To follow up with my post last week about the five worst movies I've ever seen, I figured we'd start the year off right on a positive note. The following are my absolutely positively most favoritest movies
ever.
1. Pan's Labyrinth (El Laberinto del Fauno)
This is far and away my favorite movie. If someone asks me my favorite movie, it's the first to pop into my head. The imagery is amazing, the acting is exceptional (especially by the 11-year-old
Ivana Baquero), and the story draws you in from the very beginning. Don't be fooled, though. This isn't a children's tale. Far from it. There's one quote in the movie from Ofelia's mother, something along the lines "This isn't like one of your fairy tales." If only the woman knew that Ofelia's fairy tales were far scarier than real life. The great thing about this movie is it has you wondering the entire time if it's all in Ofelia's head, or if she really is experiencing these things. It's a Spanish movie, so there are subtitles, but I tend to turn them on for all movies, so it doesn't bother me.
2. Amelie
This movie is a very close second. I fell in love with Audrey Tautou in Amelie. It's about a quirky young woman who had a very secluded childhood trying to find love in a tough world. All of the characters are wonderful and the acting is superb. The story even follows some of the quirks of the minor side characters and it is such a good movie. There are a few parts early in the movie that might turn people off (a naked pregnant woman and Amelie counting how many people are having orgasms), but for the most part, those are really the only questionable spots. Oh, and her crush works in a sex shop. But I think the story is good enough to make those parts overlookable. It requires subtitles if you're not fluent in French, but I've learned a few new phrases by watching this movie so many times.
3. V for Vendetta
Love love love this movie. The music score is phenomenal, the acting superb, the story scarily realistic. It focuses on the not-so-distant future and makes you question whether the world really could get to that point after all the progress we've made. V's speeches are a joy to listen to and I would give this movie the most quotable award. My favorite quote?
It seems strange that my life should end in such a terrible place, but for three years I had roses and apologized to no one. I shall die here. Every inch of me shall perish. Every inch, but one. An inch. It is small and it is fragile and it is the only thing in the world worth having. We must never lose it or give it away. We must NEVER let them take it from us. I hope that whoever you are, you escape this place. I hope that the worlds turns, and that things get better. But what I hope most of all is that you understand what I mean when I tell you that, even though I do not know you, and even though I may never meet you, laugh with you, cry with you, or kiss you, I love you. With all my heart, I love you.
And "Our integrity sells for so little, but it is all we really have. It is the very last inch of us, but within that inch, we are free."
4. Juno
A fun, quirky movie about a sixteen-year-old who makes a big mistake. I like this movie because it gives a different view to the whole "pregnant teenager" debacle. There is no major drama from her parents, no one tells her she's a sinner, no one treats her like she's the worst person in the world for making a stupid mistake. She knows immediately that there is no way she could raise a child, so she goes in search of the perfect adoptive couple. Where does she find them? The Pennysaver, of course. Things aren't all sunshine and daffodils, though, and she runs into a lot of emotional trials along the way. I tend to cry every time at this movie. This is where I fell in love with Ellen Page (who has turned into one of my girl crushes, along with Emily Blunt and Kate Beckinsale) and Michael Cera.
5. Garden State
Written and directed by Zach Braff, who played JD on
Scrubs. There is a lot of humor in this movie, but it's not slapstick humor like he normally does. It's more dark and sarcastic. It's also another Natalie Portman movie. She's absolutely fantastic here and I love her character. She lies all the time, about pretty much everything. "Don't try to kidnap me or anything, because my uncle's a bounty hunter and he could have you tracked and killed." There are a lot of questionable parts, like the massive amounts of drug use, but if you can look past those to the real heart of the movie, you'll thoroughly enjoy it. Plus, the soundtrack is great.
Honorable Mentions
The last two movies in my top five tend to alternate based on what kind of mood I'm in. Here are the others that sneak into those spots.
Visually stunning, even without 3D, and the storyline, though generic, isn't bad at all. I'm afraid that the sequel will go the way of
Matrix, however, where the first movie was so amazing, the rest just couldn't compare. Plus, this movie has Stephen Lang, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, and Giovanni Ribisi. How could it not be awesome?
The CGI here is to die for. It's so well done and again, I love the story. This movie has gotten a lot of flack, and to be honest, I hated it the first time I watched it. But then I watched it again, and fell in love. It's just so well done and really, who doesn't love digitally enhanced men in speedos?
I've already discussed my love for
Tank Girl in another post. It's
Tank Girl. What more needs to be said aside from puh-puh-puh-pow!!?
So what are your favorite movies of all time?
