Newbie asked:
I am currently developing a web site that lists the “best of the best” in movies in these categories. Please let me know what movie you think is best and why.
Action/Adventure
Animated
Classics
Comedy
Drama
Mystery/Thrillers
Science Fiction
Westerns
I am currently developing a web site that lists the “best of the best” in movies in these categories. Please let me know what movie you think is best and why.
Action/Adventure
Animated
Classics
Comedy
Drama
Mystery/Thrillers
Science Fiction
Westerns
thanks
Leslie
some pirates
lord of the rings
sleeping beauty
sisterhood of the traveling pants
et
titanic
transformers
forrest gump
Pans Labrynth
Transformers
Shawshank Redemption
Schindlers List
The Notebook
Forrest Gump
Saving Private Ryan
Casino
Goodfellas
Apocalypto just to name a few.
Action/Adventure = North by Northwest
Animated = Disney’s Cars or Toy Story
Classics = Gone With the Wind
Comedy = Forest Gump
Drama = JFK or Titanic
Mystery/Thrillers = The Shining
Science Fiction = Star Wars
Westerns = Dances with Wolves
I just like all these movies is why I nominate.
Action/Adventure-Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
Why?
I belong to the group of people who think ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ is even better than ‘Star Wars’. There are a couple of reasons for that. Where ‘Star Wars’ has great special effects ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ feels as a non-stop chain of the most amazing special effects. Every shot contains something beautiful, every detail looks great. It starts with the Imperial Walkers and the planet Hoth, then we have some space battles, we see a city in the clouds, the mysterious look of the Dagobah-system, etc. All in all, it is the best action effects and an adventure with it.
Animated- Ratatouille
Why?
This film is fantastic! Pixar has yet another great film to add to their impressive repertoire. Oscar-winning director and screenwriter Brad Bird, who wrote and directed “The Incredibles”, has produced a film with subtle humor, heart, and very profound truth. The voice actors are so great, and it is especially great to hear Peter O’Toole on the screen. The animation is beautiful and it is all around an excellently made film. Its message is one that holds so much truth for everyone, especially today’s youth: it tells people that no, not anyone can do anything, but if you have the talent you don’t have to be limited by your surroundings or your upbringing. I think this is refreshing to hear because often, children are lied to when they are told they can do anything, when actually not all of them can. But it offers hope to the ones who may feel limited by their social class. It also exposes the fact that most people try to put up false facades of themselves to hide who they are in order to feel accepted by the social standards we create in our society; it shows characters with this flaw, but ultimately they accept this reality and learn to be true to themselves. This thread, I think, is very common throughout the Pixar films, and they present it very well.
Classics-Casablanca
Why?
Casablanca is the consummate Hollywood film. It is superbly directed, acted, and filmed. Bogart is amazing, the characters are deep and engaging.
This is easily one of the greatest films of all time. The story is timeless and meaningful, full of heart and should endure for another fifty years with no problems. A true masterpiece and the benchmark by which all other films should be measured. If you haven’t seen it, you are at a profound loss. If you have then you know the greatness of this film.
Comedy-The Simpsons Movie
Why?
The movie was fun and packed with laughs particularly in the first 20 or so minutes and is easily one of the funnier Simpsons stories.
The humor is easily aimed at teenagers and up although in Australia, the movie has been given a PG rating which I found quite surprising given some of the adult themes which are scattered throughout the movie.
The storyline is interesting and implausible as you would expect, the only thing it really lacks is something to differentiate itself from the TV episodes. Its familiarity is something it relies upon heavily and it runs for 84 minutes which is slightly too long in the end.
Enjoyable and entertaining, albeit familiar Simpsons formula.
Drama-The Shawshank Redemption
Why?
The Shawshank Redemption is without a doubt one of the most brilliant movies I have ever seen. Similar to The Green Mile in many respects (and better than it in almost all of them), these two movies have shown us that Stephen King is a master not only of horror but also of prose that shakes the soul and moves the heart. The plot is average, but King did great things with it in his novella that are only furthered by the direction, and the acting is so top-rate it’s full out Drama, almost scary.
Mystery/Thrillers-Memento
Why?
If you’re looking for something intense, suspenseful, and different than your usual effects-packed thriller, this is the best movie you will see all year. You will be talking about Memento at work, at the grocery store (to total strangers!), and you will find yourself joining conversations when you hear the word “Memento.” That’s why this little film that received almost no marketing stayed in theaters for months and was in the top 10 money makers for several weeks.
The movie starts with a murder — a revenge killing, in fact. But was the right person killed?
Science Fiction-The Matrix
Why?
The Wachowski brothers really did excel themselves with this movie. It’s a brilliant movie on a number of different levels - the directing is excellent, the camera work is great, the visuals are stunning, the kung-fu is A+, acting is executed with style and conviction, and the plot is truly inspired. It’s really hard to use enough superlatives on this movie!
It’d be a 10/10, except for the ending. Having Neo do what he does at the end really lets it down, in my opinion. However, there’s a couple of sequels on the way, so let’s see what the Wachowskis can do to make up for it.
Other than that, (and like I said above) the movie is operating on so many different levels that each time you watch it, you pick up something new… this isn’t by accident, either. The Wachowski brothers had the actors read a number of definitive works (Simulation & Simulcra was one I believe) in modern literature and psychology, and applied liberal dashings of aspects of the major religions to provide the best sci-fi movie of the decade, if not ever.
I’m yet to meet somebody who hasn’t enjoyed it. It’s my favourite movie to watch on a good cinema system, too.
Westerns-Unforgiven
Why?
Unforgiven in my opinion is the greatest western. Actually, its the greatest film of all-time. It shows how violent it was back then, and the fact everybody was beaten. It is more realistic than any of Leone’s ‘Man With No Name’ films (though I will admit they were set in a sort of fantasy land). But, Munny is not proud of his violent nature. He blames it on alcohol; which his wife persuaded him to quit to explain why he also gave up being a murderer. The film shows the cowboys as they really are, either cowards or killers. The choice of word ‘coward’ is to say that they should be killers, as that is apparently what a man is (an exaggeration) as most westerns glorify violence, but the men can’t handle it.’Unforgiven’ is an unforgettable look on life, man and the real west. One of the most powerful films of the ’90s. A true triumph exploring important morals. Do not miss it.
If you are a true movie buff, then the reasons why these films are so great need no explanation:
Action/Adventure - LADYHAWKE
Animated - TOY STORY
Classics - CASABLANCA
Comedy - DEATH BECOMES HER
Drama - SCHINDLER’S LIST
Mystery/Thrillers - BLOOD SIMPLE
Science Fiction - THE ABYSS or ALIENS
Westerns - UNFORGIVEN or TOMBSTONE