#6 - "I didn't know Pudge was gonna hit a homer." Favorite Movies

I've been looking forward to this post. I am a movie fanatic. Old movies, new movies, award-winning movies, and guilty pleasures. I own a majority of the films on the A.F.I. best-of lists as well as most of the movies that have been nominated for best picture over the past couple of years. This, however, does not really shape my favorite movies list. There are a few choice selections on there where you might think "Jesus, and this guy watches classic movies? What the hell is this doing on his favorites list?" As I said, I like all kinds of movies, but my favorites are the ones that I escape within and they can be as corny or lame as I would like them to be.

10. Reign Over Me (2007)

Not the greatest cinematic achievement, but this is the first movie I saw with my fiancee. I think that warrants a spot on my top ten. Don't get me wrong, I believe this is an extremely underrated movie. Most of Adam Sandler's dramatic roles are. His portrayal of man alienation himself within himself and the music of his past after the death of his family on 9/11 is a definite accomplishment and shows that Sandler can do drama; if only he could get past the baby talk of his earlier films (no matter how enjoyable they are). Unfortunately, his voice always reminds you of this.



9. Garden State (2004)

Two words: Natalie Portman. She makes this movie. I love her. I love this movie. A lot of people liken my fiancee's appearance to that of Natalie Portman in this movie. I don't see. Frankly, I would find it somewhat creepy if my fiancee just so happened to resemble the actress I've been obsessed with since I was a young adolescent male. On the other hand, I'd be one lucky guy. Eh, I'm a pretty damn lucky guy anyway. P.S. I laugh my ass off during this scene.



8. Chasing Amy (1997)

Kevin Smith's film about unrequited love would seem like one that would hit home for almost everyone. Throw in that the object of the unrequited love is a lesbian and you have a specific instance from my college years. Long story short, I dated a girl who was battling her demons and I guess as a means of testing her feelings decided to date me. I ended up liking her a whole lot. She ended up kissing women and wanting to be "just friends." Wow. That sounds absolutely pitiful when written down. Well, laugh it up, folks. I'm here for you. Anyway, I loved this movie long before I met the above-mentioned female, but watching it now provides an even more entertaining few hours.


7. The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)

Absolutely hilarious. This film knocked Tommy Boy off of my favorite comedy list and completely out of my top ten. It has since went on to move up a few spots. Ridiculously raunchy. Crudely hysterical. This movie brightens my mood every time. Not too mention some of the most quotable lines ever. For Christmas one year, my friend got me a shirt that identifies me as a yo-yo master. Unless you've seen this movie, you won't get the joke. Steve Carrell is wonderful in this movie, but it is the supporting cast that makes this movie so wonderful. Some of my favorite scenes: here, here, and here.


6. Scent of a Woman (1992)

Al Pacino nails his obnoxious scream here. As a vet who has lost his eyesight, Pacino teaches Chris O'Donnell's character some valuable truths about life. O'Donnell, in return, provides the old man with friendship. The tango scene in this movie is absolutely wonderful. So much so that I purchased a collection of tango music just so I could have the song from this scene. The film's ending is inspirational and delightful. Again, providing Pacino with the stage to do that which has in recent years become somewhat of a parody.




5. The Apartment (1960)

Jack Lemmon's finest film. Billy Wilder made a number of great movies (Sunset Boulevard, Some Like It Hot, etc), but this, I believe, is his best. At its' time it was a bit controversial, but the movie concludes with one of the best arguments toward morality. Lemmon plays a office drone who loans out his apartment to various higher-ups and their extramarital affairs in hopes of, one day, moving up in the world. This seems well and fine until he learns that the girl he has eyes for is a member of one of these affairs. Most romantic comedies end with the hero getting the girl. This one ends with the simple statement, "Shut up and deal."


4. Life as a House (2001)

My friend Gay Corey recommended this film during my senior year of high school. With his recommendation came a warning. I had recently lost my stepfather and he warned that the film could offer two things; either assistance or agony. I felt both during the film, but I also found a sense of closure to some extent. I purchased this movie for my stepsister shortly after and she had a similar experience. I have since recommended this movie to a number of friends. Most of them were reluctant due to concerns it would be sappy; even corny. Every single one of them has since went on to rave about how great the film is. I don't want to give anything away, but as I'm sure you've figured out after reading what I've already jotted down this film involves the death of a father. I've included the trailer to pique your interest.


3. Closer (2004)

Based of the play by Patrick Marber, this film is chockful of the kind of dialogue that makes film and literature so fantastic. Like most Natalie Portman movies, I saw this movie solely based upon the fact that she was in it, but this film has solid performances by everyone involved. The story of four people (a photographer, a writer, a doctor, and a stripper) who have interconnected lives and relationships with one another, this film offers us an accurate portrayal of infidelity and deception, but more importantly issues of trust in concerns to relationships. Perhaps, the greatest aspect of this movie, in my opinion, is that of the four people depicted it is the one who can be seen as the least respected who emerges as the most morally sound character at the film's summation. This movie is not for those who love happy endings, but it is for those who enjoy realism and dialogue. Natalie Portman was nominated for a best supporting actress Oscar for this film. She should of won. For proof, look here. On the other hand, it is Clive Owen, especially in this scene, who sticks to your ribs after the credits roll.


2. Se7en (1995)

Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman at their respective bests. Kevin Spacey makes for one of the darkest psychopaths in fairly recent movie history. I remember picking this movie out the summer before I began 7th grade. My mother was not too pleased that my stepfather allowed me to buy it. My stepfather replied with something along the lines of, "Do you see what that kid reads already? Between Stephen King and Charles Bukowski I think this movie isn't going to change him one way or another?" Thank you to my stepfather for having the faith that I would not turn into some gun-toting, angst-ridden teenage psychopath lunatic. Thanks to my mother for being the concerned woman she always has been. This movie has it all; suspense, action, some of the best one-liners (truly good ones, not that lame C.S.I. garbage), and an ending that if you haven't seen it will knock your socks off. If you're not familiar with this film, check this out.

And the winner is....

1. Good Will Hunting (1997)

Hands down, my favorite film. One year, while at Ohio State, they had this movie channel where they would pick like two movies and play them over and over again for a week or a month, something like that. So, essentially, what you would have to choose from during any given week was say Goodfellas or Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. One month, one of the movie options was Good Will Hunting, which I had watched a time or two before. During this span of airtime, I must have watched that move a good thirty times. Not from beginning to finish, because, much like HBO, the movies just played continuously all day. So, I'd catch either the whole thing or the last twenty minutes. It didn't matter, I always watched it. I could probably quote you this movie line by line. Don't worry, I'll spare you the agony. I have two scenes that give me goosebumps every time I watch them. The first is when Sean (Robin Williams) tells Will (Matt Damon) how he chose meeting his wife over Game 6 of the 1975 World Series (arguably the greatest game in World Series history; it lives in lore). Being a die-hard Red Sox (though admittedly too young to have witnessed this game), I love this scene and can almost relate to it. The other scene is when Sean and Will are sitting in the Boston Gardens. Sean is telling Will that, although he may be a smart kid, he doesn't know anything because he has to first care about someone else more than himself. When my fiancee took me to Boston for my birthday this past summer, the bench in the park where this scene takes place is the spot I chose to pop the question. Funny thing is, although there is no one around in this particular park during the film's famous scene, the place was packed full of people (which is usually the case I later discovered). So, here I was with this moment, which was intended to be intimate and quiet, amongst hundreds of other people. Did I mention I love this movie?

There you have it.