The greatest challenge with something like this is narrowing down such a large, broad scope. With other movie lists, I have some sort of framework like genre, time period, theme, or some other defining features that make it easier to choose what to put down.
Here for this list, it's basically just taking every single movie I've ever seen in my life and trying to discern which 10 left the biggest impression. Not necessarily just impression, but also taking into account how it impacted my taste in movies, the way that I view movies, how my thoughts and beliefs are reflected in my choice in movies, and how my life is transformed by viewing the movie.
I've seen a lot of different movies over the years. It's especially hard to remember all the movies I saw in my childhood. It's even harder to forget all of the terrible crappy movie selections I've made over the years, though I suppose we grow because of the mistakes we make in the past.
On this list, I selected movies that I've seen more than once, with the exception of one choice. I tried to cover a range of history, styles, languages, and genres.
This list will reflect how I view movies as a media/ art form, as well as give you some insight on why I have such a passion and joy for watching movies. We'll start from the bottom, leave no breaks for honorable mentions, and end with my top choice for most influential and important movie in my life.
10. Tree of Life
This is the one movie I included that I've only seen once, and if you've seen it as well you probably know why that's okay. Basically, this movie was not just something I viewed, it was an EXPERIENCE! The style and cinematography lets you know it's a Terrence Malick movie. There's themes and ideas about life, God, prayer, family, the bad and the good that people can do, all sorts of philosophical questions pop up all while visuals are flying past you in unusual ways. It's a slow-paced movie, but the editing keeps things moving and interesting. I have never seen or experienced a movie like this before.
9. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
This movie has an understandably slow pace, but with great tension and intrigue to keep me interested watching it. If you want to know how, why, or when I find a slow pace to be acceptable in a movie, this is the answer. I watched this at some point in undergrad, though I forget how I came across it. This was my introduction to Casey Affleck as an actor, and he holds his own against Brad Pitt and Sam Rockwell. The story is a tragedy in more than one way, and even presents itself as a drama but has a documentary feel (narrator coming in and out to give us history or factual information).
8. Fiddler on the Roof
I think I may have some bias here based on nostalgia and history with this movie. I first watched it because it was the first musical in high school I auditioned for/ was a part of, which led me into being involved in theatre ever since. That should tell you why it has some sentimental significance for me. Though really, I appreciate how it brought the musical to life, like you're really witnessing these poor Russian Jewish peasants experiencing life's joys, sorrows, traditions, and changes. The songs are classics, Topol is the definitive Tevye, and it has great respect and reverence for the Jewish religion and culture.
7. Calvary
I was really afraid of watching this a second time because I was worried my satisfaction from viewing it the first time was just a fluke and any additional viewings would fall flat. Thankfully, it's just as powerfully good, if not better, upon additional viewing.
I love the brutal, realistic honesty of this movie. These feel like real people that you can find and interact with in Ireland today. Personally for me, as a Catholic living in a secular Western society, it hits home with how sins of the past, especially from authority figures in the Church, can have negative consequences on people's thoughts, relationships, and feelings regarding God, the Church, and even other people. While it is, for the most part, sad and tragic, there is something uplifting about Brendan Gleeson's priest character. He has a charm, a hope, and a love that acts as a light shining even in the darkest moments when all seems lost.
6. Hot Fuzz
This is my selection for best/favorite comedy, though it's unconventional as a standard comedy choice. I could've gone with The Big Lebowski, which had me howling with laughter the first time I saw it, but maybe I've watched it too much since it hasn't held up as well upon recent viewings. I could have chosen another parody film like Black Dynamite, which again had me crying from busting a gut laughing upon initial watch, but over time it just has content that I cannot really condone in good conscience (maybe the animated series just ruined things for me overall).
Point being that Hot Fuzz has held up as a great enjoyable movie, no matter how many times I see it. I love the wordplay and wit found in the script, with little nuggets of comedy buried underneath serious deadpan delivery. There's great visual jokes that pay off over the course of the movie. I love how well it parodies the buddy cop action genre while simultaneously creating an engaging story on its own.
5. Stagecoach
It's kind of a simple movie in hindsight, but I still enjoy the adventure every time. Save for 1 or 2 of the characters, everybody on the eponymous piece of transportation is interesting, has a clear want or desire, and has great chemistry. Everyone is not as bad as they seem, nor as they as good as they seem, they're complex and intriguing. The gunplay/ chase scenes are thrilling, the drama is emotional, and it's iconic in its use of landscape shots and character archetypes. While some people may enjoy the more realistic, gritty, anti-hero stuff found in later westerns, for me this will always be the definitive Western movie.
4. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
_theatrical_poster.jpg)
I can still remember the first time watching this movie in theaters. Admittedly I had an active imagination at that age, but I was so caught up in the movie that I was genuinely creeped out by the Ringwraiths and Gollum in this movie, so much so that I did not want to see the other two movies in theaters. It was only after playing the VHS of this movie on repeat that I got comfortable enough to watch the other two movies (and not fastforward through the Gollum/Nazgul stuff).
I think that out of all three LOTR movies, this one has the best blend of CGI and practical effects. Everything looks and feels real. The locations are spectacular, the action is heartpounding (I personally think the final action scene at Amon Hen is the best action scene of the series), and fantasy characters become real people. This is the movie that makes us fall in love with the Shire, it makes the Ring a real threat without bogging us down in dark gritty despair, and it gives us the hope and joy that the hobbits and Gandalf share in the midst of peril.
3. Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
There's something so calming and pleasing about the titular Valley of the Wind. I just want to hang out and live there. While not necessarily Miyazaki's best animation, I think it is a signature style from him that has held up over time. This was one of the first Miyazaki movies I saw and it made me better appreciate his work, as well as the anime style of animation in general. The soundtrack and sound effects bring me a sense of nostalgia and futurism at the same time. I like the themes and ideas of this movie, which for the most part don't abusively try too hard to hit me over the head.
2. Monsieur Vincent
It's such a Catholic movie! Even if we don't necessarily see St. Vincent doing much pastoral duties. There are many great scenes in this, from the opening cleansing of the church building and restoration of a town in fear of the plague, to the moment when Monsieur Vincent refuses a pleasant apartment for a rundown squalor in the midst of horrific poor people, to the dilemma of St. Louise de Marilliac being overcome by the demands of the sick & dying, to Monsieur Vincent's final moments where he confesses that after all the many great things he has done for the poor that he feels like he's barely done anything at all.
This was another movie I was afraid wouldn't hold up upon second viewing, but it's still so impactful and powerful despite its age, style, and French language. It shows us the reality yet importance of mercifully caring for those in poverty. It shows the courage and will power it takes for someone to help the poor with compassion and patience. You see and understand why the Catholic Church honors St. Vincent de Paul as a Saint.
1. The Passion of the Christ
Granted, I haven't really seen many other biblical movies/ movies about the Passion (I know, shame on me, right) but I feel like no other movie worked so hard to honestly and realistically bring the Gospels Passion narratives to life. The people all speak the different languages of the time and place. The scourging, the carrying of the Cross, and the Crucifixion are all done with violent realism. I have watched this movie annually for the last few years, right around Good Friday. Sometimes it's hard to get through, sometimes I don't feel anything or my mind tries to wander. Yet, I find this movie to be a great contemplation on the significance and importance of Jesus' Passion and Death. I can't help but appreciate the movie's dedication to realism and how it brings the words of the Gospels to life.
No comments:
Post a Comment