My Top 10 Favorite Movies
Written by Kendall Bergman
NOTE: This is an extra long post. Sorry…not sorry.
This blog was originally intended to be a Top 10 Favorite Christmas Movie List. Christmas came and went…and then New Year’s came and went. So here we are on January 7 and I think a general top 10 favorite movie list sounds more fun! Not to mention I’m not sure I could have come up with 10 favorite Christmas movies…7 or 8 for sure, but 10 would have been a stretch.
I grew up watching old movies. And when I say old…I mean really old. Like 1930’s Gone with the Wind old. No, Gone with the Wind is not one of my favorite movies. My parents both loved movies and they passed on that love to me and my sisters. I say that to let you know these movies may or may not be your cup of tea. They may be too dated or old-fashioned. Believe me, I know that some of these older movies are problematic for many reasons.
The movies listed below are not necessarily important, historical or critically acclaimed. They hold meaning and memory for me. Take or leave them. I’m simply sharing some of myself with you. FYI, there’s a bonus 11th movie just because.
So here goes…
What’s Up Doc (1972) directed by Peter Bogdanovich. Starring Barbra Streisand, Ryan O’Neal and Madeline Kahn. It’s about 4 plaid overnight bags and the 4 people who own each bag. The people intersect at a hotel in San Francisco, the bags get mixed up and mayhem ensues. Give this one a chance…come to it with an open mind.
I saw this movie with my mom and oldest sister when I was 4. I remember I was wearing blue clogs with a red apple across the top. The movie was over and as we were standing outside the movie theater, I puked on those super cute clogs.
Giant (1956) directed by George Stevens. Starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean. It’s based on the novel written in 1952 by Edna Ferber. It’s an epic tale of Texas starting between World War 1 and World War 2 and spanning several decades. This movie tells the story of the Benedict family, their extremely large cattle ranch and the tension between the ever-growing oil industry and cattle ranchers.
I was born and raised in Texas. I call Texas home. I’ve lived in Dallas, Seattle and Austin. Over the years I’ve had an ambivalent relationship with calling Texas home. It’s not perfect…it’s really big…it’s very hot in the summer. And yet…I’ve made peace with it. It’s where my memories live, where my people reside and where I’ve stepped into my dreams. Giant is gorgeous and pretty honest. Give it a whirl…especially if you have any connection to Texas.
The Way We Were (1973) directed by Sydney Pollack. Starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford. This is a love story that takes place just after World War 2. The two main characters come from completely different backgrounds (he’s upper crust and she’s not), go to college together and meet again after the war. They begin a relationship and…well, you’ll just have to watch the movie to see what happens.
This movie…oh brother…this movie makes me cry every time I watch it and I’ve seen it about 10 times. I walked in on my sister watching it one time. The movie was almost over…maybe 10-15 minutes left. By the time the credits were rolling, I was sobbing. My sister has never let me forget it.
Ordinary People (1980) directed by Robert Redford. It’s based on the novel written by Judith Guest written in 1976. If I’m not mistaken this was Robert Redford’s directorial debut. Starring Timothy Hutton, Mary Tyler Moore and Donald Sutherland. It’s about a family and how each member deals with the death of one of the son’s. The mother is detached, the father is just lovely and the surviving son is depressed and searching. He (the son) begins seeing a wonderful psychiatrist and through their work together he (the son) begins to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
I rewatched this movie over the holiday break and loved it as much as the first time I saw it when I was in middle school. I think I saw it with my older sister and mom…there must be some sort of pattern. At least I didn’t puke afterward. I read the book after I saw the movie and remember appreciating the story and how it was written.
The Princess Bride (1987) directed by Rob Reiner and based on the novel by William Goldman in 1973. Goldman also wrote the screenplay for the movie. This film is one of those cult classics, quoted often and beloved by many. It tells the story of a princess and the stable boy she loves. It’s sweet and clever and quite entertaining.
I first saw this movie when I was in college. I went with a childhood friend and her brother to the dollar movie. Do dollar movie theaters even exist anymore? I think they may not, but man did I LOVE going to the dollar movie. Watching The Princess Bride with a close friend only adds to the fun.
A Room with a View (1985) directed by James Ivory and based on E.M. Forster’s novel published in 1908. Starring Helena Bonham-Carter and Julian Sands. It’s a period film taking place in Italy and England. A young woman and her aunt travel to Italy and want a room with a view during their stay in Florence. A young man and his father have a room with a view and offer to change rooms. Convention and propriety rule the day. The young man almost immediately falls in love with the girl. It takes her a while to realize she also loves him. This film is gorgeous, melancholy and romantic.
I saw this movie at the dollar movie with a friend and her husband. I was late coming into the theater, spilled this guy’s drink and had to borrow a couple of bucks from my friend’s husband to replace the fellow’s soda. Yes, I’m telling you…I spent a good deal of time during my teens, 20’s and 30’s at the dollar movie. Ah…I miss you, Dollar Movie theater. Your memory lives on!!
Some Kind of Wonderful (1987) directed by John Hughes. Starring Eric Stoltz, Mary Stuart-Masterson and Lea Thompson. It’s the story of the kids from the wrong side of the tracks stepping into the truth of who they are. I’m not a big fan of Stoltz, Stuart-Masteron or Lea Thompson individually, but together they are fun to watch. I’ll tell you this…if you’re a sucker for a good kiss in a movie you need to check this one out.
If you don’t know me and haven’t guessed already, I am a child of the 80’s and John Hughes spoke to our Gen X angsty-ness with humor and honesty…or, at least what felt like honesty when I was a surly, petulant teen. He was a certain voice of the time and I remain a fan. RIP, JH.
The Searchers (1956) directed by John Ford. Starring John Wayne and Ward Bond. It’s the story of a civil war veteran whose family is killed in their homestead. The man (John Wayne) goes on a years-long journey to find his one surviving relative from the attack…his niece.
This is a tough film. John Wayne’s character is not likable. The issues around native peoples are very problematic. The cinematography is breathtaking, the storytelling is rich and the redemption is hard earned. Hopefully, I’ve forewarned you. Proceed with caution.
Send Me No Flowers (1964) directed by Norman Jewison. Starring Doris Day, Rock Hudson and Tony Randall. This romp tells the story of George (Hudson) who is a hypochondriac and is convinced he’s dying. He’s not, by the way. His wife, Judy, is played by Doris Day. It’s campy, fun and truly funny. Tony Randall plays George’s best friend with wit and mirth.
I’ve got a smile on my face writing about this movie. Rock Hudson and Doris Day had real chemistry on film. It’s apparent they truly cared for one another. Not unlike Hudson’s relationship with Elizabeth Taylor in Giant. You won’t want to miss Tony Randall stealing the scene as George’s bereft best friend.
Two For the Road (1967) directed by Stanley Donen. Starring Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney. It tells the story of a couple in multiple stages of their decade long relationship. The up’s and down’s. The delight of early love, the heartache of disappointment, the drudge of banality.
I can’t remember the first time I saw this movie, but it must have been with my mom or my aunt. My mother loved really good old films and she shared that passion with me and my sisters. And Stanley Donen, who directed, is truly respected in the space. I especially think of my aunt Sue when I think of this movie. She loved it. And I surely did love her.
BONUS: She’s Having a Baby (1988) directed (again) by John Hughes. Starring Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth McGovern and Alec Baldwin. This film tells the story of a young married couple (Kevin Bacon and Elizaeth McGovern) and the transition from newlyweds to burgeoning careers to starting a family. Alec Baldwin’s portrayal of Bacon’s best friend is spot-on as the poor little rich boy. Baldwin has always been able to cry on queue and this performance is no different.
I remember going to see this with a couple of friends. We went to the full price theater so I must have been really excited. I’m not sure exactly why I enjoy this movie so much. Possibly because it’s a sweet story. Maybe because Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern are believable as a couple. But, I think it might be because I really like this soundtrack. I had never heard Kate Bush before and her voice took my breath away.
What are some of your favorite movies? I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to respond to the post or email me at kendall@thediscoverywell.com.