My Choice for Ten Best Movies of ALL TIME??!!

Mar 26 '01

The Bottom Line These films are some of the best films ever made, in my humble opinion.

I have been a movie buff from the time I can remember really getting into character development and cinematography. I had a difficult task narrowing my picks down to ten choices for Top 10 Movies of ALL TIME. However, I will give this my best shot, trying to do each choice the justice that each one deserves.

Many of my choices for Top 10 Movies of ALL TIME are older movies, classics if you will. This is not to imply that I dislike the newer movies of the past five years or so. I am simply in awe of many of the films produced many years ago before high tech computerized special effects came into play.

In no particular order, my choices are as follows:

~~~The Birds, directed by Alfred Hitchcock debuted in theaters in 1963. Although I was only three years old at the time, it was then and still continues to be a thriller that continues to scare the pants off of many a viewer. The first time I saw The Birds I had nightmares for many nights afterwards. Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette, 'Tippi' Hedren, and Veronica Cartwright were masterful in their roles. For a movie made more than thirty years ago, the special effects were phenomenal. Remembering the scene where the birds viciously attacked the school children will forever remain embedded in my mind.

~~~Released in 1971, ANDROMEDA STRAIN is definitely high up on my list of all time favorite movies. I have watched this film, wonderfully directed by Richard Wise, more than a dozen times. Arthur Hill, David Wayne and James Olson help to bring Michael Chricton's best selling novel to life in a science fiction thriller. When I think about ANDROMEDA STRAIN, movies like Outbreak and The Stand come to mind. What is more thrilling than an all-consuming virus from outer space threatening to destroy mankind? My favorite part of this classic film is the suspenseful and dramatic ending. If you don't want to take my word for it, rent this movie today!

~~~BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY takes my highest rating for love films. This movie, starring and directed by Clint Eastwood brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it. Meryl Streep's character is not unlike many bored and lonely-for-romance housewives of today. Back in 1965 when this love story takes place, Streep and Eastwood share a hot and steamy affair which changes their lives forever. The climactic ending is the best, as is the movie's soundtrack, and scenes of natural beauty in Madison County. Many men hated this movie, finding it very slow and boring, as did my husband. While women adored this film getting lost in the passion, sentiment and the love shared by these two characters.

~~~SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is a real winner with me for several reasons. Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins deserve the highest honors for helping to make this Frank Darabont film such a success. Here is yet another film that I can watch over and over, getting the same level of enjoyment that I got when seeing it for the very first time. I love the inspirational theme that runs throughout this film. Never give up, keep positive thinking alive and be true to your friends. Freeman and Robbins develop an unlikely friendship while spending many years at Shawshank prison back in the 1930's. Robbins character is cool, yet motivates his fellow convicts to see life in a better way. My favorite scene in the movie is Robbins walking into the various banks withdrawing the thousands of dollars that he managed to save over the years to begin his new life after his prison break. I recall shouting, "Way to go, Andy!" the first time I saw this fantastic drama.

~~~VALLEY of THE DOLLS was a film that I was not allowed to watch when it debuted in 1967. It was, for its time, a very steamy and provocative film delving into the world of sex, booze and pills. This movie, starring Patty Duke, Susan Hayward, Sharon Tate, Lee Grant and Barbara Parkins showed women struggling to find themselves as their lives took various dips and dives. They each resorted to the use and abuse of alcohol and barbituates to quell their burning feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem and unhappiness. What I love about VALLEY OF THE DOLLS is the deep character development of each woman profiled. Watching Patty Duke's character transform from an innocent young wannabe actress/singer to a down and out alcoholic was overwhelming the first time I saw this movie. To me, this is a classic 1960's film with some excellent mod fashions.

My list would not be complete without including my favorite Tom Hanks film, FORREST GUMP. I found this movie totally engrossing. Tom Hanks deserved to win the award for best actor of the year when FORREST GUMP debuted in 1994. Each time I watch this Robert Zemeckis' phenomenal movie, I am in awe of the special effects and sheer genius of the film. How Hanks was able to maintain his character as a dimwitted naive young man throughout this film always amazes me. It proved to the world that Tom Hanks really is a great character actor.

~~~Included in my choices for Top 10 Movies of ALL TIME is the original SHAFT starring Richard Roundtree and Moses Gunn. Back in 1971, I was allowed to go to see this "Black Exploitation" film along with my older brothers and sister. What an eye-opening experience this was for me! There was violence, cursing, sex and a decent plot. Of all of the movies pumped out in the 1970's in this action genre, SHAFT instantly became my favorite. Gordon Parks directed this film, which depicts urban life in the underworld of New York City. Of course, the Isaac Hayes' award winning soundtrack is awesome.

~~~PHILADELPHIA, another Tom Hanks blockbuster, captured my attention, as well as the rest of the world, when it showed in vivid detail the prejudice and discriminations against a man diagnosed with AIDS. In 1993, this film brought to the forefront what the struggle of AIDS patients were and showed what Hanks' character went through to get justice after being fired because of his condition. Denzel Washington plays his attorney who so eloquently represents Hanks, going up against one of the largest law firms in Philadelphia. I love the soundtrack and I play it often. Of course, Bruce Springsteen's award winning theme song "Streets of Philadelphia" tells it all.

~~~I recall seeing THE NAKED PREY shortly after its release in 1966. Although I was but a child, I can still remember the final scene of Cornel Wilde's character being saved in the end. The little African girl who befriended him for a time, reminded me of myself, at that age. She was sweet and very helpful, making the trials of Wilde's character being hunted by a tribe of African sharpshooters, more bearable. They just don't make action packed films like this any more. The cinematography is exceptional, the scenes of the African jungles tantalizing and the music during the hunt outstanding.

~~~Rounding out my choices of Top 10 Movies of ALL TIME is without a doubt THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. Cecil B. DeMille's, blockbuster epic film about the Jews' exodus from Egypt is classic film-making. I have watched this movie countless times and can never get enough of the plagues on Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea or the scene when Moses has a chat with God on Mount Sinai. Released in 1956, the special effects were phenomenal for the time. The snake trick still has me baffled (just kidding).

I hope that amongst my list of favorite movies were a couple of your favorites as well. If you haven't had the opportunity to see any of these films, I highly recommend that you do.

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