Movies Everyone Needs to See

There are certain movies that every mouth-breathing human on planet earth SHOULD SEE. Well, particularly if you are American. If not, I guess I shouldn't presume to tell you what to see. There are certain foreign films I'm quite fond of, like Amelie and Local Hero, but very few.

Am I biased in favor of American movies?

Yep. Guilty as charged.

What got me started on this gravy train of thought? Well, Dooce said she would tell a young lady in L.A. who clearly doesn't know much about movies to see The Good the Bad and the Ugly and Apocalypse Now. I totally disagree. Never seen TGTBATU, and was forced to see Apocalypse Now and just wanted to slap everyone in it [I prefer Miss Piggy's version, "Porklips now"].

See, right now I am hearing in my head the droning nasal Minnesota accent of my college film professor, Dr. Eidsvik, talking about great films like The Rules of the Game, and Bicycle Thieves. I used to wonder how he could take something as interesting as movies and make them seem boring. I had to drink coffee to be able to sit through most of the "classic" films he showed in class. They were just.that.boring. [Either that or I was just too young to appreciate them...food for thought, there.]

What I eventually had to just accept was the fact that I am not intellectual and sophisticated enough to understand "film." See, I like MOVIES. I like to be entertained and/or thrilled. I like to cry in movies. I like to be astonished. I like to hear clever dialogue, and interesting ideas. Occasionally, I like to see things blow up.

I do NOT like to have to sit there and figure out what on earth is going on. That's why I avoid The Lord of the Rings movies and Mission Impossible. Too many plot details. Can't keep up. Hate it when I am confused in a movie. Didn't care much for Inception for that reason, needless to say.

Dr. Eidsvik was, I think, astonished that I could even begin to comprehend what he was teaching but I always pulled out good grades in his classes. I could bluff my way through. He later wrote me a recommendation letter for grad school, much to my surprise.

So here's my list of the 25 movies EVERYONE should see before, say, age 30. They are comprehensible. They are touching. Some are considered "classics," some not. That's such a subjective word. I put a few comments about each movie.

Singing in the Rain -- it's just fun. there's no crime in that...

Good Will Hunting -- how do humans function after they've had brutal childhoods? searing stuff. robin williams and matt damon are brilliant.

Saving Private Ryan -- if you want to understand anything about World War II you need to see this. [even though my brother says some of the military stuff is inaccurate]

As Good As It Gets -- watching a non-functional human being try to get better just kills me every time. broken people brilliantly portrayed by Nicholson and Hunt.

The Color Purple -- makes me cry every time. it's about the importance of family.

Gone With the Wind -- sentimental, dated, not politically correct, yes yes I know, but it's close to my heart.

The Godfather [1 & 2 only] -- you just have to know this story of Americans and how to assimilate, or not. it's part of our culture.

Bringing up Baby -- just funny, funny, funny stuff.

Harold and Maude -- how do you deal with becoming an adult?! classic question we all face.

Highlander -- ok, laugh at the 80's MTV video style but it's still thought-provoking and freddie mercury's music is just amazing and heartbreaking.

The Princess Bride -- turns fairytales on their ears and it's just plain funny.

The Shawshank Redemption -- character study extraordinaire

The Great Escape -- Steve McQueen just fascinates me every time I see this.

The Right Stuff -- why America went into space, and the incredible people who took us there.

Raiders of the Lost Ark -- heart-stopping adventure and unforgettable characters. what's not to love?

My Fair Lady -- it's all about class baby, but I love the music.

The Sound of Music -- laugh if you like. it's still wonderful. i always want to live in that house...

Love and Death -- just flat-out funny stuff. woody's best, IMHO.

Ordinary People -- how do you handle grief and guilt?? we all need to learn.

About a Boy -- really honest look at how it feels to be a kid. all kids can relate.

Casablanca -- it has to be seen. nothing else compares to it.

Local Hero -- lovely little film about Scotland, and all of us choosing between greed and human connections. very subtle humor.

ET -- seen it many times. still makes me cry every.single.time.

The DaVinci Code -- IDEAS are so important. even if you disagree.

 

What would be YOUR choices for 25 movies we all need to see?!

I found this trailer for Local Hero on YouTube and if you've never seen the film, you should see this...