These are a few of my favorite….Movies

I am a movie buff. Blame it on my father who brought me up on a staple diet of “Guns of Navarone”, “Ben Hur” and “Casino Royale”. Ever since I could remember dad was always getting the classic movies at home to watch. When I was really small, viewing choice was curtailed of course, but with time I saw most of the best movies of all times before I passed out of college even. Here is a few best ones that have left a dent in my memory. These are not in any order by the way; each is special on its own.

1. Ben Hur- The grand scale of the movie itself was provocative and lets not forget the overwhelmingly good looking Charlton Heston. Set during the dawn of Christianity, the story of this Jewish Prince who fights hardships to win his life back was a total hit with me. If nothing, it’s worth watching for the famous Chariot Race scene… Formula 1 has nothing on it!

2. Guns of Navarone – Concocted by the master of thrillers Alistair MacLean, this war movie about a group of soldiers trying to take over the Guns of Navarone will always be one of my favorites. If nothing, just to see Gregory peck and Anthony Queen together would do. There is one scene where the group needs to climb a sheer rock face at night, which the rough ocean below them. This scenes still thrills me.

3. To Kill A Mocking Bird – Almost followed dialogue by dialogue from the original novel of the same name by Harper Lee, this movie tells the story of racism in pre-civil war America through the eyes of a child. The book remains my all time favorite, the movie close enough. Again Gregory Peck here, but in a very older and mature role.

4. 12 Angry Men – This movie tells the story of 12 Juror who are trying to decide the fate of a supposed murderer. All except one juror, played by Henry Fonda, believes the man to be guilty. As the 11 men try to convince the 12th and finish off the verdict so that they can go home, Fonda weaves a magic of logic and question and starts to convince the 11 jurors of the man’s innocence. An amazing drama worth watching.

5. Amistad – A movie that brings into light prejudices, racism, politics and ideals. Directed by the master storyteller Spielberg and having super cast including Hopkins, it’s a must watch.

6. Mad city – A trademark Dustin Hoffman movie that takes swing at TV media, as a reporter changes the equation in a hostage situation in this dark comedy.

7. Tootsie – Another Hoffman starrer. The inspiration behind Chachi 420, in this movie a struggling actor dresses up as a girl and gets a role of a female in successful sitcom. Problem starts when he falls in love with his female co star who keeps confiding in him or rather HER. An original cracker.

8. Good Night and Good Luck – If you missed this movie, then you must grab the movie and watch it right now. A beautifully relevant movie in today’s world, it explores the television’s role and responsibility in society. George Clooney based the movie on the journalist who had taken up a stand again a US Senator who had started a witch hunt against so-called communists during the cold war era. It is rumored his inspiration for the movie came from being called a traitor by Bush administration for opposing the Iraq War publicly.

9. Seven Samurai – This Akira Kurusawa classic is the story of seven samurai’s who are trying to regain their honor by fighting for a village under attack from plunderers. You have to watch it to enjoy it. No spoilers for you.

10. Life is Beautiful- I have never seen the Holocaust portrayed in a movie like this. I was laughing and crying at the same time. This foreign movie shows a father’s effort to protect his child from the horrors of holocaust by making it sound like a game. Its touching in its simple heart breaking humor. Another must watch.

Now that I started building this list I realize it is very hard to decide which ones to mention and which not. May be I will continue in the next blog. This is enough for a start.