Beaver's Top 100 Favorite Movies
A list of the most influential movies in my life, a wide variety of visceral entertainment!
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100 titles
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsRoy ScheiderRobert ShawRichard DreyfussWhen a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Cape Cod, it's up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down.I could make an arguement for 10 other films to be above this one, but it would only be an excuse. This is the best motion picture ever made. On-location trouble, trouble with the shark, an all-around disaster of production, Steven Spielberg created a masterpiece.
- DirectorGeorge LucasStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherLuke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.The most influential motion picture in motion picture history! (and don't forget the merchandising!) The only movie with confusing names that i actually cared enough to learn. (notice there are no middle earths or hogwarts in this list!)
- DirectorTerry GilliamStarsJeff BridgesRobin WilliamsAdam BryantA former radio DJ, suicidally despondent because of a terrible mistake he made, finds redemption in helping a deranged homeless man who was an unwitting victim of that mistake.The most under-appreciated masterpiece in film-making history. Terry Gilliam's tale of redemption is as brilliantly acted as it is written and directed.
- DirectorDavid LynchStarsSheryl LeeRay WiseMädchen AmickLaura Palmer's harrowing final days are chronicled one year after the murder of Teresa Banks, a resident of Twin Peaks' neighboring town.Probably the most personal of choices both influentially and critically. Absorbing, addictive, twisted and beautiful- Laura Palmer's story is cinematic garmonbozia!
- DirectorJim AbrahamsDavid ZuckerJerry ZuckerStarsRobert HaysJulie HagertyLeslie NielsenAfter the crew becomes sick with food poisoning, a neurotic ex-fighter pilot must safely land a commercial airplane full of passengers.Changed comedy as we percieve it, every great comedy after 1980 owes Airplane a debt of gratitude!
- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsMichael J. FoxChristopher LloydLea ThompsonMarty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.This movie had perfect timing! Michael J. Fox makes this movie great and the set pieces, elaborate storyline and supporting cast make this one of the all-time greatest movie-going experiences of my life!
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsJack NicholsonShelley DuvallDanny LloydA family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where a sinister presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from both past and future.Haunting and disturbing, Stanley Kubrick's vision of Stephen King's ghost story deserves to be mentioned as one of the greatest horror films of all time. Jack Nicholson's performance is legendary.
- DirectorMel BrooksStarsGene WilderMadeline KahnMarty FeldmanAn American grandson of the infamous scientist, struggling to prove that his grandfather was not as insane as people believe, is invited to Transylvania, where he discovers the process that reanimates a dead body.Mel Brooks masterpiece! (and Gene Wilder, for that matter!) This movie is quoted more times in my household than The Word! Surpasses "Blazing Saddles" in my mind although I know I may be alone in this assumption.
- DirectorDavid LynchStarsAnthony HopkinsJohn HurtAnne BancroftA Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man who is mistreated while scraping a living as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of kindness, intelligence and sophistication.One of those rare movies that deserves an oscar nod for every category. From direction to cinematography, acting to writing, this is truly David Lynch's masterpiece!
- DirectorMilos FormanStarsJack NicholsonLouise FletcherMichael BerrymanIn the Fall of 1963, a Korean War veteran and criminal pleads insanity and is admitted to a mental institution, where he rallies up the scared patients against the tyrannical nurse.Sweeping the oscars in 1975, one has to wonder if "Jaws" wasn't ripped off in one or more categories. Still, as I look at each category individually, I have "Cuckoo's Nest" winning 7 of 10. A superior adaptation when it comes to transferring a novel to film.
- DirectorMickey RoseMichael RitchieStarsKristen RiterMatthew GoldsbyJerry BelsonA serial killer with his signature heavy breathing proceeds to systematically kill the students and teachers of Lamab high school.Undoubtedly the highest-rated movie on my list based purely on personal beliefs- i will never be able to express how important this film is to me! The screenplay is funny in spite of itself, the entire movie is in spite of itself- hilarious on so many levels, this movie makes me believe i could make a movie myself one day... something, like this movie, to be proud of!
- DirectorIrvin KershnerStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter the Rebel Alliance are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.Sequels don't get any better than this. Dark and unsettled, a telling cliffhanger in the most fantastic world ever to hit the screen! The highest-ranking sequel in my list but an unforgivingly low ranking overall, if I do say so myself.
- DirectorWilliam FriedkinStarsEllen BurstynMax von SydowLinda BlairWhen a young girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two Catholic priests to save her life.The scariest movie of all time! At least with "Jaws", I can avoid the water! How am I gonna avoid being possessed? I try not to think about it, but it scares me to this day. This movie puts the fear of God in me! Only "The Shining" comes close to rivaling this movie as 'the greatest horror move of all time'!
- DirectorDavid LynchStarsNicolas CageLaura DernWillem DafoeYoung lovers Sailor and Lula run from the variety of weirdos that Lula's mom has hired to kill Sailor.A rip-roaring, surreal story of lovers on the run in David Lynch's tale of rebellion and the "Wizard of Oz". I love everything about this movie. I don't even know why I rank it so low. Maybe it's because I have so many other Lynch films in my top 20. Forget that! This movie should be in my top 10, any friend or relative would tell you so! What is wrong with me? Sorry Sail!
- DirectorFrank DarabontStarsTim RobbinsMorgan FreemanBob GuntonOver the course of several years, two convicts form a friendship, seeking consolation and, eventually, redemption through basic compassion.Frank Darabont is the most underrated director in film today. His character-driven adaptation of the Stephen King short story is both superior to the novel and superior in filmmaking period.
- 19641h 35mPG8.3 (520K)97MetascoreDirectorStanley KubrickStarsPeter SellersGeorge C. ScottSterling HaydenAn unhinged American general orders a bombing attack on the Soviet Union, triggering a path to nuclear holocaust that a war room full of politicians and generals frantically tries to stop.My favorite war film, a stellar comedy with wisdom that withstands the passing of time. The funniest movie ever made... before 1964. This movie deserves to be mentioned as one of the greatest films ever made, regardless of who's picking or why.
- DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungA small-time Philadelphia boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.The ultimate sports movie! Stand up and cheer for the underdog, Rocky Balboa! Yo Adrian! What else can I say? Deserves every award in 1976 with arguably the greatest soundtrack ever!
- DirectorHarold RamisStarsChevy ChaseRodney DangerfieldBill MurrayAn exclusive golf course has to deal with a flatulent new member and a destructive dancing gopher.Without question, the greatest sports comedy in movie history with 2 equally unsurpassed comedic performances by supporting actors Rodney Dangerfield and Bill Murray... Legendary!
- DirectorRob ReinerStarsBilly CrystalMeg RyanCarrie FisherHarry and Sally have known each other for years, and are very good friends, but they fear sex would ruin the friendship.The greatest romantic comedy in film history! Billy Crystal makes me believe I could get a Meg Ryan if I just continue to be witty and truthful and yeah right, it hasn't worked yet, but that's what makes this movie so enduring. I find I'm so much like Harry that it's scary. Nora Ephron knows me so well!
- DirectorJames CameronStarsLeonardo DiCaprioKate WinsletBilly ZaneA seventeen-year-old aristocrat falls in love with a kind but poor artist aboard the luxurious, ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic.The greatest love story in movie history. A spectacular technical achievement, set decoration, amazing attention to detail, also the greatest true story ever told on film. Leo is now a mega-star and James Cameron has "Spielberg Status"!
- DirectorMichael LehmannStarsWinona RyderChristian SlaterShannen DohertyAt Westerburg High where cliques rule, jocks dominate and all the popular girls are named Heather, it's going to take a Veronica and mysterious new kid to give teen angst a body count.A brilliant screenplay highlights this dark comedy about teenage angst and suicide. When I say brilliant, I mean brilliant, as in one of the best and funniest screenplays ever. I am jaded in my opinion.
- DirectorTobe HooperStarsJoBeth WilliamsHeather O'RourkeCraig T. NelsonA family's home is haunted by a host of demonic ghosts.Steven Speilberg's ghost story as told through Tobe Hooper. A suspensful and scary movie. Made me a believer to the point that I question all things otherworldly. The greatest paranormal movie ever made!
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsSam NeillLaura DernJeff GoldblumA pragmatic paleontologist touring an almost complete theme park on an island in Central America is tasked with protecting a couple of kids after a power failure causes the park's cloned dinosaurs to run loose.This wasn't even the best Spielberg film of 1993 according to critics, but I wholeheartedly disagree. This movie is the definition of 'movie-going experience'. Spielberg makes a family film accessable to all movie-goers, and make no bones about it, this is a great family film.
- DirectorJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsGeorge ClooneyJohn TurturroTim Blake NelsonIn the deep south during the 1930s, three escaped convicts search for hidden treasure while a relentless lawman pursues them.You'd have to be dumber than a bag of hammers not to like this movie! As brilliant as Joel and Ethan Coen's movies are, "O Brother" stands above the rest due to its technical achievements as well as its outstanding soundtrack.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsSigourney WeaverTom SkerrittJohn HurtThe crew of a commercial spacecraft encounters a deadly lifeform after investigating a mysterious transmission of unknown origin.The best horror film in outer space is also the scariest science fiction thriller/horror flick ever- "Alien"! Ridley Scott's claustrophobic direction, Dan O'Bannon's original screenplay and superb acting highlight this scary monster movie that raised the bar and re-defined the genre!