Movies Revisited in 2005

As 2006 winds up and another year has gone by the wayside I was thinking about what older movies I had watched this past year and what made my favorite list. I was watching some movies recently and thought about some older movies that I had seen this year or watched again and decided to put a small list of movies and/or scenes that made them enjoyable for me. What’s yours?

My list goes like this:

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – Tim Robbins & Morgan Freeman – This movie was from a short story by Steven King, It's a poignant story about hope. It's also a story for freedom. Freedom from isolation, from rule, from bigotry and hate. Freeman and Robbins are majestic in their performances. Each learns from the other. It is one of my favorite all time movies.
2. Last of the Dogmen (1995) – Tom Berenger & Barbara Hershey – I like the narration by Wilford Brimley all through the movie. The scenery is spectacular and great storytelling. Two People. One Mystery... Hidden For A Hundred Years.
3. Silverado (1985) - Kevin Kline, Kevin Costner, Danny Glover, Scott Glenn, and Brian Dennehy – This is Lawrence Kasdan’s homage to the old classic westerns. It mixes friendship, honor, villains, and comedy into a nice paced western adventure. 'Silverado' is a shining example of the Western genre, and it stands as one of the greatest pure entertainment Westerns ever made.
4. Leap of Faith (1992) – Steve Martin & Debra Winger – Good comedy and music. I enjoyed this movie and two scenes particularly. One is in the middle of the movie where Debra Winger and Liam Neeson are standing beside a field when he claps his hands and thousands of butterflies take flight. The other scene is the last 10 minutes of the movie when all of the townspeople are out by revival site and it looks like a big tail gate party. Everyone waiting on something, enjoying each others company in a time of stress and no rain for their crops. Small town America is shown nicely, and the rain starts to fall. The movie itself is light and enjoyable, one of the best movie on its genre.
5. The Usual Suspects (1995) - Five Criminals . One Line Up . No Coincidence. Five villains in New York are rounded up by police in an unconventional manner that worries them. After release, they get together for a spot of revenge, but someone else is controlling events. A Perfectly Crafted Mystery. Language is rough but great plot twists.
6. The Abyss (1989) – Ed Harris & Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio – This was a movie by James Cameron before Titanic. The underwater scenes were visually stunning and another great original story. The visual imagery of this film is stunning; with no half measures taken, it is such a pleasure to watch.
7. Being There (1979) - Getting there is half the fun; being there is all of it! If I told you any more than that would not do justice to this movie. Great scenes inside and ourside Biltmore House in Ashville, North Carolina. Peter Sellers at his best.
   
8. Fail Safe (1964) - A first-rate movie. American planes are sent to deliver a nuclear attack on Moscow, but it's a mistake due to an electrical malfunction. Can all-out war be averted? It will have you sitting on the brink of eternity! When this movie was made the Cold War was in full swing so you can imagine the impact of this movie during that time period.
   
9. The Stunt Man (1980) - This is just a fun movie that never gained a place in the theaters but if you found it was a blast of reality and perceptions. A fugitive stumbles on a movie set just when they need a new stunt man, takes the job as a way to hide out, and falls for the leading lady. One of my favorite movies of all time. Must admit that I'm a bit biased since Peter O'Toole's one of my favorite actors of all time. This movie has NEVER gotten the attention that it deserves. Maybe that's, in part, due to the difficulties involved in categorizing it. I don't even know in which section of the video store I'd start looking.
   Peter O'Toole is so swell in it. I love that enigmatic character, movie director Eli Cross! Like the movie (and O'Toole, for that matter), he's so hard to cubbyhole. You like him, but you don't trust him. Like Cameron/Lucky (Steve Railsback's escaped convict character) does, you NEED to know exactly where his motives lie ... all in good time. You know Cross'll do whatever's necessary to get "the shot", but he's still got a conscience ... right? Would Cameron have been better off (read safer) just staying in jail ... hmmm?
10. A Knights Tale (2001) - "A Knight's Tale" is a wonderful story of a group of friends who fight, train, and love as they are led by William (Ledger) in his quest to "change his stars" and become a knight. Tongue-in-cheek humor is administered throughout, much of it appropriately timed. The cast is superior (observe Bettany's mastering of his craft), as they are believable and likable. Casenove's performance as John Thatcher is superb and touching. Not to be taken too seriously, this movie will please if viewed for what it is- an action comedy. Keep watching after the credits for a funny clip; think Blazing Saddles)

There you have it as my list of great movies to watch again and again. The "new" movies will probably be talked about next year at this time.

If you get the chance watch these movies and don't forget the popcorn.

Ice