The Favorite Films Of My Lifetime: 2005

2005 contains one of the most depreciated films to win Best Picture that I can recall.  Before it won the honors it was a well respected and genuinely liked film.  Once they were handed the trophy its been hated so much that its even been called one of the worst movies ever.  I'm talking, of course, of Paul Haggis' Crash.  I think the film is kind of safe, but I still enjoy it.  Its got some good performances and while the issues are a bit on the nose, they're still goo ones to see play out.  The storytelling pattern of Crash would be something that would be utilized in many films for the next few years as well.  2005 also marks the year I moved to Los Angeles and Crash had a lot of locations I was becoming familiar with, so I kind of easily warmed to it.  Its also notable that this is the year I joined forces with the infamous Scott Mendelson.

The Favorite Films Of My Lifetime: 1993

 1993's list is a fun looking one.  There's plenty of variety to it.  This one also struck me as its one that seems to be comprised of film that look like they could appear on a lot of people's favorite films of all time lists.  I was also totally forgot that The Fugitive was a Best Picture nominee that year.  With all the lists of Best Picture nominees we've been going with it surely stands out among them as its one that seemed to be the general audience's champion for that year (of those nominated).  Anyway, let's take a look at those.

The Favorite Films Of My Lifetime: 1984

This was a pretty damn good year in terms of having to weed films down.  It came down to being honest with myself.  Ultimately, Beverly Hills Cop was cut from this list as I hadn't picked up in forever until I did the retrospective this past summer.  The others on this list are ones I have seen countless times and have been with me for years and years and always jump with me from home video format to home video format.  1984 was a good year.  And, these films all hit the 30 year milestone this year.

The Favorite Films Of My Lifetime: 1982

A question I've gotten asked as a film guy a lot throughout my life (and I'm sure folks who aren't try the same thing) is "What are your (10) favorite films of all time?"  Seems a simple and fair question on its surface, but to me its an incredibly complex one to someone who has engulfed themselves in film for just about their whole life.  Just 10?  I'm going to forget something or have a hard time choosing between many.  I love film.  Movies are my love and passion in life.  They've kinda been one of the most important aspects of my life and personality.  I've been on this Earth for 31 years and there have been thousands of movies released in my lifetime.  I've found myself loving many of them.  But, a bigger picture, movies have been around for over 100 years now.  Think of how many have been made from then to now.  And you want to crack that down to just 10-20...even 100 seems like you're going to be leaving off a lot.  I just don't think its fair to dwindle it down to that number.  Plus every year brings even more great films to add to history.

Quickie Retrospective: Gremlins (1984)

Gremlins
1984
Director: Joe Dante
Writer: Chris Columbus
Starring: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Frances Lee McCain, Judge Reinhold, Corey Feldman, Dick Miller
Rated: PG

They're watching Snow White. And they love it.
      ~Billy Peltzer



Merry Christmas or Happy Day Off Work for those who don't partake.  And for those of you not qualifying for either working, thank you for putting the hours today to help those who are in need of you or your company's services.  Happy Friggin' Holidays I guess could cover it, but being as its December 25th I think its a bit obvious what day I'm commemorating this piece with.  I'm covering one of my all-time favorite movies and its a Christmas movie at that!  GREMLINS, baby! Ho ho freakin' ho!