Top 100 Movies of the Past 25 Years

(hey, a repost of a repost)


In the previous incarnation of this blog (the version where I hadn’t earned 34 American dollars from ad clicks; get to work people – I get 8 cents a click – I got kids to feed…okay, there are no kids, but my goal of pantsless work requires that you click you some ads, like for that Derek Jeter hitting dvd or whatever the hell’s going on; and sure, sure, sure, I can’t quit my job after only 34 dollars, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and if I’m ever going to be able to indulge my agoraphobia and desire to get so fat the reanimated corpse of Dick Gregory has to coax me off the couch with some hook-like device, say like you’d use in a vending machine at the Sacramento fairgrounds to try to grab a stuffed penguin in the summer of 1995 for Laura Arnold while you ate roast beef sandwiches during Day 2 of the California Bar Exam - you good people are going to have to click, click, click on some ads. Is Dick Gregory dead, incidentally? If you are Dick Gregory and you are not dead and you are reading this blog, perhaps looking for number 183 on my list of the top 200 major league baseball players of all time, you know, holla at your boy and whatnot and click some ads.) I deconstructed the Entertainment Weekly list of the Top 100 films of the past 25 years. The first half of the EW list is below.

My list is coming in a couple of posts. For those of you who are reading the baseball 200 list (who will be 183? Who? Who? Maybe it will be Joaquin Andujar!) understand that my warrant about that is distinct from my film list. I have only rudimentary knowledge of film, really limited to the United States; I feel stronger on documentaries than fiction, stronger on the quality of sports films than other types of fiction - I think my list is better than the EW list, but, honestly, that's all the warrant I'll give it.

And now – here’s half of the the EW list. The lesser list. The list not as good as my list.

1. Pulp Fiction (1994)

-Yup. Only question for me would be 1 or 2. Interesting is that Forrest Gump, Pulp's chief competition for critical acclaim in '94, is not on the list. I concur with that also. This is the only Tarantino, which is error. Reservoir Dogs is a Top 40 film, and maybe Jackie Brown at the bottom of the list.


2. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-03)

-Wouldn't make my list. I sat in a theater through the first one and thought I'd only escape by cutting a hostage tape. Near as I can figure, these movies were about jewelry.

3. Titanic (1997)

-Did Titanic have a soundtrack? I can't recall. Little Children and Heavenly Creatures are better Kate Winslet movies not on the list. Gangs of New York, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, and that one episode of Growing Pains where Mike made a wisecrack about his sister being too fat to enter the kingdom of heaven were better DiCaprios that didn't make the list.


4. Blue Velvet (1986)

-I'd like it lower, say top 75; my brother Joe says Mulholland Drive is better. Hoosiers was another Dennis Hopper from '86, it didn't make the list. My favorite Hopper from the time period was True Romance, it would make my top 50 but didn't make this list.



5. Toy Story (1995)

-I gotta tell you, there aren't too many elements in our culture more overrated than kids movies. You can wrap up all of the various animated movies on this list in a big sack and throw them in the water with DiCaprio for my money. None of them ever say anything besides believe in yourself and take your vitamins. Neither Philadelphia nor A League of Their Own made the list; I take them both as Hanks films over the cartoon. Hell, I take Splash over Toy Story and it's not even close. Wouldn't make my list.


6. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

-Hanks goes back-to-back. I'm not in love with war movies; there's one later on the list that's way too low - but not on the list are Platoon and The Thin Red Line, both of which I'd like in the Top 80. I haven't seen Letters From Iwo Jima (not on the list) but I wouldn't have put Flags of Our Fathers (not on the list) on mine. This would probably make my list, but at the back.


7. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)


-I prefer Crimes and Misdemeanors (not on this list); that would crack my Top 20. I'd move Hannah down, bottom of the Top 50. Zelig was released in '83 and I'd consider it for the bottom of the list, it's not on this one.

8. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

-Yup. I like it right here. Yup. It's the only Jodie Foster here; Little Man Tate is a film I'd consider for the bottom of the list. It's the only Hopkins, there's one more I'd consider that I'll mention later. It's the only Demme; I've already mentioned Philadelphia, which would be on my list, and I'd consider Swimming to Cambodia for the bottom of the list.


9. Die Hard (1988)

-I love me some Die Hard too; it's my favorite action movie, and since abovee only kids movies in my cinematic circles of hell are heavy CGI films, it's unlikely an action film in the future will seriously challenge. And Die Hard would be on my list and be high on my list. However - not on this list from 1988 were Bull Durham (my favorite sports movie ever) and Dangerous Liaisons (Uma Thurman, young and shirtless). They'd both be on my list ahead of Die Hard. Also missing from '88, Midnight Run, and A Fish Called Wanda


I'd put all of them on my Top 100. Why you gotta hate '88, EW?


10. Moulin Rouge (2001)

-One asks, if all of those movies are going on your top 100 - what are you taking off, Jividen?



And then we find Moulin Rouge.

Thanks.

Moulin Rouge was fine. I prefer Once, which wouldn't make my list, although the soundtrack would make my list of the top albums of the time period. Of Nicole Kidman films - I'll take To Die For.
That's the top 10.


11. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)


Not any complaints; I like it right here at number 11. It would be the second comedy in my list; my top comedy is Raising Arizona, which is not on the list. One assumes that with Fargo (too low) and No Country (a little high) the Coens were thought to be sufficiently represented. This is error. My list would also include Barton Fink and Millers Crossing. It might include Blood Simple. And Lebowski, while it wouldn't make it, wouldn't be far behind.


Oh - and a mockumentary that I'd like at about number 50 which isn't on this list - Bob Roberts.


12. The Matrix (1999)

I liked the Matrix. It wouldn't make my list, but I liked it. I've already mentioned that I'd put Dangerous Liaisons on my list - that might be the only Keanu that would make it, but River's Edge would be tough to leave off (it's not on the list). The other good Keanus - Parenthood, I Love You to Death, My Own Private Idaho, would miss by a little more, but I like all of them more than the Matrix. Speed, which I also liked, also makes this list, but shouldn't.


13. GoodFellas (1990)

Yup. And right here too. Departed, which I think is ranked correctly, is the only other Scorcese, meaning there's no Cape Fear on the list, which would be another very tough bottom list call for me. I also have an enormous amount of affection for Color of Money, which would have to find a bottom of the list spot.


14. Crumb (1995)

Hmmm. I liked Crumb and it’s an out of the box choice, but I don't think it makes my top 50 - I like it in the top 75 though.



The real problem is that there are only two documentaries on the list (Hoop Dreams, which is maybe a tick high) now, my bias is toward documentaries, but my list would conservatively have 10.




I'd like to have 15. Jim hearts documentaries.



4 Little Girls -
American Movie - which not only is on my list, it's in the top 20
Bowling for Columbine -
The Corporation -
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room -
Fahrenheit 911 -
The Fog of War
Hearts of Darkness
The King of Kong
No End in Sight
Roger&Me -
Spellbound
When We Were Kings
Why We Fight
The Thin Blue Line

That's 15 more. Plus the two on the list - that's 17. If I had to, I could cut that to 10, but 10 would be the fewest number of documentaries which should be on the list of the top 100 films of the past 25 years.


15. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

I liked it, it wouldn't make my list, but it would be close. Donnie Brasco and Ed Wood are also both on the list for Depp -- I don't know if I'd have any, they'd all be close, but might be victims of the documentary onslaught. Brasco would make it before the other two.


16. Boogie Nights (1997)

This is a top 5 film for me. It might even be number 3. In fact, let's go ahead and say it - Boogie Nights is the 3rd best movie of the past 25 years. There Will Be Blood is the other PTA on the list, it wouldn't make it for me - but Magnolia would and I'd also really have to consider Hard Eight.

17. Jerry Maguire (1996)


I'm willing to say Jerry Maguire belongs on the list, but in the 90s - I like it, I don't hate Cruise or Cameron Crowe, it's sweet and pleasant and all good things and I'm good with its being at the bottom of the list. But 17 is just silly. Risky Business and Rain Man (properly ranked) are the other Cruises on the list; I've already mentioned Magnolia and Color of Money as being on my list - I'm also of a mind that All the Right Moves is the most underrated sports movie ever, and not just for Lea Thompson. Okay, maybe just for Lea Thompson, but seriously, that's good stuff. In fact, actually, even as I write this - I think Moves is a better film than Jerry Maguire. I'm knocking Maguire out of the top 100 - putting in All the Right Moves instead.


Oh - I would have Say Anything not only on my list, but in the Top 10.


18. Do the Right Thing (1989)

Recall my comment about Pulp Fiction, that the only conversation was 1 or 2?




This is the other film in that conversation. 18 is nutty low. It's either 1 or 2 and there's really no discussion beyond that. It's the only Spike on the list and the only one which should be, as Malcolm X just misses for me - I've already mentioned 4 Little Girls which would be one of those 7 I'd cut to get my docs down to 10.


Why Entertainment Weekly ain't got no brothers on the wall?


19. Casino Royale (2006)


This is error.



I liked Casino Royale; it's the only Bond on the list or that should be anywhere near the list. But I wouldn't put it in the top 250. This choice won't hold up all that well, let me suggest.


I mean, JFK isn't on this list. JFK would be in my top 10. There's no argument that Casino Royale is a better film than JFK. And I liked Casino Royale.




20. The Lion King (1994)


See the Toy Story discussion for my thought about the merits of the big, sprawling kids movie. Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 movie that didn't make the list. I'm just sayin'.


21. Schindler's List (1993)


Since Jamelle Hill got thrown under the ESPN bus for making a Hitler joke, I wonder the degree to which I can criticize a movie about the Holocaust - but my favorite part of Schindler's List was when Jerry was making out with the girl who was on As the World Turns in the middle of it.


It wouldn't make my list.


There. I said it and feel better for having said it.
22. Rushmore (1998)




Loved me some Rushmore. I like it and like it right here. Lost in Translation (properly ranked) and Ghostbusters are the other Murray on the list (Ed Wood, too). I prefer Groundhog Day to Ghostbusters - and I like Kingpin more than a little bit, it wouldn't make the list, but I'd give it a wave.


23. Memento (2001)


Yup. And properly ranked. In fact, were it to be..21st...that wouldn't break my heart. Interestingly, not on the list is The Usual Suspects, a film with which Memento is often associated. Memento's better - but Suspects makes my list.




Appropos of absolutely nothing but it's in my head right now and I don't want it to slip away - Lone Star would also make my list.


24. A Room With a View (1986)


My favorite Merchant-Ivory was Remains of the Day. I liked a Room With a View - I don't think either of them would make my list.





25. Shrek (2001)


-Rinse, repeat on the Toy Story discussion.

The only other Eddie Murphy on the list is Beverly Hills Cop; I don't know if that's better than Trading Places or not - I don't know if either of them should make the list - but that got me to think about Raw, which also shouldn't make the list - but, that, that makes me consider Stop Making Sense - and goddamn, that not only should have been in my list of docs - it would be in my top 100.


So, take out Shrek, put in Stop Making Sense.


26. Hoop Dreams (1994)



The sports film which has to be included is Bull Durham; for the life of me, there are some films the absence of which on the list is flat goofy, Bull Durham is one of them. I think its the best sports movie ever made and that includes Raging Bull.




I liked the other Shelton movies, White Men Can't Jump and Tin Cup a lot, but wouldn't be able to find places for them. I referenced Hoosiers, but don't think it gets a spot either. I liked Eight Men Out more than the more heralded baseball films of the era, but wouldn't find a place for it.


That's a Cusack film - you know a Cusack film which is kind of a sports movie and absolutely should be on the list, and would be in a world where people understood funny?


Better Off Dead. On the list.



I've mentioned my affection for Kingpin, but that wouldn't make it - League of Their Own would be close, but I'm bettin' it gets squeezed by one of my documentaries. If you add Color of Money and When We Were Kings, that's the sports run.




27. Aliens (1986)




Hmmm.


Aliens was good; it certainly shouldn't be this high; my guess is it wouldn't make my list. A better Sigourney Weaver was The Ice Storm, which probably doesn't make it either.




28. Wings of Desire (1988)




Wim Wenders was a fun choice; I don't think I like it or End of Violence enough to put them on my list, but I accept that makes mine even more US focused than EW's. I will throw here a film no one but me has ever seen though - Tom Noonan's What Happened Was.




29. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)




Huh. Okay - similar to Casino Royale; this was a good action movie and I really like Damon, but it wouldn't approach my list, much less 29. I'm not sure the argument that it's better than Good Will Hunting, which I don't think would make my list either. Damon's only film that makes it is Departed, which is on the EW list (oh yeah, he's Private Ryan too, that's right) I liked Mr. Ripley and Rounders but not enough for the list.




30. When Harry Met Sally... (1989)



Yup. Maybe high; I'll accept that it's high, but of romantic comedies of the era, this is the best going away.

31. Brokeback Mountain (2005)




Actually, I feel about Brokeback the way I feel about Wings of Desire, I liked them both and am glad to see them on a list like this - but if you're asking me what are the Best 100 Movies of the past 25 years, I wouldn't have room for either. I already mentioned The Ice Storm, an Ang Lee I'd rank higher. I've already mentioned Donnie Darko, a Gyllenhaal I'd rank higher, but which probably doesn't make the list - and I think my favorite Gyllenhaal film is The Good Girl, which also doesn't make it, but like To Die For is an excellent use of Nicole Kidman's lack of emotional accessibility, Good Girl really takes advantage of Jennifer Aniston's limitations. She's not a bad actor, she just needs to be used in a specific context; a comparison might be with Adam Dunn; he strikes out too much, can't field at all (I mean - he can't field at all - every time you've heard that 45 year old Barry Bonds couldn't play in the NL in 2008 because his fielding has deteriorated so much has been a lie of omission, because Adam Dunn, to borrow an old line, is taking fashion advice from 1980s Michael Jackson and wearing one glove for no apparent reason) Dunn drives broadcasters crazy; they've wanted to run him out of town for 3-4 years, but because he's got good power and because he can take a walk, he really can help you if used right. The Good Girl not only maximizes what Aniston can do, it gives her a character which uses what would be flaws in another setting.




Chuck and Buck didn't make EW and wouldn't make mine either, but it's a good movie too if just for that one line.




32. Fight Club (1999)




I like it and I like it right here. Good work. I've already mentioned Rounders as a really good Norton, who also had American History X as a film which wouldn't make the list, but deserves note. This is the best Brad Pitt; I've already said True Romance would make my list - as would Thelma and Louise. Se7en is a good film which wouldn't quite make it for me.


33. The Breakfast Club (1985)




I'm an 80s kid; I'm 37 years old as I write this in the summer of '08, making me 14 when I saw Breakfast Club; so I am as married to John Hughes as is everyone else who thinks Psychedelic Furs' "Love My Way" is criminally overlooked as one of the great pop songs ever written.


That said, I don't think Breakfast Club makes my list, and surely not at 33. It's an iconic film and relfective of the times and all of that - but when you use the word "Best" to modify "films" you've built a box in which Judd Nelson doesn't fit. As earlier mentioned, Say Anything makes my list and makes it easily..in terms of iconic 80s teen films, I'd like Ferris Bueller before Breakfast Club.





34. Fargo (1996)




As mentioned, I'm in and I'd like to see this a little higher. Also on my list would be Raising Arizona (top 10) Barton Fink and Millers Crossing. Blood Simple would be close. A non Coens movie doing a Coens thing that is good is Red Rock West. A Simple Plan is also good in that tone.

35. The Incredibles (2004)




Nope. All of these movies, wiped clean off the list. I liked Incredibles, but it's disposible. Why are there more cartoons than documentaries on the EW list? Fahrenheit 911 also came out in 2004, for example. Hotel Rwanda doesn't make my list, but it's another 2004 film I'd like more than Incredibles. Traffic was a better Cheadle than Rwanda, but I wouldn't put it on my list either - Out of Sight, I think, is better still - but still wouldn't make the list. A better Clooney than that is Three Kings, and that might make it.

36. Spider-Man 2 (2004)




Nope. Just a popcorn movie. A well made enough popcorn movie, but a popcorn movie. Pleasantville was a better Maguire, and that might make the list.

37. Pretty Woman (1990)




I watched Pretty Woman again for the first time in 15 years just a year or so ago - I liked it more than I did the first time; I get the whole Julia Roberts thing. Thumbs up.




That said, there's not really an argument it belongs on the list.




Closer, I think, is my favorite Julia Roberts movie. It wouldn't make the list. I think...Unfaithful would be my favorite Gere of the time period, and it wouldn't make it either.




38. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)




Yup. And in my top 20. And behind Adaptation, which is my favorite Charlie Kauffman movie. I'd put them both in the top 10. If there's a Charlie Kauffman, I'm first in line; I don't think he's missed.





39. The Sixth Sense (1999)




I got off the M Night bus hard with Signs, which I thought was awful; I liked Unbreakable and Sixth Sense, but not enough to put either of them on the list. Know what I prefer in terms of "don't reveal the surprise twist" - David Mamet's psychological thrillers. On my list would be The Spanish Prisoner and maybe House of Games. And that brings up two more Mamets, Wag the Dog (which probably misses) and Glengarry Glen Ross (which does not miss). No Michael Moore and no David Mamet for EW. But a whole assload of trillion dollar budget cartoons. Okay.





40. Speed (1994)




I discussed Speed in the Matrix comment. I liked it. Not on my list. I don't have a Sandra Bullock on the list. I think actually Speed might be her best film, so I'll sign off on that one.

41. Dazed and Confused (1993)

It makes my list, but this is too high. It's the indie slice of life of the moment selection, I get it, but I get it about 50 spots lower.



The film that isn't on the list, that would occupy a similar slot, would be Clerks.

Clerks is in my top 20 and I might actually like it as high as number 12, just behind Spinal Tap.



I've been saving the mention of Clerks, and one other film - Leaving Las Vegas - as they're the last films that are sitting in my brain as obviously needing to be on my list. Their omissions glare.






I don't think Before Sunrise, speaking of Linklater, makes my list, but it's close - Clerks is the only Kevin Smith, but I also really liked Chasing Amy.



42. Clueless (1995)




I liked Clueless, funny and cute, both Alicia and the screenplay, but it wouldn't be within two hundred spots of the best 100 movies of the past quarter century. My apologies to Amy Heckerling as Ridgemont High was a year too early for the list.





43. Gladiator (2000)




No. Crowe's had 3-4 better films; my favorite is The Insider, which probably wouldn't make the list. Dude may be a pain in the ass, but he's crazy talented.




44. The Player (1992)




And higher. Top 25. Short Cuts also makes my list.

45. Rain Man (1988)




Yup. Right here too. Tom Cruise has always appeared to me to be hatched, Gatsby like, what's his real name, where did he grow up, did he have parents, did he hire Joey Potter to give birth to the Messiah - he has an interesting life. Now, I don't see any difference at all, literally none, in believing the Scientology rap, the aliens and L Ron and the thetans and meat bodies - and Christianity or any other theistic worldview. I'm not a man in the sky guy; I made reference to George Carlin the other day as the top stand up comic ever - I actually think he's more significant than that, I think he's Mark Twain except funnier and more prolific, and as important as any of his accomplishments was his willingness to stand out all by himself and offer the incredibly dangerous view that Christianity is just superstition with a better marketing campaign. To my eyes, do whatever you need to do to get you through the day; I'd just rather your particular worldview didn't run public policy. But I've been on the "Cruise is a curious cat" train for a couple decades.




To recap the Jerry Maguire thoughts: Risky Business is on the list and should be; I like both All the Right Moves and Color of Money for the list; his best performance was in Magnolia and that makes my list too.





You know what Hoffman would make my list?




Death of a Salesman.




No reason why TV movies don't count. I'm putting Death of a Salesman on my list.

46. Children of Men (2006)




It can take this spot right here. I don't get this choice at all; I rolled through this film as if it weren't even there; it's not that I disliked it (like the Lion King, for example) it's that it I thought of it as entirely disposable.




I've already said Closer's the best Julia Roberts, I think it's the best Clive Owen too, but it still doesn't make it, I don't think. Julianne Moore already has Boogie Nights, I'd add Short Cuts and Magnolia - I liked Far From Heaven a lot, but it wouldn't make it. Either would Safe or that Uncle Vanya version she did, but they're both good -- you know what might make it would be The Fugitive; in terms of action movies - I'll take The Fugitive over the Bond or Bourne movies.

47. Men in Black (1997)




I'll also take The Fugitive over MIB, speaking of Tommy Lee Jones. I didn't like MIB or the sequel or anything similar to either. Not to hit the JFK button again - but, you know, MIB is 47th and JFK isn't on the list? Will and I share a birthday; although he's 2 years older, but he isn't on my list.





48. Scarface (1983)




Spoiler Alert:




Scarface sucks.




I know you aren't allowed to say that anymore, and it means I have to turn in my cool kids club card, but Scarface is a cartoon and not a good one.

Let's consider Pacino - I've never made it all the way through Angels in America, since we've broken the TV movie seal. I think if I were to go with a multi-part long form film it would be The Staircase first. I've already mentioned Glengarry (in) and Insider (out, with regrets) Donnie Brasco's on the list, as I recall, and it would be close for me, as would Carlito's Way, which isn't on the list. I liked Frankie and Johnny and Sea of Love, neither make it. Pfeiffer should make it with Liaisons, as mentioned.






49. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)




Nope. It's pretty, but that's as far as I go with it. If Requiem for a Dream doesn't make my list, I don't think I have a film from 2000.







50. The Piano (1993)


I really liked the Piano. I don't think it makes my list, but I liked it. Broadcast News is coming up lower, and I'd like to move it up here and I'd like to pair it with Accidental Tourist, so that's the film I'd have take Piano's place.

Half down. Half to go.

51. There Will Be Blood (2007)
Out. See how easy this is?




52. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad (1988)




Out. Good movie, but not near this level. I've already been through the films I would add in '88, the '88 comedies I'm adding are A Fish Called Wanda and Midnight Run.




53. The Truman Show (1998)




In. I liked this ranking a lot; Truman Show's tended to get forgotten in the last ten years, I thought it deserved this spot exactly. My regards to Amelie (and to Trainspotting, for that matter) neither is going to make my list. My apologies.

54. Fatal Attraction (1987)




Out.

55. Risky Business (1983)




In. 77. I'm...I'm gonna take The Big Chill too from '83. That gives me 78. as I put together my own list of 100 which will follow in the final post in this trilogy Oh - The Right Stuff. The Right Stuff is terrific, 79.







56. The Lives of Others (2006)




I lied, I haven't seen all the films on the list, in fact, I think there are 3 I have not seen - this is one of them. So, not on the list. I'm just one man. I did see Half Nelson and Borat from '06, they are good films which won't make the list.







57. There’s Something About Mary (1998)

Aw, hell....the thing is, I prefer Kingpin, and as mentioned, it's not going to make it - so...out. Still at 79.


58. Ghostbusters (1984)

I was 13, so I loved me some Ghostbusters. "Bustin' makes me feel good" is a solid, under the radar, extra dirty lyric from a kids' movie. But no - it doesn't make it; I don't currently have room for Groundhog Day, a Murray I liked more. No. Still at 79. Better as a kids movie from '84 was Buckaroo Bonzai, which doesn't make my list....but...hmmm...no, doesn't make it. Karate Kid was better and doesn't make it. Starman - Starman was the best film in this paragraph. It doesn't make it. Still at 79.







59. L.A. Confidential (1997)




In. That's 80 in my list that I'm putting together on this piece of legal paper next to me that also has my pre-season college football top 25. So many lists to reveal!

60. Scream (1996)




Out. Instead of '96 movies, let me consider '85, as I've just done '83 and '84 and that makes sense to me as I sit here on 80. Brazil....argh. Argh. Argh. Out. Argh. Prizzi's Honor - in. That's 81.







61. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)




Argh. I'm an Eddie Murphy guy and the result of my list is that I';m not going to have any Eddie Murphy on the list. Out. Argh. Let's consider '86 - of the films I haven't yet discussed...where are we on Stand by Me? Nope. Still out. Sitting on 81.







62. sex, lies and videotape (1989)




In. 82. Of the films I haven't covered in '87...I don't think Roxanne makes it, No Way Out was also really good. I'm gonna stick at 82.







63. Big (1988)

In. I've done '88 talk - Talk Radio is a film that's just gonna miss for me. 83.


64. No Country For Old Men (2007)

Heads it's in, tails it's out.




In. Lower, however. I think this is it from last year for me. 84.




65. Dirty Dancing (1987)




Out. Way, way, way out. I'm good for other '89 films.




66. Natural Born Killers (1994)



In. And higher. That makes 85. The Grifters gets in from 1990. That's 86. I really liked both Metropolitan and Pump Up the Volume, they don't make it. I'm at 86 after all.

67. Donnie Brasco (1997)
In. I'll say Brasco in and Carlito's Way out. That's 87.


68. Witness (1985)

Argh...out. Yeah, out. I've got the Fugitive in and I'm gonna leave Witness out. Considering 1991, a note should be offered for all of the Michael Apted docs, they don't make it - I wanted to limit myself to ten and I've got 10. So, no. But 35 Up came out in '91. As did Boyz n the Hood - which is in, that's 88. And the Fisher King. Hell. 89.




69. All About My Mother (1999)

Out. Still at 89.

70. Broadcast News (1987)




In. 90. I've already put in Accidental Tourist, as mentioned. I'm gonna get stuck unable to put in either Defending Your Life or Lost in America. This list makes me sad.




71. Unforgiven (1992)




In. 91. And it should be higher. I've mentioned my '92 films.




72. Thelma & Louise (1991)




Yeah. 92. Clearly, I'm going to have to start cutting from my list. Fearless was a good '93 film as were Dave and Searching for Bobby Fischer. Oh - and Flesh and Bone, that was good. And A Perfect World and Bodies, Rest and Motion and Malice. "I am God" - who doesn't love some motherfucking Alec Baldwin? The War Room didn't make my doc. cut down to 10 incidentally.




73. Office Space (1999)




Nope. I'm at 92 and drawing the line! No, I'm not - Quiz Show was a 1994. That's in. I'm at 93.

74. Drugstore Cowboy (1989)




Ahhhhh. Ahhhhhh. Ahhhhhhh. Out. Kicking and Screaming and Swimming with Sharks are both real good 1995 films.




75. Out of Africa (1985)







Out. Welcome to the Dollhouse and Slingblade miss from '96. Celluloid Closet was a doc that didn't make the ten as was Looking for Richard. I liked Walking and Talking




76. The Departed (2006)




In. 94. The Sweet Hereafter is just going to miss, right along with The Ice Storm from '97. Grosse Point Blank misses...but I'm going to put in In the Company of Men. 95.







77. Sid and Nancy (1986)




No, like Office Space, I don't have the room. Happiness and Gods and Monsters miss from '98, but The Opposite of Sex...no, that misses too. Grumble.









78. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)




Out. I thought I was going to leave out Being John Malkovich, but I'm not. 96. I liked Go a lot from '99....no, I'm putting it in. Go. That's 97. I'm screwed.

79. Waiting for Guffman (1996)


In. 98. You Can Count on Me was really good from 2000. Yeah, it's in and the Fugitive is out, keeping me at 97. Okay, let's take something else out to keep me at 97...I'm going to take out the Thin Red Line. Not the Thin Blue Line, which stays - the Thin Red Line goes, keeping me at 97.




80. Michael Clayton (2007)




This is the second of the three movies I haven't seen, so out. 97. In The Bedroom was a real good 2001 movie that doesn't make it.




81. Moonstruck (1987)




Good film. Out. 97. I liked About a Boy, Igby Goes Down, and Roger Dodger from '02.







82. Lost in Translation (2003)

In. 98. The Cooler is a real good 2003.


83. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987)

The 3rd movie I haven't seen. Out. You know what was good - Ghost World...no, no room. The Notebook was 2004; I feel a little embarassed that I liked it, not enough for the list - but i liked it - and either I'm embarassed because it's manipulative (a good reason) or because we've designated it culturally as belonging to women - and like reality tv and soap operas, entertainment that becomes assigned to the women's sphere is treated with an extra disdain.




84. Sideways (2004)

In. 99.

85. The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005)




In. 100. I liked The Aristocrats - although the Seinfeld doc. Comedian is better. Yikes, I'm at 100. That means I have to dip into the original 75 if I'm going to add any of the final 15. A History of Violence was good in '05.


86. Y Tu Mamá También (2002)




Out. I'm out of spots!





87. Swingers (1996)




In. 101. That knocks out All the Right Moves. 100.





88. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

Out. I've run through 2006 and 2007, so we're on the glide path home.




89. Breaking the Waves (1996)

In. I take out Good Will Hunting. What's the best women's performance of the past 25 years and isn't it this one?


90. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

Out. No room.


91. Back to the Future (1985)




Out. I saw it and St. Elmo's Fire in the theatre on the same day, by myself, when I was 14. Good times.








92. Menace II Society (1993)

Out.











93. Ed Wood (1994)




Ahhhhhh. Out.


94. Full Metal Jacket (1987)

In. And much higher, this is so low I think I mentioned in an earlier post that it wasn't on the EW list. I'll take off Little Man Tate.




95. In the Mood for Love (2001)

Out.




96. Far From Heaven (2002)

Out.




97. Glory (1989)

Out.




98. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)




I really liked this. Out.









99. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Out.




100. South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999)


And out. 100. We're good. I'll put the full list of my 100, although not in order given time restrictions and my baseball list requirements.

See previous posts with the label movies to see how we got here. Again, only 1-10 is ranked and my warrant for this is not the same as for my list of the greatest baseball players of all time. I enjoy films and think about them, but my cultural limitations are pretty evident and art isn't as amenable to reduction as is sport. There is less reasonable debate than you think about the greatest baseball players ever while, obviously, the "your mileage may vary" element in this list is significant.




Regardless.


1. Pulp Fiction







2. Do The Right Thing




3. Boogie Nights




4. Raising Arizona




5. Adaptation




6. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind




7. JFK




8. Clerks




9. Say Anything




10. Fahrenheit 9-11.










And the rest, again, in no particular order.




-Blue Velvet




-True Romance




-Philadelphia




-Saving Private Ryan




-Platoon




-Waiting for Guffman




-Hannah and Her Sisters




-Crimes and Misdemeanors




-Goodfellas




-Full Metal Jacket




-Swimming to Cambodia




-Die Hard




-Bull Durham




-Dangerous Liaisons




-Midnight Run




-A Fish Called Wanda




-This is Spinal Tap




-Barton Fink




-Millers Crossing




-Bob Roberts




-Election




-Ferris Bueller's Day Off




-The Color of Money




-Crumb




-Hearts of Darkness




-Bowling for Columbine




-American Movie




-Hoop Dreams




-Roger&Me




-When We Were Kings




-Why We Fight




-Murder on a Sunday Morning




-The Thin Blue Line




-Magnolia




-Swingers




-Shawshank Redemption




-Rushmore




-Lost in Translation




-Heathers




-Memento




-Lone Star




-Stop Making Sense (yeah, I know this is the 12th doc. and I said I'd limit it to 10, I lied)




-Better off Dead




-What Happened Was




-Breaking the Waves




-When Harry Met Sally




-Wag the Dog




-American Beauty




-Fight Club




-Three Kings




-Pleasantville




-Silence of the Lambs




-Being John Malkovich




-The Spanish Prisoner




-House of Games




-Glengarry Glen Ross




-Death of a Salesman




-You Can Count on Me




-Dazed and Confused




-Leaving Las Vegas




-The Player




-Short Cuts




-Rain Man




-The Accidental Tourist




-Broadcast News




-Reservoir Dogs




-The Princess Bride




-The Usual Suspects




-The Truman Show




-Risky Business




-The Big Chill




-The Right Stuff




-L.A. Confidential (I think this is #100, were I to make a change, this is the film that loses its spot. In my head, Brazil, Donnie Darko, The River's Edge all all sitting just outside the list, I could probably be convinced to swap any of them in this spot)




-Prizzi's Honor




-Sex, Lies, and Videotape




-No Country for Old Men




-Fargo




-Natural Born Killers




-The Grifters




-Donnie Brasco




-Boyz n the Hood




-The Fisher King




-Unforgiven




-Thelma and Louise




-Quiz Show




-The Departed




-In the Company of Men




-Go




-Sideways




-The 40 Year Old Virgin