A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Stanley Kubrick is understandably a hard director to enjoy, both with his body of work and the man himself. However, it's also hard to deny the strong influence the man has had on the film industry over the last 60 years. '2001' would influence science fiction for decades and 'Full Metal Jacket' would become a pop culture phenomenon for years to come however one of my favorites would be 'A Clockwork Orange'. Having read the novel back in my high school days and loving its dark complex subjects and how author Anthony Burgess handled it, watching the film adaptation did not disappoint. The novel's themes of redemption, government influence, and rebellious youth is not lost in celluloid, in fact Kubrick manages to bring a stronger feeling of those themes to screen. This is undoubtedly Malcolm McDowell's crowning performance and he is just absolutely creepy as anti-hero Alex DeLarge whom we see as the villain, then become the victim of his own victims. It's still some strong stuff that resonates with modern society today and really makes you think. One of the best.
Ghostbusters (1984)
What can I say or add to the constant praise of the original 'Ghostbusters'? I truthfully cannot but what I can talk about is a personal experience with the film. As difficult as it may sound, for many years I just did not get into the movie like so many others. I didn't think it was a bad movie by any means, but I didn't really hold it up there with so many other films in my vast viewing history. Of course, with age and more frequent watching over the years I've finally come to appreciate 'Ghostbusters' for the comedy genius it is. Sure, it has some big flaws as do many films we consider gold but the charm of the screenplay and the great performances of the cast really fog your mind on said flaws. The film recently caused a huge stir with its reboot/sequel causing some ridiculous controversy but thankfully, the original film and the legacy it has set remains intact.
Enter The Dragon (1973)
Bruce Lee inspired a generation of people and his influence and tragic death still resonates to this very day. My father introduced me to him at a young age and I will never forget those insane moves, nor will I forget his spiritual and physical wisdom he would humbly pass along to his fans and students. The film itself has become a pop culture phenomenon, inspiring the likes of Jackie Chan films and even video games like 'Mortal Kombat' and 'Street Fighter'. The film make come off at first glance as a cheap martial arts film with silly dubbing and fight scenes we now associate with the genre, but 'Enter the Dragon' is a different beast entirely. It's extremely polished and has some of the best fight scenes in cinema history. If you have yet to see a Bruce Lee film, this is the one you need to start with.
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
One of Spielberg's last films that I consider the strongest, the film tells the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr. who conned people and companies for years before being caught by and eventually befriending FBI Agent Hanratty played by the great Tom Hanks. This is another DiCaprio film in which I felt he was grossly underrated by his peers and this was the first film I saw of him where I truly started to enjoy his work as he does a pro job for someone so young. Spielberg's charm is heavy in 'Catch Me If You Can' and the film manages to have everything on his usual checklist that I love and sadly a lot of what's seen here is sorely missing from his latest work. Also gotta point out one of my favorite John Williams scores here with the theme song and credit sequence being one of the best on film.
Dennis the Menace (1993)
Now we get to have a little fun again and talk about one of my childhood favorites. Possibly the earliest film I can recall watching other than 'Jurassic Park' and 'A Goofy Movie' 'Dennis' is one of those guilty pleasure films by most people's standards but for me it was like 'Gone with the Wind' as a kid. This film was watched by me so often, I went through two copies of it on VHS after having worn out the previous ones. I was introduced to Walter Matthau and Christopher Lloyd through this movie and would go on to find their other fine work (some of which you'll likely find on the list) and so much of this film just reminds me of my own childhood summers. I would stay with my grandparents for the most part during the summer time and we'd have some good times, and I would even come to think of my grandfather reminding me so much of Mr. Wilson as a kid. This movie may have problems and it's not one of John Hughes' best but it is a truly special one for me and it is one of the few you'll find on this list that defines me as a person. Give the film a chance if you've never seen it, and share it with your own children.
The Iron Giant (1999)
I love nostalgia and in particular, I love the 50's and 60's nostalgia. 'American Graffiti', 'Happy Days', and even modern gaming like 'Fallout' use these styles and I've always been fond of those two decades and the strong history they have. So when I saw a little film in theaters back in '99 with all of the style, charm, and beautiful artwork of those times, I knew right away that 'Iron Giant' would be a special film that would never be forgotten. Sadly, the film was a box office failure at the time but thankfully due to yearly marathons during the early summer time on Cartoon Network and video rentals, 'The Iron Giant' got the recognition it deserved and critics and fans now place it up there as the greatest in animated features. Just a silly side note: Why is Vin Diesel always playing awesome quiet giants with big hearts?
South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999)
Definitely not a film I saw as a kid, 'South Park' is not only strong in its humor but also it discusses the subject of censorship and shielding everything from young children which I happen to be a strongly opinionated individual about. Everything about the film is a big middle finger to Hollywood, politicians, family values, and all those who think they know what's best for everyone which makes them blind to the true evil (in this case, Satan and his lover Saddam Hussein). It's a great message wrapped up in silly moments and extremely vulgar language and humor which is what 'South Park' is always the best at. Viva La Resistance! With Punch & Pie.
Blazing Saddles (1974)
Another really good stab at the norm, Mel Brooks brings us a film that today would NEVER be able to come out. It's actually quite astonishing that we haven't heard from people wanting this one taken away for its non-PC subject matter and jokes. However, it's that exact humor and deliberate tone in which its portrayed that makes 'Blazing Saddles' an important film to this day. It also helps that all the jokes and the film as a whole is funny as hell even to this day. Brooks knows how to create a timeless feel to his comedy, and this is one of his very best. The praise should also go to writer Richard Pryor and the late Gene Wilder who helped make the film what it is today.
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