My Ten Favourite Movies

Today I wanted to share a list of my ten favourite films that most impacted me since I think this is the only true way to rank films as criticism is subjective and fallible in that watching the right movie at the wrong time can impact one's opinion of it. As a result, I do not think it would be possible for me to make an accurate list of the best films since I have not seen every film nor can I presume to think that my opinion is some grand truth which is capable of choosing which films truly are better than others. All I can do is give an accurate description of those which mean the most to me, and hopefully more people seek out the films I list below so that they too may be similarly moved by these pictures.

Anyone that knows me knows that my opinion changes as the wind blows meaning that by the time I finish writing this list my ranking of the movies will most likely have already changed so do not take this as some definite and final answer the question of what my favourite movies are but rather those that at this particular moment in time I believe were my favourite. Enough introduction, lets get into it.

Honourable Mention: Bo Burnham: Inside (2021)

I am not even sure if this can properly be defined as a movie but to me it is a masterpiece. I can still remember the first time I watched this, not many movies feel like an experience, and this did. Incredible lighting, creative cinematography, personal storytelling, inventive and catchy songwriting, and yes even comedy. This has it all, Bo achieved something special with this one. The mix of social commentary and introspective reflection really captured the essence of what the Covid lockdown felt like as well as offering a glimpse into the life of those people who retreat from society due to crippling anxiety. I love this movie, and I thank Bo Burnham for making it and only hope that there is more "content" to come. My greatest memory of watching this is the feeling of not wanting it to end which was reinforced by Bo's insistence on including an intermission, which by need to make a bigger comeback, along with constantly referencing the approaching end of the special before his final song.

So many songs from this stand out and are ones that I often listen to on repeat to this day from Facetime with My Mom, All Eyes on Me, How the World Works, Sexting, Bezos I and II, Goodbye, etc. But the one song that stood out to me and I wanted to share here was "That Funny Feeling" which I believe to be the best in the special and the one that best captures the current boring dystopia we seem to be living in where we are in a constant state of being entertained and frightened by the world around us.

10.) Call Me by Your Name (2017)

Never have I better learned the lesson of not judging a book by its cover than this film. I remember watching The Oscars and upon seeing the teasers for this film thinking it to be an Oscar bait drama with a perverse subject matter, how I was wrong. Director Luca Guadagnino brought to this book to life with brilliant honesty and subtle yet genius direction which focused on putting the story first. My favourite aspect of this film was the honest relationship between Elio (Timothee Chalamet) and his parents played brilliantly by Michael Stuhlbarg and Amira Casar. This is a captivating coming of age story about a Professor's son named Elio who, during a vacation in Italy, meets an older man named Oliver (Armie Hammer) who works with his dad and helps him discover a new aspect of himself. This movie boasts not only one of the best and most human scripts but also some of the most stunning cinematography and chillingly beautiful music. Two moments in this film stand out to me, the first being the moment where Elio has a conversation with his dad, and the two discuss his relationship with Oliver. The dad's honesty in this moment balanced with the delicate way he handles the subject they are discussing is brilliant and showcases some of the best acting of all time. Here is that scene:

The second moment that stands out to me is the ending which I will stand by in defending as the most brilliant ending of any movie. Spoiler alert here by the way. At the end of the film Elio must confront the reality that Oliver has moved on and found a new love. Following the conversation with his dad where they discussed the importance of allowing one to feel heartbreak so as to not numb oneself from enjoying the pleasures in life through removing aspects of themselves to be free from pain sooner we see Elio plant himself in front of a fire. While there Elio begins to cry all the while his parents continue setting up dinner behind him and the song Visions of Gideon begins to play. The camera hangs there for an almost uncomfortable amount of time, but its somehow calming in that the audience can see that his family is allowing Elio the opportunity to feel these emotions and not rushing to console him as this would prevent him from experiencing the full range of thoughts he is having following this troubling news. But most of all, the audience understands that Elio is not closing himself off to finding love again since he is letting this heartbreak wash over him instead of cutting out the part he gave to Oliver such that he will be able to love fully again in the future meaning that this seemingly bleak ending actually presents an optimistic vision for the future.

9.) Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Again, were it not for The Oscars I most likely would never have watched this one potentially explaining why I always try to watch all the Oscar nominees each year. When Jennifer Lawrence won the Oscar for best actress and Bradley Cooper was nominated, who at the time I only knew as that guy from The Hangover movies, I at the time was offended that such a movie was in consideration amongst the likes of a film like Lincoln. Not long after the award ceremony I sought out this movie and, all my teenage angst against it was underdone when I watched this brilliant drama. I am not sure there is a character I relate to more on this list than Bradley Cooper's in this film from his obsessive tendencies to his oscillating emotional intensity. I was sold the moment Cooper's character threw a book out his window in the middle of the night and awoke his parents to rant and rave to them about the ways in which the book had disappointed him, it was, to say the least, a haunting look at what I could imagine myself doing. Jennifer Lawrence is similarly great here at breaking Cooper's character out of his negative mental loop and definitely earned her Academy Award. Robert De Niro is also phenomenal in this movie as Cooper's father who criticizes his son's mental health challenges while denying his own obsessive compulsive tendencies. This movie works on so many levels but I can think of no other romantic comedy that I would rather watch since the characters in this feel more grounded and relatable than other film in this genre. Another reason this movie may have resonated so much with me is that I can relate with the idea of Sunday being Cooper's favourite day of the week since I, like him, also love spending the day with my dad watching football. This is a special film to me and if you want to see quirky yet relatable characters grow together you should seek this one out.

Here is the above scene I mentioned where Cooper rants about a book he obsessively reads in one night.

8.) Jaws (1975)

I am not sure I have any super reflective memories from my childhood or the rest of my life about Jaws other than remembering how great of a film this is or how it scared my from going swimming, even in a pool. When the chance came several years ago to watch it on the big screen when it came back to the theatres my dad and I jumped at the opportunity and it was one my favourite night outs. The thing that shocks me the most about this film is that Quint, Hooper, and Brody are only on the Orca boat hunting the shark for less than an hour as much of the film focuses on the shark attacks on the beach and the small town politics surrounding how to deal with the threat looming offshore. The movie still stands up today perhaps due to the phenomenal cast, great John Williams soundtrack, and effective use of practical effects even if the director Steven Spielberg had an ordeal trying to get the mechanical shark to work properly.

The scene that resonates the most for me, beyond Quint's magnificent monologue about the USS Indianapolis and Brody remarking that they are going to need a bigger boat, is the scene where shark expert Hooper implores mayor Vaughn to shut down the beaches based on the credible threat of a shark attack to which Vaughn replies that the town cannot afford to lose the summer dollars. As I have grown and come to see that the world is largely driven by corporate interests and that government bends to the whims of the highest bidder, this scene has grown more important to me. Here is that scene:

To avoid ending on a dour note about a film which I enjoy so much from its thrilling shark chase sequences where the three men hunt down the shark while badgering each other to the frantic escape from the ocean in the beach attack sequences I thought I would share my favourite moment in the film which is the dinner scene between Brody, Quint, and Hooper where they compare so called "battle" scars. Words cannot express how much fun this scene is so I will simply include it here for you to enjoy:

7.) Dumb and Dumber (1994)

If I need a laugh, I watch Dumb and Dumber. This is the perfect comedy, timeless in its humour and open to all audiences to enjoy. Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels are simply the best comedic duo to ever grace the screen. It was a perfect idea to pair a comedian with a serious actor so as to allow the two to perfectly play off each other rather than battle to tell the last joke. Beyond the humour in this film, which is gut splitting to say the least and that can also be taken literally, this is one of the most quotable movies. To name just a few famous lines I am constantly bringing up:

- Samsonite, I was way off. I knew it started with an S though.

- Maybe you should wear these extra gloves.

- What if they shot you in the face?

- You fellas been doing a boozing, have yeah? Sucking back on Grandpa's old cough medicine.

- I swallowed a June Bug while we were driving so I'm not really hungry.

- So, you're telling me there's a chance?

Comedy films for a long time were underappreciated and now seem to be a relic of the past fading into the distance which is all the more reason to cherish this film and only hope more such comedic masterpieces will come one day. The movie also boasts one of the finest soundtracks of all time that perfectly matches the all around feel good energy and good time this movie exudes. This is a great time and a perfect way to spend your time any day of the week. I have probably seen this movie over a hundred times, and here is one of my favourite scenes from it.

6.) Freddy vs. Jason (2003)

You always remember your first. I remember being in elementary school trying to ask my classmates who won this match between these horror icons since I knew my mom would be interested to know who won, mind you I was 6 when this was released. I am not sure how long after its release I first saw this but I do know that this was one of the first horror movies I saw and fell in love with. Since seeing it I have gone about watching many films in both the Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th franchise but none has ever come close to matching the heights this movie reached which is either a measure of this movie's supremacy or my immense nostalgia for it. I will always stand by this being the best entry in either franchise for its unique set of kills, fantastic ability to set up both franchise villains, and charming main cast which boasts some of the best characters in either series. Perhaps the movie turning Jason Voorhees into a sort of anti hero is the reason I gravitate more toward the Friday the 13th series than Nightmare on Elm Street.

The final confrontation in this film between the two legendary horror icons is everything you would want it to be, each using their strengths as you would expect and exploiting the other's weaknesses. I am not sure what more people would want from a Freddy vs. Jason film as both characters get ample screen time and a fitting climax where each fan base could reasonably say their side won, while I will always maintain that Jason got the best of Freddy. There is more to this movie than I believe most people consider, for one I believe this movie has some of the best cinematography from either franchise especially in one sequence where a sort of nightmare vision is unleashed after Freddy cuts into Jason's brain splicing together visions from his past with the gaps being severed in his mind in a chilling display of beauty which I took some images of below.

I will always love this movie and I think more should watch it as it serves both as a perfect conclusion to both series while also being a great launching pad to get immersed in the series as it was for me.

5.) Dante's Peak (1997)

This will not be the last disaster movie on this list reflecting that it is one of my favourite genres. Dante's Peak came out the same year I was born and my family had it on VHS and I watched it on a loop growing up. As a kid I loved seeing the volcano and seeing it's destructive potential be realized in a brilliant mix of practical and computer generated special effects. However, as the years have gone by and I continue to enjoy this film over and over again I have come to appreciate it for its incredible cast and powerful message about failing to heed warnings of impending catastrophe. Linda Hamilton is great here as a powerful woman who balances being the mayor of a small vacation town while also raising two children on her own. Pierce Brosnan is likewise great here at playing volcanologist Harry Dalton who I may have liked as a character for the simple reason that we share a name. So many disaster films have been made yet so few have characters to latch on to and root for which this movie has between the two leading stars who slowly become romantically involved and then later struggle to keep her children safe.

One of the most impressive aspects of this film is how well it has aged perhaps due to the incredible blend of practical effects and CGI which I also enjoyed seeing being made during the bonus material at the end of the VHS copy of the film I still own. Here is a clip showing how some of these amazing shots were achieved with good old fashioned movie magic.

As I said above, the failure to listen to Harry Dalton's claims that the mountain is going to blow which results in much of the town missing out on the chance to safely evacuate has grown in significance with time as the global climate emergency revs up. Perhaps the most chilling part of this sequence of events occurs when Dalton ponders as to why people are failing to listen to him in that the sequence of events he is predicting are happening slow enough to be able to be ignored such that the people do not fully grasp the gravity of the situation. Here is the quote from that scene:

Harry Dalton : My 9th grade science teacher always said that if you put a frog in boiling hot water, it would jump out. But put it in cold water, and heat it up gradually, it would slowly boil to death.

Nancy : What's that Harry? Your recipe for frog soup?

Harry Dalton : It's my recipe for a disaster.

This is an incredibly well made film from the believable characters you can empathize with, beautiful setting, expert cinematography, incredible special effects, and it also possesses an amazing soundtrack. To end things I wanted to include a snippet of the soundtrack which I always enjoyed and which I think points to something missing in so many modern films which often possess forgettable computer generated songs in the style of Hans Zimmer. Simply put, this is an incredible film and one still worth watching with message that has only grown in significance with time.

4.) Stand by Me (1986)

There was a point in my life where I watched this movie for almost a year straight, every day. While there may be movies I enjoy more, I am not sure there is one I have seen more. Rob Reiner directed one of the most perfectly well balanced coming of age drama films here that is based on a novella by Stephen King. From the catchy soundtrack of 1950's hits to the picturesque cinematography of the countryside the boys traverse while in search of a dead body, this is one of the finest achievements in cinematic history. First and foremost, the cast of this film is incredible and I truly believe Reiner having the actors come out before shooting to become friends is what made there comradery on screen seem so genuine. Will Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O'Connell surpass any other child performance by miles and its not even close. From the ribbing they constantly give each other as young boys to the moments of vulnerability shared between Wheaton and Phoenix's characters to the breakdown Feldman suffers later in the movie, they are amazing here and worthy of high praise.

But wait, there is more! Kiefer Sutherland is also present here as the leader of young gang named Ace Merill who is the perfect foreboding presence in the film that keeps the audience on edge any time he appears. John Cusack also makes several small appearances as the deceased brother of Wheaton's character whose absence has deeply impacted him and the way his family view him. The best casting decision though is having Richard Dreyfuss play the aged version of Wheaton's character whose narration perfectly blends nostalgic reminiscence with sense of pained humour.

There is not enough space in any forum to list all the ways in which this movie is perfect. The one thing that struck me on a recent rewatch was how much shorter the story is of the boy's return journey after finding the body was which to me signifies how as we get older and experience things over and over they impact us less and less and thus leave less of an impact reflected in how their initial journey spanned the whole film and the return is simply a footnote. Another aspect of the film, which I know Reiner to a degree hurts to know has grown in significance since the film's release, is the fate of River Pheonix's character who is shown to have died in the future which tragically parallels his real life fate.

This is a perfect film. The kids speak like real kids from their colourful language to youthful bliss. There is nothing to dislike about this movie, and I cannot imagine living without having seen it. If you haven't already, WATCH THIS MOVIE! Trust me, its worth the time, and you will be better for it.

Here is the opening of the film which perfectly embodies the feeling of the movie, and I also love the score present at the beginning of this short clip, sorry for the bad quality but it was the only one available on YouTube:

3.) The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Sometimes it not so much the movie but what the movie means to you, but I think my enjoyment of this one is a perfect blend of both. To begin, I first watched this movie around the time I started high school and then while in secondary school whenever a snow day happened I had a routine where I would make grilled cheese sandwiches and watch my VHS copy of this film. While I always enjoyed the movie, the combination of this personal tradition and my love of film grew each time I got the opportunity to watch it. In terms of the actual film, I honestly believe this to be the best horror film ever made. There is a reason people are afraid of the dark, it is because it is an empty void devoid of definition where anything could be hiding and waiting for the opportunity to leap out and get us. This movie plays on that fear by never having the foreboding presence lurking in the woods actually appear such that the viewers imagination can fill in the gaps with whatever haunts them most, which to me is the most terrifying horror movie villain.

Another reason why I think this movie works so well is due to the run and gun shooting style the directors employed. Rather than a shooting script the actors were given a general list of things to do while the directors and crew messed with them and filmed their reactions which resulted in hours of footage being taken. As a result I think the three actors, Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, and my personal favourite, Joshua Leonard, all gave perfectly natural and believable performances such that when they feel scared, happy, laugh, or whatever they got up to, the audience believes it rather than simply feeling like they are watching a professional actor. I love this movie both as a perfect horror movie, and also one of the most natural films which to me makes it all the more enjoyable as it feels like you are watching real people and not some stage production set in the woods.

One of my favourite parts of the movie is the opening scenes where the three main characters go around interviewing people in the small town asking them about the legend of the Blair Witch and we get to see their varied interpretations of the validity of this story and the extent to which this supposed urban legend has travelled. Another moment to me, which I find really fun, is the campfire scene early in the film where the characters joke around and discuss Gilligan's Island, it is not a special scene of nuanced dialogue and lofty script writing prowess, but the natural quality of this moment is enjoyable for the reason that these feel like real people. I also appreciate how the stories we hear at the start of the film, about how the Blair Witch hunted people and placed one in the corner while devouring the other, helps to explain the end of the film where Heather finds Josh leering into the corner of the room just before the Blair Witch gets her. This is the perfect horror film, with endless authenticity that I am sure will allow this movie to never lose its entertainment value with age since honesty is a timeless quality.

Here is one my favourite scenes in the film where the character of Mike has a complete breakdown after being lost in the woods for several days and growing frustrated with his companions. I think this clip embodies what I said above about the naturalness of the actors performances which lends credibility to the story the movie is telling. I cannot think of a similar scene in another horror film which has as much built up chaotic energy and feels as believable.

2.) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

As a kid I was spellbound by the Helms Deep battle sequence and I am shocked my VHS copy of this film did not break after having rewound this moment so many times. While the Lord of the Rings cinematic universe will always be my favourite franchise of all time no entry in the series eclipses my love for this film. From the introduction of Gollum who leads Frodo and Sam on a perilous journey to Mordor, to Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli growing close as they track down Merry and Pipin this movie has the best moments of the series in it. No other film, in my opinion, better embodies the feeling of the characters going up against insurmountable odds and somehow persevering. I also believe that this movie has the best pieces of music from the incredible Lord of the Rings soundtrack from the song that plays when Eowyn learns that Aragorn fell in battle to Gollum's song that plays during the end credits just after Gandalf and company peer into the fires of Mordor as seen from a distance which perfectly sets up the final entry in the trilogy.

Here is the moment I referenced above where Eowyn learns of Aragorn's fate from Gimli.

One of the best parts of the entire series, and which was first realized in this movie, is the bromance that builds between Legolas and Gimli who at first are bitter rivals and then become the closest of friends. The moments the two of them share here are incredible especially during the battle of Helms Deep where they joke about Gimli's small stature and later compete to see who can tally the most kills in combat. Below is just one of the incredible moments they have together in this perfect movie.

Another amazing moment occurs when Aragorn and Gimli are dispatched by Rohan King Theoden to secure the causeway before the gate to Helms Deep where Gimli accepts that Aragorn must throw him in order to be able to reach the bridge in the distance. Here is a clip of that moment.

This movie perfectly built a sense of impending doom that seems all encompassing and without a resolution. Specifically, I think the best aspect of this film is how it balances such ugly and hateful content, such as Saruman creating and Uruk-hai army out of dead elves, to Fangorn Forest magical trees discovering their friends have been cut down to feed the war machine in Isenguard, with so many hopeful moments such as when Gandalf arrives to rescue his friends from certain death at Helms Deep to my favourite moment at the end of the film where Sam's discusses why you must never give in to hopelessness. Here is Sam's powerful speech:

Name it, this movie has it. Incredible special and practical effects, a beautiful soundtrack, brilliant acting up and down the cast, a powerful story, etc. This is one of the best films ever made and I will never stop loving it. It could also explain my love of the medieval era.

1.) The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

In trying to discern what is my favourite film I asked myself, what movie do I go to most when I need to escape reality, and that movie for me is The Day After Tomorrow. I am not sure why a film about climate change nearly bringing humanity to its knees is my go to in an emergency, but it is. I still have my DVD copy of the movie which I remember getting for Christmas when I was young and being fascinated by it's lenticular cover. I have heard all the criticisms of this movie, from its outlandish and perhaps unrealistic plot, but these all fall on deaf ears for me. Something about Dennis Quaid risking his life to rescue his son, the struggle to survive in a library during an ice age, to the disaster sequences in the movie, it all just works for me. I have always loved Roland Emmerich movies as I grew up with them from his Godzilla film to Independence Day, they all hold a special place in my heart but none larger than The Day After Tomorrow.

I have always been fascinated by moments in movies where it feels like the world is falling apart and this film has two such chilling moments. The first occurs when a series of tornadoes hits Los Angeles where several characters are shown meeting their demise in various shocking ways. This scene is both terrifying in the magnitude of the moment unfolding and also the convincing special effects utilized to show this sequence of events. This clip from this scene always stood out to me with its natural horror where we see a meteorologist go outside and witness the formation of a tornado.

The second moment that stands out to me is where a massive tidal wave engulfs New York throwing people and cars end over end and forcing our main character, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, to frantically save his classmate while trying to seek refuge in the local library. Here is a clip of this incredible sequence:

I think another aspect of the film I really appreciate is the part where Jake and some others are trapped in the library and must find a way to survive by eating food out of the vending machines and burning books, which they struggle to decide which to sacrifice, for the purpose of staying warm. Characters being held up in one location has always been a plot device I have enjoyed from Dawn of the Dead to Zathura. Here is just one fun moment from this part in the film:

I also want to mention the beautiful soundtrack this movie possesses which I do not see anyone ever praising. Here is one of my favourite songs from the score in the opening credits:

Perhaps this is an odd choice to pick for my favourite movie, but when I think back on the movie that I always go to when I need an escape, this is the one. I guess this would be my answer to the question if you were on an island and could only take one film what would it be.