I feel a bit of a need to justify Step Brothers. It is admittedly a sophomoric comedy filled with crude humor. But Will Ferrell’s ability to do comedy with absolutely zero hint of self-awareness (for lack of a better word) and lack of an air of “look how funny I am” is great. But Adam Scott is who makes that film. He has amazing range as an actor and plays his self-absorbed character perfectly. It’s a way of showing my son “You are going to meet people like this in life. Treat them internally like you treat this character internally.”
One spring Saturday afternoon in 1982, you made me watch The Graduate. I didn't admit it at the time, but I was bored for the first 30 minutes. But after 45 minutes, I was hooked. Since then, I have always taken your movie recommendations to heart. I haven't seen every movie on your list, but I'm happy to say I've seen most, and they are definitely favorites...good to have my taste in movies validated! I now have marching orders to finish the rest.
Honored for the mention! I knew limiting to 10 would be difficult if not impossible. My list of the films I want my boy to see was a combination of your criteria above and an ability to get cultural references (“What we have here is a failure to communicate” and “Put that coffee down!” to mention a couple) plus just an ambiguous “you need to see this one, son”. Here are mine (with the caveat that I may add or subtract at some time):
Godfather I
Godfather II
Cool Hand Luke
Inception
Shawshank Redemption
The Color Purple
This is Spinal Tap
Glengarry Glen Ross
True Grit (Cohen Brothers--apologies to John Wayne)
Step Brothers
Right now, Inception and Step Brothers are at the bottom of the list and in danger of relegation, to use a soccer term. They could easily exit the table especially if there’s a suggestion I hadn’t thought of.
Like you said, these are not the best movies of all time. Just what I think my son needs to see.
I feel a bit of a need to justify Step Brothers. It is admittedly a sophomoric comedy filled with crude humor. But Will Ferrell’s ability to do comedy with absolutely zero hint of self-awareness (for lack of a better word) and lack of an air of “look how funny I am” is great. But Adam Scott is who makes that film. He has amazing range as an actor and plays his self-absorbed character perfectly. It’s a way of showing my son “You are going to meet people like this in life. Treat them internally like you treat this character internally.”
One spring Saturday afternoon in 1982, you made me watch The Graduate. I didn't admit it at the time, but I was bored for the first 30 minutes. But after 45 minutes, I was hooked. Since then, I have always taken your movie recommendations to heart. I haven't seen every movie on your list, but I'm happy to say I've seen most, and they are definitely favorites...good to have my taste in movies validated! I now have marching orders to finish the rest.
I would add the following:
The Sting
Once Upon A Time In The West
Planet of the Apes
12 Angry Men
Catch Me If You Can
The Music Man
The Andromeda Strain
Honored for the mention! I knew limiting to 10 would be difficult if not impossible. My list of the films I want my boy to see was a combination of your criteria above and an ability to get cultural references (“What we have here is a failure to communicate” and “Put that coffee down!” to mention a couple) plus just an ambiguous “you need to see this one, son”. Here are mine (with the caveat that I may add or subtract at some time):
Godfather I
Godfather II
Cool Hand Luke
Inception
Shawshank Redemption
The Color Purple
This is Spinal Tap
Glengarry Glen Ross
True Grit (Cohen Brothers--apologies to John Wayne)
Step Brothers
Right now, Inception and Step Brothers are at the bottom of the list and in danger of relegation, to use a soccer term. They could easily exit the table especially if there’s a suggestion I hadn’t thought of.
Like you said, these are not the best movies of all time. Just what I think my son needs to see.
Well done Ashley. Most of them have key lines that have become Americana and define the picture.
The Sting should have made my list. I had forgotten even after it was on my earlier list. Step Brothers out. Sting in.