Below is my Top 100. It's organized alphabetically, save for the top 10, which are ranked in favorite order. Disclaimer: I do not profess that these are the best 100 films of all time. These are simply ones I like have have enjoyed many times.
1. A River Runs Through It - a beautiful exploration of faith and family, with gorgeous photography and a score that completely moves me. There is so much one can take from this film.
2. The Shawshank Redemption - I love the theme of redemption, and this one is quintessentially sweet! The end, when Morgan Freeman's character says, "I hope...", is one of the happiest movie endings I've ever seen. His redemption is more poignant to me than that of Tim Robbins' character.
3. Moulin Rouge! - crazy-fun and gorgeous colors; a feast for the eyes and a classic love story, not to mention a phenomenal soundtrack. Dave and I danced to "Your Song" at our wedding and our recessional was "Come What May" (I will love you until our dying day...)
4. Walk the Line - Joaquin Phoenix will probably end up in a different blog, since I think he's the best thing since bean & cheese tacos, but he MAKES this movie what it is. I first saw this not really interested in the life of Johnny Cash, and both times Dave & I went, I was fascinated by the life he led, the music he created, and the portrayal Joaquin gives him. There's hope for redemption in the father-son relationship that anchors the film, too.
5. The Village - Phenomenal movie. I like all of Shymalan's films and think he is a great storyteller. (Marketing or mismarketing a movie is a different issue altogether). This is my favorite one. Again, it's got my boy Joaquin in it. The central love story is simple and beautiful, and the acting by Bryce Dallas Howard & Adrien Brody impressed me to no end. Favorite scenes: when Ivy Walker is waiting at the doorway for Lucius to come "save" her, and he comes out of the darkness to grab her hand and move her to the cellar (beautiful slow-motion there); when Ivy & Lucius discuss their future wedding and their relationship on the porch.
6. The Other Side of the Mountain Part 2 - it's hokey and unintentionally funny at times, but the love story is really sweet. I think only Annawhiner & my family have ever seen this one.
7. Before Sunset - this movie wouldn't be what it is without Before Sunrise, but it's better. It's completely heartbreaking and it ends too soon and it left me with a melancholy feeling for days afterward. Best left for a rainy day.
8. Empire Records - gets better with repeated viewings, and has some of the best quotable lines ever. A pre-famous Renee Zellweger & Liv Tyler. Funniest character is Lucas, played by Rory Cochrane, who is freaking hilarious.
9. Evolution - supremely silly and vastly funny ensemble comedy. I love that David Duchovny and Julianne Moore, two "serious" actors, crack joke after joke in this one. She plays a great klutz. This one made me get a crush on Orlando Jones.
10. Groundhog Day - funny, quotable, and literally timeless. I can watch it over & over again, which is subtly ironic.
11. 13 Going on 30
12. Amelie of Montmarte
13. American Graffiti
14. As Good As It Gets
15. Back to the Future
16. Bird on a Wire
17. The Breakfast Club
18. Bridget Jones' Diary
19. Caddyshack
20. Can't Buy Me Love
21. Cast Away
22. A Christmas Story
23. The Chronicles of Narnia - Lion, Witch, & Wardrobe
24. City Slickers
25. Crossing Delancey
26. Dead Poets' Society
27. Deep Impact
28. Emma
29. Father of the Bride
30. A Few Good Men
31. Field of Dreams
32. The Firm
33. Fletch
34. Forrest Gump
35. French Kiss
36. Fried Green Tomatoes
37. Garden State
38. Good Will Hunting
39. The Goonies
40. Gosford Park
41. Happy Gilmore
42. Innerspace
43. It's a Wonderful Life
44. The Italian Job (2003)
45. A League of Their Own
46. Life is Beautiful
47. Little Women
48. Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
49. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
50. Love Actually
51. Love Story
52. Memphis Belle
53. Mr. Holland's Opus
54. Much Ado About Nothing
55. My Cousin Vinny
56. My Dog Skip
57. The Natural
58. North By Northwest
59. The Notebook
60. Notting Hill
61. Ocean's Eleven
62. An Officer and a Gentleman
63. Oklahoma!
64. On Golden Pond
65. The Parent Trap (1998)
66. The Pelican Brief
67. The Princess Bride
68. Quiz Show
69. Rain Man
70. The Rainmaker
71. Reality Bites
72. Remember the Titans
73. Romancing the Stone
74. Romy & Michele's High School Reunion
75. Rudy
76. Runaway Bride
77. Say Anything...
78. Scent of a Woman
79. School of Rock
80. Sense & Sensibility
81. Shadowlands
82. Singles
83. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
84. The Sixth Sense
85. Something's Gotta Give
86. Spider-Man
87. Steel Magnolias
88. Ten Things I Hate About You
89. That Thing You Do!
90. Titanic
91. Tommy Boy
92. True Lies
93. Under the Tuscan Sun
94. Untamed Heart
95. Wayne's World
96. When Harry Met Sally...
97. While You Were Sleeping
98. With Honors
99. X2: X-Men United
100. You've Got Mail
Do you see any on here that you like? What are YOUR favorites? Leave comments and tell me what you think!
