Impressive Titles
Whether it was shocking, enlightening, entertaining, or soothing, the following movies all left an remarkable impression on myself during my childhood, teenage, and young adult years.
(Only Non-Disney Cartoon Films, if possible)
(Only Non-Disney Cartoon Films, if possible)
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35 titles
- DirectorCarroll BallardStarsJeff DanielsAnna PaquinDana DelanyA father and daughter decide to attempt to lead a flock of orphaned Canada Geese south by air.A story about finding one's way and personal growth, the warm tones in both color and music make this one of the most soothing movies ever made.
(Even today, when I'm sick or feeling down, I curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and watch this film.) - DirectorMira NairStarsReese WitherspoonRomola GaraiJames PurefoyGrowing up poor in London, Becky Sharp defies her poverty-stricken background and ascends the social ladder alongside her best friend, Amelia Sedley.I was struck by the profound acting in this film. Like Jane Austin but with the harsh edge of reality, this movie quickly made Reese Witherspoon one of my favorite actresses and also served as part of my awakening to truly dramatic films.
(There's a scene where Witherspoon screams at something behind the camera, her raw emotional portrayal left me rattled and breathless). - DirectorGregory HoblitStarsRichard GereLaura LinneyEdward NortonAn altar boy is accused of murdering a priest, and the truth is buried several layers deep.One of the first psychological thrillers I'd ever seen, this film rocked my understanding of what the film medium was capable, and left me dumbfounded, mouth agape in disbelief, and clapping my approval.
(Props to Edward Norton and Richard Gere - DirectorKevin ReynoldsStarsJim CaviezelGuy PearceChristopher AdamsonA young man, falsely imprisoned by his jealous "friend", escapes and uses a hidden treasure to exact his revenge.Though told in a manner completely different from its namesake novel by Alexandre Dumas, as a film, this tale of cold vengeance left me feeling warm and satisfied. The story engaging, the environments lush, and the acting wonderful.
(One of my favorite movies, and one of the few that I watched twice in a row the first time I saw it.) - DirectorDon BluthGary GoldmanStarsMeg RyanJohn CusackChristopher LloydThe last surviving child of the Russian Royal Family joins two con men to reunite with her grandmother, the Dowager Empress, while the undead Rasputin seeks her death.Quite possibly one of the best animated musicals. The superbly captured movements, colors, and sounds combine to make one feel as if they're watching people--not cartoons--speak, dance, and sing. While true that the plot sways far from the historical account on which it's based, The sassy characters also draw the audience in to this tale and sometimes you just can't help but sing along to this original tale.
- DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsCharlie CoxClaire DanesSienna MillerIn a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man makes a promise to his beloved that he'll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical realm.I had no idea what this film was about when I first saw it, as such, I was completely unprepared for the intriguing setting, original ideas, engaging characters, humorous situations, and sinister intentions that drove much of the plot. The mix of fresh and foreign talent with American icons Robert DeNiro and Michelle Pfeiffer, each in a new kind of role was both refreshing and incredibly entertaining.
(One of the 5 movies to date that I watched again right after finishing it the first time.) - DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenOrlando BloomA meek Hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron.
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenViggo MortensenWhile Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron's new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard.
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodViggo MortensenIan McKellenGandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.
- DirectorEdward LeSaintStarsHarry CareyStella RazetoGeorge BerrellThree outlaws fleeing a posse through the desert come upon a dying woman and her baby in a wagon. Before she passes away, she makes the men promise to take care of her baby and get it safely through the desert.Ancient by motion picture standards and nonexistent in the memory of my generation, I first viewed this film Turner Classic Movie channel in the wee hours of the morning during my junior high years. The simple story, sparse sets, classic symbolism and great acting easily upstaged many of the movies popular at the time. It also gave me a lesson in old moviemaking and a hint of 'the Golden Age of the Silver Screen.'
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsHitoshi TakagiNoriko HidakaChika SakamotoWhen two girls move to the country to be near their ailing mother, they have adventures with the wondrous forest spirits who live nearby.One of the few movies that can be undisputably rated 'G,' and enjoyed by all ages (with a little patience), this cartoon encapsulates much of the magic of childhood just before it's time to start growing up. I remember renting this from Blockbuster and watching it over and over again as a child, then forgetting about it. When, several years later, I viewed an image of the same style of animation, I was hit with images and a tune I could not name in a wave of nostalgia. Once the puzzle was solve, my dedicated fandom to Hayao Miyazaki.
- DirectorJohn McTiernanStarsBruce WillisAlan RickmanBonnie BedeliaA New York City police officer tries to save his estranged wife and several others taken hostage by terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.Best Christmas Movie. No really. I know it sounds strange, but watch it when the holiday season rolls around and tell me you're not filled with a warm, happy and satisfied feeling.
Sure, it's not a particularly profound film (though Alan Rickman has some brilliantly dramatic moments), it has just the right balance of dignity, explosion, emotion, blood and poetic justice to come full circle and leave you with a smile, ready to break out the eggnog and laugh with loved ones. - DirectorJames CameronStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerLinda HamiltonMichael BiehnA human soldier is sent from 2029 to 1984 to stop an almost indestructible cyborg killing machine, sent from the same year, which has been programmed to execute a young woman whose unborn son is the key to humanity's future salvation.
- DirectorJames CameronStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerLinda HamiltonEdward FurlongA cyborg, identical to the one who failed to kill Sarah Connor, must now protect her ten year old son John from an even more advanced and powerful cyborg.
- DirectorKunihiko YuyamaStarsVeronica TaylorRachael LillisEric StuartScientists genetically create a new Pokémon, Mewtwo, but the results are horrific and disastrous.Yes, I'm serious. I was--and still am--a great fan of PokeMon (and I was nine). Japanese cartoon movies always have better animation than the TV episodes they spawn from, so it was easy to watch. And this was, unquestionably, one of the biggest movies ever for American Children below the age of 12. And better still, at that highly impressionable age, this film had a good message to teach the youngsters as spoken by the sagely voice of Phillip Bartlett (and pricelessly capitalized on by Jon Stewart of the Daily Show... Youtube it, you won't regret it).
- DirectorEmile ArdolinoStarsWhoopi GoldbergMaggie SmithHarvey KeitelWhen a nightclub singer is forced to take refuge from the mob in a convent, she ends up turning the convent choir into a soulful chorus complete with a Motown repertoire, until the sudden celebrity of the choir jeopardizes her identity.
- DirectorBruce BeresfordStarsAshley JuddTommy Lee JonesBruce GreenwoodLibby Parsons, wrongly convicted for her husband Nick's murder, thinks he is still alive and wants to settle the score and find their son. As she has been tried for the crime, she cannot be re-prosecuted if she finds and kills Nick.
- DirectorPeter WeirStarsHarrison FordKelly McGillisLukas HaasWhile protecting an Amish boy - who is the sole witness to a brutal murder - and his mother, a detective is forced to seek refuge within their community when his own life is threatened.
- DirectorGeorge LucasStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherLuke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.
- DirectorIrvin KershnerStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter the Rebel Alliance are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.
- DirectorRichard MarquandStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter rescuing Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, the Rebel Alliance attempt to destroy the second Death Star, while Luke struggles to help Darth Vader back from the dark side.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHarrison FordKaren AllenPaul FreemanIn 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHarrison FordSean ConneryAlison DoodyIn 1938, after his father goes missing while pursuing the Holy Grail, Indiana Jones finds himself up against the Nazis again to stop them from obtaining its powers.
- DirectorNeil BurgerStarsEdward NortonJessica BielPaul GiamattiIn turn-of-the-century Vienna, a magician uses his abilities to secure the love of a woman far above his social standing.
- DirectorGordon ChanStarsJet LiShinobu NakayamaSiu-Ho ChinIn 1937, a Chinese martial artist returns to Shanghai to find his teacher dead and his school harassed by the Japanese.