Do you love movies? Do you Google top 10 lists to get ideas of what you want to watch? I do, and in this article, I’ll give you my top 10 list of film gems you should watch.
In this current climate, everyone is looking for a way to escape reality. Movies are carefully constructed worlds designed to entertain us. In the following article, I’ve compiled my favorites for your viewing pleasure.
As I looked at other people’s lists, I found that a lot of the same movies over and over. I wanted to make my list different and pick movies that are great but are often overlooked. I don’t care nor checked IMDB or Rotten Tomatoes ratings for my list. I began with a list of about 25 movies and whittled it down to 10 by use of the following criteria:
*Entertainment Value- Was I invested?
*Affect – How they impacted me.
*Re-watchability – High Replay value.
*Message – The core/theme of the movie.
*Genre – Different angles of emotional content.
Here for your consideration are my top 10 film gems, from almost every genre, spanning almost 40 years, that every movie buff should watch, and prepare to cry, laugh, sing and fall in love with:
10. Collateral Beauty (2016) | Genre: Drama, Romance | Rating: PG-13
A Charismatic advertising executive, Howard is the star and co-owner of the agency. When disaster strikes in his personal life, he retreats from life and becomes a hermit. He reaches out to the universe by writing letters to Death, Love and Time. He’s surprised when they visit him to discuss his letters. Please make sure you have a box of tissue for this one.
9. The Report (2019) | Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama | Rating: R
Shortly after the 9/11 attacks in America, Daniel J. Jones is given the responsibility of heading an investigation into the suspect detention and interrogation program of the CIA. Mr. Jones is a perfectionist after the truth, but the more he uncovers the more resistance he meets. To know that they based this movie on actual events makes you question the outcome of the tactics employed in search of the truth.
8. Trading Places (1983) | Genre: Comedy | Rating: R
Reminiscent of “Freaky Friday,” this movie is about Louis Winthorpe, a successful businessperson, employed by the brothers Mortimer and Randolph Duke at their brokerage firm. Billy Ray Valentine is a conman and hustler who has an accidental run-in with Winthorpe. The Dukes make a one-dollar bet on the outcome of switching the Winthorpe’s and Valentine’s reality, but things don’t go as planned.
7. Hereditary (2018) | Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery | Rating: R
This movie will slowly penetrate your being. It will stick to you long after you’ve watched it. As Annie Graham mourns her mother’s passing, her 13-year-old daughter dies tragically. Striving to find peace, she is taken advantage of and makes mistakes that have supernatural ramifications. By the time you reach the end, you’ll find yourself wanting to watch it again with understanding.
6. The Blues Brothers (1980) | Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy | Rating: R
This movie is Disney Meets Quentin Tarantino. Based on the “Saturday Night Live” characters Jake and Elwood. These two brothers believe they are on a mission from God to save the orphanage they grew up in. They only have 11 days to raise five thousand dollars or the Archdioceses will sell it. They come up with a plan to resurrect their blues band and save the day. There are a lot of good musical scenes from legends in this movie.
5. Parasite (2019) | Genre: Comedy, Drama, Thriller | Rating: R
This movie is wonderfully weird and original. It’s a Korean language film, so you’ll have to do a little subtitle reading, but trust me, it’s worth it. A poor family of four grifters performs a series of schemes, scams, plots and plans to survive. When the son Kim Ki-woo gets a job as an English tutor for a wealthy girl. The family devises a plan to prey on the wealthy, but things go left.
4. Bridesmaids (2011) | Genre: Comedy, Romance | Rating: R
I have watched this movie countless times. Annie the maid of honor falls victim to jealousy as the bride-to-be and a new girl to the group and bridesmaid Helen become close. Annie begins to lose herself in fear of losing her best friend and the position of maid of honor. The cast is a well-oiled machine that needs to make a sequel.
3. Carlito’s Way (1993) | Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller| Rating: R
Carlito Brigante is a Puerto Rican ex-gangster released from prison after serving five years of a 30-year sentence. They released him on a technicality. No one believes he’s a changed man. After reconnecting with his ex-girlfriend, he decides to leave New York and start over fresh in the Bahamas. He’s striving to change his ways, but the streets don’t want to see that happen.
2. The Last of the Mohicans (1992) | Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama Rating: R
Set against the backdrop of the French and Indian War, this movie follows the three last members of the Native American tribe, the Mohicans. The father Chingachgook, his son Uncas and the adopted son Hawkeye who is half-Caucasian. The trio is tasked with saving the daughters of a colonel of the British army who was taken by the scout Magua. You’ll be glued to the screen to the very end.
1. Coco (2017) | Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family | Rating: PG
Hands down my favorite animated movie of all time. This movie is all about family. It teaches us that death doesn’t have to be a bad or feared thing. Young Miguel envisions himself becoming a brilliant musician. He is transported to the land of the dead and is surrounded by skeletons of his ancestors. It will warm your heart and jerk a tear from your eye.
This list was a labor of love. I thoroughly enjoyed myself as I watched some of the titles again so that I could rate and write about them for my list. Next time you require a much-needed distraction, consider one of the aforementioned films, get yourself some popcorn and a drink, and get comfortable and hit play.