My Favorite Movies

Any Tolkien fan (with the small exception of the purist) can happily make it through this film. The non-reader may find themselves overwhelmed with characters and lengthy explanations. They may also wonder why they had to sit through three hours of it (while the reader mourns for old Tom). If you're new to Tolkien, don't worry. It only gets easier from here. And you can always just forget the plot and instead marvel at the special effects, amazing camera work, and the richly detailed sets.

Two Towers is recompense for making it through the Fellowship. Tolkien/Jackson finally got most of the lengthy explaining out the way; now you get to sit back and enjoy action sequence after action sequence, concluding with the arduous battle of Helm's Deep. Don't let the Fellowship scare non-readers away from this (and the Return of the King) - they are nothing alike.

Even if you haven't seen the other two and don't know squat about LOTR, this one is worth it just for the final battle.

What I think is so great about this movie is that it has so many similar themes and even a few plot similarities to other great fantasy stories, most notable of course being the Lord of the Rings. But at the same time, it is most certainly its own unique tale. Lucas (and team) managed to master in this film a simple story that has hints of a larger world around it. And aces for choosing Warwick Davis and Val Kilmer - they shine in this film.

Apparently it's a generational thing. If you were born about the time this movie came out, you probably LOVED the Ewoks. If you were born before the original, they were the worst thing to happen to Star Wars ever - well, until Jar Jar Binks. But Ewoks aside, you can't overlook the scores of revelations this film gave us. And Jabba the Hutt certainly does his part to counteract the "cuteness" factor.

A beautiful, hilarious, completely original story. And it includes a naked Irishman riding a motorcycle.

I've never been able to decide whether I like this or the Lost Ark better. Sean Connery was an excellent addition to the cast, and I was excited to have John Rhys-Davies back and Denholm Elliott with a bigger role. It had the same feel as Lost Ark, which is exactly what I wanted after the sojourn into other realms with Temple of Doom. Action, adventure, fantasy, and humor rolled into one perfect package.

One of the best adventure films ever. Perfectly paced and laden with humor, this film never gets old. I love John Rhys-Davies in this, and Karen Allen was definitely the best female protaganist of the three films. Even though it's set in the past, it really makes the tales of folklore and mythology seem like they could truly exist. This is aided by the use Nazis as the villains, who I could legitimately see resorting to such madness and who make the best villains of all time.

A classic love story that refuses to take itself seriously. Witty and irreverent, it has some of the best one liners of most any other movie I can think of. And no one should go their entire life without hearing the immortal words "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

Tom Cruise before he went crazy, Tim Curry in huge devil horns, and Mia Sara before she was Ferris Bueller's girlfriend. Be prepared for strange, and you'll enjoy this unique fantasy film.

Ridley Scott and gladiators... Do you need to know anything else?

A great adaptation of the book, and one of the few good vampire films in existence. The characters are well developed, and the acting is flawless. They managed to make them intriguing and endearing, yet not strip away their element of fear. This is by far Kirsten Dunst's best film.

I love this movie for the very simple reason that I identified with it. The characters were insane, with strange lives and even stranger habits, but amidst all the humorous situations Zach Braff came up with something real. He captured the emotional struggle of coming to grips with who you are, and who you want to be. And although I love the story itself for it's weird tangents, it will always be one of my favorites because I could empathize with the characters. (Plus it has a really awesome soundtrack.)

A relevant and realistic negative version of the future. An all-star cast and a gut-wrenching score by Michael Nyman strenghten an already beautiful story about the human spirit.

A cleverly constructed plot, an impossible-not-to-love lead, and hysterically quotable moments. An 80s classic.

There's just so much to love about this film. An extraordinary cast in a completely original and humorous story with '80s flair. How can you NOT love it?

If it hadn't been 90% black and white, I probably would have gotten sick watching this. Especially everything involving Elijah Wood. As it was, the lack of color deadened the violence just enough to make it able to withstand and intriguing to watch. The interweaving of varying plots that were basically unrelated was genius. Despite a comic book plot and look, the superb acting elevated the movie well above its roots.

If you loved the visual style of Frank Miller's Sin City, you'll love this one. Plus, Gerard Butler and David Wenham after months in the gym? No complaints here. And you may want to check out the original, 300 Spartans. Not bad for its period.

Jack Nicholson is the most fantastic villain of all time. This film had a broodiness that some of the subsequent films failed to muster.

Finally someone thought of a way to legitamately bring dinosaurs and humans into the same era, and actually made it seem possible. The animatronics are still exciting to watch, even after all these years.

The movie rests on its interesting characters and creatures, and uses its plot merely as a means with which to introduce you to them. A wonderful romp through the world of imagination, it serves as a great companion to the novel.

David Bowie in oh-so-tight pants. That image will stay with you for a very long time after watching this film.

Comedic genius. I could watch some of the bits over and over again, and they'd still make me laugh.

This was funny before I entered Corporate America, and now it's painfully hilarious.

Campiness at its best. There's nothing overly fantastic about the film: the acting is passable, the special effects were decent, and the plot wasn't overly inventive. Yet it had just the right combination of action, horror, romance and comedy to make a perfect Saturday movie that you can watch over and over.

If you're not moved by this movie, you probably don't have a soul. The writing, the acting, the direction: simply flawless.

Peter Jackson continues with his love of special effects and three-hour movies, both of which sit very well with me.

There's something indefinable about this film. Gyllenhaal has such a beautiful sadness that it pulls at the soul. A masterpiece, in both story and in execution.

Eloquently and hilariously put into film version the questions and comments some of us have for the "enlightened." Brilliant.

Arnold's inability to act made him perfect for this film: it only managed to make him more robot-like. The story remains one of the best time-travel plots created.

Jim Henson never fails to amaze and entertain with his puppet creations. The pace of this film is slow, and the Gelfling puppets have trouble emoting, but it still manages to capture the imagination. The Skeksis still creep into my nightmares now and again.

Maybe the story felt a bit contrived, but Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio were perfectly cast in this underdog classic. And Mr Miyagi's training techniques remain the most memorable moments of the film. Wax on, wax off.

Kevin Costner delivers a passable performance, but co-stars Alan Rickman and Morgan Freeman more than make up for his short-comings. Christian Slater and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio also have solid performances. The story is well delivered, with lots of action and some great dry comedy. The extended edition provides additional insight into Rickman's character, although the movie flows better in its original release format.

Stop-motion still has its appeal, even after the creation of more advanced techniques. It lends to this film a great archaic feel which fits perfectly with the telling of Greek Mythology. Although some additional elements were added to the story, they had the wisdom to leave the main elements as they have been for hundreds of years.