Tuesday, September 26, 2006

100th Post So You Get El Pad's 100 favorite Movies

El Padrino's 100 favorite movies of all time. People, you may or may not agree with some of these entries but I assure you of one thing. You will respect my movie viewing skills.

1. The Godfather
Tragic but yet romantic tale of a New York City mob boss and the rise of his successor, Michael. This film captured the Mafia like no other film did or will. Marked by the suspense and rich period detail it was an instant classic in everyone's DVD library.

2. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Nicholson at his absolute best. Driving story of a mental patient who inspires new life into hapless inmates by giving them purpose and self-worth. If you've never seen this, you've never seen a Nicholson film.

3. The Gladiator
Epic. Simply put. Story of revenge and courage. Set in a time in which we are all interested in.

4. Goodfellas
Life through the eyes of a man who lived it. Dreamt it and became it. Then, ruined it. All in a powerful New York City Mafia.

5. Scarface
Al Pacino's greatest role? Some say yes. Story of a gangsta and his rise to the top --- and fall to the bottom. So many memorable scenes and lines.

6. Raiders of The Lost Ark
Adventurous tales of Indiana Jones and his quest through the Amazon and Egypt to find the Ark of Covenant. A true popcorn movie that I watched over and over again as a kid.

7. The Godfather II
Ties in with the original seamlessly while keeping it's taut suspense and exact detail. The rise of one Vito Corleone.

8. Schindlers List
Um, wow. Talk about a powerful movie.

9. Taxi Driver
Just crazy man, De Niro was just crazy in this. Righteous violence are two words that had no meaning before this film.

10. Jaws
My first real horror movie. Suspenseful adventure about a killer shark wreaking havoc on a tony New England town. I love this movie.

11. Apocalypse Now
Vietnam war drama that takes Sheen up to Cambodia to find Brando's character who has lost his damn mind. Brando as Kurtz was about as nutty as a performance you'll see.

12. Silence of The Lambs
The hunt for a serial killer leads a FBI agent (Jodie Foster) to Hannibal Lector and that's when we meet the sickest villian ever.

13. Saving Private Ryan
Exceptional detail into WWII including a brutal, brutal D-Day depiction of Normandy Beach.
The story of this young soilder who loses both brothers and the crew that must overcome great odds to find him is just riveting. It gets me everytime.

14. Usual Suspects
Twisted, convoluted thriller that evolves from a simple police line-up. Brillant movie.

15. Forest Gump
Poignant drama through the eyes of a mentally challenged but kind man who tells his life story to anyone that will listen. The flashbacks take us through every bit of important American history with scenes that actually show footage of JFK and Lyndon B. Johnson.

16. Swingers
Mikey left his girl in NY to blow up in LA but is a wreck over it, until Trent schools him to the scene. "You're so money and you don't even know it!"

17. Rounders
Just love it, everytime it's on I watch until the end. This is real poker before the poker explosion in America. Who can't recite Malkovich's lines? And, for what it's worth, I like narrated movies.

18. 40 Year Old Virgin
Just took comedy to all new heights. Seriously this is a hysterical movie. I laugh at over 80% of the dialouge.

19. Anchorman
Before 40 Year Old, there is this. Ron Burgundy. Proabably the most quoted movie in my library.

20. The Deer Hunter
Intense drama about friendship and the effects of the Vietnam War. Of course the Russian Roulette scenes steal the show. Walken was fantastic as was DeNiro.

21. New Jack City
Gritty tale of the rise and fall of a powerful drug lord. Neno Brown man, don't fuck with that dude.

22. Old School
The arrival of the Will Ferrel era in movies. Not to mention Vince Vaughn but he had already arrived. Anyone else notice that Jeremy Piven and his semi-hot wife in Entourage are in this movie?

23. Rocky
True underdog story that I feel gets "everyone involved". You cheer because you care.

24. Shawshank Redemption
Simply an excellent film. Morgan Freeman gives a hell of a performance.

25. Bronx Tale
Kid learns life lessons from a mafia boss and his hard-working pops. Great movie. I love the detail in this one too.

26. Raging Bull
Sometimes the only person who can stop you is you.

27. Carlito's Way
Felt like he owed him, then it got hairy. And Carlito never made it to that island. We rooted for him, we rooted for the bad guy. I feel like this movie is underated.

28. E.T
Hey man, childhood memories. I am not an old guy. E.T was the shit when I was a kid. It was all about a friendship.

29. Braveheart
This was a great film based on William Wallace and his army. Very real.

30. Blow
The reason my picture is Padrino Escobar. We all love rise and fall stories of druglords, don't we?

31. Donnie Brasco
Rat. Mole. Based on the true story this never disappoints. From Depp's performance all the way down.

32. Friday
Comedy classic. Big Worm, Deebo, Smokey and Craig. Alot of shit goes down between Thursday and Saturday

33. Pulp Fiction
Intertwined lives of all these characters, I swear Tarantino's mind is warped.

34. Fight Club
Unlike any movie I've seen. Well paced, plot great, acting phenominal...I could go on.

35. Alien
Scared the shit out of me the first time I saw it. Still kind of does.

36. Platoon
Seemed so real to me. I felt entraped in the situation when I watch this movie.

37. Rain Man
I never saw the Graduate so I can't say that this was Hoffman's best performance but it has to be up there.

38. Casino
I love the greed, I feel it. Same deal with Wall Street (no.40). You just feel the greed. And greed is good. Not to mention Pesci who I thought should have gotten some award for this role.

39. Full Metal Jacket
Boot camp in Parrot Bay looks like one hell of a nightmare huh? Gomer Pyle steals the show on the toilet bowl.

40. Wall Street
Like I said, greed is good.

41. Reservoir Dogs
Another Tarantino mind warp. It was supposed to be the perfect crime and no one knows who it was. That gives this movie the legs it needs to go on with the same story.

42. Ace Ventura
I'll go out on a limb here and say this is Carrey's best character ever.

43. Major League
Just a load of fun in this movie. Of course two or even three sequels were made but this was the best.

44. A Few Good Men
"You can't handle the truth". I mean c'mon, who's better than Nicholson on the stand?

45. Predator
Arnie battling a extra-terrestial soilder. What's not to love?

46. Sin City
Really enjoyed this and can't wait for the sequel. Just real grimey stories that kind of intertwine.

47. The Matrix
Visually stimulating. We all wacthed this the first time like a baby staring at cartoons. Just fixated on the screen.

48. Trading Places
Simply put. Real funny.

49. King Kong (either one, 1933 was great but the update from Jackson was as visually stimulating as any movie I've ever seen.)
No I'm not gay, this is a beautiful story.

50. Wedding Crashers
Rule No.1 : Never leave a fellow crasher behind.

51. Red Dragon
Pshychopath killers make great characters. Fiennes shines. Loving the Hannibal connections as well.

52. Se7en
Great murder mystery. Following the belief in the seven deadly sins.

53. Leon: The Professional
Young Natalie Portman getting befriended by a professional hitman. You would think that her life would be in danger but they form a bond that he is willing to die for. Oldman is a nut.

54. The Crow
A dark superhero. Love the idea, the story and thought Lee was great (tragically).

55. 25th Hour
The speech into the mirror by Norton is hilarious. So true man. If only everyone was a New Yorker, you'd all understand. I liked Spike's take on this film. He's a borderline great director. Real good but not great.

56. Batman Begins
Thought is was excellent. My favorite superhero and DC guy was brought to life by Nolan. I watch it every time it runs on cable.

57. Black Hawk Down
Raw. Intense. Real.

58. Boiler Room
Schoonk got took. The whiteboy version of slinging crack rock....stock market. I can recite all the lines.

59. Boogie Nights
One of my favorite industries. They're 3 things that make some movies work automatically.
Sex, Drugs, and Blood. This film falls under sex. And by the way, every Halloween I tell people I'm going dressed as Dirk Diggler, no prostethic necessary.

60. Jerry Maguire
Sure it's really a romantic story between Cruise's character and Renee but the sports scenes and the acting performance from Cuba Gooding overwhelm this picture. I can't believe he failed at just about everything else. Between Boyz N the Hood and this one he should have been a bonafide star.

61. Bad Boys
Whatcha gonna do when they come for you!! Joey Pants is good in both of these as well.

62. Bad Boys II
Just as good if not better than the first. Hilarity throughout.

63. Caddyshack
Roll call: Bill Murray, John Candy, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield. Need I say more.

64. Bram Stroker's Dracula
Best Drac out there, no other one comes close.

65. Die Hard
The whole fucking franchise I love. Willis is the most sarcastic piece of waste on the screen but he's the hero. I love it.

66. Falling Down
Just fuck bitches up. Don't take no shit from no one.

67. Natural Born Killers
Fast, hectic story of pshychopath serial murderes who happen to be crazy in love. I like to call this "Cultural Violence".

68. Heat
Pacino and Deniro on the same screen again. Yup. Again.

69. Scent Of A Woman
Outside of Godfather and Scarface, Pacino's best performance (in my eyes). The screaming, the wild sadness that his charcter exudes. Magnificent film.

70. Judgement Night
Sick cat and mouse game. Leary is a nut.

71. Kill Bill
Revenge is a motherfucker.

72. Kill Bill 2
Clever, didn't miss a beat.

73. He Got Game
Denzel nails the role of "alchololic tough guy, I'll whip yo ass type" Dad. And the Coney Island detail is so real I felt like I knew Jesus Shuttlesworth personally.

74. Meet The Parents
Deniro showing the comedic skills and Stiller being Stiller. Came out of nowhere and was funny as shit when it did.

75. Boyz N the Hood
Crime saga with the ever-gangsta South Central LA scene. Fuckin' doughboy. Sad.

76. Office Space
If you've never worked in an office you can't understand this movie. If you have, you love it.

77. Road To Perdition
Detail of the 1930's Irish mob is surreal. The story was good too. Makes me rent Paul Newman movies everytime I see it. And can Hanks play any role?

78. Prates of the Caribbean
Fun. Simple. Sometimes you go to the movies to have fun and not concentrate. And what a quirky fuck that Depp is huh?

79. Snatch
Fun crime caper. I like the mix of "groups".

80. Cable Guy
Carrey in his most demented but funny role. Didn't really do well in the box office but I always catch it when it's on. And of course I own it.

81. The Aviator
Howard Hughes, the DiCaprio performance was dead on. Hughes was a crazy fuck. Brilliant though, as most crazy people are.

82. The Fugitive
"I didn't kill my wife"! I joke around all the time with this line, when I deny something, that's what I say. Mad love and respect to Richard Kimball who refused to be dragged down by a one-armed man.

83. The Man With Two Brains
Stupid I know but I couldn't stop watching it. And it will forever be one of my favorite Steve Martin movies.

84. Tombstone
Good Wyatt Earp and better Doc Holliday. Not a western fan but watched this consistently and enjoyed it.

85. Any Given Sunday
Miami Sharks! It's like the Blitz video game but with drama behind it.

86. The Green Mile
Stephen King can do more than just horror. Great story and tremendous performance out of that knuckle head Duncan.

87. Traffic
Movie making. Some people don't like the documentary style that this film is shot in but I think it gives it it's realism.

88. Lord of War
Behind the scenes of a real trade. Guns. Cage is excellent, Leto plays a great crack head and the African trips are very detailed and raw.

89. Christmas Vacation
Never fails, I watch it every year around Xmas. Laughs all around.

90. Memento
Crazy. Filmaking at it's peak. Totally outside the box.

91. T2
Best Terminator of them all. At the time it was a speacial effect masterpiece.

92. Three Kings
Bowls of a war-torn country or steal gold? Pick one.

93. Bourne Identity
Cool flick man, waiting for the thrid installment.

94. Bourne Supremacy
Like Paul Rudd in 40 Year Old says: "I don't know, looks like Damon rocks the shit in this one".

95. Hannibal
Decent ending to a nice trilogy. Makes the top 100 because I liked when the boars ate that cripple's face.

96. Napolean Dynamite
Caught alot of people by surprise. Pedro is funny.

97. A Perfect World
Criminals have feelings too.

98. Rambo
Lesson here: "Disgruntled Vietnam vets will kill you"

99. Jackie Brown
Bad-ass movie.

100. Showgirls
Of course this makes the list. It is a comedy right?













































31 comments:

The Rev said...

I've seen 44 of those movies. I saw 14 of your top 20. Not as much of a movie watcher as you are obviously, so mad respect to you. but I certainly have seen my share.

My Top 20 (not the 20 best ever by any means, just personal preference... and some of which I was surprised not to see on your list)

1. The Color Of Money
2. Rocky
3. The Godfather
4. The Shawshank Redemption
5. The Blues Brothers
6. Caddyshack
7. Pulp Fiction
8. National Lampoon's Vacation
9. Tombstone
10. History of the World Part I
11. The Fugitive
12. Lethal Weapon
13. Fletch
14. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
15. Blazing Saddles
16. Scarface
17. The Devil's Advocate
18. Clerks
19. Arthur
20. Sixteen Candles
21. Payback

I snuck in an extra for you.

The Rev said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Spaceman Spiff said...

you like sin city, you like gladiator, i bet youre gonna fucking love '300'

Los said...

How did Airplane miss this list?

By the way, I'm sure you won't get any more of these "How did ____ miss this list?"

tem said...

OK, I'll say it...no Star Wars? Not at all, not in the top 100? Not any of them? 100 is a lot and I am shocked not to see at least one of those make it.

El Padrino said...

Los: for real -- i own over 300 movies so this was hard
airplane is in top 125

"I am serious and don't call me Shirley" - classic

REV- way to go--comparable movies

spiff- of course, frank miller is a sick puppy

El Padrino said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
El Padrino said...

TEM- I hate sci fi, i own them though-- but i would watch 200 other movies before i watch that one

also not mentioned that might shock people is the lord of rings trilogy
just dont like fantasy/sci fi that much

Spaceman Spiff said...

i nominate american history x, edward norton is also very versatile

El Padrino said...

love american history x, should have found a spot for it- good call

steve- top 50 is neighborhood
but i feel ya

Spaceman Spiff said...

holy shit, that notstarring site is fucking with me, christian bale is perfect in american psycho and he wasnt first choice

El Padrino said...

pete rose instead of Kareem in ARIPLANE!!!

Bale was perfect in that movie

El Padrino said...

Gylenhall as batman

PUKE

tem said...

I was also shocked not to see any of the LoTRs make the top 100, but more shocked not to see any Star Wars in there.

There are like 1,000,000 movies though, so at least one top 100 list ain't gonna have any of them.

Spaceman Spiff said...

karate kid turned down back to the future!

Spaceman Spiff said...

"Bad Boys was originally conceived of as a starring vehicle for Dana Carvey and Jon Lovitz"
this is almost as bad a sly being beverly hills cop

ToddPacker said...

Solid list...

Not that I'm a sci-fi guy, but if you're going to include ET, I would mix in a Star Wars. I totally agree about the LOR, no where near my top 100

Also, I might have missed it but Fletch has to be in a top 100.

Another quality comedy that's in my top 100 is Safemen.. Paul Giamatti is great in it, funny movie.

Spaceman Spiff said...

damn, i would have loved to see ashley judd in basic instinct 2 instead of stone

iamunstoppable said...

this list is solid. probably since ive seen/own about 90%+ of these i cant really fault it.

i gotta find room for Pulp or Fight Club in the top 10 though.. and a LOTR has to make it in someplace as well. other than that, im with it.

El Padrino said...

TP: childhood man, saw ET 100 times as a child-- starwars i did not and ET really was more of a family film as opposed to sciene fiction

judd, yeah

demi moore turned down the first one, i would have liked to see her vagina in 1992

Spaceman Spiff said...

that website is sick, just sick, chris farley as the cable guy? i cant look at anymore

tem said...

Would Demi have flashed it or would have they filmed that scene a bit differently for her?

El Padrino said...

i can put pulp and fight club in top 15 now that im thinking of it
but not top ten

instead of gump and saving ryan i can put both of them there...
would you like me to edit it? lol

Anonymous said...

Not bad Laf. I've seen 85 of these and about 6 of them would be on my top 100. I'm not going to argue with you, BUT my only issue is Natural Born Killers which is a dopey, unsubtle and pretentious mess. My inclination is that many people like it, as is also the case with A Clockwork Orange, for the wrong reasons (not talking about you, obviously).

Spaceman Spiff said...

ok just one more and thats it
'Louis Gossett Jr. was considered for the role of Hannibal Lecter.'
gotta love it
looking forward to the weekly picks

Steph said...

I don't think I've even watched that many movies let alone have a favourite 100!
you're a freak. But in a good way.

Fairmaiden327 said...

You. Fucking. Rock.

It's just that simple. Congrats on 100 postings. I took exception with #62, 70 and 83 -- otherwise, I would watch a film with you, anytime. Hugs buddy and wishing you an excellent weekend.

El Padrino said...

Juice should have been on there...dammit!

El Padrino said...

crass the Ernest series deserve thier own postings!

jim varney

El Padrino said...

YORK: i did not like that clockwork orange movie
but natural born was demented

Anonymous said...

Major League and Wedding Crashers?!

SERIOUSLY!?!?

I should slap you my friend...slap you right across the face... ;)

Steve~