Favorite Movies of All Time: 75-51

Welcome to the last series of articles in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of The Gibson Review!

Last month The Movie Lovers podcast counted down our 12 favorite movies of all time. It was a gargantuan task that proved difficult, but also quite rewarding. There’s something really satisfying about discovering what your absolute favorites are and having that crystalized.

But it wasn’t enough. Plus, if you listen to the episode, you’ll hear there was a couple of mistakes made.

I had spent hours going through previous lists of favorite movies I made to see what popped up frequently and which ones were listed #1 the most, looking through our collection of DVDs and Blu-rays - all to boil this list down. 140 movies were listed and boiled down to 100.

The following list is the result. The list that follows is a list that includes work from as far back as 1936 and as recent as 2019. They are films I grew up with, films that furthered me as a cinephile, and films that were the best experiences in the theater I ever had. Make no mistake: this is NOT a Greatest Movies list. But, on the whole, they are all the ones I love the most.

Because the list is so long, brevity is key here. So, I have broken it up into four posts with brief comments on each film. This is Part 2.

Let’s get into it then.

75. What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement’s Big Brother-like vampire mockumentary was one of the most genius comedic concepts of the last decade. I absolutely loved how each character represented a different vampire archetype in film (Nosferatu, Coppola’s Dracula, The Lost Boys, etc.). There were so many brilliant comedic moments like when the flat-mates have a meeting about how one of the members hasn’t done the dishes in literally centuries or when, depressed about an ex, one of the characters wants to be left alone to do his evil bidding… on eBay. Like the best comedies, one resorts to naming their favorite funny parts and that’s essentially what happens with me when I talk beyond this film’s concept. It’s one of my favorite comedies of recent years.

74. Once (2007)

So, the 2000s saw the return of the movie musical with the success of Moulin Rouge and Chicago. There seemed to be a new musical every year for a while. Joe Carney did something different. He made his two main characters musicians who flirt with the possibility of something more than platonic musical partnership. The music would become as organic to the story as any could be possible since the songs were literally created by the characters. It was brilliant and a great play on the old saying about lovers “making music together”. Carney got lucky that Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova could actually act. All of the elements brought together one of the quieter, most beautiful and heart-aching love stories of its decade. The soundtrack is nothing short of greatness.

73. Boogie Nights (1997)

This film came along at a perfect time in my life: I was nearing the age of 17, when my friends and I were just starting to be mature enough to turn our attention towards more ambitious and dramatic fare than the latest low-brow comedy or popcorn action flick. Boogie Nights, while being a story about the porn industry, was high brow. And, because it was about the porn industry, it was titillating and exciting to watch at that age, as though we were getting away with something under the guise of critical acclaim. Of course, if a young adult is interested in film Boogie Nights is a great one to experience. The cast is among the most top shelf of talent casts got in the ‘90s. Many have gone on to revere the There Will Be Bloods or The Masters of Paul Thomas Anderson’s career. Boogie Nights remains my favorite. What can I say? It’s got the touch! It’s got the powerrrr!

72. Unbreakable (2000)

Don’t get me started on M. Night Shyamalan. I’ve lived through his entire career. I’ve seen the rise, the seemingly never-ending freefall, and the return, which was followed-up with a stumble. On the whole, his career drives me nuts. But, while many still hang on to his breakout The Sixth Sense (a great film, to be sure), the one film of his I am unabashedly in love with - and always have been - is Unbreakable. The idea of what someone with superpowers would be like in the real world was so carefully and patiently handled it was remarkable. The comic geek inside me became giddy with instant infatuation. The film plays like a straight and sincere drama, only building to the main character accepting his fate near the end when he takes on a very real world crime. There’s no pomposity in Unbreakable. No pandering to audience expectations. It’s a puzzle piece that slowly builds the picture of two comic book archetypes. And it is perfect.

71. Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)

I’m a big fan of the Mission: Impossible film series. When the original adaptation of the 1960s TV series came out in 1996 it baffled, infuriated, and thrilled many. I didn’t fully understand it at first, but I knew I was among the thrilled. What I didn’t know was what would follow. With the exception of John Woo’s Mission: Impossible 2 (best ignored out of existence), the Tom Cruise and Ving Rhames action series has eclipsed the original show in pop culture consciousness. Since J. J. Abrams brought life into the series in 2006 with the third film this thing has been on fire, every single entry different from the other, but in no way inferior. Fallout may be the one entry that is superior to the rest. It picks up on plot threads from previous entries while also acknowledging that Tom Cruise is getting old. As a result, the hits feel harder and it takes him longer to get back up. Maybe Ethan Hunt isn’t immune to death. It certainly felt possible with Fallout - or that someone would fall during this film; there were certainly enough characters to knock off in order to raise the stakes and make the audience feel less certain that everything would be okay. If the film industry recovers from the pandemic we are supposed to expect at least two more films. We’ll see how many more adventures - how many more death-defying stunts — Ethan Hunt can survive.

70. Arsenic & Old Lace (1944)

I think I learned about this film when the AFI named it one of the 100 Greatest Comedies of All Time. I made sure I watched every movie on that list and this was one of the most rewarding discoveries from that list. Cary Grant quickly became one of my favorite actors, because I’d seen him be suave and daring in Hitchcock movies. Here he was absolutely hysterical! Look, the story itself about a couple of old ladies killing loners and burying them in the basement and their newly-wedded and beloved nephew who discovers their secret is hilarious. But Grant sells it with every bug-eyed incredulous look to the camera. Peter Lorre is also a hoot as a villainous family member’s sidekick. Arsenic & Old Lace is one of several reasons why I love Frank Capra.

69. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

William Wyler is a director I appreciate more than love. The dude directed over 45 feature films and about a dozen shorts. I have seen four. My biggest blind spot is Mrs. Miniver, which I’m fairly eager to catch up with. It’s fair to say that if it weren’t for AFI’s 100 Greatest Movies list I probably would’ve never heard of The Best Years of Our Lives. Nobody I know has seen or heard of it unless from me. And this is a Best Picture winner that won 6 other Oscars, as well as the Golden Globe and BAFTA for Best Picture! The film is Wyler’s first film after returning from WWII. When I first saw the film in my late teens I couldn’t believe what I was seeing: a film that took a hard look at how our country treated our servicemen - and it wasn’t pretty. I expected propaganda in mid-’40s Hollywood. This was most definitely not that. It was unflinching, heartbreaking, and moving. Most importantly, it brought empathy to underrepresented issues our servicemen face after sacrificing for our country. It is delicately acted and given nuance rarely seen in films of the Golden Age. It deserves to be as well known and better celebrated than many other Best Picture winners.

68. Creed (2015)

I was reluctant about Creed’s existence. Rocky was one of the most surprising and inspirational films I’ve ever seen. But after over 30 years and 5 sequels, I thought maybe the franchise had said everything it could and it should be put to rest. Well, Rocky Balboa himself may be entering his twilight years, but the franchise found new life by focusing on the next generation - and, most importantly, the illegitimate son of his biggest rival: Apollo Creed. The film Creed ended up rivaling Rocky as the best of the series. I wanted to stand up and cheer in the theater, a feeling I rarely experience. I was also thrilled by the textures and character development Ryan Coogler was able to bring to the story. I love Rocky. But Creed made the list and it didn’t.

67. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

I remember when I first saw a trailer for this movie. It was on the DVD for another film. At the time there was this new thing where well-known stars would appear in small movies that went direct-to-video for whatever reason. I had not heard anything about this film and so I assumed it was such a film. It was most definitely not. What I didn’t know at that time was Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was one of the best films of the decade. I was fascinated and blown away by the film and enamored with the cast. I was moved by it. And it gave me much to ponder. It was everything I could want from a film that wasn’t a popcorn action flick.

66. Predator (1987)

The ‘80s were full of what would be known as “Movies for Guys Who Like Movies,” action movies with muscles as big as the guns and explosions. One of the most unique of the bunch was this John McTiernan film. What made it so unusual? The big men with big guns were being slaughtered by an invisible alien. The concept wasn’t the only unique thing about it: the film often cut to an infra-red alien POV. And when we finally got to see the title character we bore witness to one of the most creative character designs in sci-fi history. It was enough to ignite the imagination of any ‘80s grade-schooler. And adult, too, as it sparked endless comic books and 3 attempts at sequels expanding on the alien’s mythology. Yet, none compare to the original.

65. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

There are few movies as pleasurable as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. It is the definition of comfort food viewing. John Hughes had already made a name for himself over the previous 4 years as one of the decade’s best comedy screenwriters with Mr. Mom and National Lampoon’s Vacation. He also had a well-documented knack for teen-focused movies, having written and directed Sixteen Candles (1984), The Breakfast Club (1985), Weird Science (1985), and also wrote 1986’s Pretty in Pink. Ferris was a bit of an amalgam of his previous teen issue heavy films and the bonkers Weird Science in that it had the teen/parent issues wrapped in joy and thrills. Ferris seems to tell teens not to be so angsty, not to take everything so seriously and enjoy life once in a while while you can. That theme, as well as Ferris’s ability to outsmart his principal (Jeffrey Jones) and sister (Jennifer Grey), are what makes Ferris Bueller the perfect movie to watch when you’re sick, feeling down, or just need something to help you feel good for a moment. It is my favorite John Hughes movie.

64. Empire of the Sun (1987)

While not on the level of Hook or Always, I think Empire of the Sun is one of Spielberg’s most underrated movies. I don’t remember how old I was when I first saw and latched on to this film. But I’ve loved it for as long as I can remember. It features one of my favorite John Williams scores and some of my favorite cinematography of any Spielberg film. I’ve always found the film to be among his most stirring and beautiful. It’s probably one of the earliest dramas in my lifetime that I fell in love with (WWII dramas about upper class British boys are not exactly catnip for kids). But I was touched by the character arc of Jamie (a VERY young Christian Bale) and his friendship with the Japanese pilot-in-training (Naishe Zhai?). And how cool is it to see a young Ben Stiller and early performances by Joe Pantoliano and John Malkovich? (Pantoliano had already done twice as much screen work as Malkovich by this point) Anyway, I go back and forth on whether or not Empire of the Sun is my favorite Spielberg film. It’s certainly among the Top 5.

63. The Karate Kid (1984)

Whenever anyone talks about ‘80s films, The Karate Kid must inevitably come up. Such is also the case with ‘80s childhood. Yes, the film is technically a teen movie, one of at least two films in 1984 about a new kid in town having a hard time adjusting to his new environment (Footloose. It’s Footloose, in case you didn’t catch on). But The Karate Kid was also about bullying. And in that sense it resonated with kids like myself who were picked on. As I’ve aged I’ve found more and more to appreciate about the film aside from the triumphant Crane Kick and rousing score, including Pat Morita’s melancholy performance. His drunken scene elevates the film emotionally beyond one kid’s beef with another. Ralph Macchio is also very kind and sweet and undeserving of the shit he gets from Johnny. And I’m really glad Kreese recently discovered TurboTax or whatever digital accounting system the Cobra Kai dojo desperately needed, because that dude was a tool. Anyway, I remember loving this film and its first sequel throughout my childhood. The third film never did sit right with me, though.

62. Inglorious Basterds (2009)

I’m not sure how to articulate my feelings about this film. It’s a series of scenes with pages of dialogue that builds towards a violent climax or some sort of unbearable tension between characters - and that’s one of the reasons why it’s great. Quentin Tarantino is a maestro conducting a symphony with this film. It’s incredibly and meticulously laid out. The actors are serving the script here; this is not really an example of the cast outshining or enhancing the writing… except one Christoph Waltz. The tragedy is Waltz has never been given the opportunity to equal his performance as Hans Landa since. Tarantino gave him something better than the rest with Dr. King Schultz, but even that pales and fades from memory in comparison. It’s worth noting that Inglorious Basterds was one of the first movies my wife and The Movie Lovers co-host, Shanna, mentioned to me she loved (Watchmen was the first). When a young, beautiful lady tells you Watchmen and Inglorious Basterds are among her favorite movies you schedule a date immediately. Neither are conventionally pleasant popcorn films, so we bonded over them quickly. The closest Tarantino has come to this level of craftsmanship as a filmmaker since is Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood. But I love the Basterds. I love Michael Fassbender in it. I love Melanie Laurent in it. I love Diane Kruger in it. I love Brad Pitt in it. And I especially love the delicious Christoph Waltz in it. Now, let’s go kill some Nazis.

61. Life Itself (2014)

I grew up with Roger Ebert. Whenever possible I would catch his weekend show Siskel & Ebert with Gene Siskel. While I would always read the Friday reviews in the local paper, Siskel and Ebert introduced me to a variety of films, film criticism, and how to passionately discuss, break down, and lift up a film with another person without taking any of it personally. This form of passionate dialogue was absorbed into my skin and has always been how I engage in discussions about film. Yes, it’s made me opinionated. But I have Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel to thank for never apologizing for having an opinion and backing it up. Ebert was not exactly the be-all-end-all of film criticism for me. But he helped create a foundation in me. So, my love and appreciation for him was married with my love of film by documentarian Steve James. And I absolutely loved it. This film details Ebert’s life, but more importantly it expressed Ebert’s love of cinema, which I share and few films are able to express such a thing. I’ve had my eyes opened, my shackles shackled (Michael Moore’s work), my mind blown, and my butt on the edge of my seat (Free Solo) by documentaries. But Life Itself was personal for me and therefore moved me to tears.

60. The Fifth Element (1997)

So, I don’t think I’ve enjoyed a Luc Besson film since 1997. After Leon, this was it. I think, aside from its killer score, manic comic book tone, and Milla Jovovich’s Leeloo, what I love about The Fifth Element is the world building. The future depicted in this film is tremendous and I can’t believe nobody has wanted to explore it further in any notable way. I’m not talking about the unforgettable characters, which I love every single one. I’m talking about the colorful world. The crowded cities above the clouds with flying cars. The universe beyond Earth like an ocean planet that is used for vacation cruises. Or the different alien species. There is so much world building crammed into this action film and it’s rarely even talked about. That said, the highlight of this film isn’t Chris Tucker’s hilarious Ruby Rhod or Gary Oldman’s unusual Zorg, rather the killer opera fight scene! That fight scene is one of the greatest fight scenes I have ever seen - especially in any science fiction film. It’s such a beautiful marriage of visual and music editing. It’s energetic and kicks ass. I don’t think I had ever seen anything like it at that point. I think I was already having a great time with this film, but that scene is when I fell in love.

59. Avengers (2012)

When I was 12, my mom took me to a local comic book store called Whooo’s Comics and got me signed up for a file of comics I’d receive every month. I don’t know why she thought that would be a perfect fit for me, but she did and she was right. For four years I collected comics in the ‘90s. During that time I also collected superhero trading cards - especially by Marvel. I read a magazine called Wizard Magazine and that magazine would occasionally have a feature where they fantasize about who could play what characters in a particular comic book movie, fan-casting, as it’s known now. The idea of a movie existing that featured a bunch of superheroes like the Avengers and being satisfying was complete fantasy at that time. So, imagine how much my inner adolescent was freaking out roughly 20 years later when Marvel was able to accomplish just that. Joyous. This movie was one of the most joyous moments in cinema for me.

58. An American Tail (1986)

So, until the late ‘80s, Disney Animation Studios didn’t have much to offer in my childhood. A guy named Don Bluth came along and filled a hole in my childhood and many people’s childhood in the ‘80s. Now, some people prefer his directorial debut The Secret of NIMH. Others born after me prefer All Dogs Go to Heaven, Rock-A-Doodle, or are young enough to prefer 1997’s Anastasia. For me it was largely An American Tail and The Land Before Time. I chose the former for this list. The reason is it holds more power today than The Land Before Time and feels more complete and wholly satisfying. The beautiful score by the late James Horner can move me to tears. The opening title sequence, which blends said score with a simple animation of falling snowflakes, is such a beautiful piece of hand-drawn animation that my heart swells and I tear up. The story about immigration and family separation (c’mon, let’s not get started on the relevancy of that!) is so sympathetic and relatable I don’t know how anyone capable of empathy isn’t touched by it. It also has some of the most memorable songs of any film in my childhood and the benefit of a tremendous voice cast that includes Dom DeLuise, Christopher Plummer, and Madeline Kahn. The film was also everywhere in my childhood: we’d watch it in class, we owned the VHS, I owned a large Fievel Mousekewitz stuffie... This is one of the those movies that helped define my childhood.

57. The Monster Squad (1987)

So, for a little while, we’re going to stick with my adolescence and childhood. At some point, we discovered that I had seen my first R-rated movie around the age of 5. That movie was Penny Marshall’s Jumpin’ Jack Flash, a movie nobody in my family seemed to realize was rated R at the time. But one of my first PG-13 movies was met with more reluctance by my mother. This was that movie. She assumed I would run out of the room screaming during this film. What she underestimated was a boy’s fascination and excitement over monsters and the prospect of all of those monsters being in one movie. I believe this is the only movie to feature all of the original Universal Classic Monsters (except the Invisible Man). But this was not a Universal Studios movie, so they had to skirt around potential legal issues. My point is I fricken loved this movie. I remember re-enacting scenes from this movie on the playground. I remember being so taken by the Wolfman in it that I pretended I was also a werewolf. I also think this film has one of the best and most fearsome Dracula’s we’ve ever seen; he feels more fully-realized as a threatening character in this film compared to previous ones. It also has one of the greatest werewolf transformation scenes I’ve ever seen. Anyway, I still adore this movie and, with the exception of a handful of logistical flaws, think it holds up quite well.

56. Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

The final entry in this list that tapped into my childhood imagination was John Carpenter’s action comedy. Chinese gang fights with cleavers and other sharp weapons, a man with lightning powers, monsters, Victor Wong, and an ancient Chinese sorcerer - I ate this shit up as a kid; it was one of the coolest things I had ever seen and I still get a huge kick out of it. I used to think Kurt Russell’s Jack Burton of the Pork Chop Express was really cool, because… well, it was Kurt Russell. As an adult, I’ve come to realize he’s playing a buffoon who undercuts the ‘80s action star and the real hero of the film is Dennis Dun’s unfortunately named Wang. Look, it’s fair to say Carpenter made better films before this, particularly Halloween and The Thing. But this is my favorite of his career.

55. GoldenEye (1995)

I deliberated on which entries of the James Bond franchise to include on this list. There was no way the list would be complete without that franchise. I have around half a dozen favorites from its 50+ year history. This is the one that made it. I grew up in a time when TBS (or was it TNT?) would play marathons of the series once or twice a year (I can’t remember which holiday it was always married to). Timothy Dalton was my first James Bond. And there’s a lot I still love about his two films. But it was this, Pierce Brosnan’s debut Bond film and the best of his run that always thrilled me most. I saw this in the theater. What was spectacular about it was how it re-affirmed everyone’s faith and love in the franchise by holding true to every element that defined the franchise: the cold open, the opening title sequence, the Bond theme, the Bond girls, the quips, the double entendres, the martini, the charisma, the gadgets, the memorable villains (remember when the villains were memorable and formidable?). I loved everything about it. I loved the Tina Turner / Bono / The Edge title theme. I loved Alan Cumming’s “invincible” nerd, I loved Sean Bean’s villain, Famke Janssen’s Xenia Onatopp, the set pieces… dude, there wasn’t anything I didn’t love about this film. Everything went down hill steadily from here until Daniel Craig took over 11 years later. But GoldenEye has always been the most satisfying and thrilling for me.

54. Broadcast News (1987)

This James L. Brooks film was another discovery from the AFI 100 Greatest Comedies list. I have always loved it as a love triangle film and as a film about journalism. The rise of the 24-hour news cycle began with the creation of CNN in the ‘80s and was made worse by the creation of Fox News in the ‘90s. Broadcast News foretold what would become the decline of credible journalism. The characters are what make both elements of the film work - their ambition in their respective roles in the news, their insecurities, etc. The leads Albert Brooks, Holly Hunter, and William Hurt sell those characters and everything about the script. Broadcast News is an insightful and often hilarious film that I have cherished since I first saw it 20 years ago.

53. The Lion King (1994)

Disney Animation Studios has made upwards of 60 films. I grew up on them. Yet I was hard-pressed to come up with one that I loved enough to make this list. This is the first of two. I love The Jungle Book, Oliver & Company, Aladdin and many of the classics and the recent films. But The Lion King was one of the only ones I could say I loved enough to be in my 100 favorites. My son is a teenager and it is still his absolute favorite film of all time. You can imagine, being my son, he’s seen quite a few films. What do I love about it? Well, the opening sequence is one of the greatest, most beautiful, and most stirring ever made - especially in animation. It was so great that it served as the teaser trailer for the film. All characters - sidekicks, heroes, and villains - are distinct and have unforgettable personalities. The voice cast - Matthew Broderick, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, and Robert Guilliame - bring life to these characters in ways few could (Exhibit A: the unnecessary live action remake). And let’s not forget the music by Elton John and Hans Zimmer. Disney would try teaming up with recording artists again and never again achieve anything on the level of The Lion King. This is one of the greatest films Disney has yet to make, perhaps the greatest from the renaissance of the late ’80s and early ‘90s.

52. Apocalypse Now (1979)

Apocalypse Now is my favorite Vietnam War film. It is my favorite war film. It’s apparently my favorite Francis Ford Coppola film (although I do so love Dracula). The word masterpiece is used every day on social media to describe well-crafted movies that people love. It’s so ridiculously overused I want to put a moratorium on the word - ban it from being used for a solid year. Because most movies are not masterpieces. The word gets used so much it’s beginning to lose meaning and impact. That said, this film, Apocalypse Now, is an actual masterpiece. This film has so many things about it that elevates it to the highest levels of achievement that I would need an entire page here to outline them. But I’m here not to convince you of its greatness (if you need convincing after seeing it then something is wrong with you). I’m here to tell you why I love it. And I love it for its perfection, for its cast, for its use of music by one of my favorite bands The Doors, for its imagery, its brilliant conceit of combining Joseph Conrad’s The Heart of Darkness with the Vietnam War, and its ability to successfully pull off that conceit. There are a handful of great war films out there - I mean truly great. This is my favorite.

51. X2 (2003)

There are roughly 6 comic book movies in this entire list. Being a comic and superhero geek who ate up the rise of the subgenre in the early ‘00s with relish, it was tough to figure out what to include. This film, however, the sequel to 2000’s X-Men, was a no-brainer. The X-Men are my favorite Marvel characters. There are literally over 100 mutant characters in the Marvel Universe. So, to see this sequel to the now-shaggy dream-come-true that was its predecessor was an absolute thrill. I love it so much, because it delivered on the promise of the original film and the potential of the characters on the page. It was the first to loosely adapt any X-Men storyline. In this it was the graphic novel God Loves, Man Kills and Wolverine’s Weapon X storyline. As a fan it was the greatest thing to hit the silver screen. The raid on Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters is one of the greatest action sequences in the franchise, because it was incredibly plotted and choreographed and it featured cameos of various known characters. It also teased the potential of Colossus, a beloved character in the comics. You also got to see Wolverine go into his berserker rage in one moment. And let’s not forget the tease at the very end of the film of the Phoenix! X2 also gave me one of my most beloved theatrical experiences. Aside from the thrills the film would provide on its own, myself and a couple of friends went to a privately-owned theater in a small town nearby. Before the screening they had someone do an X-Men trivia game with prizes. Long story short: my friend and I basically knew all of the answers and I won a movie poster. X2 was very hard to beat as a fan. They managed to do so once. More on that later.

So, that ends Part 2 of this 4-part conclusion to the 10-year anniversary celebration of The Gibson Review.

Be sure to check back soon for Part 3: 50-26.

In the meantime, which are your favorites so far? Do you share some of my experiences or thoughts? Email me.