A little while ago, a reader asked me which movies I make sure to watch every year. (Great idea for a post by the way sir) I put some thought into it and came up with a very diverse list of movies.
I have to admit there are some films that HAVE to be on this list but are relatively new releases. I wanted to focus on movies I’ve been watching once a year for more than… A year.
I also cheated and went beyond the required 10. Crafty, investigative readers will notice that there are actually 15 movies on this list. I don’t feel bad.
I decided to base the list on movies that make me feel like writing. Films I turn to when I’m stuck or on rare occasions when my heart isn’t 100% into the story I’m working on. These are the movies I’ll watch in order to ignite the creative fire. (I’ll have more on this topic on a later post… And by later I mean really, really soon.)
So here they are:
Honorable Mention: Goodfellas, Forest Gump, Signs, Proof, Unbreakable, Saving Private Ryan
The Sixth Sense
M. Night Shyamalan may have made a few duds but there is no denying how amazing his first 3 movies were. The ending of The Sixth Sense was ruined for me yet I still thought the movie was spectacular. His overall style of writing and approach to filmmaking is a constant source of inspiration.
I also recommend reading The Man Who Heard Voices by Michael Bamberger.
Gladiator/The Last Samurai
THE double feature. Once a year, I set aside an afternoon and watch these two films back to back. I highly recommend it. I also recommend chips. It’s an all around fantastic afternoon.
A Few Good Men
One of my favorite screenplays of all time. I love this movie but I’m inspired by the writing. I’m not even going to bother quoting the famous lines from the epic final scene. You have already thought about it and probably said it out loud. Don’t believe me? Maybe you can’t handle the truth. (Yes… I went there)
The Matrix Trilogy
The number one reason why I’m obsessed with films. These movies were the catalyst for what became a daily routine of hunting for any and all movie news. To this day, I don’t understand why people hated Reloaded and Revolutions. I agree they weren’t as good as the original but you can’t you admit they were at least mildly entertaining? They entertain me on a yearly basis.
Good Will Hunting
The only reason why A Few Good Men isn’t my all time favorite screenplay is because Good Will Hunting exists. What an incredible movie this is. I definitely watch this flick several times a year.
Garden State
Out of all the movies on this list, my writing style resembles this movie the most. (Dramas and comedies at least. Not horror.) It’s such an amazing original story. Great movie.
A Beautiful Mind
I love listening to John Nash talk about his work. Makes me want to talk about my work and I LOVE to do that.
The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy
Once or twice a year, I watch the extended editions of these movies. Then I watch every single minute of special features. That adds up to 25-30 hours of filmmaking magic and one dedicated movie fan.
The Shawshank Redemption
I’m fascinated by the world Steven King and Frank Darabont created. You could also include The Green Mile on this list but I liked Shawshank better. (Don’t get me started on The Mist though. I did not care for The Mist… It insisted upon itself. Note: You get 2 points if you can name that reference.)
Signs
My all time favorite movie… Of all time. I’ve seen this movie more times than any other in the history of the world. M. Night Shyamalan’s classic continues to inspire me. I easily watch this movie 6-8 times a year. Sometimes more. I loved Signs. Signs was a phenominal movie.
Dear Crafty, Investigative People: You’ve probably also noticed that Signs is also an Honorable Mention. I felt it was necessary to name this movie twice. That is all.
PS: Greg, the reader who suggested this post also has a blog. Check it out here.
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Well, you went above what I was expecting. I think I will do a post within the week based off of a similar concept. But in the meantime I will put down the movies I watch year in and out, usually based off of my mood.
(I will put down the top 10 and then put some runner’s up.)
1. The Usual Suspects
2. The Shawshank Redemption
3. A Few Good Men
4. Real Genius
5. Dead Again
6. Lethal Weapon
7. Raiders of the Lost Ark
8. Stir of Echoes
9. Ghostbusters
10. Jaws
Runners-Up:
Hot Fuzz
The Matrix
Grosse Point Blank
Primal Fear
Big Trouble in Little China
Major League
Die Hard
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Nice list!
Hot Fuzz. Love Hot Fuzz. That’s a DVD I own and have only seen once. Steps will be taken to change that.
There’s a couple on there that I have seen yet. I’ve officially taken note and they are officially-er on my list of movies to look out for.
Thanks again for the suggestion. Looking forward to your post.
PS: Officially-er… Makes sense doesn’t it?
With the friends I occasionally see made up words and meanings are a necessity!
I’ll assume Real Genius and Dead Again are the ones not heard of. They were smaller films.
As for Hot Fuzz…get going on that!!!