10 Favorite Films

     This is the first time that I do a favorite films list. Other than the fact that I made this to coincide with my birthday. I felt that I wanted to share my ten favorite films and maybe update more. Since, I felt that if I rank it, it would be like, what, how and why would you like this movie than that one? To make the list, I feel that the film has to really move me. Where it really influenced me and I would watch it over and over again. Now typing it, I should make the Worst movie list. Although, it would be too easy and I have to find the ones where it really made me mad. With that out of the way, here are my ten favorite films in no order. 

Jurassic Park 

    Growing up, I adored Dinosaurs. I had posters and toys of dinosaurs and something about the skeleton or just the artist conception of how they look liked always interested me. I was actually exposed to Jurassic Park 3. But, I finally had a chance to watch where it all started just two years ago. Easily, the main star is the special effects. Since its nearly thirty years old, the computer images of the dinosaurs are still impressive. It's just mind boggling. 

    I love it since the characters are really enjoyable. Especially Jeff Goldbloom's character, just his mannerisms make him compelling. What I like about it is the sense of wonder that is embued with the film. The shots that capture the Brontasaurus is still awe inspiring. With Sam Neill and Laura Dern being completely shocked and awe. Speaking of, I feel that it perfectly balances the tone since its an adventure film and a horror film when the T-Rex and Velociraptors appear. 

    This is one of Steven Spielberg's best film from the 90s. '

Spider-Man

    I remember exactly where I was when the first Spider-Man film was released. My Mom took me and my older brother to the movie theater. From there, the movie rocked my world. I think what sold it for me was Tobey Maguire's performance as Peter Parker. He played the aloof nerd so well that it probably connected with me. When he became the wall crawler, that is when it got interesting. 

    It was a perfect summer movie with a comic book hero that is so beloved to all. Hell, it inadvertently exposed me to comic books and to watch superhero movies. What I liked was it was good popcorn entertainment that didn't try to take itself seriously. It ultimately laid the building blocks for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Baby Driver

    I talked about this one in my review but, I'll keep it brief. The soundtrack, drive stunts, and the opening title sequence is what I enjoy the most. I feel that this is Edgar Wright's best film aside from the three he made for the Cornetto Trilogy. Bottom line, it's a must watch and I highly recommend it. 

Knives Out

    Star Wars: The Last Jedi really introduced me to director Rian Johnson. Watching the behind the scenes made me like him because he is endearing in his film making. When I saw a trailer for Knives Out, I had no idea what I was expecting. I think because it was loaded with a star studded ensemble that the story could go either way. 

    Ana de Armas is my new celebrity crush and never would I thought she would be a good lead. I honestly thought it would be either Chris Evans or Daniel Craig. The movie is a cinematography dream and the whole setting is a character to itself. People give Johnson shit because of The Last Jedi, but I strongly believe that Knives Out definitely shut his detractors up. 

Taxi Driver

    This was my first Martin Scorsese film that I watched. It made me relate to the character who absolutely didn't belong in a city. I wouldn't use slow burner but a character study of how one man can be corrupted by the city. The shots that have NYCers in Time Square is something out of a time capsule. It's authentic. 

    The soundtrack is the most memorable piece of music that I have listened to. I always play it since it has a jazzy feel to it. I feel that when other films try to copy this movie, they sort of miss the idea of why Taxi Driver was successful. It's no so much of the character having a feel bad for me. What works is how the environment can change a person for better or worse. 

The Exorcist

    Out of all the horror movies that I saw in October, this one stood out to me the most. It's a slow, procedural horror movie. It doesn't rely on jump scares or anything cheap. I was apprehensive but, it definitely makes the list in my 10 favorite films. The first half is such a brilliant set up with what's coming. 

    The moments on the character Father Karras is really interesting. It's a priest who's having a crisis of faith and must answer a call by performing an exorcism. To me, it's a great redemption film and ultimately, about good and evil. 

The Social Network

    David Fincher is starting to become my second favorite director. I've seen Se7en but, The Social Network has always been on my radar. This film is this generation's Citizen Kane. Let me elaborate, it's about an idealistic young man who has an idea with a friend but screws him over financially. You couldn't ask for a better drama. 

    The dialogue is so tight and witty. Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin wrote the script and every character is just so quick. Both Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield play their characters so perfectly that it works as a tragedy. Seeing them as both idealistic to have their friendship fall apart. 

Casablanca

    Quite possibly, the best film to come out during World War 2, Casablanca is the perfect drama in a time where conflict is in the public consciousness. Starring the legendary actor and actress, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, the film deals with Bogart's character helping his former love escape the Nazis in Casablanca. 

    The most famous scene is the ending. Without giving it away, it's the saddest but heartfelt speech ever delivered. The film is in no way propaganda, but some can confuse it due to the bar which the film takes place containing a combination of evacuees. It's Warner Bros. crowning achievement that you can hear the famous piano song play in contemporary Warner films. 

Rocky

    A classic underdog story and only sports film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Rocky is the most beloved sports film that anyone that isn't a sports fan can immediately fall in love. Sylvester Stallone plays the titular character so well. He even wrote the film. 

    It's not so much about the boxing itself but more on the idea of going the distance. Giving it your all in the face of an insurmountable odds. Rocky is a beloved film that I will probably watch in the Christmas Winter break as a way to feel good. 

The Martian

    To tell you the truth, this one interested me. I actually went above and beyond to read the book it's based on by Andy Weir. When it was time to watch the film, it's the rare instances that I re watched a film in theater. Something about it made me love it and have it as my favorites. Matt Damon plays the marooned astronaut Mark Watney who is such a refreshing astronaut. 

    Overall, the main highlight is how Damon's character figures out a way to survive in Mars by using the powers of botany. It's probably, one of the best book adaptations to film that I have ever seen. No joke, there are moments from the book that are absent in the film, but the overall characterization of all the characters are mostly the same and memorable.