Even though I dislike lists, I seem to be a sucker for talking about them.
One of my favorite magazines compiled a list of its best 25 movies. The criteria were rather simple: freedom, families, patriotism, traditions.
I have doubts about the artistic qualities of several of the films, but they do seem to meet the criteria. Here they are:
- The Lives of Others (2007)
- The Incredibles (2004)
- Metropolitan* (1990) -- one of my favorites
- Forrest Gump* (1994)
- 300 (2007)
- Groundhog Day (1993)
- The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
- Juno* (2007)
- Blast From the Past (1999)
- Ghostbusters* (1984)
- The Lord of the Rings* (2001, 2002, 2003)
- The Dark Knight* (2008)
- Braveheart* (1993)
- A Simple Plan (1998)
- Red Dawn* (1984)
- Master and Commander* (2003)
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe* (2005)
- The Edge (1997)
- We Were Soldiers (2002)
- Gattaca (1997)
- Heartbreak Ridge (1986)
- Brazil* (1985)
- United 93 (2006)
- Team America: World Police (2004)
- Gran Torino (2008)
And I would have dropped Red Dawn in favor of Thank You for Smoking.
But, overall, it is a very interesting list.
I am certain that we could all come up with our own lists of favorites. My problem is that my list would change from day to day -- depending on the criteria. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? has long been one of my favorite films for its construction. But it certainly would not go on every favorites list I would construct.
As a weekend exercise, what criteria would use use for a favorites list for film? And what films would make the cut?
