Those random movie lists

A recent trend in the social media world had netizens creating a list of their favorite stuff and then tagging their peers to do the same. One of the more popular category was movies and a nice example of such a list is this post (you owe me some views, C!). While I'm not a huge bigscreen guy, I can say I have my own share of flicks that have stuck with me throughout the years. Some are critically acclaimed and award-winning; others are just plain and average; but most are just hilarious, nonsense motion pictures that are included just because I thoroughly enjoyed watching them.

My sacred list starts on the next page. I've also included IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes ratings for each movie because I'd like to think the films I watch are of high quality. Or not.

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

IMDb: 8.1/10, RT: 93%

While wearing his blue suit, Beast tries to channel his inner X-Men days to woo Belle.

Tale as old as time...Barely even friends. *chills* I remember having a VHS copy of this movie which allowed me to watch it over and over until the melody of "Be Our Guest" got stuck in my head. Hands down the Disney movie that I can easily associate with my childhood days. Also, Beast had that bad-ass library which completely wowed the 5-year old me.

Recommended If You Like: Alladin (1992) - Genieeeee!; The Lion King (1994) - Hakuna Matata!; Tangled (2010) - oh Mandy Moore *hearts*; Wreck-It-Ralph (2012) - the gamer in me loved this!; and Frozen (2013) - let it... okay, I'll stop right there. 

Men In Black (1997)

IMDb: 7.2/10, RT: 92%

Big guns for blasting aliens. How can anyone NOT like that?

For some weird reason, the late nineties were littered with movies about extraterrestrials and their seemingly impending invasion of Earth. Men In Black was the best of the bunch for me. It also helped that around that period I was so engrossed with Will Smith The Rapper (True story: I memorized the lyrics of Gettin' Jiggy With It and Wild Wild West) and Men In Black's signature song had the Fresh Prince dropping bombs while being accompanied by a chorus of girls singing "Here comes the men in black!".

Recommended If You Like: Starship Troopers (1997) - back when Denise Richards was damn hot; Independence Day (1996) - well, hello there Will Smith; Mars Attacks! (1996) - creepy Martian look; and Species (1995) - teenage me drooling over a half-naked alien in the form of Natasha Hendstridge seducing and killing men.. eeerrrrr.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) 

IMDb: 8.8/10, RT: 96%

From left to right: scruffy horse guy, one old king, Saruman's cousin, the sharpshooting elf; and that dirty ranger. 

Okay, this is an easy one. I am undoubtedly one big unabashed fan of The Lord of the Rings franchise. The Two Towers was released during my freshman year in college and I remember watching it alone in SM North EDSA on its first day of screening. Much a fan.

The Two Towers undoubtedly had my most favorite moments in the trilogy such as the epic return of Gandalf to turn the tide at the Battle of Helm's Deep; the playful competition between Gimli and Legolas; Gandalf's transformation into a white wizard; and the freaking Ents going to war!! Having outstanding pre-war speeches like the one below by King Theoden also helps.

"Let this be the hour when we draw swords together. Fell deeds awake. Now for wrath, now for ruin, and the red dawn. Forth, Eorlingas!"

Recommended If You Like: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) - that council at Rivendell is the epitome of epic; The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003) - a.k.a Aragorn The Movie; Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011) - that battle scene at the end is one for the ages; and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (2005) - Aslaaaan!

Airplane! (1980)

IMDb: 7.8/10, RT: 98%

I miss your humor, Mr. Leslie Nielsen.

Oh boy, here's one that fits perfectly into the totally-stupid, bunch-of-nonsense category. I love parodies and spoofs and Airplane! seems to be the grandfather of them all. The film has boatloads of humorous lines, bad puns, and what I assume are comical references (because I can hardly relate to most of them). That's fine though especially when you have THE Leslie Nielsen (as Dr. Rumack) delivering hilarious quotes such as the infamous "Shirley" dialogue --

Rumack: Can you fly this plane, and land it?

Ted Striker: Surely you can't be serious.

Rumack: I am serious... and don't call me Shirley.

-- or this gem of a conversation between Rumack and Capt. Oveur.

Rumack: Captain, how soon can you land? 

Captain Oveur: I can't tell. 

Rumack: You can tell me. I'm a doctor. 

Captain Oveur: No. I mean I'm just not sure. 

Rumack: Well, can't you take a guess? 

Captain Oveur: Well, not for another two hours. 

Rumack: You can't take a guess for another two hours? 

Instant classic right there.

Recommended If You Like: Hot Shots (1991) - Fun fact #1: this movie actually led me to Airplane! Charlie Sheen at his finest; The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad (1988) - Lt. Frank Drebin FTW; and Johnny English (2003) -  not a James Bond guy but I'm big on Rowan Atkinson. Fun fact #2: Mr. Bean appeared on Hot Shots Part Deux (1993).

Tropic Thunder (2008)

IMDb: 7.0/10, RT: 83%

I honestly don't think this platoon will scare anyone.

Tropic Thunder's my go-to movie when I just wanna lie down and have some unadulterated laughter although others might be put off by most of its harsh, ignorant, rash, insensitive, and racist material. Not meeeeee! Robert Downey Jr.'s performance as an Aussie portraying a black guy is comedy GOLD. Totally hilarious. There's also Tom Cruise, who pulled off what could be the greatest insult in movie history as the filthy-mouthed Les Grossman. Go watch.

 

I'll end with this little exchange between Alpa Chino (the true black guy/gay in the film) and Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller's character).

Tugg Speedman: Now, let's go get those Viet Congs. [cocks his gun]

Alpa Chino: "Viet Cong!"

Tugg Speedman: What?

Alpa Chino: It's "Viet Cong." There's no "s," it's already plural. You wouldn't say "Chineses..."

Good job raising the banner of the good grammar society, Alpa Chino.

Recommended If You Like: Ted (2012) - the "Thunder Song"; 21 Jumpstreet (2012) - never realized Channing Tatum can be so damn funny - also the Korean Jesus; White Chicks (2004) - Terry Crews and A Thousand Miles; and This Is The End (2013) - the cast is like a gathering of modern comedy legends  -- Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel, Michael Cera, Danny McBride, Jason Segel, Aziz Ansari, Mindy Kaling, Paul Rudd, Kevin Hart, and Channing Tatum -- plus a bunch of wicked cameos from Rihanna, Emma Watson (!), and the Backstreet Boys! Insane.

A Walk To Remember (2002)

IMDb: 7.4/10, RT: 27%

What the hell happened to Shane West's career?

I'll be honest. Looking back at it now, A Walk To Remember is a bad movie -- the predictable Nicholas Sparks storyline, some horrific acting jobs, and awful dialogue kills it -- but it still connected with me somehow primarily because of two reasons:

1. I watched the movie with a bunch of guys (all my dorm mates in UP) and we were all teary-eyed by the time the credits rolled.

2. My crazy, weird fanaticism of Mandy Moore. Sorry roomie for using your PC to play her songs on repeat!

Don't ask me how I got into Mandy Moore back then or I might just start singing her... I'll always remember, it was late afternoon...

Recommended If You Like: The Notebook (2004) - that scene where old Allie freaked out over old Noah killed me; Sweet November (2001) - the 12 gifts of Christmas scene was too cheesy but it gave me the inspiration for a certain yuletide gift giving *wink*; Her (2013) - love story gone literally virtual; The Classic (2003) - the patented sad Korean drama; and One Day (2011) - interesting concept, realistic, and Anne Hathaway *hearts*.

Saw (2004)

IMDb: 7.7/10, RT: 48%

I want to play a game. *cue that Triple H entrance song*

The Saw franchise is famous for its gruesome, ingenious "games" resulting to huge pools of blood but the first installment actually had a decent story and didn't have to rely on complex contraptions to attract audiences. The infamous bathroom scene has become a cult favorite even getting a spoof spot in the opening scene of Scary Movie 4. Saw is also one of the few movies that gave me a "holy s***!" moment. That twist in the ending was totally unexpected. *Hello Zepp starts playing* Game over!

Recommended If You Like: Final Destination (2000) - for some of the weirdest causes of death; Ring (1998) - watched it in my dorm room, slept with the lights on; Cabin In The Woods (2012) - satire take on the horror genre; and I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) - a slasher film back when Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddy Prince Jr., and Ryan Philippe were bonafide A-listers.

Toy Story 3 (2010)

IMDb: 8.4/10, RT: 99%

This has gotta be one of the saddest panels ever.

Anytime an animated movie makes grown-ups everywhere cry and wail and reach for the tissue bin, then you know it's one that has touched the hearts of a whole generation. Toy Story 3 did exactly that and more, evading the curse that usually haunts a third movie and delivering a fitting ending to the franchise. I'll admit. I was on the verge of manly tears during the scene where Andy had to leave Buzz, Woody and the gang. Just so much, too much, outpouring of feels.

Recommended If You Like: Pixar movies like Up (2009) - still a better love story than Twilight; Ratatouille (2007) - I bet Remy can win it all if he joined Masterchef; Monsters Inc. (2001) - adorable Boo repeatedly shouting Mike Wazowski's name; and Finding Nemo (2003) - and this how the clownfish was introduced to the world.

The Matrix (1999)

IMDb: 8.7/10, RT: 87%

I'm sure everyone wanted to have the ability to this back in 1999.

More than the philosophical material embedded in the movie, I think The Matrix was a definite game-changer in terms of those revolutionary fight scenes. The action freezes, camera spins a full 360 degrees, BANG, fighting resumes. It was glorious and you'd see its influence in later films like 300 (those bloody Spartans) and Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle. On a personal note, The Matrix also seriously made me want to purchase my own slick black trench coat and then bend my back to avoid imaginary bullets. That's how monumental this movie was for me.

Recommended If You Like: Science fiction movies like Avatar (2009) - probably the most gorgeous movie in terms of colors; Looper (2012) - an amazing time travel flick and anything JGL touches these days turns to gold; Moon (2009) - considered one of the best sci fi movies in recent years; Minority Report (2002) - solving crimes even before they are committed; and Source Code (2011) - how to live your remaining 8 minutes differently.

The Dark Knight (1999)

IMDb: 8.6/10, RT: 94%

Best Joker ever. RIP Heath Ledger.

And we're finally down to my last movie. There were so many things done right with The Dark Knight that the only thing I can complain of is that unintentionally (?) disturbing deep voice of Batman. Other than that, you've got the dark moody atmosphere set by Nolan, a formidable villain in the form of The Joker which was played astoundingly by Ledger, the epic ship scene which touched on the moral aspects of humanity, and Maggie Gylenhaal reprising the role played by Katie Holmes in Batman Begins. Oh, and no nipples on the Batsuit! So much win.

Recommended If You Like: Christopher Nolan's work such as Batman Begins (2005) - awesome start to how superhero movies should be made; The Dark Knight Rises (2012) - I do not read the comic books so the twist in the end surprised me; Inception (2010) - the movie the created the term "mindf***"; Memento (2000) - memory loss based thriller; and The Prestige (2006) - Nikola Tesla!

*****

As a summary, here's the average of the ten movies I listed based on their IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes ratings: IMDb - 7.97/10; Rotten Tomatoes: 81.7%. Hmmm. Not bad! Thoughts?