Its taken me so long to create this list because at the most basic level these are my favorite films. In an even more stripped down ways these are the moments that make my favorite films so personal and special to me. When Benjamin and Elaine sit next to each other on the bus, when Jefferson Smith faints on the Congressional floor during the final moments of his caucus, when Luke faces Vader for the first time. Or how about Indiana Jones running from the giant ball of stone? Or Marty Mcfly's daring return to 1985. These moments set a fire in my gullet. They make me want to stand up and cheer. Its hard to just name the films that make me love movies because I would be writing my life's story and listing hundreds of films. But, for winrit, I'll make a effort.
The Graduate
The Empire Strikes Back
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Back to the Future
Dead Poet's Society
Goonies
Close Encounters
Empire of the Sun
Star Wars
This list feels so incomplete. I tend to bang a rather loud drum for the recent Joe Wright version of Pride & Prejudice. I do so because as I sat there engulfing this film I thought to myself "This is why I come to the movies!" The film moved me, made me fall in love with the cinema all over again. I wanted to cheer, and I applauded vigorously as the credits rolled. These films that bring me to tears no because they are sad, some of them are triumphant, but I become so overwhelmed with the magic of movies that I weep. It sounds silly, but I do, its why I make movies, rather try to. The craftsmanship that these films have brings me to my knees. Its more than a list could do proper justice to.