Previous editions of this count down are:
So here we go:
39: It Happened one Night (1934)
The oldest movie on this list
and a fun glimpse into 1930s life and culture in the US. Starring Clark Gable
and Claudette Colbert, she is a rich woman running away from her father and he
is a reporter looking for a scoop. They end up travelling together and posing
as a married couple to stay in motels. And when there's only one bed in a room…
well, things might happen. Available on Sling TV (free).
38: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
(1986)
If you watch this movie
enough, you realize it's not about Ferris Bueller, but about Cameron
finding his courage to stand up for himself and to live his life the way he
wants to. There's fun along the way as the dean of students at the high school,
Ed Rooney, tries to catch Bueller playing hooky. It reminds me of Wile E.
Coyote trying to catch the road runner. And don't worry, the Ferrari was a
replica. Available on Netflix.
37: Guy Richie's The Covenant
(2023)
This is the newest film on
the list. Set during the Afghanistan War, an interpreter risks his life to save
an American soldier. After the American is home and out of the military, he
finds out the Taliban is searching for the interpreter with plans to murder him
and his family. The soldier returns to Afghanistan to save the interpreter.
Lots of action and good acting, this is an intense movie. It was directed by
Guy Richie who usually does British crime caper movies. Available on YouTube
and Vudu (both paid).
36: Ghostbusters (1984)
"Who ya gonna
call?" Who would think a movie about a business to find and eradicate
ghosts would work this well? Hilarious (mostly due to Bill Murray) and fun. Eminently
quotable, too. And the movie makes an over-zealous EPA bureaucrat the bad guy. Gotta love that. Sigourney
Weaver is a woman who is being haunted both by ghosts and neighbor Louis Tully
(played by Rick Moranis). Available on YouTube, Vudu, and Amazon Prime Video
(all paid).
35: Lone Survivor (2013)
Back to the Afghanistan War,
Lone Survivor is the story of special forces soldier Marcus Luttrell who
was the only survivor of a vicious firefight on a ridge. The combat sequences
are what makes this movie great. They are intense and you can actually tell
what's happening. The Americans are discovered by some shepherds, and they let
the men go who apparently tell the Taliban where the Americans are. No good
deed goes unpunished. Available on YouTube, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video
(all paid).
34: Braveheart (1995)
Mel Gibson directed and
starred in this movie about freedom. William Wallace (Gibson) leads his fellow
Scots against the tyrannical English, trying to win their independence. Forget
that it's historically inaccurate, remember that these people were fighting and
dying for freedom 500 years before the American Revolution. Available on Max,
Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
33: American Graffiti (1973)
George Lucas's second feature
film, this one might be a bit hard to understand if you don't know about
"cruising." On Friday and/or Saturday night, you'd get in your car
(or your parent's car) and drive slowly up and down your town's main drag to
see and be seen. This movie is about one night of cruising but it's more than
that. Some characters are about to leave for college and some don't know where
they want to go and some are staying. Watch for a young Harrison Ford (and
Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Cindy Williams, Suzanne Somers). Available on
Netflix.
32: Amadeus (1984)
Not the most historically
accurate movie, but the music is amazing. This is the story of the composer Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart told
through the eyes of a rival, Salieri. Mozart is a buffoon and Salieri is a serious
composter envious of Mozart's talent. Salieri tries to sabotage his rival. And
did I mention the
music? A very good movie. Available on Amazon Prime Video.
31: Grand Prix (1966)
The best film about car
racing, ever. The driving is realistic and the wreaks are realistic. I don't
know about the relationships between the drivers and women, but that might be
true too. This is where James Garner learned to drive fast. The sometimes-artsy
direction distracts at times, but if you want the feel of driving an F1 car in
the '60s, this movie is it. Available on YouTube and Amazon Prime Video (both
paid).
30: Finding Nemo (2003)
Beautiful computer animation
makes you think you are underwater. There are also lots of memorable characters
including the over-protective father, Marlin. The sea turtles are worth the
price of admission. Crush reminds me of my cousin Kenny and Squirt is
hilarious. Another Pixar triumph, this movie is fun, funny, and touching.
"Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming." Available on Disney+
That's it. What do you think of the movies on my list? Let me know in the comments below.
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