Quinn's Top 10 Favorite Films

I think it's pretty obvious that whatever your favorite movie is, it’s probably the movie that got you into cinema in the first place. Considering how much my number one pick played with my mind when I first saw it, I can definitely say that it’s responsible for me having the love and passion for cinema that I have today. Once you’ve found that one film, you find many others that get you to love the world of cinema even more, and Lord knows if I love something I can’t and won’t shut up about its praises!
So with that said, here are what I consider to be my favorite movies of all time:

10. The Dark Knight (2008)
This is the film that got me to love superhero films. The Dark Knight is also the film that proved for a lot of people, myself included, that superhero films can be serious and even tackle certain aspects of everyday life on par with other genres. I did get sick and tired when everyone decided to make every other superhero film dark and edgy, but as the original, The Dark Knight still ranks as one of the best.

9. The Avengers (2012)
But then of course you have the superhero movie that proved that even if a movie embraces the wackier side, it can still become a great film. Yes, The Dark Knight might have the better, gripping story, but The Avengers is just so much fun and knows what it's trying to be. 

8. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Did I mention I love superhero films? Because Guardians of the Galaxy made me cement it in my head that yes, this is a genre I love and want to stay. The cast and characters (barring Ronan) were great and got a laugh out of me. Not only that, it managed to take a stupid concept and make it funny AND emotional. I didn’t go in thinking I would tear up at certain moments, but the film was done so well that I could easily buy the more dramatic elements.

7. History of the World Pt. 1 (1981)
Out of all the Mel Brooks movies I’ve seen (which sadly I still have quite a few to go) History of the World Pt. 1 was my first and definitely one of my favorites. It helps that I’m into history and just appreciate how much Brooks messes with historical figures, events and places. The jokes are always spot-on, the timing is great, and honestly, The Inquisition scene is probably one of my favorite scenes in cinema. Taking an event like that, turning it into a giant musical number and making it hysterical takes talent.

6. Blazing Saddles (1974)
Blazing Saddles is without question probably the best film Mel Brooks ever made. The jokes and characters in this film are just so laugh-out-loud hysterical that I couldn’t help but laugh at almost every scene. Not only that, but the fact that Mel Brooks decided to break from Western conventions and actually cast a black actor as the main hero, something we’d never see again until a couple decades later is remarkable, especially given the time period it was made in.

5. Pacific Rim (2012) 
Guillermo del Toro’s foray into Kaiju movies is not only a great love letter to the genre, but also films in general. The cast and characters were all fantastic (especially Ron Perlman and Idris Elba), and the Jaeger vs. Kaiju fights were some of the best action scenes I’ve seen in film. Plus, it’s the film that introduced me to Mako Mori, a character I love dearly! Here’s a character who in almost any other film would’ve been a love interest or side character, but instead she got to be one of the big focus points of the film. Not only that, but she has her own great personality, gets to have scenes of badassery AND has her own great character arc. She’s what I consider the bar for great female characters in film, and I hope more films can try and pass the Mako Mori test in the future.

4. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Are the Sam Raimi Spider-Man films campy as all get out? Yes, yes they are. Does that make them any less of films? No, no it doesn’t. Compared to some of the newer superhero films it’s not the best when it comes to story (and even sometimes acting) but it definitely still holds up in other regards. The characters start to develop more, Doc Ock is a very tragic and reluctant villain, and the fight scenes and choreography were great.

3. True Grit (2010) 
If there’s one thing I love about this movie, it’s that it takes the Western genre and flips it on its head. The brave renegade hero is a stumbling drunk, the lawful protector an in-over-his-head goof and the star of the film Maddie is just so deliciously cynical and vengeful. The theme of revenge in this film is so well done that you can’t help but feel for Maddie and all involved once it’s over. It’s the perfect combination of cynicism and slapdash.

2. Django Unchained (2012)
Tarantino has always been my favorite director. I consider him to be the person that got me to love cinema and all that it can be. And it comes as no surprise that when Django Unchained came out that not only was I going to see it, but also love it. The acting was great from all involved, the comedy/drama/suspense/thrills/etc. were fantastic and memorable and the action scenes were brutal but exciting.

1. Pulp Fiction (1994)
Not only is Tarantino my favorite director, but he’s also responsible for making my favorite film of all time. Every performance is great, the jokes and drama get me every time, the dialogue is some of the best I’ve heard in a film, and the philosophy and teachings of the film stick with me to this day.

Aaron's Top 10 Favorite Films

Movies have been a large and critical part of my life. I have these to thank for my passion and devotion toward trying to become a writer in that land out West. So without further ado, here are my top ten favorite movies:

10. Nightcrawler (2014)

The most recent film in my top ten, Nightcrawler features a brilliant script, a memorable performance by Jake Gyllenhaal and the gorgeous, neon color scheme of Los Angeles.   Nothing is unforgettable in this dark thriller.

9. American Psycho (2000)

American Psycho is my favorite dark comedy and features Christian Bale’s best performance as Patrick Bateman. Jumping between funny and psychotic, the film never lets up until the ambiguous ending.

8. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

This was the first Edgar Wright film that I ever saw. Everything in this film is creative fun. One of my absolute favorite zombie, comedy films.

7. Psycho (1960)

A true classic with a remarkable twist. This is Hitchcock’s most impressive film, which is really saying something.

6. Anchorman (2004)

My favorite comedy ever made. This movie is a quotable monster that never fails to make me laugh with its random and ingeniously idiotic humor.

5. No Country for Old Men (2007)

A movie that is responsible for my fingernail biting habit. This Coen Brothers' epic should be retitled, "Tension: The Movie".

4. Aliens (1986)

How do you top Alien, a sci-fi, horror classic? You bring in James Cameron and turn it into an action thrill ride. Also, big points to the movie for providing more Xenomorphs, my favorite horror monster.

3. Terminator 2 (1991)

How to make a badass, sci-fi classic cocktail: grab one of my favorite actors (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a strong female character, fantastic chase scenes, timeless effects, an interesting plot, an intimidating villain and mix well for over two hours. This is the epitome of what an action movie should look like.

2. The Dark Knight (2008)

While this is my favorite comic book movie, it is not focused on superheroes. This is a philosophical, detective film that is the magnum opus of Christopher Nolan’s work. It’s iconic, deep, intelligent and unforgettable.

1. Pulp Fiction (1994)

This thing… Oh, boy… Where do I even start? I try to be fancy and somewhat vague with why I love some of these films, but I’ll be specific with my number one. This movie is a [insert Quentin Tarantino's favorite word here] masterpiece in every way possible. Not only does it tell multiple stories in a new-at-the-time, non-linear style, but it also provides some of the best dialogue of any movie ever. It’s one of the films that inspired me to be a scriptwriter. I will never get tired of watching this gem.

While those are my top ten movies, here are some honorable mentions: Hot Fuzz (2007), The Shining (1980), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Godzilla (2014), Dawn of the Dead (2004), Die Hard (1988), The Room (2003).

Megan's Top 10 Favorite Films

I wasn't always such a big movie lover. Sure, I liked movies just about as much as any other person, but I didn't start to really love them until about high school. I can't pinpoint the exact moment it happened, but I think I just started to search out different types of movies, started to pay attention a little bit more, and that's when I grew a true appreciation for film.

I'm a huge list person. I don't particularly consider myself type A, but I'm really into lists. If you ask me for one movie recommendation, I'll give you eleven. If you ask for a specific genre, I'll give you a few in that genre and ten more outside of it. I just really like movies, and when I find one that I absolutely love I feel compelled to make sure everyone I know sees it as well.

That being said, I have a list of my top 10 favorite films. I keep it on my phone in case it comes up in casual conversation and I forget one. I update this list a couple of times a year. Sometimes the order changes, but here it goes:

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

This is about as cliche as a #1 pick can get considering it's rated #1 on IMDb, but I can't help it. I love everything about this movie. It may also help that it's adapted from a Stephen King short story and Stephen King is my favorite, but regardless, it leaves me with a warm fuzzy feeling inside that just makes me incredibly satisfied every time I watch it.

2. Fargo (1996)

I think Fargo is the first movie I ever watched that had the dry and dark humor that has quickly turned into my favorite type of movie. I remember watching this as a kid and thinking about how the comedy was so different than what I'd seen before. The Coen brothers are two of my favorite directors because of this.

3. Sling Blade (1996)

Bill Bob Thornton. Enough said. The guy is absolutely phenomenal in this. Sling Blade is incredibly touching and pretty much everything I never expected from Thornton.

4. American Beauty (1999)

First of all, I am in love with Kevin Spacey. He's just so cool. Second of all, this movie is awesome. It's weird and touching and violent, and all of the characters have these really interesting story lines that I really appreciated.

5. Good Willing Hunting (1997)

You can't go wrong with Matt Damon and especially Robin Williams. I even really like Ben Affleck when most people don't. Super quotable, super heartfelt. Again, I get that warm fuzzy feeling when I watch it. 

6. The Birdcage (1996)

My sister made me watch this after Robin Williams died and I fell in love. Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman and drag queens. It's just a really fun movie.

7. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

This was the first Wes Anderson film I'd ever seen and I was instantly a fan. It's quirky, heartfelt and has a killer cast.

8. The Princess Bride (1987)

It's a classic, guys. This is the first movie I suggest to people who haven't seen it when they ask for a recommendation. There's comedy, romance, fighting and I think I bring it up in conversation at least once a day.

9. Birdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

I just think this movie is insanely cool. Michael Keaton made a total acting comeback, and the ending was perfect.

10. Rain Man (1988)

I really only watched this because I felt like I should, but the story was awesome. I loved watching Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman interact with each other and watching them both grow throughout the story. Total heartwarming movie and even a little sad.

And that's my list! If you didn't notice, 1996 was apparently a really good year for movies in my opinion.

Graeme's Top 10 Favorite Movies

Unlike Austin, I cannot say I’m a very big list guy. So when I was asked to come up with a list of my top ten films, I knew right off the bat this was going to be extremely difficult. I’ve probably seen hundreds of movies at this point, from every year and genre imaginable. Still, I have a strong preference for more fantasy-oriented material, as you’ll see in the list below.

This list isn’t an approximation of what I consider the most artistically challenging or technically groundbreaking movies of all time, but instead my own personal favorites. I got into movies when I was very young – I first watched Jurassic Park when I was four years old, and that’s what really opened my imagination to what movies were capable of: escapism. Removing you from the troubles of reality and transporting you to these fantastic, engaging worlds.

The list below is organized by year of release, since it’d be impossible for me to rank them by which ones I liked the most (although Jurassic Park will always be my number one). But hey, this list could be different in a week or so. There’s always new movies coming out, and always an older classic to discover for the first time. So, without further ado:

Graeme's Top 10 Favorite Movies

King Kong (1933)
A classic monster movie that still holds up, even by today’s standards. The stop-motion animation in this film is the basis for a lot of today’s CGI.

The Goonies (1985)
The kind of spirited adventure you’d daydream of having as a kid. It’s a complete nostalgia trip for me.

Jurassic Park (1993)
The movie that got me into movies. 22 years later and the dinosaurs are still completely convincing. Plus, that soundtrack.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Probably the single most inspirational movie I’ve ever seen. And it helped launch 100 Morgan Freeman voiceovers.

Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
Because this list needed a shot of pure testosterone. John McClane is the quintessential badass, and Die Hard is for my money the greatest American action series ever. The original is technically the best installment but I prefer how this movie unleashes John McClane on greater New York instead of confining him to a single building. Jeremy Irons and Samuel L. Jackson are great in supporting roles.

The Lord of the Rings (2001 – 2003)
This is kind of cheating, but I consider LOTR a single story. Middle-Earth is still the most believable, beautiful fantasy world I’ve ever seen portrayed on film, and I’m a sucker for the archetypal good vs. evil stories. I’d rather visit Gondor than Westeros.

The Departed (2006)
Such an awesome cast. My favorite of Scorsese’s crime pics, and this is the film that introduced me to his work to begin with.

Inglourious Basterds (2009)
There’s no working American director like Tarantino, and this is my favorite Tarantino movie. It’s a clever sendup of history and unleashed Christoph Waltz on the world.

The Social Network (2010)
Fincher’s one of my favorite working directors, and I’d argue this is his best film, or at least his most topical: it captures everything wrong about today’s over-reliance on social media.

The Lego Movie (2014)
The funniest movie I’ve seen in a long time, and I loved its message about creativity. The fact it wasn’t nominated for Best Animated Feature is one of the Academy’s worst snubs. Also, hands down the best cinematic interpretation of Batman.

 

Jeff's Top Ten Favorite Films

I honestly can’t remember a time of my life without movies. There were movies I watched so many times as a kid that I can’t remember when I first saw them and the VHS tapes eventually wore out. Some of these included the original Star Wars trilogy (1977, 1980, 1983) and Steven Spielberg films like E.T. (1982), Hook (1991), and Jurassic Park (1993). To me as a kid movies were these sort of other-worldly awesome things that I never saw as anything more than entertainment. All I knew was that I enjoyed them and couldn’t wait for the next Batman movie, the next Star Wars prequel movie, or when they were finally going to turn Harry Potter into a movie. So at that time I had no interest in movies that weren’t handed to me by current mainstream pop culture.

But then when I was fourteen years old I watched Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of The Shining (1980). It wasn’t a movie that terrified me (at first) but I remember that after it was over I was just sort of staring blankly at the screen as the credits rolled. I remember thinking “So was he a ghost? Did the hotel consume him? What was with that bear costume?!?!?” I remember having questions that just weren’t answered and never were when I watched the movie again. And again. And twenty more times. I had never experienced that in watching a movie; something that challenged me and didn’t give me a resolution that I wanted but one that was still satisfactory. So began my journey as a cinephile. I thank Stanley Kubrick for showing me the way, haha.

Like Charlie, it took me a while to pinpoint a list of ten favorites. I would say 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Citizen Kane (1942), and City Lights (1931) have been my absolute favorites for a long time. Recently I’ve been fixated on Brazil (1985) and Groundhog Day (1993) so I knew they should be on the list. Take note that this list is in alphabetical order because I feel it would be unfair for me to place one above any other on the list since I love them all for so many reasons.  

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Brazil (1985)
Citizen Kane (1942)
City lights (1931)
Dr Strangelove: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Fight Club (1999)
Groundhog Day (1993)
Vertigo (1958)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

Honorable mention would include The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), The Big Lebowski (1998), and…ok fine I’ll say it, Die Hard (1988). 

Charlie’s Top Ten Favorite Films of All Time

My story is probably pretty common. I started watching movies at home with my Dad, watching whatever he wanted. The first film I recall watching with him was The Blues Brothers (1980), matter of fact, that’s the first movie I remember ever watching. That movie has stuck with me my entire life. I still watch it every so often and love showing it people who haven’t seen it. I think we all have that film. You know the one. That one movie that doesn't have the best writing, perhaps the cinematography could have been better, or the acting is a little bit cheesy. But it’s still a movie that gets you excited every time you get to watch it.

The Blues Brothers is that film for me.

With that being said, choosing a list of favorite movies is really hard. For me, that list is in constant flux. There are movies that I love for my own personal reasons (The Blues Brothers), and then there are movies that are well produced that I have a high level of respect for and really enjoy watching. So really, I suppose there are two lists that are constantly evolving and changing in my head. Yet there comes a time where one must buckle down and make some decisions, and that’s what's about to happen. I’ve struggled with the order and what movies should be on a list of this sort, but I shall toil no longer! I present you with…..

Charlie’s Top Ten Favorite Films of All Time 

(at this exact moment in time anyway)

#10 DIE HARD: WITH A VENGEANCE (1995)
#9 PULP FICTION (1994)
#8 DIE HARD (1988)
#7 CABIN IN THE WOODS (2012)
#6 THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE (1970)
#5 STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE (1977)
#4 RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981)
#3 BIRDMAN (2014)
#2 THE BLUES BROTHERS (1980)
#1 FIGHT CLUB (1999)

This list was really difficult to produce. Not all of these movies had a profound effect on the way I view cinema, but they are, indeed, movies that I cannot turn off and that I love. Please take special note of two movies from the Die Hard franchise making it onto this list. As you may find out in a later article about franchises - Die Hard is, unquestionably, my favorite movie franchise. What you see is not a mistake! And I promise I'll explain myself.. eventually. 

If you were to ask me tomorrow about this list, I can almost guarantee that the order may change or even the movies maybe different. But as of writing, this is it. My favorites. Have you seen any of them? Do you agree? Disagree? Question my sanity? Leave it in the comments!

Austin's Top 20 Favorite Films of All Time! (Part 1)

Hello, my name is Austin Glidden, and I am president of the Cardinal Film Society. I have been a cinephile since fall of 2003 when I saw Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Amelie (2001). It changed my life. Since then, I have dedicated my time to studying movies from all generations. I love film and the power it has to make real change, and I'm happy to provide this Top 20 list to give you, the readers, more insight into my interests.

To preface my list I'd like to make it known that these Top 20 are not necessarily what I consider the most well-made films, but rather, my personal favorite films of all time; my desert island movies, so to speak. I had very little criteria going into this list. I simply chose the films that I'd watch over all others. If I could only have twenty, I believe these would be it.

#20 THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY (1968) 

#19 LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (2008) 

#18 THE THIN RED LINE (1998) 

#17 CITY LIGHTS (1931) 

#16 REAR WINDOW (1954) 

#15 THE GODFATHER (1972) 

#14 TAXI DRIVER (1976) 

#13 BLADE RUNNER (1982) 

#12 ON THE WATERFRONT (1954) 

#11 A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (1972)

Those are my 11-20, and are films that have contributed to my understanding of film, and influenced the lens in which I watch them. I wish I could have 50 titles so to bring in more variety, but if I'm true to my history, it all starts with these ten and the next.

The remaining Top 10 will be posted after our first podcast episode. They are deeply personal to me, and each one is attached to a story that is important to my personal journey through cinema. I have tried to recount some of those memories in order to better explain my reasoning behind my choices. I will add them here soon. Be sure to listen to our first show to find out!