Top 100 movies of all time: 85 - 82

Slowing down to 4 films a day so I can have my top 5 be presented on December 24th.

NR. 85:

STAR WARS
A NEW HOPE (1977)

Directed by: George Lucas
Starring: Mark Hammil, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher



Luke Skywalker leaves his home planet, teams up with other rebels, and tries to save Princess Leia from the evil clutches of Darth Vader.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

It was the movie that shaped a generation and changed the way the film industry looked at the summer blockbusters, marketing, and not to mention the revolution it began in special effects. But none of this is really why Star Wars is in my top 100. Star Wars is, simply put, my childhood. When seeing it for the first time I was overwhelmed by a sprawling galaxy where anything was possible and where bigger then life heroes and villains came to life. It is a movie that opens the imagination.



NR. 84:

THE MATRIX (1999)

Directed by:Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburn and Carrie-Ann Moss



A computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

If Star Wars is the movie that opens up the imagination, then The Matrix is the movie to turn it upside down and drab it in leather. The Matrix can be mirrored with Star Wars quite a bit. It was something completely new (as far as the common audience member was concerned), it boasted revolutionary special effects (bullet time) and created a rich and deep mythology. Say what you will about the sequels, but The Matrix stands as a milestone in movie history. This is the cool kid in your class who would skip 4th period to smoke behind the gym of science fiction movies.



NR. 83:

REGARDING HENRY (1991)

Directed by: Mike Nichols
Starring: Harrison Ford, Annette Bening and Michael Haley



Henry is a lawyer who survives a shooting only to find he cannot remember anything. If that weren't enough, Henry also has to recover his speech and mobility, in a life he no longer fits into.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Through his long and impressive career, Regarding Henry stands out as Harrison Ford's finest performance. It is his portrayal as Henry that makes this movie interesting to watch. More so then the actual story, which is good if not a little cliche. The movie is a study in good actors doing some of their finest work and it is truly a joy to behold.



NR. 82:

FORREST GUMP (1994)

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright and Gary Sinise



Forrest Gump, while not intelligent, has accidentally been present at many historic moments, but his true love, Jenny, eludes him.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

You don't see movies like Forrest Gump all that much (in fact I can only think of one other movie that comes close) and I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not. In a way its good that they are few and far between because when they do arrive they tend to capture you completely and show you something you will keep with you for a very long time. Forrest Gump is masterly told and is perhaps Tom Hank's best role to date. The movie is by no means perfect as it drags a little towards the end, but that alone is not enough to make this movie anything less then a must see. Now where did I put my chocolate...ah, there we go.