October 14, 2002.
My Top Eight Favorite Movies

Okay. Just because once in a while you need an entry that is not about death or materialism or work woes or crises of faith, here is an entry all about my favorite movies. Listed in no particular order.

And I'm using the word favorite for a reason. I know these aren't necessarily the best movies out there. They're just my favorites.

THE NATURAL 1984 Directed by Barry Levinson Starring Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close Okay. Quite possibly my top favorite movie of all time. It's an airbrushed Americana baseball movie that somehow manages to convincingly incorporate a boatload of mythical allusions (a note to my more sagacious readers: explore links between Roy's saga and the story of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Wrigley Field as Camelot! Also, consider the ties between Roy's "quest" and the quest of Odysseus in The Odyssey. Really. Yes, this movie has a Cyclops!). It's beautifully shot and has a terrific cast, and man, I just love a movie where the good guys are good guys and the bad guys are bad guys. (I bet you can guess which side wins in this one.)

AMADEUS 1984 Directed by Milos Forman Starring Tom Hulce, F. Murray Abraham The soundtrack is spectacular; the scenery and costuming is lavish. It's what happens when Salieri, a moderately talented composor, decides to devote his life to bringing down his rival, Mozart. It's a thrilling psychological study and a spectacular visual treat.

MAGNOLIA 1999 Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson Starring John C. Reilly, Tom Cruise, Julianne Moore The people in this movie are not afraid to swear (the word "fuck" is heard more than 175 times in its 3-hour duration). It's got a lot of rough edges but I think it is also full of truth. This is one of those ensemble pieces that has an enormous cast. The story of about eight people living in the San Fernando Valley — each struggling with their own particular demons. This is the kind of movie that you either love or you hate. I happened to love it.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC 1965 Directed by Robert Wise Starring Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer I love the contrast between Paul Thomas Anderson and Julie Andrews! This one's got cheerful songs, nuns in full habit, and dancing children wearing clothes made out of curtains. That's enough for me!

THE STRAIGHT STORY 1999 Directed by David Lynch Starring Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek Richard Farnsworth was one of my favorites. This is the story of Alvin, who at age 73 decides that he needs to reconcile his broken relationship with his brother. He doesn't have a car so he hops on his John Deere tractor and attempts to drive it all the way to his brother's house — from Iowa to Wisconsin. I admit that this one might have made the list because David Lynch directed it. Okay. It's still a delightful movie. Richard Farnsworth is perfect in his role as a troubled man at the end of his life. There's lots to ponder as you join him on his gently unfolding journey. An understated, beautiful film.

GONE WITH THE WIND 1939 Directed by David O. Selznick Starring Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Leslie Howard, Olivia deHavilland An obsession of mine since childhood, when Beth and I would watch it over and over again. Then Beth's mother would ask me, "Which character in the movie do you like best?" I would always choose Scarlett, because, well, duh. Scarlett is Scarlett! I watched part of this movie again a few months ago and was struck by it. I think if Beth's mom asked me that same question today, I'd probably pick Melanie, or maybe even Rhett. (She would be pleased if I picked Melanie, who makes a much better role model for a young lady.) It's a tour de force and a truly epic film. Clark Gable stars as the stunningly masculine Rhett Butler, who is irrationally stuck on the irrationally stubborn Scarlett. Vivien Leigh, of course, is unforgettable as Scarlett — she can handle the Civil War and any horror that follows, except for losing the love of the man she craves. And, um, well, the costumes are just gorgeous. Costumes are very important to me as a movie-watcher.

A ROOM WITH A VIEW 1986 Directed by James Ivory Starring Helena Bonham-Carter, Maggie Smith, Julian Sands At one point in this movie, the dashing Julian Sands climbs a short tree in the middle of a field, and cries at the top of his lungs, "Love! Truth! Beauty!" He then falls out of the tree and creates quite a spectacle. It's classic Merchant-Ivories, with the corseted Helena Bonham-Carter having to choose between the comfort of what is known and the dangers of wild love. This movie would not work without the lavish soundtrack — Dame Kiri Te Kaniwa's rendition of "O Mio Caro" just takes your breath away. This movie has made me fully determined to tour Florence at least once in my life.

VERTIGO 1958 Directed by Alfred Hitchcock Starring James Stewart, Kim Novak While I enjoy the steamy sultriness of To Catch a Thief and the slow burn of Rear Window, this is still my all-time favorite Hitchcock. Killer opening titles, a chilling soundtrack, and Kim Novak as a smolderingly beautiful woman in deep distress. This is a movie that sticks with you for a long, long time.