Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Last night my lady and I were sitting on the couch watching television, when she began to scroll through the channels trying to see what else was on. At one point, I saw that The Notebook was on and I cringed. She made me watch that damn movie in November of last year, and I enjoyed it, but it was a one and done situation for me. I never need to see any part of that movie again, but my lady will watch it over and over and over. Also on her "over and over" list? Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman and the Sound of Music. All great movies, but I dont need to see them again.

So I decided to come up with a list of my own "over and over" movies. These are movies that no matter when they are on, or what part of the movie I happen to start watching, I stop everything and watch. I could make a list of 20, but I'll just do five. You'll notice that the Star Wars movies are not on this list. I need to be in a certain mood to watch Star Wars, because I break them down and analyze them the way Glenn Beck does an Obama speech.

5) Casino. If you've seen the movie, you really don't need to ask why its on my list. There's Deniro, there's Pesci, there's Sharon Stone, a creepy acting James Woods, Don Rickles, and just good solid story telling. My favorite part? Right after Sam and Nicky argue, they just happen to show up at the same club. Nicky's crew is already sitting down, when Sam's crew comes in. One of Nicky's boys comments that Sam and crew are having a good time. Nicky, with a straight face while staring directly at Sam from across the room says, "Yeah so are we!"

4) Dead Presidents. Although the Hughes brothers classic, Menace II Society gets much more play and recognition, I prefer Dead Presidents. They do an excellent job of contrasting the characters pre and post Vietnam, the imagery is great, and it seems like great detail was placed on casting. Plus any movie with Keith David (even though he has two first names) in it is worth watching in my opinion. My favorite scene in this movie? The one you see below...start at the 1:00 mark, and stop at 3:21.


3) As Good As It Gets. I'm a huge Jack Nicholson fan, so I suppose I could have picked any of his movies, but this one always gets me. People who know Jack say that this movie represents how he is all the time. He's mean, he's neurotic, he's not fun to be around, but every now and then he displays enough kindness for you not to get rid of him completely. The other good thing about this movie? There's a decent wet t-shirt scene with Helen Hunt. I don't really have one favorite scene in the movie, the whole thing is great.

2)Jerry Maguire. I can admit that when I saw this movie, I was alone and sad over a breakup, so of course I cried. I didn't bawl or boo-hoo cry, but some tears slolwy streamed down my face. In the 809 times I've seen the movie since then, I haven't cried, but this movie still does it for me. Maybe its the Bruce Springsteen song played throughout the movie, maybe its the skillful direction of Cameron Crowe (who has an impressive resume), perhaps it was the scenes with Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding..I don't know. But when this movie comes on, as it does so frequently during football season, I watch the entire thing, and I never regret it. My favorite scene is easily this one:


1) The Fugitive. This movie is just action packed from beginning to end, I don't know what else I can say. Tommy Lee Jones is ruthless and persistent in this movie, but he has a Columbo-like, aw shucks humor, that makes you forget that he's trying to kill Richard Kimble. Harrison Ford (Richard Kimble), who was 51 when this movie came out, does an excellent job in what had to be a VERY physically taxing role. This movie is a pure adrenaline rush, and I could easily watch it every damn day, and never tire of it, even though I know the whole script. I could pick any scene as my favorite in this one, but I chose this one:

7 comments:

maxwellsmusze said...

you had me at list!

excellent entry today sir:)

Truth About It said...

Shawshank Redemption

White Men Can't Jump

'enuff said...

maxwellsmusze said...

def Shawshank! even if its midway thru you've got to stop and watch.

Jazzbrew said...

On point... especially with Dead Presidents. I love that movie and your scene is my favorite scene. I act it out all the time... "I'm just complimenting you on your taste!!" Kirby's car is my dream car... 1968 Lincoln with the suicide doors.

And the Issac Hayes "Walk on By" theme song... come on bruh??

Another vote for Shawshank. It would be #1 on my list. I'd also throw in Goodfellas for the "you're a funny guy" sequence alone.

Keith David's voice SAVED Ken Burn's Jazz series... that, the music and photos.

Jazzbrew said...

and pardon me for commenting twice but my list would be:

1) Shawshank Redemption
2) The Godfather
3) Dead Presidents
4) Goodfellas
5) Mo' Better Blues

rashad said...

jazzbrew,
Mo Betta Blues would have been in my top 15 list for the soundtrack alone. I like the part when Giant tells Bleek that Shadow is boning Clark. first he acts cool, then when Giant extends that arm and gives him the boning hand signal, and then it clicks, and he starts banging on the club door. funny scene.

a said...

extra points for including jerry maguire. just saying.