Drew’s Top 10 Modern Movies
Like all movie sites, we all might as well contribute our top 10 movies. Since Sight & Sound seems to have neglected every movie made while anyone who was alive today was making movies, we’re keeping ours in the post-70s.
Here is my personal best:
10. Airplane! (1980)
I can’t help but put this movie in any top ten list. I grew up on the TV version, and while the full version is a bit too risque at parts, there has never been a more successful true parody film. Even if I’ve never seen any of the airport disaster movies its a direct parody of, the gag-a-minute jokes get me every time. Admittedly, some of my favorite jokes are from the almost identical sequel (which featured William Shatner), but this movie is still the original and greatest.
9. Jurassic Park (1993)
I loved dinosaurs as a kid. Who didn’t? I was 9 years old when Jurassic Park came out, which was the perfect age for me. Steven Spielberg put in everything that I could want in a movie, mostly dinosaurs. Even watching it today, I find more and more to like about it. The humor, the (fake) science, the balance of characters, even the early CGI effects age better 20 years on than most movies in the last 10 years! But that’s a discussion for a future article…
8. Aliens (1986)
I am not a fan of scary movies, but I’ve always made an exception for this one (though to be fair, its more of an action/war movie). I think this movie hits all the marks, balancing the jump scares and general unease with explosions and humor. The artist designs are all great, and inspired countless space marines afterwards.
7. Inception (2010)
I was reluctant to put a movie from the current decade on this list, but I can’t help but think of this movie when considering my favorites. While each of Christopher Nolan’s movies are genius in their specific ways, this one manages to roll together the time-bending, mind-bending twists and turns he’s known for into an awesome action/heist movie that isn’t afraid to make you think.
6. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
When looking for awesome action heroes, you don’t need to look further than Indiana Jones. Lucas and Spielberg managed to create a truly great homage to the adventure serials of their youth, while making a movie that is truly timeless. The sequels don’t hold up as well, and the fourth is an abomination, but the original is still the original.
5. Ghostbusters (1984)
Like I said before, I’m not a fan of scary movies, but I’ve never considered this a scary movie. It’s a comedy, and its one of the best. Every scene is great, every line is a classic. The sequel is nothing to write home about, and the possibility of a third one upsets me greatly. Ghostbusters is so great, nothing should spoil it.
4. Back to the Future (1985)
I love science fiction, as you’ll see from this point on in the list, but this is a great adventure/comedy that happens to have science fiction elements in it. While a lot of movies try to have time travel, I believe this movie understands and uses it the best. It’s also laugh out loud funny, and full of awesome moments.
3. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
While I love (most of) the Star Trek movies, this one is definitely the best movie of the bunch. The acting, the drama, you don’t even need to have seen any Star Trek to appreciate it. It touches on growing old, staying young, and the futility of vengeance, while still having action and adventure to please the audience.
2. Jaws (1975)
I believe this to be the perfect example of a movie, worthy of study. Everything about this movie is great. While the shark effects don’t really hold up, the fact that they didn’t made a much more suspenseful movie than if they did. Each shot is beautiful, each actor is perfect, each scene manages to find that perfect beat needed at that moment in the film. It’s a great ride, from start to finish.
1. Star Wars (1977)
Surprise, surprise. I had to put this number one, it has defined so much of my life. Watching the original version recently really opened my eyes to how entertaining this movie can be on its own, which is why I didn’t put Empire on this list like my co-writers did. Empire may be a great dramatic movie, but the original is just such a great movie that I couldn’t not have it be number one. Star Wars will always be my favorite movie.
Ok. So. Here we go:
10. Reservoir Dogs
A personal choice. I saw Dogs in 1994 and realized at that moment that movies were going to change my life. QT’s best and his directorial debut. Cut out some action scenes and this could be the greatest play ever written. Sharp and brutal. Masterpiece.
9. E.T.
The first time I saw this film was actually earlier this year. My beautiful girlfriend put it in the PS3 and my eyes were pools of happy nostalgic tears. It’s the Eliot saying “Stay” and E.T. thanking Michael before he leaves that gets me. It’s the definition of heart warming.
8. The Dark Knight
Again, I just love Batman, and Nolan took the entire superhero genre and turned it on it’s head. This is the Godfather II of Superhero flicks. Chilling and brutal, the Joker is the villain we all secretly love to root for. A dark time in Gotham captured perfectly.
7. LOTR – Return of the King
Redefines epic. A Kurosawa style war film full of heart ripping emotions. An amazing way to wrap up and amazing series of films. Won a dump truck of awards and deservedly so. Did I cry a lot? Yes.
6. Die Hard
The best Christmas film, ever. John McClaine is the neo-western’s greatest hero, hell Die Hard might be the best Western ever made post 1970. Gruber is a vile bastard, everything works perfectly.
5. The Prestige
Just a personal thing again. I think it’s the most underrated films of the 00s and Nolan’s second best. It’s a mind blowing epic of a costume drama with some of the best dialogue and twists in recent memory.
4. 13 Assasssins
My favorite film of last year. Hands down. Takashi Miike took the idea of Seven Samurai and made it the most balls out action film I’ve ever seen. I remember I sat down with a full mug of root beer in my hand and after the film was over I looked down to see I hadn’t taken a single drink. It’s that kind of film.
3. The Big Lebowski
Come on. I don’t need to say much to this. 8 year olds, Dude.
2. Goodfellas
It’s that scene when Henry is taking Karen in the back door at the Copa. When we first meet Jimmy Conway. The way we are as paranoid as Hill is when those Helicopters are flying over. It’s the best film of the 90s. Period.
1. Jaws
My favorite movie ever. It’s that way it turns from a horror film to a man versus beast to a man versus himself film. The characters are beyond loveable, the music kills, the story is fantastic, and a diamond cutter couldn’t have cut that thing better. I have a blast every time I watch it and I’m sure I will for ages to come.
That’s my thoughts!
-Phelps
Nice list, Phelps! Goodfellas is on my list elsewhere in the site.