All Time Favorite Movies
Remember, I am not the American Film Institute or the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. These are simply a few of my favorite movies. I do not expect that everyone will agree with my choices.
Goodfellas (1990)
Recognized as the best film of 1990 by the New York and LA Film Critics, but was defeated at the Academy Awards by the inferior Dances with Wolves.
Braveheart (1995)
Many projected it was too violent to win best picture in 1995. They were wrong.
Band of Brothers (2001)
I love war movies and I generally prefer Band of Brothers to other great war films like Saving Private Ryan and Glory. Some people (ok, just my brother Keith) dispute the fact that Band of Brothers is actually a movie, but rather a television mini-series. I won't bore you with the details of a professor and an attorney arguing over such petty details.
All the President’s Men (1976)
This winner for best screenplay has some of the most engrossing dialogue ever. This movie made me want to be a journalist...at least for a week or two.
Into the Wild (2007)
For all the criticism Sean Penn gets for his political views, the guy sure has loads of talent. In this film, he's not even showcasing his acting chops. The guy adapted the screenplay and directed this deeply moving film about a young man who seeks to discover himself independent of society in...yep you guessed it...the wild.
Back to the Future (1985)
May seem dated now, but you know you watch it too every single time it comes on tv. Favorite line: "Why don't you make like a tree and get out of here." Oh wait, that didn't come until BTTF Part II (which was awful).
The Usual Suspects (1995)
When this movie aired in Turkey, the ending wasn't such a surprise to audiences because apparently "Sozhe" means "verbal" in Turkish.
Apocalypto (2006)
I'm half Jewish and I still love this movie. What does that say? For those who don't know what I mean, I'll give you a hint: Mel Gibson, possible anti-Semite?
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
One of the most entertaining films of all time and proof of Spielberg’s unparalleled genius.
The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
I saw this film and Pulp Fiction the same week. Only one movie shocked me and it wasn’t Pulp Fiction.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
I'm a big Tarantino fan, but it's hard to argue anything other than this one is his absolute best film. Favorite line: "They got the metric system. They don't know what the...bleep...a quarter pounder is."
Rear Window (1954)
One of Hitchcock’s finest achievements and proof that suspense doesn’t always come through excessive gore and blaring sound effects.
Groundhog Day (1993)
Bill Murray’s best film, which is a bold statement considering his body of work includes other greats such as What about Bob and Ghostbusters.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
A poll published in Entertainment Weekly a few years ago reported that its subscribers ranked The Shawshank Redemption second on their list of movies worthy of repeated viewing. It was beat only by the original Star Wars.
Casablanca (1942)
The American Film Institute selected this film as the second best picture of all time, behind Citizen Kane. I think they were wrong. Although technically brilliant, I've always found Citizen Kane to be a bit boring. Casablanca always has me mesmerized no matter how many times I have seen it.
Memento (2000)
Christopher Nolan is famous now for the Batman Trilogy, but his best movie is this one that put him on the map. Such an original plot with Guy Pierce's character trying to solve his wife's murder while he has short-term memory loss.