Saturday, November 18, 2006

If dreams are like movies, then memories are films about ghosts

The other day a friend of mine asked me if The Royal Tenenbaums was my favorite movie of all time. It's a great movie, one of my favorites, but I don't think that I could give it favorite movie of all time status. I told my friend this, then he asked what would be my favorite movie. I said that I'd probably have to go with Gladiator, and given more time to think about it, I'm sticking with that choice.

Why Gladiator? Because I can't think of any other movie that got me so excited for its release, and then delivered by exceeding all of my expectations. I watched it several times in theaters, and even bought the DVD as a Christmas present to myself before my wife and I owned a DVD player. I also own the soundtrack, and after the conversation with my friend, I went home and played it. It still got me excited after all this time.

Could it be dethroned? Absolutely, it just hasn't been yet. But I'm curious now. I want you all to humor me and tell me what your favorite movie is and why.

11 comments:

Delirious said...

nothing can beat a good Hitchcock in my opinion. I think Rear Window is my favorite, but they are all great.

Anonymous said...

I like really sappy chick flicks. It all started with Disney's Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken, but I also like Sweet Home Alabama. I like movies that are sweet and real. I don't like scary movies, I don't like seeing gross stuff. So when I'm old and having flashbacks, I won't be seeing people getting murdered. ;)

Anonymous said...

I also like Nicholas Sparks' "the Notebook" Like I said, I like love stories.

PsychDoctor said...

I think "the Return of the King" is at the top of my list...I love that it illustrates that against all odds, when the entire world seems to be against you, and doomed for destruction, small individuals can make a difference. I was expecially moved by the scene near the end...where the small band of elves/dwarfs/humans/etc. were facing the huge sea of Orcs and were being overwhelmed, until the ring was destroyed. I think it is a great tale of hope, and that is something the world can use at this point in history...

PsychDoctor said...

I thought Gladiator was cool too...for many of the same reasons...

Inklings said...

I like sappy chick flicks, too. My favorites are WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING, YOU'VE GOT MAIL, ALWAYS,and JUST LIKE HEAVEN, but I liked watching movies like the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Shrek, too. I had to "watch" BRAVEHEART with a newspaper over my face because it was too gory for me, so I didn't even attempt GLADIATOR.
I do love the BRAVEHEART and LORD of THE RINGS soundtracks, though, but not as much as I love the Harry Potter soundtracks.

Michael Nannini said...

I really like the movie "Big Fish". I am not sure if it is my favorite all time movie, but I am not sure I have one like Gladiator is for you. Big Fish happens to be a favorite, b/c I am a story teller too, and it came out at time when I needed something to hope for and it gave me hope.

-Shannon

Anonymous said...

TRAINSPOTTING. It has been my absolute favorite movie for at least the last six years. What do I like about it? Everything! It's perfect! The story is fantastic, and although there is talk of making a sequel, it doesn't need one. The ending is the best, and it provides the perfect amount of closure. The soundtrack is awesome and the accents are great. The message is one that everyone can relate to, and it isn't just a movie about junkies.
Aaron

flieswithoutwings said...

I can't decide on the very BEST movie. I am also a Hitchcock fan. The other night I considered writing a blogpost about how the movie "The Notebook" is completely full of BAD and contrived advice for people who dream of falling in love. But to do that would be to admit that I watched The Notebook, so "pass."

When I think of the BEST movies I always think of comedies: Spaceballs, Office Space, Some Like It Hot. But I doubt the BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME is a comedy and I like movies from all genres.

I like the poignant ones, too, like Planet of the Apes and Chinatown.

I like films by the dude that did Eternal Sunshine and films by Wes Anderson. I watched "The Squid and the Whale" but it was a little more disturbing than entertaining.

In short, I don't think there is any PERFECT movie out there.

flieswithoutwings said...

Watch Punch Drunk Love if you haven't seen it. It was surprisingly good.

slimysculpin said...

Muppet Movie. Hands down.