I saw this feature appear on several sites within the Large Association of Movie Bloggers (LAMB) network, and thought it was a great idea. It looks like the challenge was issued by Fandango Groover. I'll be doing this slowly, mostly because of the time and research involved. Below you'll find my favorite movie for each year of my life.
1977 - STAR WARS: Few movies have inspired me and wrapped me such a warm, fuzzy, movie-magic blanket as this one. The story goes that I saw this movie in utero, thus potentially explaining my strong (and apparently inherent) sci-fi geek tendencies, but the release dates for this movie suggest that's just a lie.
Thanks, Chewy. We can't even open a window in here.
1978 - ANIMAL HOUSE: Having spent three and a half years in a fraternity myself, I realize that most fraternity experiences aren't much like this... and then I remember some of the times that were. I've heard the rumor told on multiple occasions that this tale was largely based on the rivalry of the only two "local" fraternities on my alma mater's campus. While Omega Phi (now defunct) and Archania (now absorbed into a national fraternity) do resemble the two warring houses in the film, I've never found anything that wasn't sourced from one of their houses to support the rumor.
There is nothing to fear but running out of beer.
1979 - ALIEN: It says something to the character of this movie that I've never seen it laid out chronologically and it's STILL my favorite movie made in 1979. There wasn't a whole lot of movies made that year that I've seen so far, but there wasn't much competition for the top slot, either.
I said a LARGE cappucino!
1980 - POPEYE: When I was a kid, it was an event for LA's channel... 13, I think, to run a double feature of this and The Wizard of Oz on a Friday night in place of The Dukes of Hazard. While it's true that this is kind of a terrible movie, I still remember sleepovers with my friends Mikey and Travis in one of our living rooms, watching the movies all night long... or until we fell asleep.
If ever a man could be excused for sending his wife to the moon, it would be Popeye.
1981 - THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER: This was the first and last muppet movie that I really loved. Does this movie have a lot of faults? Yeah, it really does. But even now, the antics of Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Fozzie Bear always bring a smile to my face. It's hard to beat that.
No one was the same after that day Miss Piggy streaked the office.
1982 - E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL: I struggled to think of a movie that's so identifiable with a single scene as the scene I have pictured below. I've loved this movie since I was five, and I was surprised when I purchased my copy a few years back for reasons of nostalgia that my reactions to the movie are the same now as they were then.
Where's my in-flight service, El-li-ot?
1983 - RETURN OF THE JEDI: This is one of the first movies I actually remember seeing in the theaters in detail. My mom was there and someone else, but I don't remember who. We were late, and when we walked in to the dark theater, Luke was deep in conversation with Jabba's chief lackey, asking for an audience.
Jabba, next time you're springing for the fur-lined shackles, or I'm getting more money.
1984 - THE NEVERENDING STORY: Not many 80s movies get spoofed repeatedly by Family Guy, but this one gets done on at least three episode and has also received a lot of screen time as fodder for Robot Chicken. It's not what has this as my favorite '84 film, but seven year old me thought that this was the best movie I'd ever seen. I still think it's one of the best fantasy movies ever wrought by Hollywood.
Atreyu, I should tell you that under Megan's Law...
1985 - THE GOONIES: There are few movies from my childhood that I love more than this one. It's funny, has a cast that reappeared in films throughout my childhood (and if you include Josh Brolin, my adulthood) and has inspired at least one day trip to Astoria, Oregon in order to see the familiar beaches from this film that I used to celebrate my birthday in 2011.
As if a guy called One-Eyed Willy wouldn't have an ancient porn stash.
1986 - STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME: There's a reason that this is one of the few films in the franchise to receive so much mainstream approval. It's eco-friendly, "save the whales" tone meshed well with mid-80s sensibilities and created for an entertaining story line for the crew of the Enterprise.
Double dumb ass on you, too, Mr. Shattner.
1987 - THE LAST EMPEROR: When my parents dragged me to this in the theaters, I originally thought this was arguably the most boring movie... and that same year they dragged me to Empire of the Sun and I realized who visually stunning and lavish a production Emperor was. As I've gotten older, my appreciation for this film has only increased.
Even the emperor has problems with parking in the Forbidden City.
1988 - WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT?: Not many movies impacting me on such a... marketing level as this one during my childhood. I was in a summer day camp program that year, and rarely a day went by where someone wasn't talking about the movie, playing with toys from the movie, or doing skits around a bonfire that dealt with the movie. I still enjoy the film, but I'd be just as happy if I didn't hear anything about it anymore... although I miss Roger cartoons.
1989 - BATMAN: Batman was the first movie I really looked forward to. As a girl in my 6th grade class said frequently (and probably stole from something like Teen Beat): 1988 was the year of music and 1989 will be the year of movies. Batman was the first summer blockbuster that ever snagged my attention. I still say Nicholson's Joker is better than Heath Ledger's.
Think of what this would have been like if either of them had a cell phone.
1989 - BATMAN: Batman was the first movie I really looked forward to. As a girl in my 6th grade class said frequently (and probably stole from something like Teen Beat): 1988 was the year of music and 1989 will be the year of movies. Batman was the first summer blockbuster that ever snagged my attention. I still say Nicholson's Joker is better than Heath Ledger's.
I don't want to be rude, but shouldn't a superhero have some muscle tone?
1990 - DICK TRACY: The thing that I love best about this movie is that whole thing where they only used like a double handful of colors to make the entire movie. They didn't even allow multiple shades of say "orange" and make it all count as "orange." I don't have a history with the comics that inspired the movie, but I thought this was a lot of fun. Even better is that Warren Beatty announced in 2011 that he FINALLY won a suit for rights to make a sequel. Better late than never, I guess.
Next time we get smoochy, have editing work on those spit lines, will ya?
1991 - FRIED GREEN TOMATOES: On the surface, this is probably the chickiest of chick flicks and could actually be the inspiration for the terror that is The View. However, when you dig deeper, there's a certain dependency on the oral tradition that seems to have been lost almost everywhere in the US (except the Deep South) that I just love.
Thank god they chose to wear clothes NOT made from plastic wrap.
1992 - THE POWER OF ONE: A lot of who I am today was because my parents dragged me to see this movie because they'd won free tickets on the radio. I went in kicking and screaming, but my protests stopped about fifteen minutes in. I fell in love with the setting, the people, and the world they lived in. There are some masterful performances by actors better known for other films, but this little tiny project delivers in a big way.
From South African criminal to president in less than 20 years. Art imitates life.
1993 - HOCUS POCUS: I'm surprised I had any friends after this movie, because I loved it and I dragged my friends to watch it, too. Only one or two actually shared my affection for the film, but none of them appreciated the multiple viewings. 20 years later, and Hocus Pocus makes an annual appearance in my DVD player on Halloween.
If it wasn't for hamming it up, two of these guys wouldn't have a career.
1994 - THE LION KING: Arguably, this is one of my favorite Disney movies, although I generally have a rough discussion with myself if I'm forced to choose a favorite, but this usually wins. It's not as funny as some of their work, but the animation is amazing and the story is very strong, considering that they don't have a fairy tale for inspiration.
If Scar had been smarter, he'd have just eaten Simba and saved us the sequels.
1995-SE7EN: When I first saw this movie, I was left... unimpressed. By my standards then, it was boring. There was little blood, little gore, and not enough scenes showing the executions being carried out. Also, I was bummed that I had to use my imagination regarding the box. Fast forward almost twenty years and I've learned to appreciate the subtle complexities of the film and of course, there's my gushing admiration for Morgan Freeman.
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| This is NOT what I meant by Italian shower! |
1996-SCREAM: This movie literally changed the way I saw horror films. For a long time at this point in my life, horror's appeal had begun to dim, and slasher flicks were nearly at the bottom of my list for movie-watching. Then, this combination of scares, gore, and hijinks appeared on the scene and my interest was revitalized.
Five minutes is all I get? I'm a frigging BARRYMORE! My parents were a big deal in this town!
1997-BOOGIE NIGHTS: This was the first time I'd ever watched a drama in the theaters and really liked what I saw. As I've aged, I've seen movies that were older (and on this list) that I've enjoyed, but it was here that I realized that my tastes were maturing a bit. Granted, a film about the porn culture in the 70s in LA could have helped. The excellent series of performances, some from odd places, didn't hurt, either.
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| If you pause it just right, you can see him start to grimace. |
1998-ELIZABETH: There are lots of folks who think that I'll like any movie about British nobility, although that's totally not true. I've got a little validation coming because the critics seemed to like this one, too. It's a remarkable film, especially since it lacks most of the high drama of the second installment of this two-part biopic.
One MILLION pounds...
1999-SLEEPY HOLLOW: I love this movie like a fat kid loves cake. It took one of my country's oldest and best-loved legends and gave it a hip, slightly darker edge that is very appealing. Complete that with a better-than-average cast and some quirky Burtonesque touches, and there's little I find to dislike about Sleepy Hollow.
This isn't even the strangest thing I've had on my face this morning...
2000-SCARY MOVIE: This is one of those movies that I love that everyone hates: it spoofs my favorite genre in ways that managed to be focused, rather than the scattered trash films that have tried to pass themselves off as spoofs in intervening years. I took so many people to see this movie that I'm not sure how I still have friends that predate the release.
Taste my pain!
2001-HARRY POTTER & THE SORCERER'S STONE: I waited for a long time to read the first of the Harry Potter books, and only a tour of duty that both allowed me to read on post and gave me enough spare time to actually read made it possible. I had just finished the book when I went to see the movie, and it was like the filmmakers stepped inside my head while I was reading and took pictures, a trend which has continued throughout the series.
Ron, you should have had a pee BEFORE we set out.
2002-MURDER BY NUMBERS: Sandra Bullock gets a lot of flack for rarely leaving her rom-com roles, but when she does, it's always a great performance. This wasn't a big release for her, but I dug the flow of the story and the performances by the major players.
Is that a roll of quarters in your pocket?
2003-PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL: I haven't loved the entirety of this series, which for me, seems to be doing an anti-Trek thing (you know, the even numbered ones suck). Nevertheless, it always amazes me that the filmmakers managed THIS much material from a four-minute ride.
The cover of the much-dreaded N*Synch pirate album.
The death of a career is a terrifying thing.
I want YOU to watch this movie.
2006-THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND: I struggled with this choice because of my love for The Queen. I had to deconstruct both films in order to come to a decision and what I finally realized was that, while my love for Helen Mirren is great, there are equally good performances in Last King and frankly, more of them. The exotic location doesn't hurt, either.
I can't see because of the glare off your chest.
2007-ATONEMENT: There's no real reason for the way I feel this movie. I love it, and completely. I took a pass on this until it appeared in the February '08 Best Picture Showcase. I was prepared to take a nap, in much the same way I would have with Howard's End or that type of movie... and I was enthralled. It is probably one of the most perfect films in my mind.
That's a groovy dress you're almost wearing, Duckie.
2008-SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE: I caught this as part of the Best Picture Showcase held in February 2009 at the Easton AMC in Columbus. I'd held off watching it because I haven't always enjoyed American-made movies made from the perspective of non-Americans... well, I should say the majority of my experiences with these films have been negative. The phenomenon that was Slumdog should have sparked a growing interest in the world outside our country, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that that's the case.
This moment would be perfect if we included a DANCE NUMBER!
2009-AVATAR: This film managed to create a world where science fiction doesn't necessarily equate with bad film. I'm hoping that one of its ramifications will be an increasing dearth of bad sci-fi. Was the allegory offered in the film a little stale and incomplete? Yup, but no movie has ever been set in such a beautiful or amazing background as this.
Do I have to live in one of those mushroom houses now?
2010-THE KING'S SPEECH: This isn't quite as simple as a boy and his dog story, but there's something remarkably refreshing about a story whose action and interest is sparked on what is essentially one man's private struggle in order to improve his life.
We left the explosions in the other office! Blast, just wing it then!
2011-HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 2: This movie isn't without it's faults, but it's an emotional roller coaster than actually surpasses the response I got from the book. Am I still beside myself that this wildly successful series. Once again, with few exceptions, they managed to get inside my head and take pictures.
10 years and I finally get a decent part!
