All-Time Favorites
(06/08/00, revised 03/25/01)
Greetings
and hello, my movie neighbors! My name is Beth "SpaceGirl" Kinderman,
confirmed lifelong movie geek. (My definition of "movie geek":
someone who watches as many movies as the average film critic and analyzes them
just as much, yet lacks the "refined" tastes and snobbishness
necessary to practice this profession.) For my own entertainment (and perhaps
yours as well) I've decided to post movie reviews and general thoughts on my
new homepage. So I figured that for those few of you who plan on reading this
regularly, I'd better give you some idea of my tastes so you know where I'm
coming from. Here's my list of favorite movies:
Honorable
Mentions: The
"Star Wars" saga, because (Jar Jar notwithstanding) it's the
closest thing we've got to modern mythology. Ed Wood, because it's
inspiring to see someone with absolutely no talent accomplish his dreams
anyway. Mystery Science Theatre 3000: The Movie, because I love the TV
show and this movie makes me shoot Cherry Coke out my nose every time. A
Fish Called Wanda, because before there was anything about Mary there was
this original (and better) gross-out comedy. Clerks, because it’s incredibly offensive, incredibly
obscene, and one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen.
10.
Alien. The
only movie that ever gave me nightmares. The sequels never delivered the same
sheer, visceral terror this inspired. And even after 20 years Ripley can still
beat anybody down.
9.
Contact.
Beyond summer 1997's over-the-top blockbusters was this rarity: a big-name film
that actually requires you to think. It fueled debate everywhere I
went--and I have yet to see a visual effect more gorgeous or more mind-blowing
than the first 5 minutes of this movie.
8.
Truly Madly Deeply. A somewhat obscure British movie of heartbreaking simplicity, about
losing love and learning to find it again.
7.
The Blair Witch Project. It was more fun before the hype, but if you look past that (and pay
attention!) you get a truly creepy story that had me shivering for weeks
every time I saw a shrub.
6.
The Silence Of The Lambs. Artfully disturbing and delightfully
horrific, it’s a simple mystery elevated to new heights by a superb script and astonishing
acting. Plus, Hannibal Lecter is one of
the best (and flat-out creepiest) movie characters of the past two decades.
5.
The Fisher King. I laughed, I cried, I loved this movie. Another truly beautiful, very
strange story--and I don't even like Robin Williams!
4.
Time After Time. It's Star Trek IV without those stupid whales and that
obnoxious William Shatner. (Coming from me that's actually a compliment.) And
it's a terrific love story.
3.
American Beauty. Either you hate or love this movie, and (duh!) I loved it. It smacked
me around and changed the way I look at everything. To quote the previews,
"If you think a drama can't be funny, if you think a comedy can't move
you, look closer."
2.
The Princess Bride. This one takes some explaining--see Thoughts On "The
Princess Bride."
1.
Edward Scissorhands. Sigh. Tim Burton is a genius. That's all I can say.
Copyright (c) 2000 by Beth
Kinderman. This is my original work, so please respect it.