Weekly Worthy List #9: Favorite Movies of All Time

I am a musician, a dad, a songwriter, an employee, a fisherman, blah, blee, blum…you get it. But the one thing that I am not (yet) is a playwright, and that IS something I would like to be, whether my work ever gets realized on a stage or not. I once wrote 42 pages of something I was calling on the wings of a thumb but it was never finished and I am not at a place in life where I could finish that story…my mindset is too different now. But I am ever-on-the-alert to “THE story” that will make my inner playwright emerge again and take me to the finish line this time!

Movies, plays, and stories have really helped shape my view of the world and art and our/my relationship with both. There has always been an optimist and a pessimist (borderline cynic) inside of me dueling it out at every turn in life. Had I never watched Annie Hall by Woodie Allen I may have never been able to embrace this reality and go with it. If I had never read The Lord of the Rings I may have never realized just how important it is to hold on to what is good…and ultimately, what might happen if good “gave up.” In this installment I am going to focus on movies and which ones, in particular, were absolutely life changing for me. Mind you, this list could be drastically different a year from now…but I think this incarnation will stand the test of time as a snapshot with strength and vivid representation.

10.) Gimme Shelter (Documentary): This documents the Rolling Stones’ 1969/1970 tour that started before and ended after the release of Let it Bleed. The 60’s are ending, Brian Jones has passed away, The Stones are doing the first true stadium rock tour in which they bring the same stage to every venue and times are weird. The sound is raw and loud, the songs and their tempos are getting strange treatment, but it is impossible to look away…so much ENERGY! The movie shows how the tragedy at Altamont Speedway played out and we all see the dream of the sixties take what seems like a fatal blow. A MUST SEE for all rock musicians.

*Where else could you see Mick Jagger and Melvin Beli in the same film.

9.) The Ninth Gate (Mystery/Thriller): Roman Polansky, as we all know, is in love with Satan. Having said that, I really like his treatment in this movie. His use of smoke and mirrors really gets the suspense peaking. Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Mr. Corso is impeccable and the ensemble of supporting actors leaves nothing to be desired, the film was cast impeccably. I don’t care how the film was received, it is a stylistic masterpiece…with, albeit, a strange and purposefully unsatisfying ending.

8.) This is Spinal Tap (Mockumentary): The jokes…the jokes…the jokes…I mean, if I had to count the number of times my buddies and I have sung a “raga” version of Heartbreak Hotel or played out the whole “it’s hard to dust for vomit” scene…you’d beg me to stop! To me Rob Reiner, Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer are geniuses of comedy and further the latter 3 are the undisputed pre-Baron-Cohen kings of “mockumentary.” See also A Mighty Wind and Best in show. Bass, lead bass, and rhythm bass…”Big bottoms got me out of my mind….how could I leave this behind!!!”

7.) Grease (musical/comedy): Ok, I grew up on this movie. From the intro scene with Frankie Valli singing the Bee Gees song to the final carnival scenes…I was in awe of this movie. How cool were John Travolta and Jeff Conaway? How hot were good Olivia AND bad Olivia? This movie tied our eyes, ears, and hearts to a simpler time that never existed, and for that, I will ALWAYS love this movie and I will never turn it off if I’m flippin’ through the channels. “Stranded at the drive in…feelin’ a fool…what will they say…Monday at school?”

6.) The Snake Pit (drama): A great film with some of the most amazing acting I’ve ever seen. Olivia De Havilland plays Virginia, a woman who is faced with having to spend what may be considerable time in a mental institution. The character development is superb and Miss De Havilland can leave you hanging breathless on a mere facial expression for what seems like an eternity. Especially riveting is the presentation, perhaps unintentional, of how one might view their own life and lifestyle if they did not recognize it as their own. This movie made me feel uneasy more than a few times. An absolute MUST SEE as well, I hope you will watch it and see that it’s excellence is undeniable.

5.) Apocalypto (History/Drama): We all know Mel Gibson makes some questionable decisions. Making Apocalypto was not one of them. Since I was a kid in 6th grade in Mr Nelson’s class…I was obsessed with the Maya and Aztec cultures and their ancient American predecessors. In this film I really felt like I was transported to the most sensational parts of that culture. It really hit home, also, that the polarity between urban culture and rural culture is apparent everywhere at every time in history. The movie’s ending is interesting because it actually ENDS with foreshadowing, which I thought was interesting for a film in which I assume there will not be a sequel. Though the logical sequel could probably be made into a cinematic splendor if the same attention to character development and set/costume authenticity was observed.

4.) The Road (Sci-Fi/Drama): In a post-apocalyptic world, a man and his son are a team of two against a morally deteriorated and increasingly cannibalistic world (in the literal sense). Viggo Mortensen’s performance is absolutely stellar. His depiction of a man facing moral and ethical crises of Abrahamic proportions is hands down jaw-dropping and moving. I suggest this film to any person who needs to remind themselves of how complex right and wrong can become when circumstances are dire and dark and the definition of what kindness and mercy really are can swing wildly.

3.) Duck Soup (Comedy): Such a hilarious movie. Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and straight man Zeppo are all in top form. The basic premise is that Groucho’s character “Rufus T. Firefly” has become the leader of a country called Fredonia. The one liners are all there, the musical interludes, and the intereaction between the brothers; it is just a pleasure from start to finish. Upon finding that his romantic interest is actually a widow Groucho asks, “Will you marry me? Did he leave you any money? Answer the second question first.” Upon which she replies, “Your excellency, the eyes of the world are upon you. This is a gala day for you…” upon which Groucho adds, “Well, a gal-a-day is good enough for me. I don’t think I could handle any more.” Classic comedy that will have you grinning from ear to ear!

2.) African Queen (Drama): A classic. Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn are magical in this film. Set in early WW1 Africa, the British and German interests in the country are made enemies overnight by a declaration of war. A British woman plagued with recent tragedy and salty-dog American steamboat captain set a course down a wild African river and ultimately hatch a plan to thwart the German presence in the region. Interestingly enough, this isn’t a war movie, it isn’t an all-out love flick either, but it is a movie about the power of complementary relationships and the balancing effect that opposite qualities can have on an equation. The love angle of the story is, I must admit, unusually heartwarming and deeply touching…especially when its beginnings are considered. The dialog after Rose calls Charlie a liar and a coward is especially funny and showcases the comic genius of Bogart that was greatly under-appreciated. A must see in every way.

1.) Annie Hall (Comedy/Dramedy): Great cerebral comedy. Alvy Singer is a comedian who has an addiction to complex women and ill-fated relationships. But when he meets Annie…nothing changes! Great movie, lots of classic moments and endless relationship and self-analytical content that, although we laugh at it as entertainment, we probably all relate to it. Woody Allen and Diane Keaton head an all-star cast in a movie that leaves me with the feeling that without the risk of loss and love lost…what the heck is love anyway?

“The food is terrible here”

“I know…and such small portions”

I am saving my feelings toward Peter Jackson and crew’s rendition of Tolkien tales as well as my soft spot for the Franco Zefirelli directed Jesus of Nazareth for another article coming soon…though it does pain me to leave them off this list…it is because they are more than movies to me…as they should be!

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When he’s not enjoying fishing, road testing cables with his band, or fielding musical/instrument cable questions over the phone/e-mail, Michael handles operations and purchasing and is simply loving life. You can also follow Michael on Twitter !