My Favorite Movies of All Time
I love movies. But my tastes are somewhat eclectic, in that I tend to like movies that others consider bad. Or, put another way, I enjoy movies that aren't the popular selection.
So, I thought it would be fun to talk about my all-time favorites. These aren't in any particular order.
16 Blocks (2006)
Bruce Willis is great in this movie. And there's this one scene at the end where David Morse (an excellent actor) and Willis are having their final confrontation. It is simply so well done, and well acted, that it alone makes the movie great.
But even without that scene, the character growth and the action scenes are pretty good. I've watched it dozens of times over the years, and I enjoy it every time.
The A Team (2010)
Liam Neeson is always a good draw. Add in some stellar casting for the rest of the crew, and you have a great remake of a classic. Nothing revolutionary here, really, but the action scenes are great, and I'm a sucker for a good plan.
Basic (2003)
I'm not a huge Travolta fan, to be honest. I can name the films that I like on one hand. But Basic is extraordinary. If you like twists and turns, this one has that in spades. The acting isn't great, but the story makes up for it.
The Bourne Trilogy
The first three Bourne movies are pure action film crack. They don't follow the books at all, which I've always hated, but other than that, these are another three movies that I rewatch all the time. The movies that came after are all garbage.
Casino Royale (2006)
By far the best Bond film. It's not even close. Daniel Craig redefined Bond in this movie, and finally made him a somewhat likable character. The cad of the past is shown to be human, and I love that aspect. Add on to that it's a great story, and it's another that finds its way onto the rewatch list.
Clear and Present Danger & Patriot Games
Tom Clancy, at one point, was my favorite author. I've outgrown the books, but Harrison Ford's portrayal of Jack Ryan is the best out of the many attempts. Hollywood really wants to make this character work, but only Ford succeeded. Add in that you get some James Earl Jones, Samuel L. Jackson, and Willem Dafoe, and you get two excellent movies.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Anyone who doesn't like this movie isn't someone I can be friends with. It's hilarious and has so many quotable parts that it is by far the best Christmas movie of all time. It's not even an argument.
The Departed (2006)
The end of this movie is so good. I also love the acting. And the story. Dammit, the whole movie is excellent. The star-studded cast just makes it even better. Seriously, if you haven't watched it, and you like modern mob movies, you should check this out.
Die Hard with a Vengeance
The best Die Hard movie. I like the first one. And the fourth. But the third is by far the best. The interaction between Willis and Jackson is outstanding. I really wish they'd explored that friendship in the later movies. But alas, that didn't happen.
Gangs of New York (2002)
Daniel Day Lewis is spectacular in this epic movie. The acting is great. And as a historian, I love a historical drama that turns into an action movie. Great acting all around, and Leonardo DiCaprio actually gets to live at the end. A rare thing for his movies.
The Italian Job (2003)
I love a good heist movie. And this is one of the best ones. Non-traditional with the revenge aspect of the plot, but still very enjoyable. And my first introduction to Jason Statham. Maybe his best movie.
Knives Out (2019)
Perhaps the most recent movie on this list. I really liked this one. It was very preachy with the social aspects of the plot, but I enjoyed the clue-like story, and seeing Daniel Craig try to sound southern was hilarious.
The Lion King (1994)
I love the music, what can I say? Scar is my favorite.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
You can't be a fantasy nerd and not have this one on the list. I liked the last movie the best out of the three, but all three are great. The only series where the extended edition (which runs for about 12 hours if I remember right) actually improves the experience. Add in an extraordinary soundtrack, and it's another classic.
Man on Fire (2004)
I love Denzel, and I love stories where the protagonist just kicks the bad guy's ass. I got both in this one. Probably have watched this movie more than 50 times.
Mr Brooks (2007)
It's a horrible movie about a serial killer. Kevin Costner is brilliant in it, though. Brilliant enough that you can overlook that Dane Cook is in it. That guy is actually a worse actor than a comedian, which is saying something.
National Treasure (2004)
I watched this movie three times in a row the first weekend I saw it. I can't even tell you why I like it. As a history guy, this isn't historically accurate at all, but I still love it to this day. And Sean Bean gets to live at the end. Another rarity.
Ocean's 11 Trilogy
The best heist movies ever made. The first and the third are by far the best. The second one is okay, but not quite up to the others. I hear they're making another one, which should be interesting.
The Rainmaker & The Firm (Mid 90s)
Both based on John Grisham novels. Neither do a great job of following the books, but good enough that both make the list. The Rainmaker is one of my favorite books of all time. It's a silly one, but I love it. One of the few Grisham books that actually have a good ending. The movies are just good enough to remind me of the books. So they make the list.
Runaway Jury (2003)
Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, and John Cusack. It is an okay movie with one scene that makes it great. The interaction between Hackman and Hoffman in the last bit of the movie is probably my favorite scene in a movie ever. Also based on a Grisham novel.
Scary Movie 4 (2006)
This movie is crack. Many quotable moments and just off the wall hilarious.
Tropic Thunder (2008)
I don't like Ben Stiller at all. But this movie is effin funny. I love the inversion of the characters, and the acting is surprisingly good. Also, Tom Cruise in a fat suit being epic.
V for Vendetta (2006)
This one is just a good movie. With a mushy story about the people needing to rise up and overthrow their government, spurred on by an anti-hero that you can't help but like. A tragic romance. It's just a good movie all around.
Literally Anything by Mel Brooks
The man has never made a bad movie. Blazing Saddles is probably my favorite if I had to choose, but it's damn close. History of the World Part I and Spaceballs are also right up there. All the others are great too, so choosing would be damn near impossible.
Anyway, that's it. I most likely should have limited myself to 10. Oh, well. What are your favorite movies? Please let me know in the comments or on Mastodon.
This is day 4 of 30 in 30.
