I’m getting this out late this week, we had a lot going on and because I was reacting to a bunch of situations, I wasn’t able to sit down and do my “Just Thinking”. One of the other issues was that when I was able to steal a few minutes I was having trouble nailing down a topic. It was during this frantic scramble that I decided that I needed a fallback plan for when there are conflicts in my schedule or when I am blocked on finding a suitable topic. The David Letterman "Top Ten List" was always a fan favorite, and the topics can cover a gambit of ideas.
For those that don’t know, David Letterman's "Top Ten List" was a recurring comedy segment on his television shows. Each night, Letterman would present a list of ten items, all centered around a common theme, often humorous and satirical in nature.
So here we go, my first top ten list of my favorite movies, these are not critically acclaimed movies or even block busters, but the criteria that I am using is personal favorites that I would anytime, anywhere. These are all subjective, and influenced by my age and fond memories, input and additions are welcome.
10. Caddyshack – Bill Murry was young and super funny, so many classic lines from that movie that I still drop today. “We have a pool and a pond; the pond would be good for you.” Ted Night, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, a comedy classic. They tried to duplicate the formula, but CSII, it a was a dud.
9. Gladiator – A classic, starting with Maximus Decimus Meridius inspiring speech before the Romans battle with Germania. Then his subsequent betrayal where he is forced into slavery, Then him becoming a Gladiator and rises through the ranks to confront his betrayer, An emotional roller coaster that leaves a lump in my throat every time.
8. McLintock – This is a John Wayne classic, but probably not even my favorite John Wayne movie, True Grit, Big Jake, The Cowboys, El Dorado, the Searches and the Quiet Man are all great movies, But JW as G.W. McLintock is such a fun ride, anytime, anywhere.
7. The Godfather – both 1&2, but 3, once was enough for that one. These two movies check all the boxes, I will watch them over and over, they are critically acclaimed they are block busters and are classics.
6. Rocky – I wrote about Rocky a few weeks ago when Carl Weathers passed. Although many of the Rocky movies that followed were fun to watch, the original, low budget movie, like its main character an underdog that became a champion.
5. The Natural – Just a great movie, full of metaphors and symbolism, a ride through a simpler time, of good vs evil, of right vs wrong, Perseverance and persistence. Roy Hobbs is “the natural.”
4. Stripes – Another Harold Ramos, Bill Murry movie, just a whimsical, unbelievable ride through an adventure where the hero’s despite themselves are heroes at the end. John Candy, Warren Bates, Sean Young, I have watched this movie a hundred times and like Caddyshack, still drop lines from this movie.
Now my big three- I will watch anytime, anywhere.
3. Silverado – Kevin Costner, Scott Glenn, Danny Glover John Cleese, Brian Dennehy and Jeff Goldblum. A great story with, with great actors and a great ending.
2. Point Break – The original, not that POS remake. Although many will claim that Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure is where Keanu Reeves jumped into the spotlight, Point Break was where he became and American treasure, long before The Matrix or John Wick movies. The chemistry between Patrick Swayze and Reeves is silver screen magic.
1. The 13th Warrior – Many of you will see this and think I’ve never heard of this movie. It is a 1999 action film based on Michael Crichton's novel "Eaters of the Dead." The story is set in the 10th century and follows Ahmed Ibn Fadlan, an Arab ambassador played by Antonio Banderas. Ahmed is banished from his homeland for having an affair with the wife of the sheik and ends up joining a group of Viking warriors. Anytime, anywhere.
Here are some honorable mentions: Rudy, Field of Dreams, Platoon, both Boondock Saints, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, The Patriot, Hoosiers, Roadhouse, The Boys in Company C, Saving Private Ryan, Top Gun.
Let me know what you think.
