Movies for New Years Day 2010

Please find my picks for New Years Day...

I have selected my top 10 favorite movies for New Years.  I hope you enjoy these picks and please comment or post your list with your top picks.

1 Harold & Maude (1971) Director Hal Ashby

This film is truly an inspiring film where young man who has given up on life finds new perspective through the eyes of an older woman-amazing soundtrack by Cat Stevens.
This is my favourite film for a number of reasons (1) Ruth Gordon defying everyone's expectation that getting old is a terrible thing (2) its bold look at peoples preoccupation with death (3) its unusual love story that proves that there is someone out there for everyone (4) its fantastic sound track by Cat Stevens...

2 Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)  Director John McNaughton

Disturbingly dark film loosely based on the life of Henry Lee Lucas.
This is one of my top film picks for a a variety of reasons (1) it proves that truly gripping films can be made on a shoe string budget (2) it shows that evil predators are not grotesque looking or brilliant or glaringly different from everyone else as slick Hollywood films often portray them to be (3) this is not a movie for everyone, but it is one that skillfully portrays the dark side of humanity...

3 Schindler's List (1993) Director Steven Spielberg

Film about Oskar Schindler and his heroic efforts within the horrifying context of  Nazi Germany.

Schindlers List is one of my all time picks for a number of reasons (1) it shows that there can be tremendous good, even in the most horrible of circumstances (2) it proves that unlikely people can end up being great humanitarians (3) it shows survival and strength of people even when faced with death (4) it is an example of cinematic craftsmanship through black and white cinematography and haunting soundtrack, which captures the essence of the film so well...

4 It's a Wonderful Life (1946) Director Frank Capra

Holiday classic proving that one person can make an impact.

It's a Wonderful Life is my classic pick of all time. There are many reasons why I love It's a Wonderful Life (1) Jimmy Stewart's quintessential role as the good guy (2) Lionel Barrymore's unforgettable portrayal of the man everyone loves to hate (3) the underlying theme that we are all important to those who love us (4) and the supporting cast of great Hollywood heavies such as H.B. Warner and Beulah Bondi...

5 Born on the Fourth of July (1989) Director Oliver Stone

Able to make Tom Cruise look good-he is amazing as real life activist Ron Kovic.

As soon as I saw Born on the Fourth of July, I knew that it was going to stay on my list of favourites for years to come. There are many reasons why this movie is one of my top picks (1) it's a film that not only tells the tragedy of war, but also shows one persons story from naive recruit to activist (2) Tom Cruise was so believable in his portrayal that I grew new respect for an actor that is sometimes hard to like (3) It captures small town America's belief in war to a tee (4) it's not a typical war movie...

6  Godfather (1972) Director Francis Ford Coppola

Great mob film...

It just didn't feel right not to have one of the all time classic gangster movies as a top pick, and there are many reasons why it is on my list of favourites (1) it is a great sweeping epic that captures the times so well (2) the writing, the acting, the cinematography are all top notch (3) the violence is not gratuitous, but rather used to show a very particular way of life (4) Al Pacino and Marlon Brando show how acting is supposed to be done...

7  The Way We Were (1973) Director Sydney Pollack

This is how a romance movie should be made. Perfectly crafted from beginning to end.

I am not a huge fan of love stories, but The Way We Were showed me how a good love story is supposed to be, and so, is one of my favourite films for many good reasons (1) Robert Redford (2) It is a film that treats the audience with respect; it shows that romance is complex (3) It is beautifully shot, well written, and wonderfully acted (4) It draws you in, and keeps you there for the entire film...

8  American History X (1998) Director Tony Kaye

Two words:  Edward Norton

Can I make a top pick based on one performance; if I had to say there was ever a more gripping performance it was by Edward Norton in American History X; but there are other reasons why this is one of my top picks (1) Tough subject matter that is done well (2) Good supporting cast (3) and Edward Norton...

9  The King of Comedy (1983) Director Martin Scorsese

One of the greatest dark comedies ever made.

The King of Comedy is a top pick for many reasons (1)Robert DeNiro is fantastic (2) Great cast of supporting characters including Sandra Bernhard and Jerry Lewis (3) It captures peoples' preoccupation with fame so well (4) it makes you smile for all of the wrong reasons...

10  Office Space (1999) Mike Judge

So close to real life it borders on the terrifying...

I would call Office Space a comedy/horror film because if you have ever worked in an office, you would be terrified to ever go back to work after seeing this film. Office space is one of my picks for many reasons (1) it captures office life in an eerily precise manner (2) it made me laugh and frightened all at the same time (3) it is a movie that gets better with more viewings (4) it's great subtle slice of life humour...

Hope that you enjoy these selections for January 1st 2010.

Dianezy

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