My Top Movies- Favorite 15 Review

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MikeMaroon
Chattanooga, TN

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15 Movies I Can Watch Anytime and Anywhere, except in the toilet

comedy fan, first in line on opening weekend, DVD collector, character-lover, movie buff, into movies that tell a great story, a movie guru, Lover of quirky, unique films

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Pros

They're Movies!, They're the Best!, Something on the list for everyone!

Cons

None

AUG

2007

I can't begin to tell you how much I love movies. I've rated 600+ movies at Netflix probably having seen more than that in the theater. I really don't care if a film is a great work of art or has great acting. On the other hand, if the acting looks like chimps could have done it better, I'm probably not a fan. For me, movies are escapism and if, when the end credits roll, it has made me forget I've got a car payment due and a moldy loaf of bread in cupboard, well, I'm a happy dude.

My favorites make me feel something. Doesn't matter if it makes me feel happy, sad, pensive, encouraged, uplifted or depressed (and I don't mean depressed because I wasted my 8 bucks on it!). If it makes me think, laugh, or cry, that film has made me love it. I picked 15 and, man, that was hard! But, in the end, I picked the movies I've watched multiple times and will stop what I'm doing to see if they are on. Here goes:

1. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King- I could have put all three LOTR films on this list, but that would have been boring! This. This was Peter Jackon's crowning achievement and has everything, including the ability to stand on it's own to be enjoyed without seeing the first two. This is the best movie I have EVER seen. EVER.

2. The Shawshank Redemption- How many of you knew this was a Stephen King short story? Ok, ok, so most of you. Mr. King's greatest strength is his storytelling and Frank Darabont is the only director of King adapations who gets that. Tim Robbins is perfect as Andy Dufresne, the wrongly convicted prisoner who befriends Morgan Freeman's Red and teaches him to "get busy livin' or get busy dyin'" Feel good movies don't get more feel goodier than this.

3. Grease- If its got John Travolta, its probably gonna be good and this has Travolta AND Olivia Newton-John, who was the subject of just about every male fantasy in her time. The most successful movie musical of all time for a reason, we had fun and the songs were first rate. It was the one that we all wanted.

4. Unforgiven- I love a good western and this might be the best one of all time. Clint Eastwood directed his way to an Oscar, giving characters great lines like, "It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. Take away all he's got and all he's ever gonna have."

5. Casablanca- The sparks flying between Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Berman are what drives this WWII era story of love and the tough choices that sometimes have to be made in spite of it. One of the most quoted and mis-quoted movies of all time.

6. Blazing Saddles- Mel Brooks best comedy couldn't be made today because of all the political correctness sulling up our world. I still laugh hysterically every time I watch. Ironically enough the most talked about scene doesn't involve any swearing or racial slurs. Just a bunch of guys, a campfire and some beans.

7. Tombstone- My pick as second best western ever and the best one about Wyatt Earp. Here's an outstanding script and a boatload of grade-A acting talent (Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Bill Paxton, Sam Elliot, Jason Preistly, Powers Boothe, Dana Delaney, Thomas Haden Church, Bill Zane, and Charlton Heston). Kilmer is a revelation as Doc "I'll be ya huckelberry" Holliday and Russell is perfect as Earp. Check out the cameo by a then unkmown, and chubby, Billy Bob Thorton.

8. Batman Begins- I loved the first Batman movie with Micheal Keaton. It's chopped liver compared to this. Hey, Superman may be invulnerable, but Batman has more personality and is smarter. I'll bet he has a little piece of Kryptonite wrapped in lead foil in his utility belt JUST in case ole Clark Kent ever gets too big for his tights.

9. Meet Joe Black- Brad Pitt is perfectly dead-pan as Mr. Black (Death) and Anthony Hopkins is wonderful as a father caught between saving himself and his daughter. Wry, humorous and touching, if the end of this film doesn't cause you to tear up, you've got no tear glands.

10. Micheal- Some thought a chain-smoking womanizing archangel was irreverant. I thought it was a hoot. John Travolta, as always, brings unending charm and wit to the table and "Micheal" becomes a lesson in finding not only what's important in life, but in rediscovering your heart. I love feel good movies and this one does the trick.

11. Monty Python and the Holy Grail- The first time I saw this, I laughed so hard I literally cried. No one does absurd lunacy better than Monty Python and not everyone gets it. But, those who do can quote you just about every line. If you don't like it, well, your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!

12. Duck Soup- I was a Marx Brothers junkie from way back. Groucho was the master of one liners and sarcasm. Harpo's pantomime and Chico's shyster were no slouches, either. One of the best anti-war satires ever made, this one turned the brothers loose and let them do what they did best, split our sides.

13. The Wedding Singer- This one made me an Adam Sandler fan. Surprisingly charming and sweet for a Sandler flick, he and Drew Barrymore really click and the story of two people looking for love in all the wrong places just works. Makes me smile every time.

14. The Godfather- The king of all mob movies, this one is both art and entertainment. Don Corleone barely survives an attempt on his life and revenge is carried out by the least likely of his sons. This is a film to just be admired.

15. Forrest Gump- I just watched this again the other night and its just plain movie magic. Tom Hanks is wonderful as a true innocent, a mildly retarded man who sees the world without cynicism and reacts to it accordingly. Forrest is a man we all would be proud to call our friend.

My Top Movies- Favorite 15 is recommended by MikeMaroon

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Comments about MikeMaroon’s Review

AnnaBanana wrote on Oct 15, 2008 at 7:43AM

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I love this list! Thanks for the memories!

Fardreamer wrote on Oct 8, 2008 at 11:45PM

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Great list. And if I ever get around to doing my Top 15, at least two of your picks make my list, too!

jss831 wrote on Apr 30, 2008 at 12:14AM

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Great review, I own #'s 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14,15, thats 9 of your review movies :))

VolFanGrl wrote on Mar 16, 2008 at 5:42PM

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I agree with you on almost all of these, the rest I haven't seen. lol

Jo wrote on Jan 25, 2008 at 1:32PM

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#15 has to be the best. If I were writing a funny list I'd put Birdcage. Nice job. Jo

PattyTherre wrote on Jan 23, 2008 at 9:26PM

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Wow, who knew I would have basically the same taste as you? But take out LOTR and put in Dirty Dancing. lol.

PattyTherre wrote on Jan 23, 2008 at 9:26PM

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Wow, who knew I would have basically the same taste as you? But take out LOTR and put in Dirty Dancing. lol.

AmosJo wrote on Dec 28, 2007 at 8:52PM

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Mike, you are so on the money for the most part! Grease was my coming of age movie (I was 13 when it first opened in '78?) I do love John Travolta! He was so IT for that role, and I about split a gut! I have seen all the movies on your list and I do agree that they all have some wonderful things to offer. One movie that you may not have seen is Real Genius with Val Kilmer. For some reason, I just love that movie. It has some great one-liners that I still use in my conversations today.
I really enjoyed your take on these movies. Thanks!

MikeMaroon wrote on Dec 28, 2007 at 2:38PM

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In response to Jolie's comment from Dec 21, 2007 at 9:11PM:

It is!

Jolie wrote on Dec 21, 2007 at 9:11PM

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Is that a new photo???

kosmo wrote on Nov 25, 2007 at 12:49PM

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Nice list. Tombstone was the first movie date for my wife and I.

GeorgeChabot wrote on Nov 18, 2007 at 5:59PM

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Nice list! :>

jazzybean01 wrote on Oct 20, 2007 at 3:05PM

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I couldn't agree with you more on the Shawshank Redemption. Morgan Freeman is so strong in his role. This movie shows a really important side of prison. When someone has spent their whole life in prison, everything has changed when they get out and they feel, hopeless, depressed and alone. This is a great story.
And Tombstone? My favorite movie ever.

Kristy wrote on Sep 26, 2007 at 7:25PM

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Love - blazzing saddles and Monty Python!

andy wrote on Aug 30, 2007 at 8:56AM

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I definitely agree with "If its got John Travolta, its probably gonna be good..". You just need to find a spot for "Boy in the Plastic Bubble"!

Jolie wrote on Aug 25, 2007 at 9:57PM

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Great list. I havent seen a few of these-- the westerns... I will have to check them out. P.S. Shawshank was a great movie. :) And, Lord of the Rings-- I went to go see the last one at a 1am showing a few days before my son was born-- because I wanted to see the last one so badly. Now, that is commitment given that I was there all night (or morning) long!!!