What are the top 10 movies of all time? I prosed this question to myself not long after I started this movie blog. And, although it’s been tremendous fun to consider what I would put on the list (and why), I must admit it: It has made me stop and consider. Several times, in fact.
I’d put a movie on the list, and then reconsider and take it off. I’ve consulted with family and friends to get their input, not to be swayed but to watch them go through the process of putting their list together as I was. When I’d ask why a particular movie made their list, many times they could offer little in the way of reasoning. It just was.
When putting together the list of the top 10 movies of all time some classic standards came to mind. “The Godfather” and “The Godfather II” for instance. “Pulp Fiction” was a no-brainer as well. But, these are on everyone’s list, and I wanted my tally of movies to be specific to me and not just a list that would be similar to what anyone else would come up with.
So, those three films go to the “Hall of Fame.” Beyond any type of “best” list.
With that done, let’s get down to business.
The Top 10 Movies of All Time: Why?
When you think of your personal list of the top 10 movies of all time, why is any movie on that list? I’ve given this some thought, and it seems to me it is because a movie has some emotional meaning to you over a long period of time. That meaning is as individual as each person’s life who is making the list. That is what I believe is so great about the movie experience:
It is different for each of us. There is no absolute truth. My list of the top 10 movies of all time is going to be different than yours because my experience and interpretation of life is different than yours.
Okay, so the groundwork has been established. On to the list.
My Top 10 Movies of All Time
10) “The Descendants” Director Alexander Payne – I saw this movie four times in the space of a single weekend. I thought it to be flawless. I may have ranked it higher but it is so recent, I am hesitant to do so. Will it stand up to the test of time? I believe so, but we’ll see.
This movie is wonderful. Funny and poignant, with a knife that cuts out your heart at the end. George Clooney has never been better and the Alexander Payne did a masterful job of getting the performances he wanted from the three young actors in this movie. Shaliene Woodley steals every scene she is in. Nick Krause is perfect as the air-head boyfriend with a hidden depth, and young Amara Miller is completely believable as the youngest daughter.
These aren’t Steven Spielberg kids. They are real and effortlessly authentic. I give director Payne the credit for having the ear for knowing how kids really act, what they really sound like. It added so much depth to this film.
The journey the George Clooney character “Matt King” takes is unforgettable. The wife of many years in an accident. Discovering she will not recover. Discovering her betrayal of their marriage. And, then, in the end, saying goodbye.
This movie breathes life. There was no way I was leaving it off my list.
9) “The Searchers” – Director John Ford – First let me say I’m not a John Wayne fan. At all. But, every time I’d started thinking of my top 10 movies of all time, this movie would be there, somewhere.
Two scenes that will also be with me:
- “Debbie” (Natalie Wood) is finally rescued, and Ethan (Wayne) lifts the girl up into his arms – after vowing to kill her when she was found – and says, “Let’s go home, Debbie.” This is one of those moments when watching a film that something impacts you on a deep emotional level, and you don’t know why. It just did.
- The last scene when Debbie is delivered home to a happy and grateful family. Ethan stands in the doorway, but does not enter, outside of what is transpiring. I must have watched that one scene a dozen times when I first saw this film. Why did it means so much to me? All these years later, that question still lingers.
“Fandango” – Director Kevin Reynolds. Movies are fun, and it would be regretful not to have at least one movie on my list for no other reason than it is plain joyous. And, Fandango is just that.
There have to be at least a dozen lines from this movie that have become part of my life, that my friends and I have recited to each other countless times over the years. They have become ingrained in our experience of each other. Is there a higher compliment?
“Lost critters on the highway of life!”
“There’s nothing wrong with going nowhere son, it’s a privilege of youth.”
“I’ve never been serious about a woman in my life son, you know that.
“Better to go like this than in some senseless tragedy.”
“I guess I’m just not officer material.”
“Here’s to what we were, and to what we’ll be.”
The last scene with Gardner Barnes (a very young Kevin Costner) toasting the wedding party, alone, far away upon a distant hill, apart of the party, ripped my heart open. It reminds me a lot of the ending of “The Searchers.” This undoubtedly speaks to some personal perspective emanating from me. Something to be discussed with my shrink… If I had a shrink.
7) “Blue Velvet” – Director David Lynch. I took my girlfriend at the time to see this movie with me when it first came out.
I was so taken with it, it so captivated me, I could not stop talking about it.
Finally, she said, “I’m going to have to re-evaluate our relationship. Anyone who liked that movie has to have some serious problems.”
Our relationship did end, but my love of this movie has not. What a mind-blower. This film took everything I knew about going to the movies and put it on its ear. It woke me up and made me pay attention. I’ve been a big fan of David Lynch ever since.
6) “The Razor’s Edge” – Director John Byrum. To me this has to be one of most under-rated movies of all time. I had read the book by W. Somerset Maugham and heard how much Bill Murray wanted to make this movie. This is the story of one man’s search for meaning, and that to me is what movie-watching, at it’s core, is all about.
Theresa Russell was particularly memorable, taking on the role of the wounded Sophie.
“I thought Sophie was my reward for trying to live a good life.” That line still has meaning to me, maybe even more so than when I first heard it.
Bill Murray showed a lot of guts for breaking away from all of the “Ghost Buster” nonsense to make this film, and he was terrific in it. This is a movie I never tire of watching, and it is absolutely beautiful to look at.
The music of Jack Nitzche was a perfect compliment as well.
5) “You Can Count on Me” – Director Kenneth Longergan. This film may contain the best single performance I’ve ever seen in any film at any time. That is the role of Terry played brilliantly by Mark Ruffalo. There isn’t a nano second of time that he is on screen that you do not believe he is that character. I have never been so drawn to a part in movie than I was with his character of Terry.
Laura Linney is wonderful as well as Terry’s single mom sister, attempting to find balance and meaning in her life, as was Matthew Broderick as the asshole boss.
This is a movie my family and I watch over and over again. And, I love it.
4) “Lost in Translation” – Director Sophia Coppola. This is another film I saw numerous times when it first was released.
Bill Murray’s performance here is under-stated and under-appreciated. The chemistry he had with Scarlett Johansson was undeniable and draws you in. You feel like you’re watching two people get to know each other before your eyes. And, it’s a relationship worth following for two hours.
We’ve seen a lot of the “May/December” romance garbage from Hollywood. This film takes those patterns that are so easy to plug into and shatters them into a thousand pieces. We get the pleasure of watching two people from distant worlds intersect with affection for one another, connect for a brief and meaningful time with no answers for those forces that isolate all of us from each other.
This film acknowledges that isolation but also is a testament to the miracle of connection that occasionally happens in our lives. Bob and Charlotte don’t have a lot in common on the surface of things. They are from different worlds and at different places in their lives. But, somehow through it all, they do connect.
I always look for the scene of them at the karaoke bar, where’s Murray’s character of Bob sings “More Than This.” There’s so many levels of communication going on between the two characters as he sings and looks at Johansson’s character, Charlotte.
After, when the night is drawing to an end, the two rest in a dark hallway. Charlotte wearily and tenderly rests her head on Bob’s shoulder. Bob sighs, and not knowing how to respond, folds his hands into each other, looking straight ahead. So much of who he is is revealed in that single moment. His longing. His courage. His restraint. What a great job by director Sophia Coppola.
And, the phone call from Bob’s wife:
“Do I need to worry about you, Bob?”
“Only if you want to.”
Great stuff.
3) “After the Wedding” – Director Susanne Bier. This is a movie I did not see in the theater and completely took me my surprise and made me a “Susanne Bier” fan for life. I don’t think there’s ever been a director who tells a better emotional story than she does. Her movies move from the inside out and are always worth your time.
If you haven’t seen her work, I strongly recommend you do. “Brothers” and “Open Hearts” in particular. But, be prepared to embark on emotional journey that provides no answers. Yes. Ms. Bier is that good. She respects her audience too much to offer solutions. Instead, she opens doors and provides breathtaking views into the human heart.
The performances in “After the Wedding” are outstanding. Mads Mikkelsen, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Rolf Lassgård, Stine Fischer Christensen infuse their characters with authentic life.
If you haven’t seen this movie put it on your list and give it go. Be prepared to have your socks knocked off.
2) “Until the End of the World” – Director Wim Wenders. This is a movie I will never forgot. And, due to legal issues it is difficult film to track down. When I saw it back in the 90s it was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had while going to the movies.
I’ve been told there is a five and half hour “Director’s Cut” of this film that has played in some cities throughout the world, but I can’t track it down anywhere. If you know where I can get it, please shoot me an email.
I love Wim Wenders. “Wings of Desire,” “Paris, Texas,” are two of my favorites. But, nothing comes close to “Until the End of World.” Beautiful, mysterious, wonderful, with a tremendous soundtrack that feature U2, Peter Gabriel, Daniel Lanios, Nick Cave, Patti Smith and KD Lang, among others. I would love to see this movie again.
1) “Solaris” – Director Steven Soderbergh. Never has a movie meant so much to me personally. I discovered this movie in what has probably been the darkest period of my life. I am a believer in the magic of synchronization and the movement of the subconscious mind, and when I was in need this movie was brought to me and taught me a great deal. I think that’s what great art does. It reflects and teaches, reveals meaning and inspires. This movie did all of that for me and then some.
Three lines that will always stick with me:
“There are no answers. Only choices.”
“If you stay here, you will die here.”
“I was haunted by the idea that I remembered her wrong.”
Are we responsible for all the transpires in our world? Do we create the people that are in our lives to some degree? Is the observer the observed?
To me, “Solaris” asks these questions. And, like all great questions, they are left open, to be carried for a lifetime.
Top 10 Movies of All Time: Summing It All Up
So, there you have it. My list of the top 10 movies of all time. I’ve left out some movies that have meant a great deal to me over the years. I at least wanted to give them a mention. So here goes:
Goodfellas, The Big Lebowski, Days of Heaven, Running on Empty, Gladiator, L.A. Confidential, Inception, Unforgiven, American Beauty, Dr. Strangelove, The Wrestler, The Fountain, Lolita, The Last Temptation of Christ, Cool Hand Luke, Wild at Heart, JFK, A Good Year, Picnic.
Any of those movies could have made my list. And, I know the list is subject to change. But, if you going to make a list of the top 10 movies of all time, you gotta start somewhere.
