By Mark Pukalo
It's been more than 50 years since I watched my first full movie. How about them apples?
Hundreds of films have touched me and created lasting memories since.
I've looked into the infinite abyss, screamed "I'm a Golden God," often raised my arms in triumph when I reached the top of long staircase and told everyone when it was pouring outside that the heavy stuff isn't coming down for a while.
I have been trying real hard to be a shepherd the last 10-15 years or so, giving my advice as an amateur film critic and hoping to capture the spirit of the thing in my blogs.
As I paired down my list of great movies to the final 50 that I have seen over parts of six decades, I realized that fat, drunk and stupid was no way to go through life. I know now I need to phone home more, learn to use my head before learning to use a sword, put a cover letter on my TPS reports and always double down on 11.
One day, I thought I'd be cool. I'm still waiting, but I don't do drugs and I know the only true currency in this world is what you share with someone else when you are uncool.
I grew up in Connecticut where I ran the picket fence on the basketball court in grade school and high school. I went to New York City many times where money never sleeps I've been the Philadelphia where Rocky learned that women can sometimes weaken legs.
There were many trips to beautiful Cape Cod where I once fell to my knees on the beach and yelled, "They finally did it. ... Ahh Damn them, damn them all to Hell!" I have also enjoyed a Fresca.
I've never been to Vegas baby! But now I live in the Sunshine State where they always think it's time to burn some books and sometimes you see some Nattzis.
I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her. Umm, wait, well, the other way around. But I'm still wondering what came first, the music or the misery and whether sacrificing a live chicken would have taken the curse off Bill Buckner's glove.
You may not be able to handle the truth, but I can. These are all great movies. Everyone has a different opinion on how good films rate. But there is something special about all of them.
I see you judging me. I never said I'm the hero. This is just an opinion.
Yes, some people like more classic movies from the 50s and 60s. I respect that. Those great works of art just don't move me like more modern films do. Life is truly like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get these days.
As a writer, it's sometimes easy to forget that we spend most of the time stumbling around in the dark. Suddenly, a light gets turned on. And then, "Oh, that's a bingo!"
Whether they made me laugh, cry, think or just entertained me - for some, all of the above - these 50 films will be with me forever. They all have the right stuff.
These are movies I'd watch again. ... again. ... again. ... again. .......
THE TOP 50
A Few Good Men - Probably the movie I have watched the most in my life on television as it is constantly on late at night and never gets old. Rob Reiner directed Aaron Sorkin's screenplay about the coverup after a marine dies when he is disciplined within the unit. Jack Nicholson produced one of his best performances as the evil Colonel Jessup while Tom Cruise and Demi Moore make it fun.
Almost Famous - Cameron Crowe directed and won best original screenplay for what he termed was his "love letter to music" in 2000. The film was semi-autobiographical as William Miller (Patrick Fugit) is based on Crowe, who was a teenage reporter for Rolling Stone - covering the Eagles, Led Zeppelin and the Allman Brothers among others on the road. Kate Hudson brings the story together with her portrayal of "bandaid" Penny Lane while Jason Lee, Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman shine. It pulls at the heart strings and makes you laugh throughout with wonderful dialogue and music. It is my favorite film of all time.
American Fiction - A very sharp satire about a talented writer (Jeffrey Wright) frustrated by establishment profiting from minority entertainment sources with stereotypes. It's smart, funny, thought-provoking and has one heck of an apt and hilarious ending. The definition of a perfectly-made movie. The scene with Wright and Sterling K. Brown during the maid's wedding is so good.
Animal House - The 1978 classic comedy was directed by John Landis and turned into a tour de force for the late John Belushi, who had the majority of the best lines in the film. Every time I watch the movie, it brings back memories of college and fraternity fun at UConn. The best scenes and lines will live forever. "My advice to you is to start drinking heavily."
Back to the Future - In the first of the memorable series, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is transported back to 1955 where he must make his parents fall in love again after the time continuum is messed up. Marty has to fight off the advances of his mom, the bully Biff and he introduces the kids to some classic Chuck Berry music ahead of its time. Eric Stolz was supposed to be Marty, but the switch was made during filming.
The Big Chill - Director Lawrence Kasdan's 1983 comedy-drama brings together a group of college friends from the University of Michigan after one of the group suddenly commits suicide. Great music of the 60s and 70s is the backdrop for the film that features an amazing cast, led by Glenn Close and Kevin Kline. Kevin Costner was cast as the late Alex, but he was never shown in the movie.
The Big Short - Some people quibble with the facts or say they are exaggerated (NOT ME), but director Adam McKay (Anchorman) does a strong job turning Michael Lewis' book about the horror of the 2007-2008 financial crisis into an entertaining film. Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt and Christian Bale earned high marks with their performances while telling the story of fund managers and a banker who predicted the collapse of a still fraudulent system.
The Big Sick - Kumail Nanjiani hits a home run with his sly humor "you're the Pakistani Sammy Sosa," playing himself in the true-to-life story. Zoe Kazan was the perfect casting as Emily "I don't date time nerds," but the big surprise was Ray Romano's perfect deadpan performance. Everything seems to come together perfectly for this film, which you can watch over and over and still smile throughout.
Braveheart - Mel Gibson directed and starred in the epic film based on William Wallace, a Scot who led the rebellion for freedom from the wicked King of England. The powerful story is about love, revenge, betrayal, loyalty, courage and the will to fight against tyranny. There is emotion in every scene and moments when you cheer or cry. There has never been a better war drama than the Best Picture of 1995.
Bull Durham - A comedy about minor league baseball turns into a unique love story. Kevin Costner could not have played Crash Davis, a minor-league veteran, any better as he grooms the hard-throwing bonus baby Nuke LaLoosh (Tim Robbins) and falls for the local gal (Susan Sarandon). The opening monologue is one of the best in film history.
Caddyshack - Golf was never the same after the 1980 comedy directed by the great Harold Ramis and written by Brian Doyle Murray, Ramis and Douglas Kenney. The epic battle between Rodney Dangerfield and Ted Knight is an all-timer while Chevy Chase produces his best performance in a movie. It is one of the top movies ever for producing lines that are used daily. "I don't think the real heavy stuff's going to come down for quite a while."
Clerks - It's crude, somewhat inappropriate, but Kevin Smith's film based on life along the Jersey shore is one of the most humorous of all time. The movie revolves around Dante (Brian O'Halloran), who "wasn't even supposed to be working today!" and his day running the Quick Stop as he juggles girlfriends. Jay and Silent Bob show up and Randal (Jeff Anderson) probably has the best lines while 37 becomes the operative number.
CODA - Ruby (Emilia Jones) is an under-appreciated high school girl in a blue collar town with a wonderful singing voice who must find a balance between her burgeoning talent and a big role in the family fishing business that includes two deaf parents and a deaf brother. It is a special movie that more people should be able to see - not just Apple TV subscribers. I understand their rights, but let's hope you can buy it on video down the line.
Crazy Rich Asians - The romantic comedy based on a best-selling novel is fun and emotional from the first minute to the last. Constance Wu is dazzling as she takes on her fiance's snooty rich mother when the couple travels to Singapore for a friend's wedding. The best love story of 2018. One of the best of all time. Kina Grannis' version of "Can't Stop Falling in Love With You," at the wedding is breathtaking.
Die Hard - One of the best action movies of all time stars Bruce Willis as the charismatic New York cop John McClane, who springs into action when visiting his wife at a Christmas party in Los Angeles. The late, great Alan Rickman plays one of the best villains of all time - Hans Gruber - the leader of the bad guys. Not usually a fan of shoot 'em up movies, but this one has appeal. But is it a Christmas movie or not?
ET - Director Steven Spielberg's charming 1982 film is about a goofy-looking, abandoned extra-terrestrial who befriends a young boy named Elliott (Henry Thomas). We were introduced to a tiny Drew Barrymore as Elliott's little sister in the epic movie that makes you laugh, cry and want to "phone home." It won four technical awards, but was beaten out for Best Picture by "Ghandi."
Ex Machina - A creepy rich recluse (Oscar Isaac), who owns a search company, recruits a programmer (Domhnall Gleeson) to his secluded mountain home to give the Turing test to his new creation - a beautiful AI. Alicia Vikander should have won the Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of the amazing Ava instead of for "The Danish Girl." It is a fascinating, unique, science fiction film with one heck of a stunning ending.
Forrest Gump - Tom Hanks won Best Actor for his wonderful depiction of a slow, but sweet and big-hearted man who lives an amazing life after humble beginnings. The 1994 film is a history lesson following Gump through the Vietnam War, his athletic triumphs in football and ping pong, a successful shrimping business and Watergate before finding his grammar school sweetheart Jenny (Robin Wright) again.
Four Weddings and a Funeral - You might think this a little high, but the 1994 movie has always been special to me. It is four parts smart comedy with one part drama and is basically about love, family and friendship in jolly old England. Andie McDowell's acting is a bit awkward at times, but perhaps that is what her character was supposed to be - an American puzzle for Hugh Grant. The film was nominated for Best Picture and Richard Curtis' screenplay was also up for an Oscar.
Garden State - Zach Braff wrote and directed this 2004 quirky cult classic about a heavily-medicated young actor who returns to his hometown after his paraplegic mother dies. Andrew Largeman (Braff) re-unites with his old townie friends and meets a cheeky young epileptic woman named Sam (Natalie Portman), who he falls in love with. It is smart, hilarious at times, wacky and heartwarming all in one fun film.
The Godfather - The original and best in the series from 1972 stars Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone, the leader of a fictional crime family that is in the midst of a war during the 1940s and 50s. The epic film, which won Best Picture, follows the health demise of Vito, the murder of his son Sonny and the emergence of his youngest son Michael - who was supposed to be a senator. It is what all mafia movies are judged by.
Good Will Hunting - Robin Williams won Best Supporting Actor for his role as a therapist working with a damaged young man from South Boston, who is a mathematical genius working as a janitor at a prestigious school. Williams is brilliant in the 1997 film while battling an old colleague for control of the treatment for Will Hunting (Matt Damon). How do you like them apples?
High Fidelity - Had never seen a preview for this film before choosing it between the morning skate and a hockey game in New Jersey one day, then went to see it about four or five more times. John Cusack stars as a music store owner who can never settle down, but is driven to irrational behavior when his latest girlfriend (Iben Hjerjle) leaves him. It is based on a book by Nick Hornby, with the setting changed from London to Chicago where Lisa Bonet and Jack Black show up among others in the smart, hilarious movie.
Hoosiers - The 1986 film, inspired by tiny Milan High's run to the Indiana state basketball title in 1954, is an old-school, mystical movie that is well detailed and full of heart from start to finish. Gene Hackman plays a brilliant basketball coach with a dark, hidden past who gets one more chance in small-town Hickory and falls for the guarded local gal (Barbara Hershey). The best sports movie of all time ends with Jimmy Chitwood going one-on-one at the top of the key.
Inglourious Basterds - Director Quentin Tarantino tells the fantasy story of the triumphant attempts to assassinate Hitler by a group of Jewish American soldiers with wishful "alternative facts" and intense, intriguing dialogue. Brad Pitt plays the witty and deadly Lt. Aldo Raine while Christoph Waltz won Best Supporting Actor for his depiction of the devilish German Colonel Landa. Melanie Laurent is also great as Shosanna/Emmanuelle, especially when she puts on her war paint to a David Bowie song.
JoJo Rabbit - A cheeky comedy-drama which both loudly and in subtle ways shows the lunacy of hate and fascism. Taika Waititi writes, directs and stars in the film while amazing 12-year-old Roman Griffin Davis plays the Hitler Youth "JoJo" Betzler, who must deal with finding out his mother (Scarlett Johansson) is a member of the resistance and is hiding a young Jewish woman (Thomasin McKenzie) in the wall at the end of World War II.
Lion - My pick for the best film of 2016 is a heartwarming true story that follows the journey of Saroo Brierley, who is trapped on a train that takes him hundreds of miles from his home in India when he is just 5-years-old. The amazing Sunny Pawar plays the young Saroo in the first hour of the film and Dev Patel takes over as the 25-year-old Saroo in the second half as he desperately tries to find his home. It is a movie about the power of family and I have never balled more during a final scene.
Lost in Translation - Sofia Coppola may have ruined The Godfather 3 as an actress, but she wrote and directed a masterpiece with this 2003 film. A washed up, lonely famous actor (Bill Murray) has a chance meeting with a confused, curious and beautiful young woman (Scarlett Johansson) in Tokyo and they develop a unique friendship far from home. It is subtle, simple, funny, bittersweet and smart.
Miracle - Kurt Russell steals the 2004 film with his strong portrayal of Herb Brooks, who coached a group of college kids to the gold medal in men's hockey at the 1980 Olympics against all odds. While it is difficult to re-create the action of the greatest upset in sports history, the story about how the team came together and Brooks' mad genius is told expertly. I love watching this movie again. ... and again. ... and again. ... and again ... and again.
Moneyball - The 2011 film is based on a book by the same name from Michael Lewis about the 2002 Oakland Athletics, who won 20 in a row, and their general manager Billy Beane. Brad Pitt provides one of his best performances as Beane, who tries a new style of scouting through statistics (sabermetrics) to help put together a competitive team with a limited budget while battling his manager and old-school scouts.
Nebraska - I'm still disappointed that Bruce Dern didn't win Best Actor (Matthew McConaughey did) for his work in this delightful, humorous slice of life that was directed by Alexander Payne. Dern plays a fading veteran who thinks he has won a million dollar sweepstakes and his son (Will Forte) decides to take him on a journey to Lincoln, Neb. despite knowing it is just a scam. The trip takes Woody through his old town before coming to a touching conclusion.
Notting Hill - The romantic comedy was written by Richard Curtis - his second of two brilliant screen plays in the 1990s. The film stars Hugh Grant as a small-time shop owner who enters into an on-again, off-again relationship after a chance meeting with a superstar actress played by Julia Roberts. She is "just a girl, asking a boy to love her" near the end of this masterpiece. It's smart, humorous, thought-provoking and heartwarming. The ending is one of the best ever for this genre.
Office Space - Mike Judge (Beavis and Butt-Head) directed one good movie to add to his career resume and it is on the list of the best comedies of all time. Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston) is a bored computer programmer stuck in a cubicle whose life changes when he is hypnotized into total relaxation, leading to a promotion, humor and chaos. Waitress Jennifer Anniston, who doesn't wear enough "flair," is Gibbons' dream girl and a printer gets justly tortured.
Past Lives - Two childhood friends from South Korea reconnect after 20 years and spend a week together in New York, where they talk of love, time and destiny. It is an intelligent, deep, emotional story about how it can be ultimately good for people to get closure so they can be the person they are supposed to be.
Planet of the Apes - The original and best of the epic science fiction series stars Charlton Heston as an astronaut who crash lands on a strange planet where intelligent apes rule over humans. The 1968 film holds up today and the apocalyptic story line comes to a close with Lady Liberty on the beach in one of the greatest scenes of all time. Chimp scientists Cornelius (Roddy McDowell) and Zira (Kim Hunter) give the movie heart and Nova (Linda Harrison) adds beauty.
Promising Young Woman - Cassie (Carey Mulligan) carries out mental vengeance on manipulative men and others to avenge her best friend, who was sexually assaulted at a party when they were both in medical school. The best film of 2020 is gripping, humorous and smart. Mulligan will never be better in a role.
Pulp Fiction - Quentin Tarantino's pulsating black comedy burst on the scene in 1994 as it portrayed the criminal underground in Los Angeles with many intriguing, unique characters. John Travolta made a triumphant comeback as Vincent Vega, who is asked by the big boss (Ving Rhames) to take out his wife (Uma Thurman) in one of the best and weirdest scenes in movie history. Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Eric Stolz and Harvey Keitel also hit home runs in the crude, but fun, impeccably-written film.
Raiders of the Lost Ark - The 1981 epic adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg stars Harrison Ford as archaeologist Indiana Jones, one of the most iconic characters in cinematic history. Jones goes in search of the Ark of the Covenant, which held the Ten Commandments, and must fight Hitler and his army for it. The power of the Ark is unleashed in an amazing final scene.
The Right Stuff - The epic 1983 film, adapted from the best-selling book by Tom Wolfe, follows America's first test pilots whose courageous efforts led to the first manned spaceflights. The late Sam Shepard plays the most heroic of them all - Chuck Yeager - as he breaks the sound barrier, but never gets to become one of the first astronauts. The three-hour, 12-minute movie is powerful, entertaining and provides an interesting history lesson.
Rocky - Sylvester Stallone wrote and starred in the epic drama that led off the series, introducing one of the most iconic characters in movie history - Rocky Balboa, the small-time boxer from Philadelphia who takes on world champ Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). The movie won Best Picture in 1976 while Stallone and Talia Shire, who played his lovable geeky girlfriend Adrian, were both nominated along with Burgess Meredith and Burt Young. The final fight scene is as emotional as it gets.
Silver Linings Playbook - Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper star as two people going through different types of mental issues before forming a unique relationship. Robert DeNiro shows up as Cooper's gambling father, who is very superstitious about his beloved Philadelphia Eagles. Director David O. Russell (The Fighter, American Hustle, Joy) allows J-Law and Cooper to produce one of their career-best performances.
Slap Shot - The 1977 comedy about a wacky minor-league hockey team, with the great Paul Newman as its player-coach, still makes you laugh uncontrollably. The Charlestown Chiefs become a winner and draw big crowds when they change their style to violence - led by the lovable Hanson Brothers. The characters are rich, somewhat believable, and Dickie Dunn just "tried to capture the spirit of the thing."
The Social Network - David Fincher directed this film written by Aaron Sorkin based loosely on the making of facebook, with Jesse Eisenberg starring as Mark Zuckerberg. Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake add outstanding performances while Dakota Johnson and Rooney Mara steal their scenes. The film is more about entertainment than accuracy, but most are and it is fun to watch.
Spotlight - An impeccably directed (Tom McCarthy) and acted drama about the Boston Globe's investigation of child abuse by Catholic priests, which was covered up for decades in the area. It brings back memories of the reasons why I got into the journalism business, what it was like in the newsroom and what the profession can mean to a community. Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery and Rachel McAdams produce perfect performances in the Best Picture of 2015.
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope - The first in the epic series introduces Luke, Leia, Darth, Chewy, Han and the whole gang as the Rebellion takes on the Empire. The story begins at the end of spinoff "Rogue One," as the Rebels have stolen the plans to destroy the Death Star. The characters are iconic and writer/director George Lucas reportedly mixed elements of myth and religion from Beowulf and King Arthur with Flash Gordon among other classics.
Stripes - The best pure comedy of all-time stars Bill Murray and Harold Ramis as two bumbling men who decide to join the army to introduce discipline to their lives. John Winger and Russell Ziskey add leadership to a group of sad-sack soldiers that includes the late John Candy, who has joined the military to lose a little weight and become a "lean, mean fighting machine." Some have said the second half of the movie ruins it, but Hansel, Gretel, calm down. It's still a classic, Uncle Hulka.
Swingers - Just minutes before watching this movie, the flimsy lid on my cup came off and soda flowed down the theater floor as my friends laughed at me. Then my night got much better as I watched this thoroughly enjoyable comedy-drama about young unemployed actors living life in Hollywood. Jon Favreau wrote and starred in the 1996 film as Mikey, who is "money," while Vince Vaughn broke through as the duo went to "Vegas baby!!" It is smart, hilarious and I could watch it every night.
Titanic - James Cameron's epic disaster drama/love story won Best Picture in 1997 with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet providing memorable performances. It is a story about the haves and have nots who had the honor to board the great ship and the terror of the aftermath when an iceberg gets in the way. The scene where the row boat comes back too late to find most of the people frozen and dead is one of the most bone-chilling of all time.
Wall Street - Director and co-writer Oliver Stone's 1987 drama takes a look at greed in the stock market through the eyes of a young broker Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) and corporate raider Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas). Douglas won Best Actor as one of the great villains in movie history and Sheen provided his best-ever performance. "Man looks in the abyss, there's nothing staring back at him. At that moment, man finds his character. And that is what keeps him out of the abyss."
10 Things I Hate About You - The 1999 romantic high school comedy was reportedly written as a modern day version of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew." The late, great Heath Ledger attempts to tame Julia Stiles and a young Joseph Gordon Levitt courts Stiles' cute, quirky sister Bianca. Larry Miller (the girls' father) has the best lines in the film. When Bianca whines, "It's just a party daddy." Miller retorts, "and Hell is just a sauna."
Other significant films worth noting outside my top 200
A Beautiful Mind, A League of Their Own, Air, American Beauty, Anchorman, Any Given Sunday, Apocalypse Now, Avatar, The Banshees of Inisherin, Barbie, The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, Batman Begins, Beyond the Lighted Stage, The Big Lebowski, Blackberry, Bridget Jones Diary, Broadcast News, Charlie Wilson's War, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, Contact, Dead Poet's Society, The Departed, Do the Right Thing, Dreamer, Dual, Dune, Edward Scissorhands, Election, Escape from the Planet of the Apes, Field of Dreams, For the Love of the Game, Game 6, Gladiator, Goodfellas, Grindhouse, Grosse Pointe Blank, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, History of the Eagles, Jaws, JFK, The Last Days of Disco, Logan's Run, Midnight Express, Million Dollar Baby, Mo Better Blues, Mulholland Drive, Nomadland, One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, One Night in Miami, Origin, Perfect Days, The Post, Primary Colors, Pushing Tin, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Risky Business, Room, Saving Private Ryan, Scarface, Secret of My Success, The Silence of the Lambs, Silent Running, The Sixth Sense, The Spectacular Now, Star Trek, Stars Wars III: Revenge of the Stith, Stars Wars VII: The Force Awakens, Talk to Me, Terms of Endearment, The Two Popes, The Usual Suspects, Vice, W, We Bought a Zoo, Whiplash, The Wizard of Oz.
