I thought about making this a greatest movie topic, but then realized some peoples definition of great (looks in mirror) is pretty bad, so I though a favorite movie topic would be good. There's no restrictions on genre, but at least be seriou and not say "You Got Served" or "From Jackass to Kerry" was one of your favorite movies. Anyway, time for my list... (in no particular order)


NOTE: SPOILERS IN ALL MOVIES JUST ABOUT

Also, this is just for now, since my fingers hurt and listed as much as I can with a little bit of explanation on each selection.

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Probably one of the best Star Wars movie (coincidence: George Lucas didn't direct), and doesn't need to worry about character developement, which was done in A New Hope. Luke's horrible decisions are not the true path of the Jedi, which is why Darth Vader slicing his hand off was deserved. The scenes with the Snowspeeders against the AT-AT's was great looking, and who didn't enjoy Lando Calrissian? The revelation of Darth Vader being Luke's father was also awesome.

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
My favorite Star Wars movies of the bunch, and a great way to cap the original trilogy. The emotion between Luke, Vader, and Palpatine was amazing for this kind of movie, where you feel Luke's anger when Vader can read Luke's feelings for his sister, and threatens to turn her to the dark side (not yet called the Sith). Also I'm not ashamed to be teary eyed during Vaders inner-conflict when looking on as Palpatine electrocutes Luke. That had me marking the fuck out.

The Odd Couple
I've always enjoyed Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau when in movies together, but this one is one of my favorites. Lemmon plays Felix Unger, a compulsive cleaner and injury prone freak, and Matthau is Oscar Madison, one of the biggest slobs in the world. No scene that includes dialogue has background music, to give the film a better realistic feel for the exchanges. This also spawned a TV series staring Jack Klugman and Tony Randall, which is also high on my list of shows.

The Fortune Cookie
Another film starring Lemmon and Matthau, except this I believe, was their first movie together, and IMO, their best. Matthau plays a schyster lawyer named William Gingrich, who takes advantage of his brother-in-laws (Lemmons character Harry Hinkle) minor accident during a football game. This leads to the two faking he has a serious spinal injury (thanks to a childhood incident with Harry). "Whiplash Willie" is doing it for the money, but Harry is doing it to get his wife back, who happens to be a gold digger.

The Goonies
Definitely not a great movie, but very entertaining. Starring a bunch of pre-teens (and a few teens) in an adventure movie and hunting for a pirate ship. The best comedy comes from the Fratelli's, especially the brother who denies wearing a hairpiece, even though he takes it off a few times. One of the few movies where Corey Feldman didn't make it suck.

Scarface
Another movie that most people wouldn't call great. Al Pacino plays Antonio (Tony) Montana, a Cuban immigrant looking to make it big in the world. The only problem is, he can't do anything but sell drugs. Although a little on the crazy side, some people could connect with the character. This also ranks high on the list of movies using language, with "fuck" being yelled out around 160 times in 170 minutes.

Dog Day Afternoon
Al Pacino returns again, this time as Sonny, a bank robber (loosely) based on a true story. The exchanges between Pacino and Charles Durning (Officer Moretti) throughout the movie are pretty good and authentic, and Pacinos talk with his "wife" Leon (Chris Sarandon) is also very well done, especially since they weren't on the stage together and I recall reading most (if not all) of it was improvised. Also gotta love the crowd going bat shit for Sonny. :)

Gladiator- even though everyone disagrees with me

Schindler's List- just an incredible movie

Requiem for a Dream- really hard to watch, but a classic

Graveyard of the Fireflies- the only anime i've ever liked

Platoon- just a great movie

Who in God's name wouldn't call Scarface great? That things classic.

A couple I'd say from my list would be...

Good Morning Vietnam

The Godfather

The Apostle

Slingblade

Off the top of my head...

Clerks

Spirited Away

Star Wars Trilogy

Boiler Room

Dark City

Pulp Fiction

Kill Bill 1 and 2

Planet of the Apes (original)

The Last Samurai

I disagree with the bashing of Scarface, but it generally gets a bad rap for the following reasons...

1. Al Pacino's "over-acting" and horrible cuban accent. I thought it was just fine, and Pacino even went to a number of Cuban born stage hands and extras just so he could make it sound as authentic as possible.

2. It runs 2 hours 50 minutes. I find this as a good thing. A: This allows time for every scene to run its course without rushing. B: It developes Pacinos character as somewhat sympathetic even though he only truely cares about himself and his sister. C: Most of the scenes were pretty awesome, from the dialogue exchanges, the action, and the soundtrack. :)

3. Lame storyline. It's a cuban immigrant who becomes a drug lord. I like my storylines short and simple that are easy to follow.

Since I seem to be the only horror junkie here I'll throw those in too....

A Clockwork Orange - This is director Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece. One of the most original and innovative films ever created. Plus, a film with rape and murder set to Beethoven is genius.

Eraserhead - This was director David Lynch's first film. It's a trip into the insane mind of a man. More of a work of art than an actual film, this film questions everything from premarital sex to human sanity. Also, this isn't much of a recommendation because a film of this magnitute appeals to a very small group of film fans.

Dawn of the Dead(78) - This is the greatest horror film of all time IMO. George Romero made the shopping mall famous in this 1978 classic zombie film. Was a benchmark for gore in horror films as it was unlike ANYTHING that has come before it. Wonderfully written and it transfered to film better than anyone could have expected. Also cast beautifully with unknown actors and they really do a great job in each of their roles.

Halloween - This was the beginning for the modern day slasher film. But unlike it's cheesy, horribly made counterparts this film is intelligent, and was a real terror upon it's 1978 release. Also, director John Carpenter scores the film more effectively than maybe any other director I've seen.

The Godfather - Do I REALLY need to explain this one?

Night of the Living Dead - THIS is the reason why horror exists to this day. This film has probably scared more people than any other film of all time. This film was so influential that it was placed amongst the National Film Registry (One of the most respected lists in film) greatest films of all time.

Deep Red - This one maybe a little more obscure films on here but it's an Italian horror film by director Dario Argento. This film has some of the greatest images in film history with distinct color and very good acting.....especially for Italian horror. All time classic horror film.

I would've listed Halloween and Night of the Living Dead if I wasn't falling asleep, but you covered it nicely. Also, maybe not a true horror movie, but Jaws is a pretty awesome movie that I enjoy every time I watch.

I'll add Clockwork Orange...somehow I forgot about that

I hate saying this, but I've never seen "A Clockwork Orange". Not because I don't want to, but it's never on TV, and whenever I rented movies, it always seemed to slip my mind. I guess I'll get a copy of the DVD of it.

i'm surprised how many people haven't seen it, actually

I know that the Simpsons must've parodied it quite a few times, since the producers, writers, etc. admited that it's probably the movie they stole the most from. Speaking of the Simpsons copying stuff, I'll add Psycho to my list. You never really see anything, but still scared me shitless.

It's really not something you can watch on TV..it's just too bizarre. You should definitely check it out though.

i watched it in tenth grade for the first time in my psych class...the teacher hadn't watched it ahead of time and spent half the movie trying to cover the TV screen

I don't mean T.V. as in CBS, FOX, etc. etc. More like HBO, Showtime, Encore. It seems like most of these movie channels show the same crap over and over again (who really wants to see from Justin to Kelly 3 times a day?), and rarely show movies I like.

Ahhh, Psycho should be on my list as well. Fucking Hitchcock is the man.

Scrooge you should definately check out Clockwork. Or at least read the book (it's good as well).......

I liked The Birds best of Hitchcock's work.

The Birds is awesome, but I honestly don't think it was more original or more influential than Psycho. But it's a great flick though....

More movies I neglected to name...

Back To The Future (I didn't enjoy 2 as much, and 3 was good, but not a favorite of mine)

Spaceballs (just so damn funny)

Major League (see Spaceballs, except a total carry job by Bob Uecker)

Back to the Future is one of the only Trilogies I can sit and watch back ot back to back. I love that goofy crap.

Naked Gun Triligy > Back to the Future trilogy.

I won't say yes or no to that. The Naked Gun movies rule everyones ass with a leather collar, but the Back to the Future Trilogy when watching consecutive are quite entertaining. On their own though, I'd rather watch a Naked Gun movie.

Requiem for a Dream: It's brutally honest. Which is beatiful

A Clockwork Orange: I was confused the first time I watched it, but the more I saw it, the better it got. (I also own a second edition printing of the book with a glossary in the back)

This is Spinal Tap: You want to ask, Can it get any blacker, and the answer, of course, is yes. Yes it can. Best watched in Doubly.

The Princess Bride: Do I need to explain?

Transformers the Movie: You've got the touch, you've got the power. Yeah, that's my childhood there.

T2: It's got a great feel. Amazing

Mallrats: I think Brodie is based on me. TELL HIM STEVE-DAVE!

HIGH-larious. I loved the exchange in that scene.

Also gotta agree with the Princess Bride, which reminds me that I wanted to get the DVD a while ago but keep forgetting.

AWWWWWW shit. Now THAT is a comedy folks. Nice choice Swiggmeister.

forgot about The Thin Red Line, which I only saw recently