The Must Haves: 40-31

The Must Haves: 40-31

I would just like to welcome everyone back to my Must Haves list. Today we are going to chug into the 30s. Last week I presented numbers 50-41 with films like Toy Story, Ghostbusters, and Heat. Some of those were childhood films that are here on this list for nostalgic reasons and others are just great films. On this list today are some of films touch my funny bone and some that bring out the inner nerd that lives deep inside me. Here we go for numbers 40-31

#40—Blazing Saddles (1974)

Favorite Quote: “Badges?! We don’t need no stinking badges!”—Mexican Bandit

A small western town must come to grips with a African-American sheriff when a corrupt businessman hires him to keep the peace.

Mel Brooks pushes the envelope in this hysterical western parody. I always thought that this film had some of the best witty dialogue and outlandish jokes to poke fun at westerns and racism in general. My dad and I still make each other laugh with some of this films quotes. This is definitely one film that makes me stop my channel surfing when it is on TV. Unquestionably Brooks’ best film.

#39—Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Favorite Quote: “I don't want to talk to you no more, you empty-headed animal food trough wiper! I fart in your general direction! Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!”—French Soldier

British Comedic troop Monty Python’s take on the classic tale of King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail.

Another gut busting, hilarious classic comedy that is one of the most quoted films in history. Like #40 on this list, my father is the one that introduced me to this movie and I will love him ever more for it. Even after 40 years this film still induces the same laughter as it did in 1975. These last two films always make me giggle just a little whenever I just think of them. Holy Grail just makes me laugh a little more due to the dry British humor and eccentric bits throughout the film.

#38—The Departed (2006)

Favorite Quote: “When you decide to be something, you can be it. That's what they don't tell you in the church. When I was your age they would say we can become cops, or criminals. Today, what I'm saying to you is this: when you're facing a loaded gun, what's the difference?”—Frank

Boston cop must go undercover and gain the trust of a mob boss. What he doesn’t realize is the mob boss has someone inside the police department as well.

As you read the full description of this film, it isn’t as spectacular has you would think. However that is the brilliance of director Martin Scorsese and that amazing cast he put together for this movie. Everyone from Jack Nicholson to Mark Wahlberg is outstanding and the casts’ performance really helps you transport yourself into this world of corruption and deep undercover thrills.

#37—Skyfall (2012)

Favorite Quote: “Orphans always make the best recruits.”—M

On his 23^rd mission, James Bond must prove to the British government that the Double-0 section of MI-6 is still valuable all the while delving a little into his childhood.

Sorry Dr. No fans, but this is my favorite Bond film. Director Sam Mendes did something quite remarkable with this film and that was making Bond relevant again. Mendes was able to mix what made the reboot, Casino Royale, so amazing while bringing elements of the old Bond films into the 21^st century. The film also gave the Bond film fans a glimpse into his past unlike any previous film. I know that Sean Connery will always be everyone’s favorite Bond, but with Skyfall Daniel Craig proved he was a better Bond than the others.

#36—Road to Perdition (2002)

Favorite Quote: “When people ask me if Michael Sullivan was a good man, or if there was just no good in him at all, I always give the same answer. I just tell them... he was my father.”—Michael Sullivan, Jr.

When his son witnesses a murder, a mob enforcer must now go on the run with his son while the ‘family’ he swore his allegiance to hunts them down.

Based on a graphic novel of the same name, Road to Perdition is a slightly different role for good guy Tom Hanks. Hanks plays an aging enforcer, not really sure about doing his job anymore, who has a dark past. I loved this role for Hanks purely because it isn’t a normal role for him. I also just loved the look and feel to the Depression-era film. Sam Mendes (didn’t do this on purpose) also directed this film and he gave the film a tired, yet inspirational feel to this film. One of my favorite mobster movies and much underrated as one.

#35—Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Favorite Quote: “So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”—Gandalf

Eight companions set out to save the world from an evil tyrant by destroying his one ring.

My first dive into a trilogy. No, I do not count The Matrix as a trilogy. I think they had the first film and its sequels. Some of you may be asking, “Why only one film of a trilogy?” Well that is because I like to view them as individual films and I thought that this film was better than the others. I know that the other two films of this trilogy were amazing and they become more and more grand as the story goes along, but I thought that is why I liked this film more. In Fellowship you really get a better emotional sense of what is going on in Middle-Earth and director Peter Jackson does a great job of conveying that.  As the trilogy goes on, it becomes more of a reaction to the events that are happening; where in Fellowship you really get to connect to the characters and build that relationship you are going to have with them throughout the trilogy.

#34—Black Hawk Down (2001)

Favorite Quote: “Y'know what I think? Don't really matter what I think. Once that first bullet goes past your head, politics and all that shit just goes right out the window.”—Hoot

In 1993, a group of United States Army soldiers are sent into Mogadishu, Somalia to capture a war criminal. What they didn’t expect was the large resistance they encountered.

If you can’t tell by now, Ridley Scott is one of my favorite directors. Here Scott takes a very true story and gives it a very Saving Private Ryan-like grittiness and realism. The cast and action sequences were amazing. I just always loved this film as an action and war film. The heroism that these men went through is inspiring and breathtaking.

#33—Chasing Amy (1997)

Favorite Quote: “Hey, I always notice that bored look in their eyes, alright?”—Banky

Classic love story: man meets woman. Man falls in love with said woman. However, woman is a lesbian.

Director/writer Kevin Smith gives the world his most personal story with Chasing Amy. As funny as this film was, you can also see the drama within it. I listed this film on my top favorite Rom Com’s (here). As I said then, this film is definitely a modern love story with subjects never really touched on before. I loved Jason Lee in this film and thought he received the best lines.

#32—Star Wars: Episode V—The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Favorite Quote: “No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try.”—Yoda

A group of resistance fighters still fighting the good fight.

I know I’m going to start a stir with this but: Star Wars is a better trilogy than Lord of the Rings. And the inclusion of this film, the second film in the original trilogy, just goes to prove that. Empire is a much darker film than its predecessor and a film with one of the biggest shocks/cliffhangers in film history. I know that this film is on top of every favorite  Star Wars film list, but call me a sentimentalist. More to come on that…

#31—One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

Favorite Quote: “But I tried, didn't I? Goddamnit, at least I did that.”—McMurphy

After being charged with statutory rape, a man pleads insanity and is force into a psychiatric hospital where he tries to rebel against the head nurse.

Another film that guided me down the path to movie loving. This is by far my favorite performance by Jack Nicholson and a film that touches my heart. Cuckoo’s Nest is definitely one of those movies that you have to see before you die because of the magnificent acting and the touching story. Touching I know may be an odd word for this film, but I always find myself routing for Nicholson in this film.

Thank you for continuing this journey with me as I just went through numbers 40-31. Some great movies within this set, including some that helped me find my joy of film. As always, please any comments you may have about my choices, I do appreciate hearing from you all. Stay tuned for numbers 30-21, we are inching closer to number 1.