The Must Haves: 50-41

The Must Haves: 50-41

Alright people, we are breaking into the top 50…woot woot! Last week we counted down the 50s with films like Ocean’s Eleven, Scent of a Woman, and The Matrix.  I honestly didn’t realize that last week’s list would be full of action films. The action genre is definitely my favorite given the fact that you are on the edge of your seat through most of the film and of course the explosions. The Matrix put its permanent mark on our pop culture and The Bourne Identity proved to many that Matt Damon can kick some ass.

Today I will cover numbers 50-41, where I see that I have gotten back to the eclectic mixture of films that I adore. Welcome to the Top 50:

#50—Toy Story (1995)

Favorite Quote: “The word I'm searching for I can't say because there's preschool toys present.”—Woody

A child’s toys come to life and worlds collide in the first full length computer animated feature film.

The film that started the golden standard that is Pixar; this film give something to every age. I watched this film as a kid and laughed and when I watched it with my own kids as an adult the same reactions came. The humor is ageless and so it the underlining meaning of this film. Friendship is something we shouldn’t take for granted. The voice cast was amazing leading with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, Toy Story will one day be considered in the likes of Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a film that broke boundaries in the field of animation.

#49—Ghostbusters (1984)

Favorite Quote: “It’s the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man”—Ray

A group of scientists decide to get rid of New York City’s ghost problem, all the while preventing an ancient being from crossing into our dimension.

One of the most iconic films of the 80s is the first ‘scary’ movie that I ever watched. Even after 30+ years, this film still makes me laugh at the exactly same points. That is why it pains me that Columbia Pictures is rebooting this film. When Mr. Ramis passed away, they should have let this film lay with him. Of course I will go see the new one, but I will do it with a heavy heart (and a very critical one as well).

#48—Hot Fuzz (2007)

Favorite Quote: “Is it true that there's a point on a man's head where if you shoot it, it will blow up?”—Danny

London’s top cop is sent to an English village because he is too good at his job. There is must uncover a string of ‘accidents’.

The second film among Edger Wright’s humorous parodies, Hot Fuzz pokes fun at small-town England and the action genre. Simon Pegg again leads this action/comedy and again is spot on. Like Shaun of the Dead, this film brings the right amount of humor to a very competent story. Hot Fuzz is one of those films that shouldn’t work, but the film is brilliant.

#47—American History X (1998)

Favorite Quote: “So I guess this is where I tell you what I learned - my conclusion, right? Well, my conclusion is: Hate is baggage. Life's too short to be pissed off all the time. It's just not worth it.”—Danny

A reformed neo-Nazi is released from prison in hopes of saving his little brother from the same hateful path that landed him in jail.

Edward Norton’s brutal portrayal of Derek Vinyard is one of the most powerful performances of the 1990s. The film is a true testament of hate only breeds hate and the only ones that can stop it is ourselves.  This film moved me to the core and I think it had the same effect on many other people amongst my generation. Just wish that the message could resonate longer than it did.

#46—Alien (1979)

Favorite Quote: “You still don't understand what you're dealing with, do you? Perfect organism. Its structural perfection is matched only by its hostility.”—Ash

An unsuspecting crew receives a distress call from an uncharted planet. When they investigate, they uncover something much more terrifying.

The birth of the Xenomorph into film history starts here with Ridley Scott’s horrifying sci-fi tale. I will let you know that the sequel to this film is not on this list because as good of an action film that is, Alien is a far superior film. This film is the introduction and the fear factor is so much higher. The alien is used more of a psychological aspect and is rarely seen because of that. Scott wanted to play with our minds and make us afraid of the dark places.

#45—Kiss, Kiss; Bang, Bang (2005)

Favorite Quote: “Do you think I’m stupid?”—Harry

“I don't think you'd know where to put food at, if you didn't flap your mouth so much. Yes I think you're stupid.”—Perry

A struggling actress, a private detective, and a thief get caught up in a whirlwind of murder, mystery, and sex.

Like the old film noir movies of the 30s and 40s, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is just a good ol’ fashion mystery sprinkled with dark humor. I highly suggest this film to any Robert Downy, Jr and/or Val Kilmer fans, as this film should be one of their best. Both actors complement each other on screen very well. This film is very underrated and under the radar given the fact that it wasn’t very expensive to make and is very low key as effects and action go.

#44—Unleashed (2005)

Favorite Quote: “I don’t want to hurt people anymore”—Danny

A human attack dog finds a new meaning on life when he escapes his past. However, his past catches up with him and he is forced to protect his new life from the old.

This is hands down my favorite Jet Li film. I loved how he was able to project the same mentality of a young child, including the innocence. More of a dramatic film than an action film, director Louis Leterrier and Luc Besson were able to make an action film meaningful and not just a bunch of punches and gun fire.

#43—Heat (1995)

Favorite Quote: “Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner.”—Neil

A relentless detective is on the hunt for a group of suave bank robbers, especially their leader.

Two of Hollywood’s icons clash in one of the best cops and robbers films ever. Director Michael Mann so brilliantly infuses the very fragile lives of both main characters, giving both Al Pacino and Robert De Niro a very tangible presence on screen. Whenever I watch this film, I still have trouble picking a side to root for. However, I still get chills when seeing that infamous diner scene with Pacino and De Niro.

#42—Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Favorite Quote: “You want to talk to God? Let's go see him together; I've got nothing better to do.”—Indy

A professor of archeology during the 1930s travels the world in search of a lost biblical artifact.

I don’t think that anyone’s top movies list would be complete without this film. The first collaboration between Steven Spielberg and George Lucas turned into be one of the most successful film franchises both critically and financially. Then of course there is Harrison Ford’s James Bond-like portrayal of the continent-hopping archeologist which is arguably is best. Now I know that 3 out of the 4 Indy films are highly entertaining, but like Alien this film was the jump start of this wonderful franchise and is far superior to its successors.

#41—The Shining (1980)

Favorite Quote: “Wendy? Darling? Light, of my life. I'm not gonna hurt ya. You didn't let me finish my sentence. I said, I'm not gonna hurt ya. I'm just going to bash your brains in!”—Jack

A struggling writer moves his family to a secluded hotel for the winter only to find that there is more to this hotel than they bargained for.

The horrific mind of Stephen King and the brilliance of Stanley Kubrick are mixed together in this adaptation of one of King’s most beloved horror novels. This is my favorite horror film of all time due to the subtle elements that are touched on in this film by Kubrick. The best scene, in my opinion, is just the simple and creepy look Jack Nicholson has while looking out at his family playing in the snow. I also though the documentary, Room 237, was a very interesting look into the making of The Shining and the cultural impact the film has.

And this brings me to the conclusion of numbers 50-41. We’re getting down to the nitty gritty in this very memory inducing trip. Please leave any thoughts on these 10 films or even any of the other 50 films I have covered. Thanks and stay tuned for numbers 40-31.