Favorite Movies

2001-12-31 03:53:00

Before we continue with serious philosophy I thought we would do something a little different.

Everyone is talking about the top ten movies this time of year and I have been thinking about this. Movies interest me because when you think of it, each of us has a movie in us and creation itself is composed of a series of interesting stories. Therefore, reflection on movies is metaphysical from a certain point of view.

I've looked over several top ten lists for the year and I must admit most movie critics have tastes much different from my own. I find the public seems to have a lot better sense as to what is the top ten than the critics. I usually find that the top ten money makers are close to what I would choose as the top ten movies whereas some of the choices of the critics make me wonder about their common sense.

Many are giving A Beautiful Mind their vote. We just saw it yesterday and it was OK, but it didn't really press my entertainment buttons. Good acting by Russell Crowe.

The Lord of the Rings is also getting good reviews and I would guess that I'm going to like this one, but I have not seen it yet.

Moulin Rouge is getting good press. I have this rented and will watch it soon, but have not seen it yet.

Overall I think fewer movies have impressed me this year than for some time.

Even though no movies I have seen this year made it to my all time favorite list here are some I liked.

1. Evolution
The past couple Movies starring David Duchovny have been a disappointment so I wasn't expecting much here, but I really enjoyed this show. It combined an original science fiction idea with humor that kept my attention through the movie. Good lite fun.

2. Best In Show.
This was actually made in 2000, but I just saw it this year. I enjoyed the original characters ands quirky humor.

3. Pearl Harbor
This was perhaps the most criticized and bashed movie of the year, but the public voted for it with $200 Million in the U.S. alone. It wasn't a great movie, but I enjoyed it and parts of it moved me.

4. Bridget Jones Diary
Good character development and story.

5. Legally Blonde
Frivolous Fun story.

6. Hearts of Atlantis
Good story and characters

7. Behind Enemy Lines
Good story and acting based on real events.

8. Harry Potter
Very creative, but the movie could never live up to expectations.

9. Joe Dirt
Frivolous, but entertaining and creative.

The worst movie of the year: Scary Movie 2.

Here are my top ten movies of all time.

1. Titanic.
This is the highest grossing movie of all time 601 million in the U.S. alone so far and there is a reason for it. The story was great and everything was flawlessly put together. This was one of the few movies that really affected me emotionally. The only thing I didn't like was the lady throwing away the jewel in the end. What a waste, but even with this flaw I would rate it number one.

2. Terminator - the first one.
It is interesting that these two favorite movies of mine are made by the same person - James Cameron. This movie had perhaps the most original plot of all time. It makes your head spin to think about it. Reese's hero in his own time was his son (unknown to him) and sent him back in time to save his mother so he could be born. Reese goes back and becomes the father of John Connor the leader who sent him back in the first place. If John had not sent him back he would have never been.

I really liked Reese as a hero. He was a man with average ability who delivered a superhuman effort that seemed believable.

3. The Empire Strikes Back.
This was my favorite Star Wars movie and the only one to make my top ten. This movie introduced more metaphysical concepts that permeated public consciousness than perhaps any other and was a great story.

4. The Pink Panther Movies with Peter Sellers.
I'm counting these as one selection because they are so similar. This series had the most creative humor I have ever seen and even introduced a new cartoon character.

If you have not seen them yet, rent then. You are in for a treat.

5. Somewhere in Time
This story starring Christopher Reeve is one of the best love stories of all time. I have never talked to anyone who has seen it who did not love it.

6. Silver Streak
This was my second favorite comedy of all time and is one of few shows to showcase the comic genius of Gene Wilder.

7. Planet of the Apes - The original.
This was one of the breakthrough movies of all time. Up until this movie there was no serious science fiction in movies. This showed the world that science fiction could be of interest to the general public if it was done right.

8. Back to the Future
Another step forward in great science fiction.

9. Independence Day
You can probably tell I like good science fiction.

10. Kings Row
This is one of the few older movies that really moved me. I saw it when I was a boy in the fifties. It was made in 1942 staring Ronald Reagan, Bob Cummings, Ann Sheridan and Charles Colburn. I would like to see it again, but they never seem to rerun it.

So do you agree with my list or do you have another? Go ahead and let us know your favorites.