Run Lola Run! Another movie I felt terrible about leaving off.

93. Sideways (2004)

I love Alexander Payne, he's always found away to make really funny/sad characters very real and Sideways is no different. Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church are perfect together and their week long adventure brings you into a world you may no nothing about, but you get completely caught up in it. Sandra Oh and Virginia Madsen round out the cast and are more than capable of not being overshadowed by the male leads. Madsen in particular has really beautiful scenes with Giamatti throughout. It's also funny, and looks and sounds great. Definitely gets you into wine too.



92. Broadcast News (1987)

Man I love this film. Having worked in various news stations now, despite being 25 years old, this film gets so much right about the relationships and the inner workings. The times have changed, but I've worked with multiple incarnations of these characters multiple times. Brooks, Hunter, and Hurt are really great together and drive the film's story to multiple emotional heights. But the rest of the cast should not be overlooked either. Even the smallest role has been given close attention to detail, and when I watch something like The Newsroom today, it's really unbelievable how much better this film is. This film will remain timeless for me even if I do laugh at all how far technologically the industry has changed.

I'm disappointed you didn't back me up on the greatness of Hot Rod, I don't think anybody else here even liked it.

Meh on Sideways. I like Election a lot but haven't seen The Descendants or Schmidt.

91. American Beauty (1999)

Kevin Spacey really was the greatest actor ever for a good stretch there. This is just yet another movie showcasing his talents in yet another wonderful character. But it doesn't just stop there, this movie is greatly entertaining, despite it's much darker undertones, especially the ending. Alan Ball's screenplay is superb, and Sam Mendes direction is unbelievable for a debut film. His competence and attention to detail is just a real treat to watch, especially in his future films.

I love Sideways and Broadcast News.

90. The Royal Tenenbaums (2000)

I love Life Aquatic, Rusmore and Bottle Rocket, and found Moonrise Kingdom to be probably his most well made film to date, but its hard not to see the brilliance in Tenenbaums. The impressive cast is filled with talent, led of course by Gene Hackman. Every character is quirky, yet touching. Hackman is brilliant and gets to show a great comedy skill that he rarely got to show off, and he's hysterical. Not much to say, everyone in the cast is really funny and I can watch this movie a lot.

Two more great choices, my favorite Wes Anderson movie is Fantastic Mr. Fox.

89. Bigger than Life (1956)

I never even heard of this film until a film class in college. To be honest, like most of us, when we're in a film class usually we will see films that we've already seen countless times. But I'll stand by them if you get to see at least one new film and this was it. This movie from Nicolas Ray was way ahead of its time in deconstruction of the typical American family. James Mason (Captain Nemo in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea) is terrific and the story is quite tragic. It's also just amazingly shot, the use of shadows/ angles/ and cinematography are some of the best I've ever seen, and the increase in the dependency and abuse of prescription drugs, this film that makes it feel even more real today. They never made them like this back, and I haven't seen anything since.



88. Get Shorty (1995)

I always think of this film as the reason why I love movies and love talking about movies with people. I think at times Get Shorty while liked by most is constantly overlooked. This is just a great film for the movie lover. It features an excellent cast along with Travolta, Russo, and Hackman leading the way all falling perfectly into their roles. But the supporting cast including now both deceased Dennis Farina and James Gandolfini is also just as good. It's a great gangster film, filled with charm. Everyone loves movies and fantasizes about the life no matter what your role in life is. It's just a fun, clever, well made film. It's a shame Be Cool was so bad.

I also watched Bigger Than Life in a film course.

It was paired with Ray's Rebel Without a Cause, which I had watched before.

87. Commando (1985)

I'll be honest, this film is a guilty pleasure. But it's hard to call a film a guilty pleasure when everyone I know loves the film. It's really not, it's an awesome film, but we all know that it's not swinging for the fences. It is was it exactly set out to do It's hilariously over the top, but it's in on the joke. It's a well made action film, with awesome one liners and this is the film where Arnold became the likable action hero audiences would continue to embrace for the next 14 years. Before this Arnold was still defined by the role, now he became Ahnuld! He has the natural charm, and when the opening shot is you carrying a huge tree trunk over your shoulder, you better believe he had presence. Commando may not be the best overall films of Schwarzenneger's career, but it's certainly his most fun, and stays with me as the most male testosterone film ever made. You want to eat red meat and smoke cigars while watching it.




86. Spartan (2004)

Ah, once upon a time Val Kilmer was Batman, and that was his worst accomplishment. Now I miss the days when he tried and still starred in good films from high caliber directors and productions. Case in point Spartan. One of his last starring theatrical roles, is arguably his best. It's a Bourne done David Mamet style, meaning it's real, entertaining, intense, and not shot like someone on a trampoline. it came and flopped, but it lived well on video. Filled with twists and turns and great little action set pieces, Spartan is one of the best thrillers and kept secrets of the last decade.

It is not on my list, but I completely respect your choice of Spartan. Awesome, grotesquely undervalued movie. (I don't appreciate the dig at the Bourne series, however, but eh.)

I also love House of Games and Homicide by Mamet.

85. Three Kings (1999)

This is still my favorite David O. Russell film. A nice satire right in the middle of the Iraq war with an awesome cast of George Clooney, Ice Cube, and Mark Wahlberg all hitting their career peaks up until that point. At it's best it's an anti war film right in the middle of one of the more interesting wars rarely shown. At it's worst, it's funny, clever drama mixed with a lot of exciting action.




84. Ed Wood (1994)

This movie feels so long ago. There was actually a time when I couldn't wait for the next Tim Burton film, now I cringe almost every time I hear his name. But this is probably his most grown-up yet fun film yet. It's a hilarious look into the infamous Ed Wood. But rather than going for jabs, it's actually a more of a celebration of this man's interesting impact on the filmmaking industry. Laced with extreme satire, and wonderful visuals depicting the exciting world of the C picture back in the day. Johnny Depp leads a wonderful cast of characters that all hit their marks, especially Bill Murray, SJP, and of course Martin Landau, who brings Bela Lugosi into just as much fascination as Ed Wood.




83. The Untouchables (1987)

Kevin Costner's explosion into stardom may have been what caused him to peak way too early, but that's not to say he still isn't a formidable lead in Brian De Palma's Untouchables. Costner leads Sean Connery, Andy Garcia into the world of Al Capone, and they'll stop at nothing until they've won. Robert De Niro goes through yet another physical transformation to play Al Capone, and he only he could bring the presence and menace of someone like Capone. This is just a well made crime drama that nails the era and Ennio Morricone's score is one of my favorites.

Your list is shaping up nicely.

Was a little underwhelmed by Three Kings. Ed Wood and Untouchables are great though!

82. Blood Diamond (2006)

This was a movie that I thought was good when I watched it, but that's it. But I constantly find myself watching it over and over. DiCaprio is outstanding and Hounsou and Connelly play off well against him. It's a compelling war thriller from start to finish in a world I knew very little about. Reminds me a lot of the underrated Lord of War, but this one just works even better for me.




81. Kung Fu Hustle (2004)

I could say I've never had more fun watching a foreign film ever, but that wouldn't do this justice. Like Run Lola Run this film is just amazing to watch just for the story, characters, and action. Stephen Chow's followup to Shaolin Soccer is downright hilarious with a script filled with witty dialogue, and a great sense of parody while maintaining the genre's integrity. Also fantastic music and visual effects.



80. A fish Called Wanda (1988)

"Assshooooooolllleeee!"
There are a lot of great heist movies out there, but none as funny and character driven as A Fish Called Wanda. Kline (In his award winning role) steals the show, which is a difficult task considering how friggin hilarious everyone else is in the cast. Palin, Cleese, and Curtis are all wonderfully cast and Cleese's script while more mature than any of his and Palin's Python work, has enough of the mayhem and gags to continue with the tradition of being comedy legends.

79. Boogie Nights (1997)

I've always been a big fan of PTA and, especially Punch Drunk Love and There Will Be Blood, but I always come back to Boogie Nights. It's a great ensemble of multiple up an comers and seasoned veterans all up to the task. Also Marky Mark becomes Mark Wahlberg for the first time. Looking through the different aspects of the porn industry of the late 70s to mid 80s, is a lot of fun. It gets the look, the feel, and the overall tone. It may not be PTA's best overall work, but it's the most enjoyable for me.



78. The Secret of Nimh (1982)

I'm really surprised Flava didn't have this film on his list. This is truly one of the most superb films ever made, not just animated. It's got typical Disney flare (Despite causing a split in Disney at the time) but it has darker overall tone that makes it more than just an animated film. A simple story of a mother's love to save her son's life, no matter what is at the core, but the characters dark moments are equaled by only strong emotional highs sprinkled throughout. The visuals and story are both compelling. The music is great and the animation is just spectacular.


77. Clue (1985)

Game to film adaptations never really work, in fact they are usually down right terrible. And a board game adaptation by all rights shouldn't even be made. But it works, and surpasses not just game adaptation, but most comedies. Taking it's notes from other great murder parodies like Murder by Death, Clue is everything you'd want in a game adaptation and more. Featuring a wonderful cast of character actors, Clue is hilarious, fast paced, and keeps you guessing until the end. Watching it on TV or video is the best way as it features three possible endings back to back. Never gets old for me.

76. Dirty Harry (1971)

"Come on, you know I didnt do that."
"Oh yea, how come"
"Because he looks too dam good"

I really wanted to fit Gran Torino on my list, because no one plays the Anti Hero better than Eastwood, and this one will always be my favorite. The whole series is solid, but the original is the best. Dirty Harry takes Eastwood's perfected Western character into a modern setting, and the thriller, 70s score and grit are there in top form. Harry Calahan is a guy you don't want to get on the wrong side. The killer Scorpio (Zodiac jabs at this, and looking at it, this movie must have been a slap in the face of those cops) is completely mean and ruthless. The "Do I feel Lucky" Speech is still top 10 for me.
Eastwood pretty much owned the 70s, and this movie is a great example why.



75. Some Like It Hot (1958)

Despite the fact I can't see how anyone in their right mind could mistake Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon for mind, this film is the very definition of what comedy should be. It's hilarious, has great heart behind it, and wonderful acting throughout. It probably has one of the funniest last lines of a film ever too. What can I say, some classics don't hold up, but Some Like it Hot is not one of them.


74. Planes, Trains, and automobiles (1987)

This film makes you wish John Hughes did more adult themed comedies in the 80s. This movie is just down right wonderful from start to finish. John Candy and Steve Martin are a great comedic duo as their unlikely relationship blossoms over their desperate journey to make it home for the holidays. Filled with great gags, and Martin's straight reactions to Candy are real, and hilarious. But whats even more amazing is how serious it gets at times and both leads are not only up to the challenge, they show real strengths that they hadn't really shown off before. A great film all around.

This is going to take ages.

Do you think it's going to take as long as my list did in 2005?

A very strange sentence. (I'm sure there are more, but I haven't read most of them.)

Clue is a very cute pick.

73. Frequency (2000)

I'm a sucker for alternate timeline type of films and this one is quite effective. Add in the elements a of a great thriller and family drama, Frequency was criminally overlooked when it first came out. Dennis Quaid and Jesus Christ have great chemistry despite ever being on camera together in the conventional sense.



72. Catch Me if you Can (2003)

For me it's Spielberg can do no wrong, it's usually a question of how good or entertained I feel after watching one of his films and Catch Me If You Can is one of his best. It has all the technical aspects of a great Spielberg film: Great cast; compelling story; looks great; and a kick-ass John Williams score, so really what more needs to be said. Hanks and Di Caprio are great and their relationship drives the film, especially leading to a very interesting finale. And Christopher Walken and the rest of the supporting cast is great to watch.


71. Batman Returns (1992)

"You're just jealous because I'm a genuine freak, and you have to wear a mask"

At face value, Batman Returns is still a very well made superhero film, despite it's darker nature. Keaton is the best Batman, Phieffer and De Vito are both great brining to life their roles. The gadgets, visuals, and action still hold up well (Barring a goofy par penguin army attack) and the music and sets are spectacular. But once you dive deeper Batman Returns is dark, disturbing, and psychologically compelling in a way I've never seen in a superhero film. Also it's quite bold. I don't think even Nolan could get away with the villain's main goal to murder all the first born children in the city. It might not be the best "Batman" movie, but it's the most interesting of the series hands down.




70. American Psycho (2000)

Before he was Batman, he was one fucked up individual. Bale as Patrick Bateman is such a terrible human being, but at the same time, there is something about him that was really appealing. He was funny, smart, and charming, as well as being a ruthless killer. His trip into insanity is not only horrific, but funny in a dark way. The always great William Dafoe is a formiddable cop, and the smaller roles do their best as well, but Bale steals the show and is an early sign of how good he great he was going to be.


69. Election (1999)

This film is just hilarious, but also very real for me. Alexander Payne showed very early on how great he is. I don't think they've made an effective high school film since this one. Broderick returns to his most enjoyable role since Ferris Bueller and Reese Witherspoon is wonderful as the obsessed go getter stop at nothing to succeed high school girl we've all met. Just a very funny and dark look into high school politics.

William Dafoe? Seriously? People are still making that mistake?

Catch Me If You Can is #101 on my list too, or was.

I'm sure some of the borderline ones I kept off the list in the first post would have matched yours too. I feel like 10 of them would be on everyone's top 150