Tag Archives: Top Ten

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Top Ten Superhero Movies

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I kept almost putting these movies into other categories, but I feel that Superhero movies are unique, so I gave them their own category.

Now don’t get all bent out of shape because I put Megamind as well as The Incredibles in with the animated movies. There’s one animated movie on this list. Live with it.

You’ll notice I have a bit of a swing toward Marvel. For the most part they make good movies. Sorry DC, you’ve got to step it up!

Superhero Movies!

10)  Guardians of the Galaxy

I was pleasantly surprised when I liked this movie so much. Sometimes stupid humor like this is insulting, and I get bored. I blame Chris Pratt for pulling off his rendition of Starlord so well. Plus, the dialogue and writing are actually really good.

9) The Mask

Not sure how many people would even consider this a super hero movie, but I love it. I quote it from time to time, and have the music ready to listen to if I ever need some swinging tunes! It’s silly, but awesome.

8) The Avengers

If you’ve been following my top ten, one of my favorite tropes is a team of characters. I love the dynamics, I love it when they work together and I stress out when they fall apart. This is the first movie where the Avengers really came together.

The writing for Black Widow is amazing! She didn’t have a lot of screen time, but man they packed every second of it with character development. There are a lot of good lines in this one too.

7) Wonder Woman

If not for the weak bad-guy/ending, this would have been rated higher. I really, really enjoyed this movie, but it fell flat in the end.

6) Infinity War

Look, more people on the team! Despite the horrific ending (which I had been expecting) this movie is awesome! All of my favorite characters in one film? For several hours? Yes, please.

Although I’m still very disappointing that Dr. Strange didn’t simply use one of his portal things to chop off Thanos’ hand with the gauntlet on it. He at least should have tried!

5) Thor: Ragnarok

I wasn’t the biggest fan of Thor before this. I mean he’s pretty to look at, and tough as a character, but the writers of this show finally gave him an environment to shine. It’s like he finally grew into the jokes they tried to tell in the first movie.

4) X2: X-Men United

The X-Men were my favorite super heroes growing up. The first movie of this franchise was good, but the second one was great! Good conflict, good use of most characters and no one was overly stupid.

Watch the third movie if you want overly stupid.

3) Batman Begins

Sure, I saw all of the 90s Batman movies. I even liked the first one.  Also, I’m a big fan of Batman: The Animated Series. However, Batman Begins really drew me into the world of Gotham and just how twisted the whole place is. And let’s not lie, Christian Bale does a great job as the caped crusader.

2) Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse

Yes, I know this one is animated, but it was more of a homage to a comic book style than traditional animation. I’m not sure I can say anything bad about this movie. The plot is solid and compelling, the characters both familiar and new, the music was great, and the animation style blew me away! Miles is my new Spiderman! (Sorry, Peter)

1) Captain America: Winter Soldier

Captain America quickly became my favorite Avenger. He’s all about doing the right thing, he never puts himself first and he always finishes a mission. But throw his tortured best friend in there and it only gets better. This movie felt big in scope, but small because of the conflict in Cap.

Let’s not forget the elevator scene. And the callback to it in Endgame!

I’m totally watching the elevator scene right now.

Honorable Mentions:

The Dark Knight

Many argue that this is the best superhero movie of all time. It’s too dark for me to watch more than once or twice, but I have to say, it rocked my world

Unbreakable

Not much of an action show, but so intriguing! I guessed the end before it hit, but still enjoyed it.

Iron Man

This is the film that really launched the MCU into mainstream. It’s funny. It’s action-packed. It led the way!


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Top Ten Fantasy Movies

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Ah, Fantasy.

I ready fantasy books in my teen years like I eat cookies now. My favorites, even though they aren’t the deepest books ever, are still anything by David Eddings.

As a matter of fact, is see several of his series on my book shelf. Maybe I’ll read one next.

Anyway, fantasy was my jam for a long time.

Fantasy movies are a little harder to come by than fantasy books. Below are my top ten. My #1 pick can never be ousted. I love it too much.

Fantasy Movies!

 

10) Spirited Away

I saw this near the time I fell in love with Anime. Spirited Away is my favorite of the Mayazaki films, but this represents most of them. My second favorite is Howl’s Moving Castle, but the movie let me down a bit, at least compared to the book.

9) The Dark Crystal

Back in the day this movie scared me. Not enough to not watch it, but enough that it still sends a shiver up my spine when I see a scene from it. Still, it’s a classic. I’m looking forward to the Netflix series.

8) Labryinth

I never would have seen this movie on my own, but a couple (okay most) of my friends loved it and got me hooked. It captures the bizarre nature of the 80’s perfectly.

7) Hook

This show is near and dear to my heart. First, Robin Williams. Second, never growing up. I was terrified of having to turn into an adult, so this movie was a bit of a relief for me. Adulting isn’t so bad. I can watch whatever I want and act like a dumb kid if I want!

6) Ladyhawke

What isn’t there to love about this movie? Beautiful scenery, great characters, humor, action, awesome music and a tragic love story. Mostly it’s the humor that gets me.

5)The Princess Bride

I saw this one first as a teenager, and I instantly loved it. One reason is the clever dialog. The witty banter. And anyone who’s seen the film has said, “Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.”

4) The Wizard of Oz

I remember watching this one on TV. Before VCR tapes. Like, we had to wait a whole year to watch it, because they only played it in the spring. Or fall. I can’t remember. Just once a year. Back in the day when the family gathered around the TV to watch and no one complained about commercials. It was then, and still is now, magical!

3) Harry Potter

This one encompasses all of the Harry Potter Movies. My favorite is The Prisoner of Azkaban, but they’re all good! It was incredibly fun watching the actors grow up before our eyes and see some of my favorite books come alive on the big screen.

2) The Lord of the Rings

Again, this one encompasses all three movies. No, not the Hobbit. Those didn’t make the list. The hubby and I just rewatched all three extended editions, and I was reminded how much I love them. The movies are a labor of love, and you can tell. Kudos to Peter Jackson for bringing the books to life in such an amazing way!

1) Willow

I. Love. This. Movie. So. Much!

It’s funny. It’s action packed. There are great characters. I cared what happened. They defeat the bad witch with a parlor trick (sort of). And let’s not forget a young Val Kilmer.  I probably quote this movie a few times a week. As a matter of fact, I’ve been meaning to watch it again…

Ten Favorite Quotes:

“Wanna Breed?”

“Tempting, but no.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Peck! Peck, peck peck peck peck!”

“Ignore the bird, follow the river!”

“I was expecting something a little more grand. Less…fuzzy.”

“She’s the future empress of Tir Asleen, and the last thing she’s going to want is a hairy chest!”

“I stole the baby!”

“I dwell in darkness without you and it went away?”

“You are drunk.”

“Mumbo, jumbo, I am hungry. Go find me some eggs or something.”

Honorable Mentions:

Legend

This one is good. But weird. But good. Who doesn’t want to see Tim Curry basically play the devil?

The Beastmaster

Don’t judge me. I know it’s horrible, but I loved this one as a kid.

The Neverending Story

Except the part with the wolf. That wolf gave me nightmares.

What did I miss?

What are your favorite fantasy movies?


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Top Ten Animated Movies

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Saturday morning and after school cartoons were one of my favorite things as a kid.

I remember the anguish when the time for Thundercats changed and it would be over before I got home from school.

I remember the thrill after I watched my first episodes of Transformers, Spiderman and His Amazing Friends, The Super Friends and even My Little Pony.

I have the same love for animated movies as I do television cartoons, so it was difficult to narrow it down to my top ten.

I’ve put both traditional animation and computer animation in this category.

Animated Movies!

10) Megamind

This movie threw so many tropes on their heads that it made me dizzy. I’m a sucker for a great twist on an old tale, and there are so many funny parts in this show that I couldn’t leave it off the list!

9) The Incredibles

Do you think I have a thing for superhero movies? Not to worry, they get their own category. Except the animated ones…well. Sort of. Anyway, this movie is a classic at our house, and I say “No Cape!” way more than any adult should.

8) Kung Fu Panda

The opening sequence alone was enough for me to fall in love with this show (There is no charge for awesomeness or attractiveness!!), the rest of it simply added to the fun. Great characters, a wonderful message. And Jack Black.

7) The Little Mermaid

This show relaunched Disney’s animated studio. It came out when I was a young-ish teenager, and I fell in love with the music, the characters, the romance and the comedy. Maybe it’s a product of when I saw it, but I will always love this movie!

I clearly remember seeing it in the old Queen Theater in Bountiful and when Ariel says that parent’s don’t understand, the couple behind me busted up laughing.

6) Finding Nemo

I almost came out of my chair and peed my pants laughing when Dory started speaking Whale. That is all.

5) Mulan

I. Love. This. Movie. I’ve always loved girl-power shows, and this one does it so well! I like how she almost fails, but then she starts thinking outside of any box she’s ever been put in and figures out that she can do whatever she needs to.

I have a “Dishonor on your cow” coming in the mail.

4) How to Train Your Dragon

I laughed. I cried. I loved the music. This movie makes me smile just thinking about it. Don’t we all feel like we’re the outsider? Hiccup takes an unforgettable journey that almost ends on a sad note, but not quite.

3) Beauty and the Beast

I usually tell people this is my favorite Disney movie. We saw it in an old theater that had a balcony. It was one of the first films to utilize CGI, and I was mesmerized. The music swept me away, and I fell in love with Belle.

2) Robin Hood

Yes, yes, this is also a Disney movie, but this one has a special place in my heart. I clearly remember watching it on a Sunday night with my parents when I was pretty young. The scene where Lady Cluck barrels through the guards like a football player had all of us laughing so hard we cried.

We recorded it and I watched it so many times that at one point I could quote the entire movie.

1) Transformers: The Animated Movie

I realize this isn’t the best movie on this list, but it changed my world. My hero, Optimus Prime, died. I’d never had a character I loved so much die in a show (give me break, I was maybe twelve). The whole show opened my mind to the concept of endings and new beginnings, and how it didn’t have to be all bad.

 

Honorable Mentions:

Up

I can’t watch it over and over, but I do love it. Even thinking about the beginning sequence makes me teary. Mention this one to the hubby and he will totally cry.

The Emperor’s New Groove

Pure comedy with a wonderful message.

Nightmare Before Christmas

No other show has blended Christmas and Halloween so well. Plus…the music…

The Lego Movie

The movie itself is pure cheese, but the ending makes it so worth it.

What are your favorite animated movies?


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My Top Ten Drama Movies

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Drama is not one of my go-to genres. Most dramas are the kind of movie that I’ll see once and never watch again, let alone buy.

However, there are a few that I own and a few more that I love, and even then it took me a while to come up with this list.

Please let me know what dramas you love the best!

Drama!

10) Forrest Gump

Although the most memorable part about seeing this film for the first time was the sound of the war movie in the next theater leaking through the walls during the crying parts, I have to admit that I enjoy this movie every time I watch it. It’s this crazy, slice of life idea stretched over an entire lifetime, and each step helps you see something in a different light.

9) Memphis Belle

This is a little-known gem with tons of big names. I’m always a sucker for a team-even if they have problems-and I love the characters. The music is wonderful and the imagery striking. It doesn’t hurt that Sean Astin is in it. I had a huge crush on him in my high school days.

Bonus: I was watching Stranger Things the other day and saw  the name Matthew Modine . It took me a minute to figure out why I knew the name.

8) Finding Forrester

It’s got Sean Connery, and the show is about an author and writing. Yes, please!

7) Hidden Figures

I’m usually up for a girl power show, and this one did not disappoint! It’s got some humor, but at its core, the film is about the fact that you can be what you want to be. You’ll have to sacrifice for it, but isn’t that how we get all the good things in life?

6) The Quiet Place

This movie kind of blew my mind. It’s so well executed, and had me on the edge of my seat. There is a bit of horror in there, and loads of suspense, but I put it in this category because at its core, the film is about family.

5) The Darkest Hour

First off, Gary Oldman was amazing as Winston Churchill! He had me riveted to the screen as he negotiated his first few weeks as the Prime Minister. The other characters pulled their weight and the story is breathtaking. I’ve seen it three times and cried ever single time.

4) The Green Book

This movie made me laugh more than it made me cry, which surprised me. The change in both characters is literally by the numbers of screenwriting, but it’s so well done that I didn’t even notice until I digested the film. So good.

3) The Magnificent Seven (The Original)

I saw most of the remakes of this film before I saw the original. Which, by the way, is a remake of The Seven Samurai. Also a good film, but longer, and in Japanese. The music, the characters and the plot of this one swept me away! Old-school epic.

2) Secondhand Lions

I…I’m not sure I can describe this movie. It’s quirky characters and circumstances captured my imagination. If you haven’t seen it, watch it. I was laughing and crying at the same time at least twice. Who wouldn’t want two old, grouchy uncles with all sorts of hidden secrets?

1) 12 Angry Men

One of my best friends and I were going through an old film phase when we discovered this gem! This movie isn’t about a trial as much as it is about prejudice, courage and the ability to change.  I’ve seen the theatrical version, and it is also amazing!

After we watched this, my friend saw an episode of King of the Hill that was totally a remake of this film

Honorable Mentions:

Gravity

Can’t watch this one over and over, but it’s great! Probably best in the theater.

Casablanca

This is a classic. Go watch it.

Life is Beautiful

One-time-only, but wonderful.

The Four Feathers

A friend and I watched this and I got totally drawn in. First this guy is a coward, then ends up being more of a man than any of his “friends.”

*Note: There are two films that I have never seen that should probably be on the list somewhere, so here they are:

Schlinder’s List

Gone with the Wind

What are your favorite dramatic movies?


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