My 30 favorite movies among the greatest
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- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsHumphrey BogartIngrid BergmanPaul HenreidA cynical expatriate American cafe owner struggles to decide whether or not to help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis in French Morocco.The quintessential love story. This is Humphrey Bogart at his best with the iconic Ingrid Bergman as his former love interest with whom he reunites. The supporting cast is stellar, and its final scene is arguably the most unforgettable of Hollywood greats.
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsJames StewartDonna ReedLionel BarrymoreAn angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.Too easy to trivialize this beautifully told story as the greatest Christmas movie of all times. Frank Capra expressed hope in the American dream in his catalog of classics. A stellar cast, starting with Capra favorite James Stewart. Donna Reed is beautifully compelling, and Lionel Barrymore establishes himself as one of the great movie villains. This is the feel good of all feel good movies from its era.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsLiam NeesonRalph FiennesBen KingsleyIn German-occupied Poland during World War II, industrialist Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis.A somewhat modern-day classic, and a very important piece of history to share. Liam Neeson delivers a most unforgettable performance as Schindler. Ralph Fiennes and most noteworthy, following his title role in Gandhi, Ben Kingsley, offer stunning portrayals in a movie, that despite its length clocking in at 195 minutes, that never slows its pace.
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsDustin HoffmanAnne BancroftKatharine RossA disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter.A Young Dustin Hoffman explodes onto the screen as Benjamin, the protagonist in this off-times dark comedy. Great social commentary in age in which young people were concerned about "finding self."
- DirectorVictor FlemingKing VidorStarsJudy GarlandFrank MorganRay BolgerYoung Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto are swept away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz, and embark on a quest with three new friends to see the Wizard, who can return her to her home and fulfill the others' wishes.Far from just a children's classic, this serves as one of the greatest movie musicals of all time. L. Frank Baum's fantasy is bent to comment upon the state of our country as it was coming out of the Great Depression and questioning its military strength with war on the horizon in Europe.
- DirectorElia KazanStarsMarlon BrandoKarl MaldenLee J. CobbAn ex-prize fighter turned New Jersey longshoreman struggles to stand up to his corrupt union bosses, including his older brother, as he starts to connect with the grieving sister of one of the syndicate's victims.Brando delivers as the anti-hero hero in this love story/drama set among union dockworkers. Eva Marie Saint, Rod Steiger, Lee J. Cobb, and Karl Malden comprise an awesome cast that brings this story to great life.
- DirectorRobert WiseStarsJulie AndrewsChristopher PlummerEleanor ParkerA young novice is sent by her convent in 1930s Austria to become a governess to the seven children of a widowed naval officer.Arguably the greatest of all musicals, the story reflects very serious matter of history and delivers on so many levels. Julie Andrews gives the greatest of performances among female leads in musicals.
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsWoody AllenDiane KeatonTony RobertsAlvy Singer, a divorced Jewish comedian, reflects on his relationship with ex-lover Annie Hall, an aspiring nightclub singer, which ended abruptly just like his previous marriages.Woody Allen delivers as writer, director, and star of this autobiographical love story. Great comedic lines delivered rather sharply. And Diane Keaton finds a large audience in the title role.
- DirectorVictor FlemingGeorge CukorSam WoodStarsClark GableVivien LeighThomas MitchellA sheltered and manipulative Southern belle and a roguish profiteer face off in a turbulent romance as the society around them crumbles with the end of slavery and is rebuilt during the Civil War and Reconstruction periods.My only - but very minor - criticism would be that this Civil War era drama is pretty long, but the scenery and the sets are second to very few, and Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh establish themselves as a classic pair of cinematic lovers.
- DirectorJames L. BrooksStarsJack NicholsonHelen HuntGreg KinnearA single mother and waitress, a misanthropic author, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship after the artist is assaulted in a robbery.Jack Nicholson's performance is most unforgettable in this beautiful story that touches all emotions. Helen Hunt as a hard-working mom trying to support herself as a single mom to a sickly child is worthy of falling in love with ... And Greg Kinnear delivers a too easily overlooked performance as a gay artist suffering from robbery and assault and suffering as Nicholson's neighbor. This turns into a real feel good, redemptive story.
- 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.The adventure film that sets a classic fantasy series in motion. Relatively low budget, but perfectly cast, as George Lucas establishes himself as an iconic director.
- 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.The follow-up to what viewers simply called "Star Wars," this sequel can stand alone as every bit the classic as the original. 37 years later, film viewers are still packing the theaters to see the next in the franchise.
- DirectorDavid LeanStarsPeter O'TooleAlec GuinnessAnthony QuinnThe story of T.E. Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united and led the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during World War I in order to fight the Turks.Adventures of a great adventurer, T. H. Lawrence, are brought to life by Peter O'Toole in the lead role of this epic which sprawls across the screen.
- DirectorDavid LeanStarsWilliam HoldenAlec GuinnessJack HawkinsBritish POWs are forced to build a railway bridge across the river Kwai for their Japanese captors in occupied Burma, not knowing that the allied forces are planning a daring commando raid through the jungle to destroy it.Another historical epic with Sir Alec Guinness delivering a stunning portrayal of an officer imprisoned. (He would receive his knighthood a year after winning the Oscar for best actor.) (Guinness also had a major role in #13 on this list and an important and memorable role in #'s 11 and 12 (Obi-Wan Kenobi).
- DirectorJohn HustonStarsHumphrey BogartEdward G. RobinsonLauren BacallA man visits his war buddy's family hotel and finds a gangster running things. As a hurricane approaches, the two end up confronting each other.A great "gonna fall in love" movie in which viewers immediately find Bogart's character quite likable and are cheering him on at movie's end. Perhaps Edward G. Robinson's first film in which he would no longer receive top billing; he rises to the occasion as crime boss Johnny Rocko. Lauren Bacall is visually stunning as Bogie's potential film and real-life love interest.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHenry ThomasDrew BarrymorePeter CoyoteA troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape from Earth and return to his home planet.A wonderful and charming sci-fi/fantasy for the entire family.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsCary GrantEva Marie SaintJames MasonA New York City advertising executive goes on the run after being mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and falls for a woman whose loyalties he begins to doubt.A great introduction to Alfred Hitchcock. Cary Grant is out to prove himself innocent in a cross country chase to find the real killer. Eva Marie Saint is the beautiful love interest and James Mason, the stylish antagonist.
- DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinPaulette GoddardHenry BergmanThe Tramp struggles to live in modern industrial society with the help of a young homeless woman.The brilliant Chaplin, wrote and directed, starred, and composed the musical score. It's a comedy; it's a heartfelt drama; it's a love story; it's a social commentary on the industrialization of the U.S. during the Great Depression. (It's also Chaplin having fun at the expense of the studio heads for whom he had guaranteed a movie with sound. No spoiler offered here.)
- DirectorGeorge Roy HillStarsPaul NewmanRobert RedfordKatharine RossIn 1890s Wyoming, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid lead a band of outlaws. When a train robbery goes wrong, they find themselves on the run with a posse hard on their heels. After considering their options, they escape to South America.Paul Newman and Robert Redford are captivating as a pair of robbers whose time seems to be running out in this great western.
- 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.Film viewers are introduced to the iconic adventurer Indiana Jones in this the first of a successful franchise. The first 20 minutes alone is a constant thrill ride, and Harrison Ford develops an unforgettable character.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsRichard DreyfussFrançois TruffautTeri GarrRoy Neary, an Indiana electric lineman, finds his quiet and ordinary daily life turned upside down after a close encounter with a UFO, spurring him to an obsessed cross-country quest for answers as a momentous event approaches.Richard Dreyfuss leads the way in discovering "we're not alone." Brilliant and arguably one of the two or three greatest sci-fi classics of all time.
- DirectorLeo McCareyStarsGroucho MarxHarpo MarxChico MarxRufus T. Firefly is named the dictator of bankrupt Freedonia and declares war on neighboring Sylvania over the love of his wealthy backer Mrs. Teasdale, contending with two inept spies who can't seem to keep straight which side they're on.The Marx Brothers at their very best in this slapstick political farce.
- DirectorMel BrooksStarsGene WilderMadeline KahnMarty FeldmanAn American grandson of the infamous scientist, struggling to prove that his grandfather was not as insane as people believe, is invited to Transylvania, where he discovers the process that reanimates a dead body.Beats out "Blazing Saddles" for inclusion of a Mel Brooks vehicle ... a poke fun at a classic horror story played out hysterically by Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, and Peter Boyle. Wilder is frantically funny is this classic farce.
- DirectorStanley DonenGene KellyStarsGene KellyDonald O'ConnorDebbie ReynoldsA silent film star falls for a chorus girl just as he and his delusionally jealous screen partner are trying to make the difficult transition to talking pictures in 1920s Hollywood.One of the greatest among musicals, great songs and dance sequences featuring the amazing talents of Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds as they show us what happened when "talkies" replaced silent films.
- DirectorJohn HustonStarsHumphrey BogartMary AstorGladys GeorgeSan Francisco private detective Sam Spade takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar and their quest for a priceless statuette, with the stakes rising after his partner is murdered.Humphrey Bogart makes his third appearance in this list. He's a rough, no-nonsense private eye, Sam Spade, a classic character developed by writer Dashiell Hammett. A classic crime drama/mystery.