Top 7 Films I've Seen!

I'm kinda slacking on the Tokusatsu talk these days... Don't worry, I'll be back next month with a Tokusatsu topic of some kind (you can always tweet me a suggestion, or leave a comment below). For now, though, I just want to talk about movies.

When it comes to movies, I have pretty basic tastes. This list probably won't be as ecclectic and weird as some of my other lists, but you might find an odd title or two mixed in.

So here we go...a list of my favorite movies.

07. Moonwalker (1988)

This movie is not a masterpiece--it's barely watchable to a lot of people. Outside of the "Badder" sequence (which in all honesty isn't *that* bad, it's just hollow seeing as it's Bad, but with kids) I freakin' love this movie.

The big problem is that, well, it isn't a movie structurally. It's more of a collection of short films with some music thrown in. Michael Jackson isn't much of an actor, but his skills weren't really called upon until the final segment. Also...you really have to be a fan of Michael Jackson to begin with to even consider watching this film.

But...

The Smooth Criminal sequence is perfection, in fact the movie kicks total ass once Joe Pesci's character tries to kill Michael. Michael transforms into a car...and then a mecha...and then a giant friggin spaceship! The earlier parts are entertaining at the minimum, but the end is outright awesome.

On a side note, I remember watching the fuck out of this movie when it was new and I was a youngster. Nostalgia might be playing on my emotions a little bit here, but so what. It's my damn list.

06. Friend (2001)

The lone film from Asia...and boy is it a doozy--and it's based on a true story.

I really don't want to go in great detail about it since I could write about it for days, but this movie has the most complete story I've ever seen in a movie. That might sound weird, but I felt like I understood the motivations of all of the characters even when their actions were definitely strange. Pride drives everyone too far.

The truncated version of the story goes like this: We are shown four childhood friends over the years as they begin to grow distant once they hit High School. Two of the friends become rival gang leaders which ultimately leads to one being murdered. Despite the best intentions of many to clear him in the murder (which he didn't commit himself), he accepts his fate, admits that he did it, and begins a lengthy prison sentence.

I know that is a pretty crappy summary, but it's truly a film that needs to be seen if dramas are up your alley. The full movie is on Youtube. There was also a sequel that I haven't seen (it really doesn't need a sequel).

Unlike Moonwalker, this is a movie I can recommend based purely on it's strength. Well done and totally worth a watch. In fact...of all of the movies on this list, this is probably the one I recommend watching the most.

05. Ordinary People (1980)

It won Best Picture in 1980. Need I say more? Well, then again...Crash was a piece of shit and that won in 2005.

Great book, perfect movie. It's a master class in acting.

04. Die Hard (1988)

This is the movie that nearly destroyed James Bond. When this movie came out, I think that Cubby Broccoli hung a poster in his office and pointed at it yelling "This is what we have to beat!". Goldeneye sucked ass (I'm one of like four people who didn't like it) and the remainder of the Brosnan era really suffered (well, there were a lot of reasons for that.

Oh yes, Die Hard.

Timeless action movie that is absolutely riddled with plotholes and a soundtrack that doesn't hold up too well. Entertaining as all hell. I can watch this movie anytime. You've probably seen it, so I really don't think I need to say much more.

03. Bourne Trilogy (2002, 2004, 2007)

It's pretty much one long movie, right? Well, maybe there was a small gap between the first and second films. I'm totally not cheating.

The same thing happened here. Once again, a kickass action movie comes out and James Bond tries to cash in on it. This time around, however, I think they were able to match the style and pacing without being an obvious imitator.

Oh right, Bourne.

I never would've pegged Matt Damon as an action star, but he got my vote when he starred in the first film. The subsequent sequels are very well done with the payoff in the third being both satisfying and leaving the possibility for a sequel. I wouldn't mind the story picking up with Matt Damon's character...but if he never returned, that would be cool too.

It is pretty high up on my list because I've only seen each movie about three times. Each time I watched them, I was captivated as much as the first time I saw it. So basically I'm preserving it...like a fine wine.

Oh, and fuck that fourth one starring that guy that nobody likes (yet always gets hired for some reason) and Jennifer "Queen of Awful Project Selections" Garner.

02. Back To The Future Trilogy (1985, 1989, 1990)

Now this is definitely one long movie.

The first...is a classic. You know this.

Part Two one scared the bejesus out of me when I was a kid. I gave the whole "Alternate 1985" plot way too much thought back then, but how scary would it be if Biff really did have that much influence and power? Weaving itself so tightly with the first film by returning to 1955 was risky, but it was actually quite brilliant.

I think I was one of the few people who really liked Part Three. At it's core it was a lot like the first film, but the western setting

Again, there are some hideous plotholes, but such is the case when you mess with time travel. The only real downside to this series is the legion of Hawaiian Shirt wearing nerds who scooped up all of the used DeLoreans rather than leaving them to the real car enthusiasts. Then again, it was basically a piece of shit. Suck it, nerds!

As a side note, the game that was released by Telltale a little while back was an interesting continuation of the story. Don't expect to be blown away, but it was definitely entertaining.

01. Blues Brothers (1980)

This movie sums up basically everything I like in a movie while somehow being part musical. The over-the-top action is glorious. The comedy is brilliant. The characters are entirely random without being too cartoonish.

The best way to describe this movie is...its just grand. It is the movie I would aspire to make if I were a film maker.

-------------------------------

Honorable Mentions:

Rocky (1976)
Robocop (1987)
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Tron (1982)
First Blood (1982)
The Living Daylights (1987)
Terminator (1984)
Terminator 2 (1991)
Rain Man (1988)
Police Story (1985)
Police Story III: Supercop
Jackie Brown (1997)
Casino Royale (2006)
Vampire's Kiss (give this movie a try, it might be confusing--but it ain't bad) (1988),
Batman (1989)
Batman Returns (1992)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)
Crime Story (1993)
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Ronin (1998)
Boyz in the hood (1991)
Live and Let Die (1973)

...and probably a bunch more that I am probably forgetting.

--------------------------------

Anyway, so that is my list of favorite movies. I have a pretty large movie collection, so there are hundreds of movies that I like.

What are some of your favorite movies? Hit me up on twitter or leave a comment below.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to check out my other Top 7 Lists!

-CC