What is your favorite movie?

Who knew that a made-for-T.V movie could actually be…what’s the word I’m looking for? Oh, yeah; good. Back before he was known as one of the most powerful forces in Hollywood, Steven Spielberg worked the small screen on such shows as NIGHT GALLERY, COLUMBO, and Marcus WELBY M.D. Then, in the year nineteen hundred and seventy one, came DUEL. Based on a short story (found in Playboy magazine, no less) DUEL’s premise is remarkably simple; an insurance salesman (Dennis Weaver) in a station wagon on a lonely stretch of desert road inadvertently angers the psychotic driver of a massive semi. Throughout the next ninety minutes, Weaver tries desperately to out-maneuver the driver, but, ultimately, he must face his fears in one terrifying showdown.

What sounds like a typical chase movie becomes an exercise in sheer terror in the hands of Steven Spielberg. Because you never get to see the face of the driver, the truck itself becomes a character in and of itself. Weaver is perfectly cast as the salesman, making you feel his fear and lack of control. All in all, this film gives me hope that, at some point in history, T.V (or at least the movies on T.V) could have been somewhat entertaining.

OK, I don’t think there is a greatest movie of all time or 100 greatest movies of all time because a big part of that is opionion. But here are a few movies I love:

West Side Story-An incredible story of gang warfare and true love set in 1950’s New York City. This movie said so much about racism and was truely groudbreaking. It really can be called the greatest musical of all time.

Schindler’s List-The list is and absolute good. The list is life. This is the brutal tale of the holocost and how one man risked everything to do the right thing. This movie inspired me more than any other. At the end when the Jews lay rocks on Schindler’s grave in the form of a cross I just get goosebumps.

On the Waterfront-Directors today need to see this movie to know that you don’t have to put swearing and violence in a movie to make people understand the mafia. A great work of art about a thug who has a concience and risks his life to do the right thing. One of the most triumphant moments in the cinema is when Terry Malloy yells, “I’m glad what I done to you!” to Johnny Friendly.

E.T.-By far the most inspiring Sci Fi movie of all time. E.T. touches my heart.

Doctor Zhivago-It’s an absolute outrage that this masterpiece didn’t make the list. A timeless love story about a man who’s heart is torn between two women. An epic masterpiece.

Rebel Without a Cause-A movie that kids everywhere can relate to. One of the first movies that doesn’t make teenage kids the “bad guys” James Dean, Sal Mineo, and Natalie Wood give incredible performances. Quite possibly the greatest ensamble cast of all time. I just love this movie because I can really relate with it.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington-An incredible triumphant and inspiring movie.

It’s a Wonderful Life-This is the reason we watch movies!

Saving Private Ryan-No one but Spielberg could have made such and inspiring movie about WWII. Epic and incredible. Tom Hanks is our finest living actor.

Lawrence of Arabia-Epic all over! A tremendously beautiful movie. Peter O’ Toole is the only person that could pull off T. E. Lawrence like that. This movie might be the climax of American Cinema. Incredible for it’s time and ours.

Apollo 13-Inspirational!

Love Story-Heart Breaking

by Jordan Nichols

History has always been my favorite subject, and World War II in particular has been a favorite subject of my studies. I love this film because of those interests, but also because it aptly showcases the fact that there were people even within the Third Reich who were horrified by the events of the holocaust and tried to do something about it. Even though Oskar Schindler was driven to do the things he did by his desire to turn a profit, at least initially, in the end he was tortured by the fact that he could have saved so many more people with the money he had made. It is this kind of compassion in the midst of the monstrosity that was WWII and the holocaust that makes this movie ultimately touching.

The most stirring, emotional, and real portrayal of the Second World War that I have ever seen.

It is just such a fantastic film about the degeneration of the life of a man when he encounters the extraordinary. It is truly a spectacular moviegoing experience. You just feel for this man’s pain and his passion as he starts carving images of a tall structure out of shaving cream and mashed potatoes, slowly pushing his family away because of his obsession. Many movies have attacked this theme, but few have done so so successfully. I literally get tingles down my spine when we get to the point when he actually makes a giant sculpture out of mud in his living room. It’s just so out-there, and yet so in place in a film with aliens. And let’s not forget that alien abduction scene, which manages to be one of the most intense that I’ve ever seen. And the awe you feel when you finally see all of those ships flying around at the end, and the amazing five-tone “song” that permeates the whole film, and John William’s achingly beautiful score- in other words, this is a truly fantastic and memorable movie that I dearly love and I think more than deserves to be called my favorite movie.

One thing that is always over looked in Schindler’s list is just how funny some moments really are in this movie. And the thing is, that it is intentional. Speilberg knew making a holocaust movie would be extremely bleak and depressing. So he knew that this story needed some comic relief and Stern’s character in the first third of the movie offers some really funny moments. But i noticed that when people talk of this movie, they never seemed to think any of it is funny.

Brilliant movie

The most affecting film of all time. A story that not only makes you cry for memory, but cry for hope. A beautifully directed masterpiece.

Being Jewish, Schindler’s List is the single greatest film about the Holocaust ever made. To me it is more than just a movie, it is a lasting memorial for those who died in the Holocaust. Not only do i find this films story to be extremly movie, i find it visually beautiful. Every shot is a work of art. A film that will live on for the rest of mankind. A masterpiece.
By: Craig Dickey

what is not to like? Amazing acting, cinematography, editing, score, sound,etc…It’s the greatest film of all time.

I think this movie shows one man giving up everything for nothing in return. It inspires us that we can do amazing things when we put our mind to it.