The Stunners, Part II: Older Flicks

Our choices for some of our favorite 'older' films.

Shocked:

1. Cool Hand Luke - With some spunk, confidence, and an unquenchable appetite for eggs, one can win the hearts and loyalty of even the most hardened criminals. This movie is and will always remain one of my favorites. This movie also provides the inspiration for Major Payne (the warden), which is one of my guilty pleasure favorites from my childhood.

2. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - It reminds me of Anger Management on a much more serious and more frustrating scale. It calls into question the ethics and procedures from earlier mental institutions, and offers insight into the behavior resulting from being granted total power.

3. The Empire Strikes Back - C'mon, I couldn't leave my nerdy side out. This movie took one of the greatest fantasy movies of all time and moved it into darker territory with more character development. It's a shame it was followed by a movie that only raised the bar on silliness.

4. Hot Shots! - I know that the Mel Brooks spoofs (Blazing Saddles, History of the World Pt I) are critically held better than this, but Hot Shots! will always have a special place in my heart. The unrelenting shtick and sight-gag humor cracks me up every time. "Airplane" veteran Lloyd Bridges is always a treat in a comedy, and I only wish Mafia! wasn't his last.

5. The Great Escape - If I'm ever locked up for any reason I hope to have a baseball and glove to annoy the living daylights out of my captors. This movie features one of the most iconic motorcycle rides in movie history, and it's full of that can-do American spirit from start to finish.


Stoked:

5. North By Northwest - Every top movies list requires at least one Hitchcock film. If you love suspense, twists and turns, and a great story, then this movie will not disappoint. A case of mistaken identity spirals out of control and builds to some of the most memorable scenes in movie history. Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint - what's not to like?

4. Casablanca - You know the quotes. "Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world ..." "Play it, Sam." "Here's looking at you, kid." Romance, redemption, and political commentary (Rick is a true embodiment of the U.S. during WWII). It's got it all. A true classic with something for everyone.

3. City Lights - The little tramp may be one of the greatest characters in cinematic history. This is Charlie Chaplin's last silent film and quite possibly his best. A poor man attempts to raise enough money for a blind girl to have an eye operation, all the while knowing it could lead to her discovering who he truly is. Not to mention, Chaplin is exceptional as always with his physical comedy.

2. Life is Beautiful - This is listed with older films only because it is already over ten years old. I, like many, was upset when Benigni defeated Tom Hanks (Saving Private Ryan) for Best Actor at the Academy Awards. But, then, I saw this movie. And, I was in awe of write-director-star Roberto Benigni, who is brilliant in this romantic comedy/drama. It will have you laughing out loud and wiping away the tears.

1. Forrest Gump - This is another movie that doesn't seem s though it should be with the older films, but it is already over 16 years old. Tom Hanks plays one of the most loveable characters ever. We experience the world of war, heartbreak, love, history, running, and ping pong with the innocent and naive Gump. We walk (and run) with him as he becomes a football star, war hero, meets Presidents, fights for friends and true love, and shows us what life is all about. From the performance of Hanks, to the direction of Zemeckis, to the score of Silvestri, this is an absolute must-see movie.