SimbaKing94's Top 50 Favorite Movies of All Time Part VI: 10-1

                                                                                    10. Goodfellas (1990)

Director: Martin Scorsese  

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Ray Liotta

In terms of the motion picture industry, my father and I often don't get along with the films we like.  My dad prefers films like Casino, The Godfather, Analyze This, and often doesn't have much of an interest in anything else.  But we do agree on two films, one of which is deemed the best film of Scorsese's career: Goodfellas.  I think it's because my Dad really takes pride in his Italian heritage, being both Italian and Native American.  What is there to say about this film that hasn't been praised into the ground already?  DeNiro and his fellow stars are electric, and like Pulp Fiction, this film has some of my favorite scenes in cinematic history, including the infamous "Shine Box" fight.  Among the many great all time motion pictures ever, Goodfellas could compare to the old well, and outclasses most, if not all of it's contemporaries.  

9. Dead Poets Society (1989)

Director: Peter Weir 

Starring: Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke

It's rare that I see a film in school for the first time and am instantly hooked on it.  The only other time was with Catch Me if You Can.  But in 10th grade, I first saw this movie and was immediately caught up in the story, not just Robin Williams's stellar performance, but all of the actors who gave it their all in this movie.  Dead Poets Society was the second film distributed by Buena Vista to be nominated for Best Picture, following Mary Poppins, and with good reason.  It challenges the people watching to go out and make their own opinions and voice their own voices throughout their lives and not to feel oppressed or subjugated by people trying to control our lives.  This also has the distinction of being one of the movies that made me want to become a writer.  

8. The Godfather (1972)

Director: Francis Ford Coppola 

Starring: Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, James Caan, Robert Duvall

I was raised on this movie.  If I wasn't watching a Disney Film or a Star Wars film, I was having my mind blown by all of the wondrous things that occur in this movie, widely regarded as the greatest ever made.  Like with Goodfellas, it's hard to really articulate what makes this film work, because there have been so many people who have done it in the past.  Every actor in this movie is electric, and I get the feeling that Coppola went out of his way to make this the most gritty and realistic gangster movie ever created.  Kudos to him, for this is indeed one of my all time favorite movies.  Period.

7. The Prince of Egypt (1998)

Directors: Simon Wells, Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner

Starring: Val Kilmer, Sandra Bullock, Ray Fiennes

For my friends who ask why I am so critical of Dreamworks Animation's films, I refer you to one of the greatest animated films ever made.  Hardly held in esteem with such animation milestones like The Lion King or Up, The Prince of Egypt took perhaps the boldest step an animated film has ever taken: recreating not only a famous movie, but one of the most highly regarded moments in religious history for billions of people on earth.  And instead of simply recreating Cecil B. Demille's famous biblical epic, The Ten Commandments, Jeffery Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg decided to create a motion picture that takes a different angle, the relationship between Moses and his adopted brother Ramses, who are truly depicted as brothers who truthfully cared about each other until their religious views caused them to drift apart.  And yet, the duo still holds out hope that things could return to the way they were when they were children.  Told wonderfully, acted flawlessly, and animated beautifully, The Prince of Egypt is one of the greatest animated movies ever made, with absolutely no regard for marketing and simply wanting to tell a story as old as storytelling began.  Similar to another animated film...

6. Aladdin (1992)

Directors: John Musker, Ron Clements 

Starring: Robin Williams, Jonathan Freeman, Scott Weinger, Linda Larkin

If Beauty and the Beast was dramatic storytelling done perfectly, than it's successor Aladdin must be comedic storytelling done perfectly.  I've gone on the record more than enough times by saying just how wonderful and brilliant this film is, but I'll keep it to the most important points.  Like other early 90's Disney films, Aladdin keeps the modernized fairy tale angle, but expands it and becomes the first full length animated film that had several broken fourth wall jokes, such as the Genie turning into Rodney Dangerfield and Jack Nicholson in back to back scenes.  The Genie alone makes the film, but he is thankfully blended with a wickedly entertaining performance by Jonathan Freeman as Jafar, songs that have a good case to blow Beauty and the Beast's out of the water, and arguably the most beautful animation ever captured on a piece of paper.  Aladdin manages to capture in animated form what kids of today love, and what their parents loved when they were young, managing a spectacular blend that is a wonder to behold.  There ain't never been a film like this....

5. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)

Director: Robert Zemeckis 

Animation Director: Richard Williams

Starring: Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Charlie Adler, Mel Blanc

When did anyone born in the 1940's or 1950's expect to see Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse on screen together?  I know that I didn't believe it until I saw Who Framed Roger Rabbit? for the first time when I was 5 or 6.  I fell in love with this movie the instant I started watching it, for this was the first time in a very long time that an animated film was this funny without resorting to Aladdin's fourth wall jokes, or the humor being directed at kids.  My entire family sits down to watch this film at least once a year because we love it so much.  Not just for the surrealness of seeing Mickey and Bugs on screen together, but for the memories we get watching this film, a landmark in movie making.  Sure, animated films blended animation and live action, but when did it look this real?  

4. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Director: Peter Jackson

Starring: Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Chirstopher Lee, Sean Astin

Why do I hold The Two Towers in higher esteem than the other two in the series?  A couple of reasons.  First, I just seem to be attracted to the stories where the heroes have no where to go but up, but still need to fight for what they want.  Second, is Saruman, who I have always viewed as the main villain of the series because we can clearly see what kind of threat he will pose to the Fellowship.  I always thought Sauron was menacing, but not truly evil and corrupt.  Saruman is absolutely tormenting the Kingdom of Rohan before he invades, by killing Theoden's son and possessing his mind.  Then, he decides to take back the initiative and invades the weakened Rohan in Helms Deep.  Thirdly, of course, is Andy Serkis as Gollum.  We actually get to see just how tormented he has been by the Ring.  Its full of dark imagery, dark and brutal battles, and life altering choices made by all, which makes it my all time favorite Fantasy movie.  

3. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Director: Irvin Kershner 

Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, David Prowse, James Earl Jones, Frank Oz

See what happens when George Lucas decides to leave Star Wars in the hands of competent people and not his little yes men?  The Empire Strikes Back shook the very foundation of movie making and set the standard for all movie sequels to be judged.  Unlike most Hollywood sequels, which basically rehash the old film, the highly anticipated sequel to Star Wars developed a story that was darker and much more cold and unforgiving, giving audiences the sense that the little fun adventure of Star Wars was not about to take a much darker tone.  We learn much more about the Force, even our conception of it is challenged by Master Yoda, we get to witness Industrial Light and Magic's incredible special effects get heightened even further by giving them a bigger budget to experiment with, and we are witness to the most shocking revelation in cinematic history.  Never pandering and never caring what the audience thought, The Empire Strikes Back is the perfect example on how to make a sequel not only good, but twice as good as the original in almost every way.  Dark, saddening, and even downright sinister, this is a film that deserves to be in a class all it's own.

2. The Lion King (1994)

Directors: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones

Among the most acclaimed, most beloved, and most cherished animated films of all time, The Lion King manages to combine the great music of The Little Mermaid, the dramatic undertones of Beauty and the Beast, and the comedic scenes of Aladdin, while also adding to the lore of Disney by making it's story deeper with more Shakespearean elements, along with epic biblical themes and powerful emotional moments.  No animated film will ever match the caliber of this legendary masterpiece, which is held in the same conversations with some of the greatest pictures of all time.  The acting is incredible, the animation beyond comprehension, and the deep and moving score by Hans Zimmer and Lebo M. is almost as inspiring on it's own as it would be played in these scenes.  The Lion King is the most epic and one of the most adult animated films of all time.  

1. The Dark Knight (2008)

Director: Christopher Nolan

Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart

I have never been as awestruck by a movie than the night I walked out of the theater after watching the most shocking and single greatest movie I've had the privilege of watching in the theaters.  Heath Ledger probably put this film well over the expectations after Batman Begins all by himself, but the other performances aren't anything to shrug at.  Bale reprises his role as the caped crusader, while Aaron Eckhart gives us the most realistic version of Harvey Dent I've ever seen, with the exception of the animated show.  Filled with dark and brooding moments, intense action scenes, and a deep and thought provoking plot, The Dark Knight is the greatest of the great.  I have never seen a film better.  And I probably never will.  

Let me know what YOUR favorite movies are.  Feel free to post a comment on this page or any of the others and let me know about which movies thrill you or make you happy.