Dear David,
I always look forward to reading “Critic’s Corner” and very much enjoyed hearing your favorite films. Like you, I love movies, have for as long as I can remember. But choosing five favorites is not an easy thing to do. I even think my picks have changed over the years. For instance, whenever I’ve been asked for just one I have always said it is “The Godfather.” But based on your criteria that may not be true anymore. There are simply others I would pick to watch first.
So here is my list, sans the Corleone family, which I must admit feels a little like blasphemy.
To get to five, after my first draft I had some major pairing down to do, having come up with 69 favorites. I finally managed to get it down to ten.
Every Christmas there are two movies KM and I have to see. The first, which we watch the day after Thanksgiving, is “A Christmas Carol,” the 1951 version with Alistair Sim. Redemption is my favorite theme and this is the standard. Bless you, Charles Dickens.
The other holiday favorite is “A Christmas Story.” If I ever write a book this story will be my inspiration. So many great lines, like: “Schwartz created a slight breach of etiquette by skipping the triple dare and going right for the throat.”
“Sideways” is another movie I never tire of watching. The wonderful chemistry between two buddies hanging in Napa Valley is perfect from beginning to end; again, more wonderful writing.
Jack: Are you still seeing that shrink?
Miles: I saw him on Monday. I spent most of the time helping him with his computer.
“Marty” is a movie about a lonely butcher who lives with his very Italian mother. It’s also one of the world’s great love stories. Ernest Borgnine wins my best actor of all time for this role.
I’m very sentimental about “Shane” because my dad introduced me to it on one of those “Sunday Night at the Movies.” It is probably the main reason I love films. The ending gunfight I’ve watched at least 100 times.
I don’t remember when I first saw “The Night of the Hunter,” but Robert Mitchum as the serial-killing preacher and Shelly Winter’s floating head of hair at the bottom of the lake still disturbs. Interesting that Director Charles Laughton never directed again after critics crucified his film. Today it’s considered a masterpiece.
Of all the films by Woody Allen I love, it is only “Crimes and Misdemeanors” that I can watch over and over. This is Martin Landau’s finest moment and Woody at his writing best.
“Kill Bill: Volume One” is the movie I may have watched more times than any other. Best scene is in the garden, in the snow, when The Bride faces O-Ren Ishii in a death duel with Samurai swords. The whole thing is a ridiculous bloody ballet. I never knew how much I love grindhouse.
I also never tire of “Unforgiven,” Clint Eastwood’s western wonder. Brilliant writing by David Webb Peoples, who you may know co-wrote “Blade Runner.”
While “Shane” makes the life of a gunfighter appealing, “Unforgiven” portrays the act of killing, no matter how justified, as utterly inhuman and devastating.
Finally there is “The Last Temptation of Christ.” It’s 163 minutes of fascinating premises, not the least of which is Judas being the best and bravest apostle and the closest to Jesus.
So that’s my list David. I know this is a lot, but remember, there were 69 when I began.
In case you’re wondering, a few honorable mentions might be “Moonstruck,” “Do the Right Thing,” “Goodbye Mr. Chips,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Goodfellas” and “The Witch.”
Sincerely,
Jay
Contact Jay at jedwards@dailydata.com.