Recently, while checking out a favorite filmmaker of mine (www.cinemassacre.com) I saw that he had updated his list of all time favorite movies. These were not movies that are considered the best mind you, but just ones he personally enjoyed. It's surprising how few top lists consist of personal favorites, but rather the 'Best Films of All Time' etc. I myself attempted such a list many years ago, but I always tend to lose my concentration when thinking it up. Films such as 'Citizen Kane' may very well be the best, but I personally have not seen that film so how could I fairly place it upon a top list of my own writing? So, with many thanks to Mr. James Rolfe and Mike Matei over at Cinemassacre, I'd like to present to you my favorite films in a multi part series over the next few weeks. These are the films I go back to again and again, from both the distant past to the present time I present to you my top 50 favorite films of all time (as of 2017). Please note that these are not in any real particular order however the top ranked will be placed based upon the frequency at which I have viewed them.
50.) Beavis and Butthead Do America (1996)
Mike Judge is a very eccentric individual to say the least. By looking at his profile on IMDB, one would likely never imagine it to be the same man to bring us 'Office Space', 'King of the Hill', 'Idiocracy', and of course 'Beavis and Butthead'. The television show on paper and to the naked eye seemed to be nothing more than the usual crude 90's comedy TV show, but eventually people began to see the hidden genius within. The show and the film that it spawned are both a clever satire of the young generation of the time and even to this day to some degree. The humor, while childish and lewd still contains little specks of this genius and upon a retrospective look at the series as a whole, critics began to appreciate it for what it was and the movie was one of the highest grossing and critically acclaimed for 1996. When your own parents crack up at this movie, you know its something special.
49.) Deadpool (2016)
A very recent film on this list but with good reason, and that is because it's one of the funniest films in the last 15 years. A film that almost took that long to get made due to many factors, but one of the most lingering was the question: 'Would people get this character?'. Judging by the 'Highest Grossing 'R' Rated Film of All Time' record that 'Deadpool' obtained last year, I would say that the audience understood what Deadpool was all about, and that he was absolutely hilarious. Another film that will even have your grandparents laughing at, the excellent screenplay and out of this world performance of Ryan Reynolds (who was BORN to play this character) It's no wonder the film is so easy to fall in love with. There really is no other superhero film like this and very few films in general like it.
48.) Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
A surprise for me personally, but still a favorite nonetheless 'Fury Road' is one I have been going back to quite a bit lately. That's not to say the other films are inferior, but I feel that this one is the strongest in terms of getting your attention from the outset. With very little dialogue to been heard in the film, director George Miller uses pure visual eye candy in order to get the story across and he surprisingly succeeds. You can find new story details in every new viewing of 'Fury Road' and that to me is what makes it worthy of the list.
47.) The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
This is quite the movie to say the least and one that is definitely not for everyone. Like 'American Psycho' this movie just has me from minute one and I just have to sit through it all despite its insane 3 hour length. I'm still not sure if its just the sheer excess or vulgarity on screen that just has me so fascinated and repulsed at the same time, or if it's because it is a genuinely funny film with one of Leonardo DiCaprio's best performances of all time. Martin Scorcese was a director I used to simply not get for quite a long time, but with films such as 'Hugo' or classics like 'Goodfellas' I realize I missed out for a long long time.
46.) Godspell (1971)
Here's the wild card for you folks, a Christian musical about a group of flower children reenacting the Book of Matthew and the crucifixion of Christ. A film from long long ago in my early childhood, it took many years for me to track down and finally rediscover 'Godspell' and the stage play it is based upon and even today I still love it. Whatever your religious viewpoints, I think many can enjoy the film for its well written songs and its humorous sketches based upon various stories and parables from the Bible without the film forcing it down your throat. Unlike 'Jesus Christ Superstar' which feels like it wants to hit you over the head with its various messages, 'Godspell' is the budget version, the subtle and quiet version as these tales were meant to be told. I truly love 'Godspell'.
45.) Good Burger (1997)
This movie has no right to be as funny and rewatchable as it is. Like 'Beavis and Butthead Do America' the stupid factor is so high, it's almost brilliant and this one is fondly remembered by many from my generation and has attained a strong cult status. Not bad for a little movie that was based on a 90's kids show that has long since passed. Another film on my list where my folks cannot explain their love for the movie either they just simply love it as do I.
44.) Home Alone (1990)
A holiday classic and one I won't be going into too much detail. You all know what this movie is, why I and everyone else loves it, and why it's a favorite on many people's lists. What is unusual is that at the time, the film was not warmly received by the very critics who sing its praises today. This movie is almost 30 years old at this point and it's still going strong.
43.) A Christmas Story (1983)
It's the most overwatched Christmas film of all time. We watch it for 24hrs straight every Holiday Season so do I really need to say anything else?
42.) Rope (1948)
Here's another little curveball for those who love Hitchcock out there. 'Rope' was and to some degree still is considered one of the director's weaker films, even considered nothing more than a failed experiment from the Master of Suspense himself. However, it's the creativity and experimentation of the film that makes me love it so much. It's a filmed stage play more or less, which means that the film was shot in only ten takes along with various crew members using certain camera angles to create the illusion of being shot in a single long take. It also helps that 'Rope' has some of the best casting in any Hitchcock film, with Jimmy Stewart, Farley Granger, and Universal Monster alumni Sir Cedric Hardwicke. It's a shame that 'Rope' is so underrated.
41.) A Goofy Movie (1995)
My very first movie memory other than seeing 'Jurassic Park' one Thanksgiving evening is going to the theater at my shopping mall and sitting through this little gem. 'A Goofy Movie' is truly a great Disney classic, but one that the studio doesn't seem to acknowledge or show much love for (the DVD is a bargain bin release with nothing special). A direct continuation of the TV series 'Goof Troop' the movie can be considered a family friendly version of 'Vacation' but with Goofy and friends. It's nice to see that this film has also gained a large following since its lackluster release back in the day like 'Good Burger'. It seems like I somehow managed to get into these obscure movies as a kid more than others. I guess I had strange tastes even then.
40.) Cats Don't Dance (1997)
A film that gave me a love for Old Hollywood before I even knew what it was, 'Cats Don't Dance' is another highly underrated animated classic that so many sorely missed out on. The tale of a young cat's passion to work in Tinsel Town is one of the first animated features I saw that showed both adult and childish aspects and didn't shy away from darker elements. Of course, I would come to learn this is quite common in most well done animated films, but 'Cats' feels more special to me. It was a film that made me want to work in the industry, one of many I would see but a pivotal one nonetheless.
And that's it for part one folks. Be sure to check back here on Splice|Here for more of my countdown.
Be sure to check out these films at www.amazon.com or wherever you purchase/rent videos. Also be sure to check out my newest review for Guardians of the Galaxy 2 HERE.
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