10. Her

Feelings:

It was New Year’s Day of 2014 and the year before I went to the movies Christmas day by myself to see Django Unchained. That was the first time I had gone to the movies by myself. I don’t really love that movie anymore, but I did the same with Her. I thought about the film the whole bus ride home and I instantly loved the movie. I think it is the best film that came out of 2013 and Spike Jonze is taking forever to make a new film. I am attracted to the relationship that they experience it is my favorite romantic film. Since Blue Valentine is a bleak look at a relationship and I guess this is as well. Maybe I just like relationships that end up in the gutter since all good things must come to an end anyway.

“I think anybody who falls in love is a freak. It’s a crazy thing to do. It’s kind of like a form of socially acceptable insanity.”

— Amy

My Favorite Scene:

My favorite scene in this film is probably when they go out on their first date. Their such naivety in the characters . They are getting to know each other and their surroundings. They are optimistic and full of joy as is every relationship at the start.

My Favorite Character:

Theodore is my favorite character this is a great performance by Joaquin he shows us a devastated man, compassionate, open, sensitive, melancholy and understanding all in one.

6. Chunking Express

Feelings:

Yeesh is this film ultra dope. I thought that both stories did not lend much to themselves in regards to characters/content. I like the second half a lot better, I thought it had a clearer sense, the characters even though they struggle with their wants it is clear from the beginning that they are seeking eachother. The first half felt like a David Lynch film. I like David Lynch. The soundtrack and the color palette are astonishing. This is Lost in Translation before Lost in Translation.

My Favorite Scene:

Would be when the apartment is flooding.

My Favorite Character:

Faye is my favorite character she is all over the place. She is beautiful and curious it felt like an episode of Tom & Jerry.

3. The Dark Knight

Feelings:

This film series means a lot to me. The Dark Knight Rises is what solidified my want to make films. However, The Dark Knight was an epic experience and the most memorable one I had growing up. I am sure it is similar to a lot of people witnessing Star Wars or any of those lame 80’s films. After watching this film for the first time I came out with my mind blown. I was like what the fuck did I just see??? As time has passed I have grown less fondly of the film as a whole. However, Heath Ledger as the Joker is still my favorite male performance of all time closely followed by Ethan Hawke in First Reformed and Robert Michum in The Night of the Hunter.

My Favorite Scene:

The Final showdown before Batman gets to Joker with the fucking sonar. That scene is amazing!

My Favorite Character:

Every scene with Heath Ledger as the Joker he just controls every scene like I have never seen another actor move. I guess Joaquin Phoenix and Daniel Day Lewis have done it as well, but I thought Heath was up there. He ran circles around Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal,

1. Halloween (1978)

Feelings:

The pacing, soundtrack, characters and malevolence of the antagonist make this the best horror movie of all time. It is usually my favorite film, but I constantly flip between this and Taxi Driver. It is the ultimate film and a lot of it came about due to budgetary constraints and a form of fluid creativity and collaboration removed from ego.

Fuck both of the remakes especially the David Gordon Green one, ew.

My Favorite Scene:

The lead up to Annie’s murder

My Favorite Character:

Michael Myers man!

He is also responsible for some my worst nightmares.