We are moving and grooving with our Top 10 Movies of All Time! Today brings us to our #9 of the best movies ever. If you missed last week’s, you can find #10 here. Want to know the brains behind the list? Take a peek here. What intriguing movies will make #9 today? Let’s find out!
Kai – “Drive”
Drive is a hyperstylized, violent car chase movie shot in LA. It follows the life of a stunt driver moonlighting as a getaway driver played by Ryan Gosling. Gosling is at his coolest, playing a quiet, blank slate of a hero. The movie answers the question: What if you shot a noir crime drama as an arthouse film?
The music is fantastic, driving the movie forward with an ethereal, 80s-style electropop. The acting stands up as well, with a solid cast that seems even better with time: Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Christina Hendricks, and Ron Perlman. My only hesitation in recommending Drive is that it does not hesitate to show the brutality of the criminal underbelly. There is plenty of fairly horrific violence and gore. At the same time, I can’t help but recommend such a well-executed, tightly focused movie that is also a beautiful love-letter to the long, lonely nights driving in Los Angeles.
Andrew – “Beauty and the Beast”
The original animated classic.
Sophie – “That Thing You Do! (1996)”
Written and directed by Tom Hanks, this movie is just a good time. The story of The Oneders a small town band in 1964 whose one song hits it big and takes them on the road to stardom. An original soundtrack was written for the movie with numbers from all the bands that The Oneders meet along the way. My family had it on tape and we would rock out to it in the minivan. This movie is driven by lovable characters, fun music and the parodic depiction of the 60’s pop music scene.
Po – “The Lion King”
I probably reference it more than anything in life — except for maybe subconsciously whistling Under The Sea. It’s a gem, plain and simple. Mufasa should be the patron saint of Father’s Day, and Jeremy Irons turn as Scar is truly something special. Plus, for all his whining, Simba makes for a strong central character. Don’t even get me started on the music.
Randy – “Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope (1977)“
This movie was mind expanding for me. I grew up reading Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury who created amazing science fiction action in my head, but now I look up at the Chinese Theater screen and see this amazing sci fi action on the big screen. I waited in line for the first show on the opening day. For you millennials I know this is status quo but for some 50’s/60’s sci fi freaks – Star Wars made our dreams real. Though not for everyone – my friend Michael came to the premiere with me and fell asleep during a battle sequence.
Scott – “2001”
Obtuse, weird, and dense; “2001” is Stanley Kubrick’s brilliant sci-fi vignette masterpiece. This movie is a slow burn but is worth every second. Many would say that movies like “Alien” and “Moon” are classics but that is like saying the bun of your hamburger is the meal and not the chuck underneath. 2001 begat “Alien” and “Moon.”
This series of short stories that interlock tell a tale of intelligence and change. The main arch revolves around Dave and HAL. HAL representing A.I and the inevitable extinction it has wrought on man. The chilling, monotone “I’m sorry Dave. I am afraid I can’t do that.” will ring with you forever after watching. “2001” is my choice as my 9th favorite movie.
Hungry – “Rocky IV”
I’m a huge fan of combat-based movies and action stars, but when they combined Sylvester Stallone and boxing into one of the most iconic characters in movie history, it was something truly special. What’s most surprising about this is that the first three entries in this series are nearly as good as this one, for me. Sure, it went downhill fast with the fifth installment, and somewhat redeemed itself with the 6th, and went in a totally different, yet amazing direction with the 7th (Creed), but Rocky IV stands out and this is why.
It’s that much more epic and inflated in its messaging. We studied this movie in US History AP while we were learning about the Cold War. This movie is American propaganda that builds up a terrifying enemy that can’t be defeated, and shows epic training montages in an effort to get to the point to beat them. It’s beginning is beyond tragic for fans of the series, which creates an even greater payoff at the end when the Italian Stallion faces his biggest challenge yet.
Years and years later, multiple songs from this soundtrack push me harder in my workouts than anything else I can think of. It’s extremely quotable and had a huge impact on me as a teenager. Funny story… all I wanted for Christmas was the VHS box set of the entire Rocky series. My mom got me it one year and all I would do is sit in my room and watch them over and over again. Eventually it was just Rocky IV that sat in the VHS player in my room. Hearts on Fire.
Fit – “Moulin Rouge”
Aside from Moulin Rouge, I’m not really a musical fan (Disney movies aside), but this one captured my heart at a young age and never let go. It follows the story of a struggling writer who falls for a courtesan. The passion, the wackiness, the music. My maid of honor and close friend, Robyn, and I used to watch this movie many times and then proceed to sing duos. I’m glad there aren’t any tapes of those. She even referenced it in her speech at my wedding because it’s been such a fun part of our relationship.
Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman’s acting are on point (as well as all of the other brilliant smaller characters)–you absolutely believe they are desperately in love and you feel everything they do. The music is a modern approach to many already-created songs such as “Your Song,” the Can Can, and “Roxanne.” It gives the movie a new and fun view. It’s always a little odd and the humor is spot on. Name any of these songs and I’ll belt it out! My hippie self loves this tragic love story. This movie will have you singing for days after–years for me. “Truth, Beauty, Freedom & Love”
So that wraps up this week’s best movie. You can look forward to these every Sunday! Next week is #8 as we crawl up (or down) our Top 10 Movies of All Time list! Hope to see you next week. And as always, stay hungry and fit!
