MY THRILLING THIRTY...favorite films(in order!)
Thirty Films that spoke or at the very least, whispered to me!
List activity
689 views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
30 titles
- DirectorBill ForsythStarsBurt LancasterPeter RiegertFulton MackayAn American oil company has plans for a new refinery and sends someone to Scotland to buy up an entire village, but things don't go as expected.By the film's end I felt like I had traveled to Furness, Scotland and made some new friends...as many sly smiles as unbridled laughs.
- CreatorPaul FeigStarsLinda CardelliniJohn Francis DaleyJames FrancoA high school mathlete starts hanging out with a group of burnouts while her younger brother navigates his freshman year.17 and a half perfect episodes. The genesis of some brilliant careers. the Best show that no one watched...The first Dramady. Not to be missed...God bless Mssrs. Feig and Apatow.
- DirectorDavid LeanStarsPeter O'TooleAlec GuinnessAnthony QuinnThe story of T.E. Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united and led the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during World War I in order to fight the Turks.It only gets better with age and remains relevant to this day. Oh, and O'Toole could act!
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsWoody AllenDiane KeatonMariel HemingwayThe life of a divorced television writer dating a teenage girl is further complicated when he falls in love with his best friend's mistress.Woody's most romantic film, albeit a tad bittersweet with an opening that is a gift to the senses.
- DirectorKevin ReynoldsStarsKevin CostnerJudd NelsonSam RobardsFive college buddies from the University of Texas circa 1971 embark on a final road trip odyssey across the Mexican border before facing up to uncertain futures, in Vietnam and otherwise.A final road trip film highlighted by some spirited action scenes, a wedding for the ages and my introduction to Pat Metheny.
- DirectorRichard RushStarsPeter O'TooleSteve RailsbackBarbara HersheyA fugitive stumbles onto a movie set just when they need a new stunt man, takes the job as a way to hide out and falls for the leading lady while facing off with his manipulative director.Peter O'Toole at his best...chewing up scenery and stealing every spotlight.
- DirectorGeorge CukorStarsCary GrantKatharine HepburnJames StewartWhen a rich woman's ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter turn up just before her planned remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself.The iconic cast in their prime...
- DirectorLawrence KasdanStarsKevin KlineScott GlennKevin CostnerA misfit bunch of friends comes together to right the injustices which exist in a small town.Kevin Costner's gift as a result of being left on the cutting room floor in A Big Chill. Featuring a bevy of talented actors including the perpetually underrated Scott Glenn. There should have been a sequel.
- DirectorJohn CarneyStarsFerdia Walsh-PeeloAidan GillenMaria Doyle KennedyA young lad notices a beautiful girl who begins to occupy his thoughts. While struggling with poverty, personal relationships and life's woes, he starts a band, hoping to catch her attention.A brilliant, upbeat, quirky love story punctuated by infectious, original 80's style tunes. Do not miss this charming film!!!
- DirectorDamien ChazelleStarsMiles TellerJ.K. SimmonsMelissa BenoistA promising young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential.Perpetual battle of wills between the brutal music instructor and his ambitious student. Featuring possibly the most heart pounding ending(sans bloodshed)I have ever experienced. Must be seen....The people must be right...the film scored a 95% approval on Rotten Tomato fro, both critics and the public... a rare feat indeed!!
- DirectorRichard LesterStarsOliver ReedRaquel WelchRichard ChamberlainA young swordsman comes to Paris and faces villains, romance, adventure and intrigue with three Musketeer friends.Two, two, two films in one...unbeknownst to the actors and their agents, the brilliant director Richard Lester shot enough footage to comprise two excellent, unique films. Love the cast, especially the youthful Michael York. Racquel Welch isn't too shabby either!
- DirectorTom FordStarsColin FirthJulianne MooreMatthew GoodeAn English professor, one year after the sudden death of his boyfriend, is unable to cope with his typical days in 1960s Los Angeles.The music, clothing and design captured the swinging sixties. An incredible, mesmerizing soundtrack.
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsJason SchwartzmanBill MurrayOlivia WilliamsA teenager at Rushmore Academy falls for a much older teacher and befriends a middle-aged industrialist. Later, he finds out that his love interest and his friend are having an affair, which prompts him to begin a vendetta.Such a nuanced film featuring a breakthrough performance by Jason Schwartzman. So many clubs and not enough time!
- DirectorRichard CurtisStarsHugh GrantMartine McCutcheonLiam NeesonFollows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England.Featuring like the greatest hits of English actors. The first time I saw this was on a plane and I was so disappointed. Not now...my favorite coupling is Bill Nighy and his plump loyal manager....the Prime Minister disco dancing at 10 Downey...brilliant.
- DirectorAlbert BrooksStarsAlbert BrooksKathryn HarroldTyann MeansAlbert Brooks directs himself as a successful film editor with far too many issues that affects the relationship between him and his remarkably patient girlfriend."Mr. Popularity"......Albert Brooks medicated, whiny and desperate....a triple threat!
- DirectorGeorge Roy HillStarsPaul NewmanMichael OntkeanStrother MartinA failing ice hockey team finds success with outrageously violent hockey goonery.Paul Newman once said this film captured the authentic Paul Newman more than any other....
- DirectorWill GluckStarsEmma StoneAmanda BynesPenn BadgleyWhen Olive lies to her best friend about losing her virginity to one of the college boys, a girl overhears their conversation. Soon, her story spreads across the entire school like wildfire.Emma rules and Amanda Byrnes is no slouch
- DirectorGeorge CukorStarsKatharine HepburnLaurence OlivierColin BlakelyAn aging actress is being sued for breach of promise. She hires as her lawyer a man who was an ex-lover, and is still in love with her, although she doesn't know it. She realizes that the only way to win this case and protect her assets is to destroy her reputation.Bonus selection: Long lost love between an elder English barrister and a senior divorcee.... your never too old
- DirectorKieron J. WalshStarsPeter McDonaldFlora MontgomeryMarie MullenA teacher meets a woman who turns out to be a thief and they introduce each other to new things.A "personal" favorite....a quirky, irreverent film featuring two attractive individuals possessing diverse attributes and sensibilities that "work for them" as well as numerous homages to classic films! This is a movie for romantic, non judgmental film buffs...go for it!
- DirectorJohn MaddenStarsGwyneth PaltrowJoseph FiennesGeoffrey RushThe world's greatest ever playwright, William Shakespeare, is young, out of ideas and short of cash, but meets his ideal woman and is inspired to write one of his most famous plays.I'm not an English major but I enjoyed all the references to Shakespeare's various works.
- DirectorDavid YatesStarsBill NighyKelly MacdonaldMeneka DasLawrence, an aging, lonely civil servant falls for Gina, an enigmatic young woman. When he takes her to the G8 Summit in Reykjavik, however, their bond is tested by Lawrence's professional obligations.A sweet, sweet love story. Must be seen if you have a heart.
- DirectorGreg MottolaStarsMichael CeraJonah HillChristopher Mintz-PlasseTwo co-dependent high school seniors are forced to deal with separation anxiety after their plan to stage a booze-soaked party goes awry.Supergood..with so many funny people, including the girlballsy Emma Stone
- DirectorGeorge P. CosmatosKevin JarreStarsKurt RussellVal KilmerSam ElliottA successful lawman's plans to retire anonymously in Tombstone, Arizona are disrupted by the kind of outlaws he was famous for eliminating.Speaking of underrated I give you the ageless Kurt Russell and an unforgettable performance by the still svelte, Val Kilmer.
- DirectorMark WatersStarsParker PoseyJosh HamiltonTori SpellingA mentally unbalanced young woman - who is convinced she is Jackie Kennedy - flies into a murderous rage when her brother returns home to reveal he is engaged.It doesn't get much darker than incest...crackling dialog, including a pointed jab at the state of Pennsylvania...
- DirectorGuy RitchieStarsHenry CavillArmie HammerAlicia VikanderIn the early 1960s, CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin participate in a joint mission against a mysterious criminal organization, which is working to proliferate nuclear weapons.Loved this film. Sparkling chemistry between the three leads, witty banter, brilliant soundtrack and just the right amount of offbeatness....
- DirectorGore VerbinskiStarsJohnny DeppArmie HammerWilliam FichtnerNative American warrior Tonto recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid, a man of the law, into a legend of justice.If I haven't lost my credibility until now, this selection should seal it. Everyone apparently hated this film but me. It reminded me of the Three Musketeers with it's detail and business. Give it a chance...think for yourself and stay tuned for the big finish.
- DirectorEdgar WrightStarsMichael CeraMary Elizabeth WinsteadKieran CulkinIn a magically realistic version of Toronto, a young man must defeat his new girlfriend's seven evil exes one by one in order to win her heart.God bless Michael Cera.
- DirectorRobert AltmanStarsRobin WilliamsShelley DuvallRay WalstonThe adventures of the famous sailor man and his friends in the seaside town of Sweethaven.How can you go wrong with the Robin Williams in his prime coupled with the lovely, sweet inspirational tunes penned and, in reality, sung by Harry Nillson. Hard to believe they are both gone....my how time flies.
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsJohnny DeppHelena Bonham CarterAlan RickmanThe legendary tale of a barber who returns from wrongful imprisonment to 1840s London, bent on revenge for the rape and death of his wife, and resumes his trade while forming a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett.Loved the music and the acting ....Johnny Depp is the man...speaking of which...
- DirectorDamien ChazelleStarsRyan GoslingEmma StoneRosemarie DeWittWhile navigating their careers in Los Angeles, a pianist and an actress fall in love while attempting to reconcile their aspirations for the future.Perfection!