The Must Haves: 10-1

The Must Haves: 10-1

So we have finally made it to my top 10 on the Must Haves List. It has been a long, yet fun journey to numbers 10-1. I think that I have put together a very eclectic list full of great films. Again I would like to thank all of my faithful readers for traveling down this road with me. Picking these final ten films was quite difficult. I tried to think of ten films that I absolutely could not do without on my desert island scenario. The last set of ten (20-11 you can read here) were filled with films that I will try to seek on to my island and included some award winners and some recent classic action films. So without further edu, I give you numbers 10-1. Enjoy!

#10—Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Favorite Quote: “Ah, Ryan. I don't know anything about Ryan. I don't care. The man means nothing to me. It's just a name. But if... You know if going to Rumelle and finding him so that he can go home. If that earns me the right to get back to my wife, then that's my mission.”—Captain Miller

Set hours after D-Day, a small platoon of American soldiers is sent on a mission to find the last of 5 brothers so he can be sent home.

One of Steven Spielberg’s best films and one that is dear to my heart. My grandfather was in World War II and experienced D-Day and so this film always reminds me of my personal hero. This is a story of heroism against some of the greatest odds. I love the film for its grit and realism, not to mention the outstanding performances. Even taking Tom Hanks out of the picture, the rest of the platoon are made up of wonderful characters and actors who portray them. On a weird side note, this is the film that I always put on to test my surround sound. The first 30 minutes of this film are great to test out your sound system.

#9—About a Boy (2002)

Favorite Quote: “My life is made up of units of time. Buying CDs - two units. Eating lunch - three units. Exercising - two units. All in all, I had a very full life. It's just that it didn't mean anything.”—Will

A self-centered bachelor’s life gets flipped upside down when he meets a 13 year old boy who is just trying to find his place in the world.

 I was first introduced to Nick Hornby through one of his novels turned to film, High Fidelity (another good movie by the way) and so fell in love with his view on life, love, and everything in between. So when I read his novel About a Boy, I felt that his words spoke to me somehow. I was quite skeptical when I heard that a film adaptation was being made because I had such high expectations. Writer/directors Paul and Chris Weitz unequivocally nailed it! They kept the essence of the book and the cast was superb. After watching the film, I don’t think I could have pictured anyone more perfect for Will than Hugh Grant. This film and book always make me appreciate the people in my life a little more and the people I interact with on a daily basis.

#8—Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope (1977)

Favorite Quote: “Uh, we had a slight weapons malfunction, but uh... everything's perfectly all right now. We're fine. We're all fine here now, thank you. How are you?”—Han Solo

A young farm boy is swept up in an Intergalactic Civil War and is pushed down a path that will change his life forever.

Surprise, Surprise that this movie would be one my Top 10 right? I didn’t think so. The one that started the obsession not only for all things Star Wars, but for the art of filmmaking as well. There is really not enough that I can say that I haven’t already said about this saga that would push the point across anymore. I love this film and I love the groundbreaking effects that go along with it.

#7—The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Favorite Quote: “Get busy living or get busy dyin’”—Andy

A wrongly accused banker is sent to jail and while imprisoned he appreciates the life he had outside the guarded fences.

I have found that many words describe Frank Darabont’s epic film.  Awe-inspiring. Majestic. Touching. I don’t really feel that any word is strong enough to convey the emotions that come from watching this movie. The story is so compelling and the performances are so breathtaking. If there is any one movie on this list that you need to watch, it would be this one.

#6—Clerks (1994)

Favorite Quote: “You sound like an asshole! Jesus, nobody twisted your arm to be here today. You're here of your own volition. You like to think the weight of the world rests on your shoulders. Like this place would fall apart if Dante wasn't here. Jesus, you overcompensate for having what's basically a monkey's job. You push fucking buttons. Anybody can waltz in here and do our jobs. You... You're so obsessed with making it seem so much more epic, so much more important than it really is. Christ, you work in a convenience store, Dante! And badly, I might add! I work in a shitty video store, badly as well.”—Randal

A day in the life of two convenience store clerks and the mischief they get themselves into.

So what do you get with $27,000 dollars and a few friends? Answer: a modern comedy classic and a cultural impactful film. Director/writer Kevin Smith brings to life the most truthful characters I think I have ever seen on screen. Using most of his own experiences in his movies makes Smith’s films the most relatable. The jokes in this film are still very funny and the cast mesh very well together. Along with #8 on this list, Clerks helped me see the world of cinema in a deeper way.

#5—Casablanca (1942)

Favorite Quote: “Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.”—Rick

An American club owner in the African town of Casablanca tries to smuggle his long thought dead girlfriend and her new man out of the country before the Nazis find them.

Hailed as one of the most romantic movies of all time, I still like to think that there is something for everyone encompassed in this film. You have a grumpy club owner, espionage, love, and even a catchy tune. Casablanca introduced me to the likes of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, two of Golden Age’s elite. Though mainly know for this film, these two have such a grand filmography dotted with some of the best films in cinematic history. I haven’t even come close to watching all of their films, but Casablanca is a great part of both of their careers. I will say that I do share this film with my mom, she adores this movie and she is the one that introduced me to this classic.

#4—Good Will Hunting (1997)

Favorite Quote: “Every day I come by your house and I pick you up. And we go out. We have a few drinks, and a few laughs, and it's great. But you know what the best part of my day is? For about ten seconds, from when I pull up to the curb and when I get to your door, 'cause I think, maybe I'll get up there and I'll knock on the door and you won't be there. No goodbye. No see you later. No nothing. You just left. I don't know much, but I know that.”—Chuckie

A coming-of-age story about a genius janitor working at one of the most prestigious schools in the world, M.I.T.

The movie that put Matt Damon and Ben Affleck on the Hollywood map is one film that always makes me feel better. If any of you have that one film or song that sets everything right again in the world, this is that for me. There is just something about this movie that sets my mind straight. I loved Damon’s performance in this film and doubly loved Robin Williams. There was no one more deserving of that Oscar win than Williams. Williams’ character Sean brings the center into Will’s life and does it with such conviction.  This is an amazing, heartfelt film that needs to be showcased to everyone.

#3—American Beauty (1999)

Favorite Quote: “I had always heard your entire life flashes in front of your eyes the second before you die. First of all, that one second isn't a second at all, it stretches on forever, like an ocean of time... For me, it was lying on my back at Boy Scout camp, watching falling stars... And yellow leaves, from the maple trees, that lined our street... Or my grandmother's hands, and the way her skin seemed like paper... And the first time I saw my cousin Tony's brand new Firebird... And Janie... And Janie... And... Carolyn. I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me... but it's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst... And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life... You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry... you will someday.”—Lester

A tale about what lies behind the façade of a seemingly normal family in suburban America.

Sorry I don’t know really how else to sum up what this film is about. Maybe it is a film about the beauty hidden deep within the world we all live in and we have to take the time to see it. I’m not sure but I do know that this film touched me deeply with its story and the cast. I was blown away by Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening and their performances. I still think that their characters should go down as two of cinemas greatest just for the pure depth they both bring to the screen. Both characters go through so much emotion about love, family, and the want to be wanted by the people you love the most. The film was also so beautifully shot by director Sam Mendes and it goes to show that hidden beauty we all should search for.

#2—The Dark Knight (2008)

Favorite Quote: “Don't talk like one of them. You're not! Even if you'd like to be. To them, you're just a freak, like me! They need you right now, but when they don't, they'll cast you out, like a leper! You see, their morals, their code, it's a bad joke. Dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these... these civilized people, they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve.”—The Joker

The Caped-Crusader must deal with his most challenging advisory yet, The Joker.

The comic book film that all other comic book films want to be, The Dark Knight set the bar for excellence in not just comic book films, but all films of the last 10 years. I don’t care what anyone says, this film was far superior than a lot of people give it credit for. Sadly the last time we get to see Heath Ledger’s perfect performance as the Joker. His take on the character will now and forever be the one to top.  Christopher Nolan created a film that went beyond a Batman film in the sense of producing real life characters in a fantastical world. Somehow he also was able to give film felt like something more than a comic book movie. Almost like an action/drama film with a touch of comic book feel. I thought that this was the perfect Batman film and the best interpretation of the character we will ever see on film.

#1—Lucky Number Slevin (2006)

Favorite Quote: “Charlie Chaplin once entered a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest in Monte Carlo and came in third; that's a story.”—Mr. Goodkat

A simple story of mistaken identities, a beautiful coroner, and two mob bosses that never leave their penthouse apartments.

Now I know what you all are thinking, “What in the world is this movie?” Yeah I know, I get that a lot. Whenever someone asks me what my favorite movie is, the reaction I get is the same, “ I never even heard of that movie.” This was a small movie with A-list names that snuck into theatres around April of 2006. Staring Josh Harnett, Lucy Liu, and Bruce Willis, Lucky Number Slevin is a funny and violent film in the likes of Pulp Fiction. When I first watched this movie I was so floored by the twists and turns the film takes and by just how clever and witty the movie is. Like #4 on this top 10 list, Lucky Number Slevin just speaks to me and always makes me feel at ease with the world. Odd feeling I get considering what the film is really about. I recommend this film to anyone who likes Pulp Fiction but maybe something not as graphic.

And that’s my 100 most favorite films. Thank you for sticking with me through all 100 and I hope that I have at least given some of you some Friday/Saturday night movie ideas. I love film and everything that deals with film so I know that the films that I but on this list can be quite different from each other, but that is what I was going for. Please share your thoughts on my top 10 or any of the lists I have created, I love hearing from my readers. Good night!