Some Like it Hot
singing in the Rain
Zhivago
Zorba the Greek
Pulp fiction
March 14th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
He’s ok, as actors go. Hmm thinking a bit more about this, perhaps MWWBK should be higher, because it’s got Sean Connery in it as well
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
James Stephenson
Vote:You missed a few:
Alfie
The Eagle Has Landed
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Educating Rita
Hannah and Her Sisters
Cider House Rules
Harry Brown
Liitle Voice
The Quiet American
March 14th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
I see classic film buffs, but no one into Euro films, the old classic film festival stuff ?
I’d have to list Iphigenia (by Michael Cacoyannis), anything by Kieślowski, (Red, White or Blue, The Decalogues, but if Julie Delpy or Juliette Binoche is involved, Yes), Ran, maybe Raise the Red Lantern (wasn’t the best Chinese film, but I can’t immediately recall the better ones !), Luis Bunuel’s films, maybe The Discrete Charm of the Bourgeoisie, Cold Fever, Mystery Train, Diva, Casablanca of course; then the quirky ones, Rocky Horror, Spirited Away, Liquid Sky, Blade Runner, Mad Max 1 & 2, Carmen, maybe even The Matrix just because it surprises.
What can be just as much fun, worst movies. I’d nominate No Sex Please We’re British, and The Gods Must Be Crazy, Waterworld, Mad Max 3, and probably lots of others.
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
No one watches non English-language films?
Vote:Le Trou? Wages of Fear? The Lives of Others? Red/White/Blue? Rififi? Kagemusha? The Hidden Fortress?
March 14th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
The Third Man.
Vote:Tale of Two Cities.
The Godfather 1.
Gone With The Wind.
Top Gun (+ music)
Four Weddings and A Funeral.
On The Beach
South Pacific ( Yeah Kitch but right movie Right Time)
Casablanca.
The Kings Speech.
Erin Brokovitch
Waiting to see Streep as Thatcher
March 14th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Some favorites:
One flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest
The Godfather
Alien
Blade Runner
The Big Lebowski (or Fargo or No Country for Old Men – Coen brothers generally)
Pulp Fiction
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (guilty pleasure)
Casablanca
Some like it Hot
The Lord of the Rings
For Sean
Vote:Diva
March 14th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Random answers as they occur to me:
DPF, sorry honey, the marriage is off, we are clearly incompatible. What’s more my intellect far outweighs yours. I had 172 Ten Favourite Movies and you can only manage FIFTEEN?
PS: Can I also have the set of antique fish knives with bone handles back please? You can keep the Royal Doulton china with the hand painted periwinkles, they were second hand anyway, and belonged to a very strange lady……
However, since we once meant the world to other, and I hope can still be friends I will let you down gently.
1.Shawshank Redemption: Absolutely, just didn’t have space for it in my top ten.
2.Love Actually: Never seen it
3.Four weddings and a funeral: Hmm, okay movie I just can’t abide Hugh Grant
4.Kick-Ass: Never. Never in a million years
5.Lord of the Rings: Anything that PJ handles just gets longer and longer. That no doubt delights Mrs PJ, but it does nothing for me!
6.Blues Brothers: Yeah, good fun!
7.Kill Bill Vol I: No, not even when they get to Vol 172
8.South Park: NO!
9.Life of Brian: I loved Monty Python but you can’t turn them into a full length movie
10.Star Wars Episode IV: Yuck
11.The Omen (I and II): Double Yuck
12.Alien: Triple Yuck with chocolate sprinkles
13.No Way Out; David, there is always a way out. It is called an exit. I found it two minutes into this film.
14.Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels: Okay, but really just another movie with violence.
15.Ben-Hur: David I am a Jew. Of course, I love Ben Hur, Exodus, Fiddler on the Roof and even its sequel Drunk Fiddler Falls Off the Roof, which is better, but not very well known.
redeye: No, no Pulp Fiction. Yeah, I’ve seen it and parts are funny but gratuitous violence is not my thing.
smttc, thanks, I frequently get the two mixed up. Fortunately Bogey and Tracey didn’t and that’s what matters. Thanks again.
dime: Oh, dime, you really shouldn’t lead with your right. DO I HAVE A VAGINA?
First, without wanting to ape Bill Clinton, it depends upon what your definition of “have” is.
Do I have one on me? Well, not all the time, but occasionally I have use of one belonging to a dear friend. Sometimes her vagina is on top, sometimes underneath, it depends on the vagina’s mood at the time. I also have use of other of her parts, but seeing you didn’t ask about those, I will keep them under wraps till you do.
Seriously mate, don’t try to be clever with me, it is like a popgun against a Exocet.
Now for Diagotsu. I am Peter Freedman. I don’t give a fuck whether you care or not.
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
Wow, what a lot of little bitches on this thread!
Movies are like music, cars or women: Criticise enough mens’ taste often enough and one day you’ll earn yourself a smack in the head. And you’ll deserve it.
Here are some I really like, in no real order:
In my Father’s Den
Vote:Japanese Story
We were soldiers
K19
Star Trek 3
Life is Beautiful
LOTR series
The Matrix
The lovely bones
Dances with wolves
March 14th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
This is great, keep em coming.
I am full of other Top Ten ideas like:
Favourite songs
Favourite TV comedies, dramas, serials, soaps
Favourite Food TV shows
Favourite sportsman, sportswoman, racehorse, breed of dog
If you like this as a concept let me know. And any topics you would prefer.
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 5:34 pm
Favourite redbaiter-isms?
(1) Knuckle-dragging
Vote:(2) Brain-damaged
(3) Jack-booted
(4) Feminazis
(5) Damn progressives
(6) Birth certificate
(7) Far-left blogger David Farrar
(8) Leftist main stream media
(9) Soviet-style
(10) Sarah Palin 2012
March 14th, 2012 at 6:12 pm
Top 10 Comedy. (Top 10 Bogan Comedy Perhaps)
Vote:1. Kung Fu Hustle
2. Superbad (with the unforgetable McLovin)
3. Super Troopers (not the bug eyed alien movie – that’s Starship Troopers.)
4. Bridesmaids
5. Dumb And Dumber
6. Waynes World
7. Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure
8. Anything with Jay And Silent Bob (Clerks, Mallrats Etc)
9. So I Married An Axe Murderer
10 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
March 14th, 2012 at 7:51 pm
No order….Kick Ass, Apocalypse Now, Expendables, Rambo 4, 300, Deep throat Whores 1-4,
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Where the hell is the Bourne Identity on any body’s list. An all time classic. Matt DAMON!
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Damon was better in Good Will hunting or The Talented Mr Ripley, I reckon.
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 8:22 pm Vote:
March 14th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
Dime you are a classic!
BTW…anybody who does not have Godfather 1 & 2 in their top five is gay.
Vote:March 14th, 2012 at 9:44 pm
For me, in random order:
Snatch
Vote:Layer Cake
Shawshank Redemption
Star Wars IV & V
No Country For Old Men
We Were Soldiers
Godfather I & II
Schindler’s List
March 15th, 2012 at 12:02 am
RRM (4,295) Says:
March 14th, 2012 at 5:34 pm
Favourite redbaiter-isms?
(1) Knuckle-dragging
(2) Brain-damaged
(3) Jack-booted
(4) Feminazis
(5) Damn progressives
(6) Birth certificate
(7) Far-left blogger David Farrar
(8) Leftist main stream media
(9) Soviet-style
(10) Sarah Palin 2012
RRM, you are A BAD, BAD BOY!
You are heading for the naughty cahir just as soon as I get my breath back……..
“Cahir” is, as everybody knows, a lovely town in Northern Ireland.
But you can sit in a chair if it makes you more comfortable.
Vote:March 15th, 2012 at 12:35 am
“Seriously mate, don’t try to be clever with me, it is like a popgun against a Exocet.”
lol wasnt trying to be “clever”. your fav movie list makes you sound like a chick.
good to see how much you rate yourself though. i suspect its that sort of attitude that endeared you to the queensland police.
but youre right, i shouldnt mess with an intellectual giant as yourself. after all, you are a journalist.. who moved to queensland and now writes guest posts on a blog..
Vote:March 15th, 2012 at 6:32 am
The Party (Peter Sellars at his best!)
Vote:Aliens
Shaun of the Dead
The Blues Brothers
The Silence of the Lambs
The Lost Boys
Cloverfield
Clerks
Meet the Feebles
Toy Story
March 15th, 2012 at 6:43 am
- TT: Closer to the Edge
Vote:- 13 Assassins
- Godfather 1&2
- Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi
- No Country for Old Men
- Wages of Fear
- Battle For Algiers
- The Matrix
- Pan’s Labyrinth
- Chopper
March 15th, 2012 at 6:47 am
- Bullitt
Vote:March 15th, 2012 at 6:59 am
Favourite Phool-isms?
1. .
Vote:2. ..
3. …
4. ….
5. eh?
6. (…)
7. DPB
8. Chemist
9. Bong
10. “the people will rise”
March 15th, 2012 at 10:55 am
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert? That’s surely a pisstake.
Mine, in no order. 12, I know.
Godfather I & II (Marlon, de Niro, Pacino, Duvall, Caan, John Cazale,…doesn’t get better)
Vote:Zulu
Vertigo (ahh Kim Novak)
Street Fighter (Charles Bronson, not JCvDamme), released as Hard Times in the states.
Alien
Gone with the Wind (Hattie McDaniels, brilliant!)
Breaking Away
Spartacus (Kirk Douglas)
To Kill a Mockingbird
Mommie Dearest (Faye Dunaways psycho crosseyed scene…wow)
Carlito’s Way (the hopelessness of Pacino’s character despite his genuine desire to turn away from crime)
March 15th, 2012 at 11:00 am
Meh… I tried watching some “classic” mobster film a few years ago. Goodfellas I think it was.
After about the 5th hour of yawn-a-minute drudgery I must have fallen asleep. Just not interested in Noo Yawk mobsters.
Vote:March 15th, 2012 at 11:03 am
Must go with dime….those are girls movies till you get to Mississippi Burning.
Vote: