My Favorite Movies

#1 This Land is Mine (Laughton, O’Hara, Donat, Sanders…A little corny?–maybe, but remember, this is wartime (1943). Plot, characters, acting and writing come together perfectly. Can you name two other movies in this list containing Sanders?)

#2 The Blues Brothers (Cab Callaway being the second coolest performer ever—check out his YouTube of “Geetchie Joe” (sp?)–Right behind Jimi Hendrix and before Michael Jackson. By the way, It should be “Oh, Baby don’t you want to go, Oh, Baby don’t you want to go to the land of California and my sweet home Chicago”, a Robert Johnson song. Apparently Johnson thought a Delta guy might get a fair shot in those places….By the way he’s in my American Heros of Culture list, on the way. Also we might ask “who WAS that girl”)

#3 Rebetiko (Rempetiko) (This whole movie is now available uninterrupted, with English subtitles, in YouTube. Nice to know that in some ways this world is now better than ever. Plot-wise, character-wise, acting-wise as far as I can tell,–awesome. About 20 awesome songs (particularly those in 9/4 or 9/8, 4 + 5) and parts with authentic historical footage, provide structure. It can be kind of dark, might not want to watch it early in the day. I have to throw in here that this kind of music has emerged from Turks as well as Greeks—Forgive me Michaeli! Goes all the way back to Byzantium. So who has been abused more, Marika from Smyrna or Sophie from Warsaw? Throw the dice? I think very few of us get a free ride in this life, and they are the unforunates. Sorry, (I really am), can’t put Sophies Choice in this list. It IS a great movie, but the very last scene–after the double suicide–involving the young writer, is a lie, making the whole movie morally suspect)

#4 The Godfather (opening scene is the 2^nd greatest ever in movies, with the music, dancing, destroying of photographic equipment, providing of favors, though sometimes with admonishment, etc., 1^st being a magic carpet ride with a princess, want-to-be prince, awesome music (best “modulation” ever) and off-stage blue genie (Will Smith–greatest turban ever!!!). OK, I admit, this one should be up there too, but I’m old, the music’s loud, I can’t make out all the words and I’m lazy–prerogative of the old, I guess.)

#5 Time Bandits (“The problem, the problem, it’s back!”–a sentiment often shared by me as I lie in bed with my catheter. Also there is something to be said for abusive charity, at least it gets the street person’s attention)

#6 The Quiet Man (have you ever more longed for the beginning of a confrontation? Since the fight “scene” (“fight therapy”?) is not really a scene, but a movie surrounded by supporting scenes, it’s not in my list. But “walk scene” is #9, and “pub scene” is # 10)

#6.5 The Outlaw Josie Wales (……reckon so.)

$$$6.75 A Fist-full of Dollars

#7 Schindler’s List (Most crucially–great restraint– objectivity. Must admit, have never made it straight through this depiction of part of the attempt of some Most Extreme Mother-Fuckers (sorry—bad habit—I’m getting better) to torture a lot of non-combatants to death in the most painful way possible, not to mention, well, shit, I’m NOT going to go into that—don’t want to have very nasty thoughts for a long time, and don’t want to throw up.)

#8 The Ten Commandments (1956) (bear with me, or not if you’re in a hurry. Sandy Padilla was my best friend from ‘92 to ‘03. We were both mentally ill, poor, but were able to give plasma twice a week, and were if I say so myself damn good panhandlers (Sandy had some kind of sixth sense about police. She was never there when I was apprehended.. Also, she made me carry the proceeds. If she spotted a policeman in the distance, she would lightly grasp my arm, and whisper “allo donetz”. She explained to me once, it meant “oh, the donuts” (?) what that had to do with police I never learned..) (Sandy had other “sayings” too, like “alla Martix!”–(when pleased. As in “alla Martix–look who’s here!”. Never heard were that came from.) I will add that one of us got picked up several times by a police officer, but was later saved from her by him after she went too deep, I to the hospital. Turns out, when we would over-drink, I would inevitably laugh at her, and she’d chase me into the hall with a knife. I tried to hide them, but was often not real responsible. Well, she’d call every night around 3:00 saying she couldn’t sleep and I’d come over and watch that movie with her, must have seen it 100 times. She had acquired a TV, VCR, and tape—no doubt I had something to do with them.)

#9 Pee-Wees Big Adventure (particularly love the guy who gets the footlong)

#10 Pulp Fiction (How can two people dance together so slowly? Might want to reference the first Thomas’ Place scene in #3 above. In the next one, this song is one of those 9/8 meter Rebetikos (Rempetikos) most beloved, as well as the 9/4s, by all true Rebetiko-(Rempetiko)-philes, like me.

#11 Mars Attacks (my favorite Nicholson role (of the two in this movie): Art Land)

#12 Star Wars (4) (when this came out I watched it every day for 6 days, my mom giving me rides. Try singing this, to the tune “there’s no business like show business, etc.”: There’s no Vader like Darth Vader, there’s no Vader I know, even if the force is with you he’s still there, so beware, have a care…)

#12.5 Monty Python and the Holy Grail (that’s one mean rabbit!)

#13 Guys and Dolls (maybe a slow 15 minutes there when the Lieutenant and Sky fall in love, also the worst music there. Here we get a very young Brando. Not so much in #4 above. Sky not a great singer. Unfortunately Jean Simmons no better)

#14 Roots Ep. 4 (I too watched these every night. I’m considering them in the form adopted by the BBC, six episodes)

#15 Mary Poppins (could not ask for a better performance—absolutely perfect in every way)

#16 Sargeant York (Preacher guy great too, though Old Time Religion perhaps not so much)

#17 M*A*S*H (Have heard producer’s son was allowed to write the lyrics, trying to get something a young soldier might have written. Whether or not, very good job.)

#18 Dr. Strangelove (might not be wise to have such a system of Strategic Defense, or a world shaking announcement that’s inevitably postponed ‘till the next party congress. Which role? Has to be the good doctor)

#19 Never on Sunday (I love Melina Mercouri, love her even better later in Lysistrati (sp?))

#20 Ghost Busters (1) (It might be wise to avoid immense Marshmallow Men, or at least thinking about them)

#21 A Night at the Opera (Harpo may have wanted to work on his curve ball. It turns out my brother and I got to see a YouTube the other day of Trovatore, third on my list of favorite operas, hopefully present here already. Good cast with Russian bariton Hrot——-ski (sp?), real good tenor, great alto upon which a production sinks or not. The soprano—all I can remember is her name maybe being Ukrainian, not a real pretty sound, but maybe appropriate for such a dark opera. Could have used subtitles but can’t have everything)

#22 Forbidden Games (Incredibly touching. The music alone deserves several academy awards)

#23 She’s Got to Have it–dang, got the wrong name, should be Girl 6, also by Spike Lee (If Naomi Campbell want’s it, and I am inexplicably much younger, well, she’s got it.)

#24 The Shining (have been there, with family, one summer. Doesn’t seem very scary really)

#25 Roots Ep. 1 (love the cultural stuff at the beginning, not so much the incredible evil towards the end)

#25.25 Corpse Bride (big improvement over Nightmare)

#25.5 Apollo 13

#26 Zorba the Greek (Zorba has fought the Turks, I’m thinking, in the same war which precipitates Rebetiko (Rempetiko), #3 above. In any case the guy loves life, as did in the evenings Jesus (assuming his final Seder was also a totally evening affair)

#27 Jaws (this one much earlier, certainly lighter. 3^rd greatest scene ever: Dreyfuss and Shaw bonding in the boat. Reminds me, I’m sorry, of the (much less dramatic, much later, and in a less impressive medium) bonding of Howard Wallowitz’s father-in-law with Sheldon Cooper. Incidently, 4th greatest: in Poltergeist. Care to venture a guess which one?)

#28 Field of Dreams (love the resurrected baseball players. Exactly as they should be portrayed)

#29 Groundhog’s Day (Best plot ever.)

#29.5 Rent (the one with the ex-Jodie and the Pussycat Mimi and the incredibly attractive Angel)

#30 Modern Times (what IS that machine? I certainly wouldn’t want to be processed through it!)

#31 Kill Bill (both) (who does Pai Mei’s brows? Are they available for Maltese dogs?)

#31.5 Sin City (Marv is marvelous, but watch out if he complements your coat)

#32 Dances with Wolves (I kind of like the less confrontational Native Americans—that just me.)

#33 Breakfast at Tiffany’s minus Mr. Yunioshi (Sorry Mickey. Like to say that Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer at their best here. Audrey Hepburn was perhaps wise not to sing in My Fair Lady)

#34 Casablanca (a little corny, yeah maybe—but remember there’s a war on (‘43))

#35 Animal House (always remember, knowledge IS good.)

#36 The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (Gene Tierney, Rex Harrison and George Sanders at their best, the last at his evil best)

#36.5 Manhattan (between Allen and Gershwin, great job)

#37 Roots Ep. 3 (Some people think this one is the worst with regard to evil. Me too.)

#38 The Shawshank Redemption (Why’d they pick that song? There are many better in that opera, no?)

#38.5 The Big Lebowski (I don’t have a clue, but my brother Richard is crazy about it)

#38.75 The History of Future Folk (Another of Bro Richard’s discoveries–this time I agree (most wholeheartedly!)

#38.76 BILL AND TED’S EXCELLANT ADVENTURE (another of Richard’s’…)

#39 Excalibur (Please forgive lack of PC—I’m getting better—but–Igraine—Wow! If I were 20 years younger and also had a Wizard, I’d want to get to her too. Awesome use of Gotterdamerung and Carmina Burana)

#40 Edward Scissorhands (I loved Vincent Price too)

#41 The Great Dictator (excellent verbal humor too. I would hate to have to try to do Hinkle’s radio speech. Fortunately I don’t have to.)

#42 The Sting (was my father’s favorite movie.)

#42.5 Lola Rennt (nichts sensibles IHR ueber)

#42.75 Jackie Brown (just like LOLA according to Diemut Ophardt)

#43 The Fellowship of the Ring (aren’t Balrogs (actually Valaraugas) scary! However, back in the old days elves (like say the sons of Feanor (actually Curufinwe)) fought them, and dwarves equipped with extraordinary masks fought them—or were those dragons?—I’m not sure, darn it—anyway so says the Silmarillion. Incidentally, I like the first Hobbit movie, but the casting of Thorin ruins it for me. He doesn’t even look like a Dwarf!)

#43.5 Legend (his worst, or his best?)

#44 The Lion King (got to love the music–and the cute, and sometimes not so cute, animals).

#44.5 Heathers

#45 Coal Miner’s Daughter (I’ve heard that when Loretta Lyne started performing she was too young to legally have done so, so did so under the stage name Coal Miner’s Daughter. Don’t remember this from the movie, but I’m old, and haven’t seen it in a while.)

45.5 Harold and Maude

#46 Soylent Green (have you ever noticed a preoccupation in general, throughout, regarding food? Look—it’s there. Good writing.)

#47 Showboat (‘36) (Did you know Paul Robeson’s chest expansion was greater than Chaliapin’s? Apparently true! Also, as he says in the awesome (5th greatest) “Can’t Help Loving That Man of Mine” scene (incidentally 6th greatest scene: Private Ryan, hitting the beach at Normandy) “look at that girl shake it!” (actually, he says “shuffle”–my bad), (Irene Dunne). Note: 7th greatest scene–Carina Smyth and Jack Sparrow face imminent execution. Both escape, both somewhat precariously, not that she admits it)

#48 Star Trek the Voyage Home (this one written by Nimoy—and it shows.)

#49 The Jungle Book (Yeah, well, if you’ve made it this far, and care about my trivia question from #1– SPOILER ALERT !!!!!!!!–well here’s George Sanders for the third time, the voice of the bad “guy”, Shere Khan.)

#50 My Cousin Vinny (another favorite of Sandy’s, see #8 above,–must have seen it 75 times. She also liked Beauty and the Beast (1991, 50 times) and Cinderella (can’t find it in Wiki, but not the one with Brandy unfortunately, 25 times))

#51 Spaceballs (just wondering: do these balls refer to death-stars, or the truly enormous ones one would need to have to have produced the original?)

#52 Exodus (I must proclaim: I am definitely NOT a Palestiniaphobe!!! (sp?) One of my best friends was a Palestinian—just joking of course, but TRUE!!! He was my advisor for my MS and had the most interesting life story of anyone I ever knew, except for Irving Wasserman.)

#53 Wizard of OZ (My brother doesn’t like it having an irrational fear of Little People, but I do)

#54 Roots Ep. 2 (I admit I am at a loss. What does one say? Kunta Kinte is an incredibly honorable man. He doesn’t give up trying to escape until he is mutilated and physically unable, he will never give up his faith and become a christian (I am one, but say “more power to him!” I have been called a “good christian”), he always tells Bell that he’ll never give up the dream to go back to Africa, until they are blessed with their daughter Kizzy, Mandinko for “stay put”.)

#55 Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (‘37) (These dwarves are remarkably well characterized, and remarkably good singers. They also seem quite pleased with their lot and jobs. I wonder if they have a union.)

#56 Norma Rae (got to love Norma. I will admit I find her very attractive. Taken away some 20 of my years, and some similar bit of trepidation, and I’d certainly ask her out. Hopefully she’d agree and we wouldn’t run into Burt. Bear in mind it isn’t just the body which leads to attraction, and you may find yourself very interested in an heroic woman. 8th greatest scene–union sign)

#57 The Hunchback of Notre Dame (‘76) (best of the lot, most accurate to the book, and what a lot it is!)

#58 Oklahoma! (best of Rogers and Hammerstein II—what is it about it?–more of a consistency in style? By the way, it’s not unheard of for a very early collaboration to end up being their best. For example, the best opera of the last century in my opinion (and fifth overall) was an early collaboration, the collaborators (?) having since written very many very successful musicals, good, but not That good!)

#59 Changing Places (never did understand what goes on, how business is transacted, in the Stock Exchange, with all the yelling and chaos…Anyway great casting, acting, plot.)

#60 Cool Hand Luke (I think what we have here, is someone’s sun-glasses ending up in the mud. Nice touch)

#61 To Kill a Mockingbird (very nice music, by not Leonard Bernstein’s little brother Elmer. Also did The Ten Commandments (above), The Magnificent Seven, True Grit and The Great Escape)

#62 Young Frankenstein (I’m afraid we all owe Gene Wilder, who talked Mel Brooks out of deleting the “Putting On The Ritz” bit a debt of gratitude)

#63 Bambi (My Mom cried when Bambi’s Mom got shot. She is a very strong woman, but does have a soft side. I did too)

#64 My Fair Lady (Lerner and Lowe’s best)

#64.25 Hound of the Baskervilles (Hemlock Stones and Dr. Flotsam at their best)

#64.5 Ghost

#65 The Maltese Falcon (can those three guys go wrong? No.)

#66 The Sound of Music (extremly moving)

#67 the Harry Potter movies (haven’t seen them, but I’m sure they’re good. Am waiting to finish the books)

#68 the recent “West Side Story” (haven’t seen it, but infinite potential here)

#69 The Bicycle Thieves (the experts love it, must be great)

Dishonorable Mention

#70 The Birth of a Nation (a piece of shit, sorry)