JLG’s List of must see movies
I am adding this prequel, to offer my apologies. I’ve left out great and wonderful titles I’m sure. Some are omitted by accident, or worse for not having seen them. I have chosen not to look up or search for any films.
All the film choices are relying on my memory of films I saw and loved for one reason or another. I thought for fun I would avoid going on line and retrieving other people’s lists and so I will add on more as I go on, I am sure.
This list contains films that have had a great impact on me.
It is not a list of the greatest films ever made.
Rather, Movies I particularly enjoyed or I think are important to see..
Some ‘have to be seen’ even if they are difficult to watch. I Know, I know Ive missed a hundred films more recent and again mea culpa. There should be time to add more
Hollywood was great for reminding us who we were. It Tugged at us to stay on course to be the kind of people we ought to be. The movies we're both escapism and a mirror to catch our own foolish behavior. It’s propaganda for better and for worse. I’m thankful to have grown up in the era that respected such great work
IMPORTANT:
I left out intentionally all:
1) Animated
2) Musicals
3) Holiday. with one or two exceptions
4) Foreign
5) Superhero
Because they are to be their own lists and just as important
I Look forward to additions and suggestions. There might be a few dups. I need to go through it more closely. Enjoy.
A star means it was particularly special to me
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________THE LIST_____________________________________________
A Thousand Clowns Jason Robards.set in the 1960’s Nyc a a father is forced to face up to his own avoidance of growing up and his efforts to change in order to be the parent he has to be. I loved this work. *
To Kill A Mockinbird Gregory Peck, Robert Duval * How could one not adore Addicus’s tender responses to his daughter, Scout. A most precious film that rubbed our noses in the truth about prejudices
BUTCH Cassidy and the Sundance Kid… Paul Newman,Robert Redford * to me a near perfect film
To Sir With Love Sydney Portier *
I just re-watched this movie and though it is severely out of date in many ways, I still love the movie.
North By Northwest Cary Grant ,Grace Kelly - “Mr. Thornberg calling mr, Thornberg”
Casablanca Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid bergman,Peter Lorre. * classic
“you played it for her, you can play it for me.
“ in all the Gin joints…”
“You know Louie , this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
A River Runs through It Brad Pitt A beautiful work and yes sad
Papillion Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman. Based on a true story “ how do I look”
Night of the Living Dead— pretty good Zombie Flick that I believe is a political piece, confronting our bigotry, and perhaps has greater pertinence to our world today than ever before.
To Kill A Mockinbird Gregory Peck, Robert Duval * How could one not adore Addicus’s tender responses to his daughter, Scout. A most precious film that rubbed our noses in the truth about prejudices
Contact Jodie Foster
12 Angry men Henry Fonda and a great supporting cast. Another film that really forces us to look at ourselves and our tendency to prejudge.
For Whom the bell Tolls Henry Fonda, john Carradine set during the dust bowl circa 1930, this is a must see for historical understanding as well as incredible reckoning for the viewer.
Treasure of Sierre Madre Humphrey Bogart, Sam Houston- a great effort by all the cast and a story of greed and friendship that is unparalleled.
African Queen Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn
Being There Peter Sellers -comedy at its most subtle,quirky, political education as well
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
American Grafiti Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfus and a young Harrison Ford bit part *
City Lights Charlie Chaplin
Annie Hall W. Allan, Dianne keaton
Sleeper W. Allan - wrapped in tin foil our hero awakes in the future
Born Yesterday- Judy Holiday this movie was the oldest movie that I have seen that specifically refers to the abuse that women have experienced in their relationships. Judy is a joy
True Grit- (both John Wayne and Jeff Bridges version are excellent)
2001 A space Odyssey- filmed amazingly , remains an eye opening experience
ET * Spielberg at his best
Close Encounters
Schindler’s List
The Graduate Dustin Hoffman “Elaine!!!”
Dr. Calagari’s Cabinet
Never Cry Wolf * a wonder of a film, shot in the the northern Wilderness,great cinematic photography
The Producers. Mel Brooks
The Crying Game
The color of Money Paul Newman
The colour Purple whoopi/ spielberg
Tora Tora Tora
Cool Hand Luke Paul Newman
Mr. Smith goes to Washington This bit of Frank Capre is some of my favorite stuff Jimmy Stewart
Meet John Doe Gary Cooper
Glen Gary Glen Ross
The Sting
Apocolypse Now
Stand by me * Richard Dreyfus narrates a story about the friendships of our childhood.
To Catch a Thief Cary Grant and Grace Kelly
Rear Window Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly *
The Best years of our Lives Dana Andrews *
The Fly Vincent price
Key Largo Humphrey Bogart, Carole Lombard, Edward G Robinson
Maltese falcon Bogie
Dolores Clayborne Kathy Bates
Misery
Fried Green Tomatoes
Titanic
Logans Run
Soylent Green
Silent Running
Blade Runner. Harrison Ford
The Day of the Trifids
Forbidden Planet Leslie Nielson
The Four Feathers. this was made twice
Rebel wihout a cause James dean
Bridge over the river Kwai
Contact. Jodi Foster *
Usual Suspects
Moonstruck Cher
Rain Man. Great performances by both Hoffman and Cruise
The Big Chill Great Music and William Hurt breakout role
Taxi. De nero, Jodi Foster
Gone With the Wind -Clark Gable Vivien Leigh
The Godfather 1, and 2 at Least
Horse feathers Cocconuts, Duck Soup, Animal Crackers, A day at the Races, Room Service, A night at the Opera
Roxanne. Steve Martin
Splash. Tom Hanks
The Money Pit. Tom Hanks
War Games Mathew Broderick
The Birdman of Alkatraz Burt Lancaster
The Shawshank redemption Tim Robbins
Shane Alan Ladd
High Noon Gary Cooper. incredible cast
The Right Stuff
Apollo 13-
Intersteller
Streetcar Named Desire Marlon Brando
Raging Bull De Niro
Bull Durham Kevin Costner
Glory Denzel Washington and Mathew Broderick
Fallen Denzel and John Goodman
The Scarlet Pimpernel Leslie Howard
American history X
The Great Escape Steve McQueen
The Invisible Man B/W
The Rocketeer
The Natural Robert Redford *
A League of their Own Gina Davis Tom hanks
Great Expectations …Freddy Bartholomew Lionel Barrymore
Treasure Island * Wallace berry and Jackie Cooper version 1938
Wuthering heights merle Oberon and Sir Lawrence Olivier *
A passage To India *. Mrs. Moore! Mrs. Moore!!!!
Regarding Henry Harrison Ford, good performance
Serpico- Al pacino- breakout role *
Here Comes Mr. Jorden Robert Montgomery and Claude Rains 1941- doesnt get old
Giant Rock Hudson, Elizabeth taylor James Dean * Stands above many for its Civil Rights treatment. Man o man this is a wonderful film on every level and a must see.
Fargo- *. fun and quirky
Groundhog Day. Bill Murray at his top
Life of Pi Might _be considered animation
When Harry Met sally.
M Peter lorre- a Hitchcock film, He was a genius
Good fellas- De Niro
The Birds- more Hitchcock
Planet of The Apes Charlton Heston
Deer hunter- powerhouse of a film, Christopher Walken
Stranger on a train. Robert Walker, Farly Granger, Leo G Carol
Time Bandits- George Harrison, Monty Python great fun
Apocolypto- Mel Gibson directed, and quite graphic but a powerful illustration of ones interpretation of history.
Brave Heart- More mel
The Sixth sense- Very Clever movie with Bruce Willis
The Dead Zone- Chris Walken
Ben hur- Charlton Heston
Lillies of the Field Sydney portier *
Shenandoah Jimmy Stewart
Marathon man Dustin Hoffman
Jaws Richard Dreyfus, *
Raiders of the Lost Ark- Spielberg at his bestest— Harrison Ford too
Dances With Wolves- Kevin Costner
The Others-
The Uninvited Ray Miland- Thisd movie scared me as a kid
Summer of 42-
I have to include at Least one BOB Hope/Bing Crosby ie Road to Moracco
Field of Dreams Costner- Spielberg?
Life is Beautiful
Tootsi- Hoffman
Amadeus
Gladiator. Russel Crow
Blazing Saddles. Mel Brooks
Young Frankenstein Best of Mel
No Country for Old Men
Space Balls
Uncle Buck. *
Summer rental
Meatballs. *
Stripes
Ghostbusters
Mr. Holland’s Opus
Dead poets Society.
Awakenings
Rounders
Good Morning Vietnam.
The Killing fields
In Cold Blood
Rosemary’s Baby
Midnight Express
Blue Velvet. I don’t really think I liked this movie but it had enough weeirdness that it qualified- early cohn Brothers I believe
Mister Rogers Henry Fonda James Cagney, Jack lemon
Seventh Sign
Terminator 1 and 2
Forrest Gump. *. This movie is too good to not recommend
Elephant Man
Duel. spielberg- Dennis Weaver. *
The Shining
The Game Michael Douglas and Sean Penn
Wallstreet. Michael Douglas
Caine Mutiny… original
Clockwork Orange- Michael McDowell
The Untouchables-Sean Connery and Costner
The Thing. two versions ya know
Pulp Fiction- Terantin- sam Jackson and John Travolta and Willis
Kill Bill 1 and 2- Ulma Thurman was just friggin incredible..*
My Cousin Vinny *. Joe Pesci and Marissa Tomei
A Spinal tap
The Royal Tannenbaums
The Princess Bride. *
Casino Royale
Monty python and the Holy grail. **
Halloween. Jamie Lee Curtis
Ocean’s eleven
The Magnificent seven Yul Brenner
Catch me if you can- you cant beat the performance by Dicaprio
Saving Private Ryan
American psycho
Poltergeist
Die Hard Bruce Willis. *. Great action
Armageddon Bruce
Independence Day
Bullit - Steve McQueen
Top Gun. Cruise
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Original with Gene Wilder
What dreams May Come Robin Williams
Broadcast News William Hurt and Holly Hunter *
Good Will Hunting matt Damon and Robin Williams
Chinatown Jack Nicholson Fay Dunaway Sam Houston
One Flew over the Cuckoo’s nest Jack
The Departed
Mash Elliot Gould …. Donald Sutherland
Signs
Unbreakable
Mcabe and Mrs.Miller
Westworld Yul Brenner, Richard Benjamin
Total Recall Arnold
Alien and Aliens Sigourney Weaver
Rocky Stallone
Platoon
Full Metal Jacket
Back to The Future
The Martian matt damon. *
Ex Machine
Edward Scissorhands Vincent price Johnny Depp
Troy
The Blob. * Steve McQueen
Gremlins
The Lost Boys
28 Days Later
Home Alone
Taps Sean Penn a very young Tome Cruise… George C Scott
Captain Blood Errol Flynn
Ordinary people Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore,
Home Alone
Footloose
Karate Kid
The Dirty Dozen Clint
Gran Torino Eastwood
The Importance of Being Ernest
Hold that Ghost An Abbott and Costello Joan Davis
Or Meets the Mummy
Citizen kane
Life Boat original *
Babes in Toyland
Little Caesar Edward G Robinson
I am Sam Sean Penn
Poseiden Adventure original
Jason and the Argonauts
Moby Dick Gregory Peck
Marty
Poppi - Alan Arkin *
The Red Shoes
Peter Pan Robin Williams
From here to Eternity Lancaster
All Quiet on the western front Gary Cooper
Inception
Raising Arizona
What About Bob Bill Murray
Ground Hog day. Murray
Jacob’s Ladder Tim Robbins
The Day the earth stood Still Original
The Oxboe Incident.. Henry fonda, Anthony Quinn. *
Meet the Parents
Blar Witch Project
Paranormal Activity
Dr. Strangelove
Bonnie and Clyde faye dunaway
Hoosiers
Rudy
The Longest yard Burt Reynolds
Petrified Forrest Bogart. *
Easy Rider
My Left Foot
Driving Miss Daisy
A fish Called Wanda
Sophie’s Choice Meryl Streep
Wait Until Dark Alan Arkin and Audrey hepurn
The Post man always rings twice. John Garfield
Lawrence of Arabia. Sir Lawrence Olivier
Dr. Zivago
Frankenstein
The Philadelphia Story Katheryn Hapurn
Metropolis
All About Eve
The Third man
Brother Where Art Thou
Reservoir Dogs
Dog Day Afternoon Pacino
Babe
Ghost
Arsenic and Old Lace Cary Grant
The Good bad and the Ugly Eastwood
Stage Coach
Chariots of Fire
Midnight Cowboy Dustin Hoffman
The Boys From Brazil
Brazil
The Bad seed
The Burbs
Something About Mary
Gunga Din Gary Cooper
Beu Jest
The Defiant Ones
The Wild Ones Marlon Brando
The Black Board Jungle. William Holden?
Some Like It Hot Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis and Jack Lemon
White heat Jimmy Cagney
Snake Pit
Night of the Hunter
Picnic with Kim Novak and William Holden
Night of the Iguana
Portrait of Jenny
Zelig
Purple Rose of Cairo
Sinbad
The Bible
The Robe
A few Good Men
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Superbad
Plains Trains and Automobiles
Sixteen Candles
The breakfast Club
Castaway
Silence of the Lambs Saturday night Fever
Jumanji
Bridge over the river Kwai
Taking of Pelham 123 Carl malden
King Kong with Fay Raye
The Patriot- Mel
The Hunt for Red October Connery
State of Fear
Starwars
Lord of the Rings
Harry Potter
The Exorcist
Radio days- Woody
The the Money and Run
Lion In Winter
Paper Moon
Airplane
The Paper Chase
Cape fear both Robert Mitcham and Dinero
Animal House
The Black Stallion. *
October Sky
Hidden Figures
The Unforgiven- Eastwood
Brian’s Song
The Sandlot.
Do the Right Thing
The matrix
I am Legend
Yankee Doodle Dandy James Cagney
Indian in the Cupboard
Gangs of New York
Philadelphia Denzel and Hanks
The Big Lebowski
The Gods must be Crazy
Source Code
Defending Your Life Albert Brooks
The Perfect Storm George Clooney
Men In Black The Ring
Carey Sissy Spasik
Psycho. Hitchcock
The French Connection
The Bird cage
Journey to the Center of the Earth original
Benjamin Button Brad Pitt
The Last of the Mohican’s
Legends of the Fall
In Modern Times Chaplin
The Gold Rush Chaplin
Edward silient films….?
Network
Little Big Man Dustin Hoffman Jane Fonda
Whatever Happened to baby Jane Betty Davis and Joan Crawford
Now Voyager Bette Davis
Mildred Pierce Joan Crawford
On the Waterfront Marlon Brando
Rebecca
Suspicion
Notorious Hitchcock
Awakenings Robin William
Honey I shrunk the Kids
The day of the dolphin
The Manchurian Candidate
The Untouchables
The Thin Man
The Island of Dr. Moreau
AI
Barton Fink
Point Blank
Then there were none or Ten Little Indians B/W
War of the Worlds Tom Cruise
Mean streets
District 13
Arrival
Last Emperor
Before the Revolution
The Conversation
Birth of a Nation
Bullets over Broadway
Sleeper
Annie Hall
The Red Balloon
Personal favorites
Not great movies per se
But ones I still like or liked
In Like Flint
Our Man Flint
Altered States- William Hurt
Song of Bernadette Vincent Price
Brian Song
Cabin in the woods
The day after tomorrow
Edge of Tomorrow
People want Added
Scarface- Pacino
Jim Thorp Story
The Goonies
Five Easy pieces-- Nicholson
400 Blows
This List has not been updated to 2019
Again apologies as this is not anyone’s definitive list or a list of the greatest films.. But this is individualized to me although I do include a few I would not have were it not for a general insistence by my kids to include them.