Patricia E. Kefalas Dudek
Advocate for Elders, People
with Disabilities
and Their Families
Here are thoughts on some of my favorite movies.

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The Avengers - S.H.I.E.L.D. - Law and the Multiverse (Superheroes, supervillains, and the law)

Patti's Comment: I loved the film, we need Heroes! But love this discussion of the law as it relates to SHIELD even more. Geeks of the World Unite!

Harry Potter Series - J.K. Rowling
From Digg.com: A synopsis of Star Wars with a few words replaced becomes a synopsis of Harry Potter! Patti's comments: I have been talking about this for years and I am so glad to hear that someone else agrees with me...anyone else??? All Harry Potter films: Stephanie says "Love ‘em."
A Riot of His Own - Joe Strummer- Punk Rock War Lord from the documentary just released about his life entitled: a Riot of His Own. For more information check out the review in PASTE MAGAZINE (I love this magazine, you get a disk with every issue).

This was a wonderful film. I am ashamed to say I booed them off the stage at the Who concert in 1982. When they sang, “Should I stay or should I go” I (along with many others) yelled “GO!” The only excuse I have is that we had been there all day, already sat through Eddie Money and now had to listen to a band rather than our Rock and Roll idols. Years later I read comments about the Clash from Pete Townsend, Green Day, and other respected bands about what a great influence Clash was/is to Rock and Roll and Punk. Too bad that I did not really appreciate it until the band was broke up as I was too stubborn (those of you that know me should not be surprised).

Joe lead a sad young life, which reminded me of John Lennon. Isolation and loss lead to such great rebels. Joe lost a family member at a young age like John. Joe’s brother killed himself at a young age. Then he joined a Liverpool art school to find a way to deal with the pain. For any punk rockers, or just lovers of rock and roll, you will enjoy this film. I give it my highest recommendation!!

A few quotes from the film: Joe broke into empty homes to have a place to live and start the band. His girlfriend says, “Can’t leave homes empty now when there are people that are homeless, right??”

Mick Taylor says, “That is what is great about punk rock, if you are ugly you were in!!” (Now what teenager would not love that?). Bono added how the Clash changed his life, and Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers backed him up, saying, “There is no point to singing or playing if you have nothing to say” - that is what Joe taught us.

As you may tell there is an interesting group of folks commenting in this documentary: ex wives, ex band mates; past band mates; Johnny Depp (yum) but most importantly (and I did not know this before hand) John Cusack! It was a surprise Pete did not comment or anyone from Green Day. Joe Strummer died five years ago this month. He could have died of this defect at any time especially given the punk life lifestyle he lived.

Thank Goodness he did not! Thank you also to my cousin Mark McDowell who recommended this film (you can get it on pay for view). I never knew that my cousin Mark liked anyone musically except Bruce Springsteen and the country music he and Aunt Helen forced me to listen to as I traveled across Texas with them. I finally found a Motown special to save me...

I you have free time and enjoy punk rock - this is a film not to miss! Click here for more Joe Strummer News.
U.S. vs. John Lennon - I just finished watching the US v. John Lennon. Anyone who wonders why I love John so much more than Paul needs to watch this movie. I think you will see a bit of me in John. This man is a role model of mine, and I am proud of how he stood up for what he thought was right….. PEACE!! Hoover is certainly not one of my favorite people...but others in the film were. Gore Vidal’s quote made me laugh, “John stood for life and peace, and Mr. Nixon and Mr. Bush stand for death and that is bad….”

The really scary thing for me is how little things have changed. When I compare what Hoover and Nixon did to John, it reminds me of Bush’s reaction to the Dixie Chicks. I now want to add another song to be played at my funeral: "Imagine"...I recommend this movie to anyone who did not know that the FBI’s watching of John started in Michigan. (I had no clue, or if I did, I forgot as my husband says.)

Lastly, I must say that I respectfully disagree with anyone that thinks Mick and the Stones are the best Rock and Roll Band of all time or that Kurt Cobain who never stood for any political issues that I know of, was the voice of a generation, just like John was. First of all, John was a voice for GENERATIONS and still is. Second of all, John was murdered for his beliefs and did not take his own life. He managed to try to use his status for good, like Bono, Neal Young, George Harrison, Bruce and others. The U.S. tried to deport John for smoking dope… maybe had they stopped Kurt from shooting up on coke he would still be here.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - The family and I went to see this - it is still cheesy (even more now) but we all loved it. I also happen to think Kate Blanchett is a wonderful actress, and this was my least favorite role for her....
The Secret Garden - One of my favorite Books is the Secret Garden. This is a great version of the favorite book in a movie, set to my beloved Peter Townsend. Doesn't get much better than this! Let My Love Open The Door.
Miscellaneous Listings:
1) A Fish Called Wanda (1988) – John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Michael Palin. One of the silliest movies ever. Kevin Kline won an Oscar for this role. Fierce Creatures (1997) was the sequel, also good – but not as creative as the first one.
2) All Harry Potter Films – Stephanie says Love ‘em.
3) American Graffiti – Happy Days created due to success of this film. Watch for Harrison Ford
4) And Justice for All – Scared me about the justice system
5) Animal House – Stephanie thinks its “bad” and “silly” and I think it’s a MASTERPIECE
6) Annie Hall
7) Anything with Bogie
8) Apocalypse Now – Another classic – based on The Heart of Darkness
9) Bad News Bears – Original
10) Batman (first one) Michael Keaton (is hot!)
11) Because I Said So – Stephanie says, Good mother/daughter movie
12) Becoming Jane – Stephanie says, Anyone who likes Jane Austin will love it!!
13) Being There – Peter Sellers
14) The Philadelphia Story – Kate Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart, & Cary Grant are Awesome
15) Bonnie & Clyde – Great & Sad Ending
16) Bull Durham – I loved Tim Robbins in this movie (he is so young and clueless)
17) Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – Great Music; Sad & Fun
18) Cactus Flower – Goldie Hawn and Walter Matthau – Funny, funny movie based on the play. I acted in this at MSU
19) Caddyshack – Another classic – Bill Murray plays himself!
20) Casablanca – I love Bogie and this film helped my understand some of the scary ways WWII impacted the lives of people. Best last line of a movie ever!
21) Chariots of Fire – Reminds me of North Farmington track
22) Charlotte's Web – :Stephanie says Best movie ever created 2007 version. Made Stephanie cry! Book is still better!
23) Chocolat – Most sexist Johnny Depp film ever. Drink red wine, eat dark chocolate and enjoy!
24) Cider House Rules – Sad, dark and meaningful. Michael Caine won an Academy Award for this role
25) Citizen Kane – Sad, Awesome – Masterpiece
26) Coal Miner's Daughter (1980) – Sissy Spacek did her own singing and won a well deserved Oscar!
27) Color Purple – Play is wonderful – Sad Story
28) Con Air – Love Nicholas Cage and John Cusack
29) Cool Hand Luke – Paul Newman is so damn cool. The eggs are gross!
30) Dark Victory – Bette Davis – Scared me as a kid.
31) Dead Poet's Society – I cried like a baby
32) Die Hard – Alan Rickman is just a great actor.
33) Diner (1982) – One of the best films ever made - hands down! Barry Levinson’s directorial debut. Great cast!
34) Dirty Dancing – I’ve seen it a million times. Kelly Bishop plays Baby’s mom! “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.”
35) Dreamgirls – Play was wonderful, music is great, especially for one raised in Motown.
36) Music and Lyrics – Hugh Grant plays the greatest 1980s has-been pop singer. Drew Barrymore is delightful. Stephanie says Awesome music very funny
37) Driving Lesson – Ron Weasley – Reminds me of Harold and Maude. Stephanie says, Awesome total British Hannah movie.
38) Driving Miss Daisy – I saw the play in London and thought the movie would not be as good – I was wrong!
39) E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – What can I say? Reese’s pieces are wonderful.
40) Earthgirls Are Easy – So bad it is so funny. I loved Downtown Julie Brown singing “Cause I’m a Blonde”. The 80’s version of a stupid-mindless movie!
41) Easy Rider – Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper – Awesome hippy film! I went to that cemetery in New Orleans.
42) Election – First of all Matthew Broderick as a principal? Reese Witherspoon is the girl we all hated in high school.
43) Emma – The wait is worth it!! Glad I was not a girl during this time frame.
44) Encino Man – Pauly Shore - Brendan Fraser – Such a funny role for Fraser.
45) Enemy Mine – With Dennis Quaid & Lou Gossett, Jr.
46) F/X & F/X II – So smart. Reminds me of Home Alone.
47) Fast Times at Ridgemont High – Sean Penn and so many others make this a funny, funny timeless classic.
48) Ferris Bueller's Day Off – I love when Broderick talks to us. I love that Cameron wears a Gordy Howe jersey. I love the car!
49) Field of Dreams – “If you build it, they will come”, one of the best baseball movies ever made.
50) Finding Neverland – I love this film. It is a part of me! I wish I could write like this!
51) Freaky Friday (Both Versions) – It cracks me up that Jodi Foster’s boyfriend plays the UPS/Fed EX guy in the re-make.
52) Garden State – Any film that pays tribute to Harold and Maude is OK by me!
53) Ghost – Romantic comedy – Demi Moore's best film and Patrick Swayze and Whoopi Goldberg at their best
54) Godfather Series – Just when I thought I was out – they pull me back in. I love Andy Garcia and the Elvis Costello music, of course, its wonderful.
55) Gone with the Wind – Book is so much better! But this film holds our interest for almost four hours. Vivian Leigh fought for this role, owned it and was awarded an Oscar! I cried when Rhett Butler said, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn”. Mrs. Mitchell's book is really better than this film (it's true!) As much as I love this film, the book is a must read. In Atlanta the home in which she wrote the book is also a must see! She is also buried in the same cemetery as Bobby Jones (yes, the Master's Bobby Jones). So there is something for everyone. This book was written as Mrs. Mitchell recovered from a major injury. It is the only book she ever wrote - and she almost never published it (can you imagine?) The first time I read this book I was 13 and it was a great way to start learning about the Civil War. This war, Lincoln, slavery and its impact are still important historical lessons for us all. I love the film, but I urge you all not to miss out on this masterpiece of a book. PS Harper Lee's only book and the film based on To Kill a Mockingbird are similar - both are not to be missed. Contrary to my recommendation with Gone with the Wind, read the book first! (Then watch the movie) For kids (I was 12 the first time I read this book), I recommend watching the film first, then reading the book. The depth of this story is not easy to "get" the first time. PPS I feel the same way about Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer as well - watch a film version first, then read or listen to the book. The language is wonderful, but is a bit difficult for young kids. For example Twain uses the "N" word - and I needed to explain that word and why it shouldn't be used first. You may want to as well. Stephanie says, Love it!
56) Goodfellas – Masterpiece of Drama
57) Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men – Wonderful films. Reminds me of Frank Kefalas and his friends!!!!
58) Guess Who's Coming to Dinner – Spencer Tracy at his best struggling with his daughter’s choice of boyfriend Sidney Poitier
59) Hair Spray (1988 version) – Way better than the second. The songs are better, too.
60) Hard Day's Night – Silly, but its still the Beatles!
61) Harold & Maude (1972) – Cult favorite and favorite of PKD and John Dudek
62) Holiday Inn – First movie “White Christmas” is in. Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire (who is the coolest Male dancer ever!)
63) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom – Elaina loves this movie more than the other Indiana Jones movies. Stephanie and I hate Kate Capshaw’s screaming throughout the file, and who is this little kid “Short Round” and what happens to him?
64) It's a Wonderful Life – Long, long Frank Capra film. Jimmy Stewart is simply wonderful. I cry every year!
65) Jane Eyre (1944) – Orson Welles and young Elizabeth Taylor
66) Judgment at Nuremberg – Long, but important film. A must see for everyone at least once, just a history lesson.
67) Juno – Funny, smart film. Strange, but wonderful imperfect relationships.
68) La Bamba – Marshall Crenshaw is in this movie, but so is Brian Setzer
69) Legally Blonde (only #1 – although 2 is noteworthy as well) – Moral – girls can do anything boys can do and still look good! Stephanie says, Way awesome!
70) Mame (1974)
71) Mansfield Park (IFC) – Very true to the Jane Austin book.
72) Mary Poppins – First movie I ever saw at a theater at Livonia Mall
73) Mean Girls – Funny, dark, silly film. I loved it. Funny until the end, the end is way realistic.
74) Men in Black I & II – Silly and dark sci-fi film. The ride at Universal rocks!! Totally believable, but so fake.
75) Monty Python and the Holy Grail – Funny, silly of traditional story.
76) Moonstruck – Cher and Nicholas Cage are wonderful. Very realistic of Greek and Italian families determining everything including the most personal of things at the kitchen table with the whole family participating.
77) Mr. Mom – Michael Keaton is so crazy and funny. Martin Mull is so funny.
78) My Big Fat Greek Wedding – My life on film – without the Dad holding the daughter back.
79) My Fair Lady – I love Audrey Hepburn and this movie!
80) Nancy Drew (2007) – Cute re-make of books. I thought it would be horrible. But I was pleasantly surprised. Cute, the ending is heart-warming.
81) Night Shift – Ron Howard’s first movie as a director. I laughed so hard.
82) Patton – Long, long but great movie which accurately portrays this famous American general.
83) Payton Place – The book is better!! A true soap opera
84) Peggy Sue Got Married – Marshall Crenshaw & Nicholas Cage – Silly movie, but still a favorite of mine. How can Helen Hunt be Cage’s daughter?
85) Philadelphia – Tom Hanks and Bruce Springsteen Movie
86) Porky’s – One of the dirtiest and funniest movies ever made about high school.
87) Purple Rose of Cairo – My favorite Woody Allen Film. Jeff Daniels’ Purple Rose Theatre was named after this film
88) Quadrophenia – I wouldn’t have made it to adulthood without this film and album (CD). Dark teen angst and The Who!
89) Raiders of the Lost Ark – The first and best Indiana Jones film. Simply Wonderful!!
90) Rocky (Only 1) – Rags and riches gem. I can hardly stand the other versions.
91) Rushmore – This film is one of Bill Murray's best films of all time. This is a movie about being an outsider. It is so funny it is dark or visa versa. The star is Tia Shire's son - of Coppela fame and wine. The music is great as well.
92) Sabrina (1954 & 1995 Versions) – Hepburn and Bogie are still better than Harrison Ford
93) Saving Private Ryan – Intense and scary film. Great cast and great line: “Earn it” (by Tom Hanks to Matt Damon).
94) Scary Movie (First One) – So funny and Scary!!
95) Seabiscuit – Sad, but wonderful story. Book is Great!!
96) Schindler's List – Another history less on film
97) Shrek I, II, III – I love everything about these films. Moral: Don’t judge a book/person by their cover/looks. Funny and silly.
98) Sixteen Candles – A classic, wonderful teen film!!
99) Sonja Henie Movies
100) St. Elmo’s Fire – Demi Moore falling apart is great, but I love Andrew McCarthy in his role as the misunderstood writer.
101) Star Wars – Harrison Ford is great
102) Star Wars – Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope, with The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983) serving as Episodes Five and Six in the serial, and Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace. I am not sure the last one was worth waiting for. George Lucas is wonderful!
103) Shaun of the Dead (2004) – Funny re-make of The Dawn of the Dead
104) Stripes – Bill Murray is so wonderful.
105) Sybil – Book is amazing and so is Sally Field.
106) Taxi Driver – Violent, sad, disturbing, and wonderful film
107) The Age of Innocence – Sad and wonderful film about longing.
108) The Big Chill – MSU beats Michigan. Motown music is background. I love this film, and it feels comforting when I see it…
109) The Breakfast Club – Don’t Forget About Me! Another classic teen film.
110) The Brothers McMullen – Wonderful Film. Sarah McLachlan’s music compliments the story wonderfully.
111) The Buddy Holly Story – Marshall Crenshaw would be a good one as well
112) The Deer Hunter – Disturbing film. Robert De Niro was robbed for not getting an Oscar!
113) The Dirty Dozen – Classic
114) The Fugitive – Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones are great together.
115) The Goodbye Girl – Richard Dreyfuss
116) The Graduate – “Plastics,” Dustin Hoffman, and Ann Bancroft rock and so does this plot and music
117) The Jane Austin Book Club – Awesome, funny good discussions of the books. Good for any Jane Austin lover.
118) The Last Temptation of Christ
119) The Lion in Winter – Katharine Hepburn and Peter O'Toole
120) The Mission - One of the saddest movies ever. I cried for days.
121) The Mummy Movies – Indiana Jones only with hunky Brenden Frasier instead.
122) The Outsiders – Sad, totally sad. Stephanie says true to book.
123) The Pirates of the Caribbean (All 3) – Awesome good adventure movie!! Johnny Depp ROCKS!
124) The Rookie – Dennis Quaid as a middle-aged pitcher who makes it to the dance. Great for all ages and sexes.
125) The Secret Policeman's Other Ball – Worthy Cause, Pete Townsend, Sting, and Monty Python – need I say more?
126) The Shawshank Redemption – Written by Stephen King – Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman shine in this film.
127) The Shining – “Red Run” – Book is Better!! But Classic Film
128) The Sound of Music – Stephanie says Memorable songs, and classic story.
129) The Sting – Great Music, Great Story
130) The Sunshine Boys – I saw this film three times
131) The Sure Thing (Gable and Lombard - It Happened One Night) – John Cusack and Tim Robbins
132) The Turning Point – Sad and Wonderful Story of Friendship and Ballet
133) The Verdict – Paul Newman
134) The Wizard of Oz – Books are better, but monkeys still are scary. I love this film and music and story. Better story in the awesome, wonderful musical on stage now! I love Wicked!!!
135) The World According to Garp – One of the most humorous books ever written by John Irving made into a movie that makes you laugh, cry and appreciate who you are as a person.
136) Titanic – For film that you enter into knowing the ending - it's a wonder!! I didn't sleep for days after watching it. Stephanie says I love it, total love story. I slept well after I saw it. I got a big interest in the Titanic after I saw it. But now I have a fear of going on cruises.
137) To Kill a Mockingbird – Best and Most Beloved Book, Movie, Lawyer of all time!
138) Tommy – The Who’s rock opera
139) Tootsie – Dustin Hoffman, Bill Murray and Teri Garr
140) Trading Places – Eddie Murphy is so funny!
141) War Games/Project X – Helen Hunt, Matthew Broderick
142) What a Girl Wants – Great films!!
143) What in the World is Eating Gilbert Grape – Anyone that questions Leonardo's or Jonny Depp's acting abilities needs to watch this film. Leo is wonderful and realistic as a young boy with a disability.
144) When Harry Met Sally – Rob Reiner films (Princess Bride, This is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, American President)
145) White Christmas – Good movie, good music.
146) Willow – Ron Howard’s Wonderful Film
147) Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King – All are violent, true to the books, and long.
148) Can't Buy Me Love
149) Flashback – Kiefer Sutherland & Dennis Hopper
150) The Hustler – Paul Newman & Jackie Gleason
151) Risky Business (I still dislike Tom Cruise) – I do love teen films, though!
152) With Honors – Brendan Fraser & Joe Pesci
153) Sideways – Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haydn Church, Virginia Madsen & Sandra Oh
154) A Chorus Line – Music and Dancing are unforgettable. I usually do not care for Michael Douglas, but this is a rare film of his – one based on a Broadway musical! I never saw it live – so that is likely why I enjoy this so much!
155) Fiddler on the Roof – Music, Dancing, and Story are wonderful
156) Paris Trout – Dennis Hopper – evil as usual.
157) Night of the Living Dead – Classic and Amazing ending
158) Clerks – Funny, dirty, original film – Kevin Smith Rocks!
159) Brother, Where Art Thou? – Entertaining, but weird movie.
160) The Ten Commandments – Stephanie says Good story, bad music, it could put me to sleep.
161) Ben-Hur – What a Ride!
162) Spartacus – “I AM SPARTACUS”
163) 2001: A Space Odyssey – Strange and Entertaining
164) Lolita (Stanley Kubrick's version)
165) Shakespeare in Love – The entire film is wonderful! Great music
166) Anastasia
167) The Music Man – Stephanie says Funny movie, awesome costumes.
168) Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
169) The Nutty Professor (Jerry Lewis)
170) Beverly Hills Cop (I and II) – Eddie Murphy in Detroit with Gilbert Hill – great fun and music!
171) Interview with a Vampire – I hate Tom Cruise, but I watched this again and enjoyed it. Everyone, but Tom is great. Tom is just not who I saw when reading the books.
172) Cape Fear (Both Versions) – Robert Mitchum & Gregory Peck and Robert DeNiro & Nick Nolte
173) Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead – Hamlet in the background
174) Parenthood – Stephanie says Funny. I love this!
175) Sid and Nancy (1986) – Gary Oldman, Courtney Love, Chloe Webb – Dark, compelling story about Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols
176) Cat on a Hot Tin Roof – True to the Play
177) Tender Mercies – Robert Duvall
178) The Postman Rings Twice – Jack is strange, but interesting
179) The Witches of Eastwick – Jack is so cool
180) Malcolm X – Denzel Washington is great. True to book
181) Back to the Future (I, II, and III) – Stephanie says, Funny movies, good history lessons.
182) Stuart Little – Stephanie says, Good for little kids, but amusing for all ages.
183) Little Women (1949 & 1994 Versions)
184) Rocky Horror Picture Show
185) As Good As It Gets
186) My Cousin Vinny
187) William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet – Leonardo DiCaprio
188) West Side Story – Stephanie says, Love it, awesome costumes and dances. I saw this movie on a very small black and white TV as a very young child. This was years before I fell in love with Shakespeare. Years later, several British literature classes later I finally realized this was based on Romeo and Juliet set to wonderful music by Leonard Bernstein and Steven Sondheim. This film won 10 Academy Awards - need I say more? Great way to explain gangs and tragedy to children.
189) Andy Hardy movies
190) National Velvet (1944) – Mickey Rooney, Elizabeth Taylor, Angela Lansbury, Anne Revere wins Academy Award as Velvet’s mom. “Bring back a monkey” is my kids’ favorite line.
191) Close Encounters of the Third Kind
192) Overboard
193) Prizzi’s Honor
194) Serpico
195) Coming Home – Jon Voight robbed Robert De Niro of the Oscar
196) The Aviator
197) The Color of Money
198) New York Stories
199) Eating Raoul (1982) – A very dark, original, hilarious satire directed by Joe Dante and John Landis. A cult favorite.
200) The Player – Tim Robbins and a million other stars are great
201) Dead Man Walking
202) The Grifters
203) The Morning After
204) Educating Rita – I love this film
205) Fly Away Home
206) The Caine Mutiny – Humphrey Bogart falls apart on stand
207) Singin' in the Rain – Gene Kelly
208) An American in Paris
209) Life is Beautiful
210) The Summer of my German Soldier – Book is good as well.
211) Killer Nerd – “Nerd, Nerd, Nerd.” Thanks to Karen and Wayne and Bad Movie Night
212) Three on a Meathook (1972)
213) Motel Hell
214) The Secret Garden (1949 Version with Margaret O’Brien) – Stephanie says, Love it, awesome story.
215) The Secret Garden (1993 Version with Kate Maberly) – Stephanie says, Don’t like this version.
216) The Champ (1931 Version with Wallace Beery) – Great Story
217) The Champ (1979 Version with John Voight) – Great Story
218) Cleopatra (1934 Version with Claudette Colbert)
219) Mutiny on the Bounty – Clark Gable
220) Captains Courageous – Spencer Tracy; book is better!
221) Boys Town – Spencer Tracy and Bill Crosby
222) Jezebel – Bette Davis
223) Wuthering Heights – Laurence Olivier
224) Mr. Smith Goes to Washington – Jimmy Stewart
225) Rebecca – Laurence Olivier
226) Sergeant York – Gary Cooper
227) Yankee Doodle Dandy – James Cagney
228) Now Voyager
229) The Phantom of the Opera (1943) – Claude Rains
230) Going My Way – Bing Crosby
231) A Tree Grows in Brooklyn – The book is so much better! Stephanie says, But it captures key points of my fav book ever.
232) Mildred Pierce
233) Miracle on 34th Street (1947 Version with Natalie Wood) – More recent version is OK. Stephanie says, Love it!
234) Key Largo – Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall
235) The Red Shoes
236) All About Eve – Bette Davis
237) Roxanne – Steve Martin and Darryl Hannah
238) Splash – Darryl Hannah and Tom Hanks
239) Joe Versus the Volcano – Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan
240) Sleepless in Seattle – Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan
241) BIG
242) Harvey – Jimmy Stewart
243) A Streetcar Named Desire – Carl Malden, Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh
244) The African Queen – Kate and Bogie are wonderful! Read Lauren Bacall’s book and hear great reports about the making of this classic film.
245) High Noon – Gary Cooper (earlier versions are good as well)
246) From Here to Eternity – Frank’s only decent film
247) On the Waterfront – Marlon Brando
248) Three Coins in a Fountain
249) Mister Roberts
250) East of Eden – (Anything with James Dean)
251) Giant – James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson
252) Rebel Without a Cause – James Dean
253) To Catch a Thief – Cary Grant and Grace Kelly
254) The King and I – Yul Brynner
255) Three Faces of Eve – Joanne Woodward
256) The Bridge On the River Kwai
257) Finding Ned Devine – Funny, lovely British film
258) Gigi
259) The Defiant Ones – Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis
260) Splendor in the Grass – Natalie Wood
261) Lawrence of Arabia
262) The Miracle Worker – Anne Bancroft
263) Cleopatra (1963 Version) – Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Rex Harrison
264) The Night of the Iguana
265) Kelly’s Heroes
266) Doctor Zhivago
267) In the Heat of the Night – Sidney Poitier
268) Funny Girl
269) Midnight Cowboy
270) The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
271) M.A.S.H. (The Movie) – One of my dad’s favorite movies of all times
272) The French Connection
273) The Last Picture Show
274) Cabaret – Liza Minnelli
275) The Paper Chase – John Houseman scared the ***out of me
276) Paper Moon
277) The Exorcist
278) Murder on the Orient Express
279) Strangers on a Train
280) Dog Day Afternoon
281) JFK – Kevin Costner, Kevin Bacon, Joe Pesci, etc.
282) Jaws I – Music and film are SCARY
283) Network
284) All The President’s Men – Made me cry! Book is great as well. So sad this is a true story
285) Norma Rae
286) All That Jazz
287) Alien (Only the First One)
288) Ordinary People – Timothy Hutton
289) Taps – Timothy Hutton and Sean Penn (I don’t like Tom Cruise)
290) On Golden Pond
291) Reds – Long, long history story
292) Arthur (Only the First One)
293) An American Werewolf in London – Fun, scary, and great effects
294) Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
295) Blackboard Jungle – Sidney Poitier
296) Bye Bye Birdie – Ann-Margret, Paul Lynde, Dick Van Dyke and Ed Sullivan. Stephanie says, Funny!
297) L.A. Confidential
298) Usual Suspects
299) American Beauty – I love this film
300) The Commitments (Great Soundtrack, as well)
301) Train Spotting – This is a disturbing and sad story
302) The Five Heartbeats – I like Robert Townsend and the music rocks
303) FM – Awesome movie, basis for WKRP
304) Grease (I and II) – I like the second one. Stephanie says, Good songs, funny outfits, second one is horrible.
305) Clockwork Orange
306) Great Balls of Fire (1981) – Dennis Quaid, Winona Ryder – It is Jerry Lee Lewis’s voice, but is Quaid playing the piano. This isn’t a great film, but I love the story of the rule breaking rocker.
307) Hair
308) Jesus Christ Superstar – Great music, a bit dated now!
309) The Last Waltz
310) Light of Day – Michael J. Fox
311) The Glen Miller Story – Jimmy Stewart
312) Polyester – A John Waters film
313) Beaches – Great, sad, wonderful chick flick!
314) Singles
315) Something Wild – Melanie Griffith, Jeff Daniels, and Matthew Modine
316) Stop Making Sense – Talking Heads Rock
317) To Sir with Love – Sidney Poitier
318) Rattle and Hum – U2 Rocks
319) Valley Girl – Nicholas Cage – Bad music, but so totally 80's
320) Wayne's World (Only the First) – Stephanie says, Wayne’s World, Wayne’s World. The best party with Alice Cooper
321) Godspell
322) Heathers (1989) – Christian Slater is so great in this movie.
323) Married to the Mob
324) Repo Man – Funny odd, cult film
325) Short Cuts (1993) – Robert Altman’s rewarding film of shorts about unhappy lives in Southern California.
326) The Untouchables (1987 Film Directed by Brian De Palma) – Andy Garcia and crew are great. The scene in the train station is amazing. My favorite line is when they ask Elliot Ness what he plans to do now that prohibition is over and Costner responds, “I think I’ll have a drink.”
327) Vision Quest
328) The Wiz – Great story, strange version, music is fun
329) Pulp Fiction
330) Silkwood (1983) – Cher and Meryl Streep are just wonderful!
331) Mermaids
332) Carnal Knowledge – Candace Bergen and Art Garfunkel
333) A League of Their Own – Chick flick and sports! Tom Hanks makes it ok for guys
334) The Fisher King – Robin Williams is touching
335) Hoot – Stephanie says, Good nature shots.
336) The Maltese Falcon – Scary, Humphrey Bogart at his best.
337) Dances with Wolves (1990) – Winner of seven Oscars. Kevin Costner’s directing debut. Chick flick with Costner – he usually makes sports movies
338) Young Frankenstein – One of the funniest movies ever made!! Peter Boyle was a great monster and the cast especially Gene Wilder who co-wrote the script with director Mel Brooks.
339) School of Rock (2003) – This is a favorite of everyone in our house. We dream about “sticking it to the man.” Stephanie says, Awesome!
340) Blue Velvet (1986) – Strange, dark film written and directed by David Lynch. Dennis Hopper is very scary.
341) Barton Fink (1991) – The Coen brothers strange and dark film about Hollywood and the quest to be a great writer.
342) Ten Things I Hate About You (1999) – Modern version of The Taming of the Shrew. Heath Ledger is hot!
343) She’s All That – Pretty Women
344) Wild At Heart – Strange, violent, sad, and strange – but I still love it
345) Raising Arizona – Nicholas Cage and Holly Hunter are a scream in this funny Coen brother’s film. My favorite line is “Arizonia, Arizonia”.
346) Dogma – Kevin Smith’s Masterpiece
347) Chasing Amy
348) Goodwill Hunting – Robin Williams
349) The English Patient
350) A Room with a View
351) Midsummer Night's Dream (1999) – Version with Michelle Pfeiffer, Calista Flockhart, Christian Bale and Rupert Everett
352) The Merchant of Venice – Al Pacino and Joseph Fiennes and Jeremy Irons
353) Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
354) The Last Boy Scout – Bruce Willis is great in this film
355) An Officer and a Gentleman
356) Terms of Endearment
357) From Dawn to Dusk – I love this vampire story!
358) Psycho (1960) – Hitchcock masterpiece “still terrifying after all these years”. Anthony Perkins gave me nightmares for years.
359) The Birds
360) The Big Easy
361) Inner Space – Dennis Quaid, Meg Ryan, and Martin Short
362) Beau Geste (All Versions) – 1977 with Marty Feldman
363) Independence Day – Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum – Great sci-fi film, scary and funny at the same time.
364) Apollo 13 – Stephanie says, Sad.
365) North – Rob Reiner
366) Three Men and a Baby (Only the First One)
367) Gangs of New York
368) The Crucible
369) Boyz N the Hood
370) Do the Right Thing
371) Terminator (Only the First One)
372) My Gal Friday
373) Dune
374) The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe – Stephanie says, Books are way better.
375) The Devil Wears Prada – Stephanie says, Awesome movie, good story. Meryl Streep was good.
376) October Sky – Wonderful teacher story
377) Parent Trap (Old and New Versions) – Stephanie says, New one is better
378) The Natural – I hate the middle of this movie!!
379) Eight Men Out
380) Flatliners
381) Mystic Pizza
382) The Who: The Kids are Alright
383) The Notebook – Book by Nicholas Sparks is wonderful
384) The Unforgiven
385) Annie – Both versions of the musical
386) Gotsford Park – Drags a bit in the beginning, but the ending is wonderful
387) Being John Malkovich – Strange, wonderful, dark, and fun film.
388) Platoon
389) The General's Daughter – Great ending; sad, but wonderful mystery film
390) Michael
391) Speed (Only the First One)
392) Ya Ya Sisterhood
393) Girl Interrupted
394) The Last Tango in Paris – Strange film with Brando at his strangest. Lots of sex and realism.
395) Holes – Try to read this wonderful book. Shia LaBeouf makes a name for himself.
396) Greatest Game Ever Played – If you love golf, you will love this. Shia LaBeouf is wonderful.
397) Jerry Maguire – Show me the money!! I hate Tom Cruise
398) Working Girl
399) The Hunt for Red October – All Clancy books are good.
400) Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
401) Chicago
402) Evita – I hate Madonna, but this is a wonderful musical and story.
403) Pretty Woman
404) Leaving Las Vegas – Nichols Cage is AMAZING!
405) Honeymoon in Vegas
406) My Best Friend's Wedding – Julia Roberts
407) Reservoir Dogs – Violent, fierce film.
408) Ella Enchanted – Stephanie says, Good movie, the only movie I like more than the book.
409) Princess Diaries (All of Them) – Stephanie says, Books are better.
410) Victor Victoria
411) Children of a Lesser God
412) Steel Magnolias – One of the best "chick flicks" ever!
413) My Friend Flicka (Both Old and New Versions)
414) Say Anything
415) Grosse Pointe Blank – Stephanie says, Good movie.
416) Logan's Run – This movie seems all too real sometimes.
417) Only the Lonely – John Candy, Ally Sheedy are wonderful!
418) The Buccaneers
419) Mississippi Burning
420) Immortal Beloved
421) Pocahontas – Movie I purchased to get my daughter to stop watching Cinderella. Second one was horrible. Stephanie says, No, the second one was good.
422) The Ghost and Mr. Chicken - Don Knotts
423) The Incredible Mr. Limpet – Stephanie says, Funny movie.
424) Apple Dumpling Gang
425) The Silence of the Lambs
426) The People vs. Larry Flynt
427) American History X – Edward Norton
428) Murder in the First
429) Tremors – Kevin Bacon is so great in this old-fashioned scary movie
430) Weird Science
431) Flashdance – Silly, but fun
432) Footloose – Silly, but fun
433) Little Shop of Horrors – Stephanie says, The play is better.
434) Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves – Alan Rickman who steals the show
435) A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
436) A Time To Kill
437) Roots
438) Amistad
439) Home Alone (Only the First One)
440) My Girl (I and II) – Sweet Films
441) City Slickers
442) About Last Night
443) Chaplin
444) Duck Soup
445) Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen – Stephanie says, Insane.
446) Uncle Buck
447) Emma
448) Seven
449) Ocean’s Eleven
450) Mad Max All Movies – Stephanie says Awesome to 25 by John Dudek
451) High Fidelity – John Cusack, Bruce Springsteen, and Jack Black in the same film
452) Bend it Like Beckham – Stephanie says, Good Athletics.
453) Reversal of Fortune
454) Rocketeer – Good family movie
455) Nobody’s Fool – Paul Newman and Bruce Willis
456) Always (1989 Steven Spielberg's Remake of the 1943: "A Guy Named Joe") – This is a great love story starring Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter and John Goodman. I laugh and cry every time I watch this wonderful story. In one of the most perfect casting ever done Audrey Hepburn plays an angel in this, her last film appearance of all time. John William's music is wonderful as always (pardon the pun) - but I can never ever hear "Smoke Gets in my Eyes" again without thinking of this very memorial film! My favorite Spielberg film ever (and I love Indiana Jones and The Director, so this is high praise coming from me. *I love this movie!
457) The Hudsucker Proxy
458) The Da Vinci Code – Stephanie says,. Dark, the book’s better.
459) Driving in Cars with Boys
460) Home Fries
461) Never Been Kissed – Stephanie says, Good Drew Barrymore movie.
462) Scarface
463) A Beautiful Mind
464) The Truman Show
465) National Treasure (I and II) – Stephanie says, Good adventure and history lesson.
466) The Pope of Greenwich Village – Darryl Hannah and Mickey Rourke
467) Summer of Sam
468) Everybody’s All-American
469) Crossing the Bridge
470) Midnight Express – The most disturbing movie ever made
471) The China Syndrome
472) Fight Club – Edward Norton is an excellent actor! The violence is hard to take, but Brad Pitt, Helena Bonham Carter and Norton are fabulous.
473) Angel Heart – Lisa Bonet, Mickey Rourke
474) Nell – Jodie Foster, Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson
475) Stakeout – Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez are so funny, bickering through the film. Second one is not as good.
476) Long Hot Summer
477) Blaze
478) Batteries Not Included
479) The Green Mile – So true to the book!!
480) Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter is Dead – Unrealistic coming of age movie that is surprisingly entertaining.
481) Fried Green Tomatoes – I love Mary Louse Parker and this film!
482) Chalk – A mockumentary comedy – Struggling…sometimes seemed more real than fiction.
483) Mr. Holland's Opus – Richard Dreyfuss is great in this bittersweet film about a teacher's love of music and family.
484) Fame – Inspiring and silly. I hate the song…
485) Bugsy
486) Hoffa
487) Rob Roberts
488) Must Love Dogs – John Cusack in darling romantic comedy!!
489) Angels in the Outfield (Both Versions)
490) Mel Brook’s History of the World
491) Misery
492) Twins – Danny DeVito and Governor Arnold Schwarzennegger as twins?? Still a very funny movie!
493) Matilda
494) Madeline – Stephanie likes this because it taken out of USA
495) The Good Patient
496) Body Heat – William Hurt and Kathleen Turner
497) Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
498) The Priest – Difficult film to watch, but it provided me with one of the best examples of Christian forgiveness ever seen! I just think Tom Wilkinson is a wonderful actor. Try to get past the controversy around this unforgettable and powerful story.
499) The Full Monty
500) Darkman (The First One Only)
501) Evan Almighty
502) Breakfast at Tiffany’s
503) Sophie’s Choice
504) Accidental Tourist – Strange and interesting. William Hurt and Glenda Davis
505) Ghost buster (All Films)
506) Soul Man – C. Thomas Howell – Funny Law School Movie
507) Full Metal Jacket
508) Guys and Dolls – Brando is amazing in this
509) Kicking and Screaming
510) Sling Blade
511) Vincent Price Movies – All of Them
512) Grizzley (1976) – Horror movie
513) Benji
514) Little Mermaid – The music just make this fun!!
515) Alfred Hitchcock Films – All of them
516) Slap Stick – Classic funny hockey movie. The Hansen brothers are sill as goofy today as they were then!
517) Helter Skelter – Based on the true story and prosecution of Charlie Manson's "family" by Vincent Bugliosi the D.A. who worked on the film the make for TV movie (2004) with Jeremy Davies or the made for TV movie (1976) with Steve Railsback and George DiCenzo
518) Blazing Saddles – One of the funniest movies of all time!
519) Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
520) The Abyss (1933) – Scary and thrilling at the same time! James Camero, Oscar winner for film shots. Warm and lovely film.
521) An Ideal Husband (1999) – Oscar Wilde's satiric play with Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore, Rupert Everett, Minnie Driver. This is a wonderful film. It is funny, romantic, and the period clothing is lovely.
522) The Illusionist – Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti - magic and a twist I never saw coming!
523) Iron Jawed Angels – True story about Alice Paul, Lucy Burns and what they endured to secure the right to vote for woman. You know Hilary Swank was serious when she turned down a romance with Patrick Dempsey for the cause! Good and scary for girls who don't appreciate how lucky they are now!
524) Henry: Portrait of a Killer – Thanks to my friend, Terry, I watched this entire horror movie of how a psycho killer can live and kill amongst us all. Violent and scary enough to give you nightmares forever.
525) The Faculty – Updated version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers – with John Stewart of all people!!
526) Hollywood Homicide – Josh Hartnett, Harrison Ford, Gladys Knight and other stars in several cameos – not a great film, but if you love Indiana Jones, you'll love this
527) Frantic(1988) – Directed by Roman Polanski – Polanski's masterpiece starring Harrison Ford as a loyal and devoted husband. I just love this thriller!
528) Dead Again (1991) – Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson, Andy Garcia, Derek Jacobi and Robin Williams. Great surprise ending - I never saw it coming (OK - it was a long time ago).
529) Suspect (1987) – Cher is wonderful, Liam Neeson and Dennis Quaid are as well in a legal thriller, where the nice guys actually win!
530) Wilder Napalm
531) D.O.A. - Dead On Arrival
532) F.X. and F.X. II – Bryan Brown and Brian Dennehy are a much better team than Mel Gibson and Danny Glover!! They are also more creative and less violent, watching them again recently made the effects seem a bit dated but no less fun!!
533) Better Off Dead – One of the all time best lines from a movie ever, "I want my two dollars"!! I just love John Cusack - but I must admit that as much as I love this - it is just silly!
534) Barefoot in the Park – I never saw this Neil Simon play, but this movie really entertains me. Maybe it's just the young, handsome Paul Newman? It certainly isn't Jane Fonda!
535) The Pride of the Yankees – Anyone who loves baseball will love this truly memorable performance by Gary Cooper. I cry every single time I watch this. Like baseball, it never gets boring - Leu Gehig is a true American hero!
536) Grace of my Heart (1996) – Thank you to BP for recommending this film. Illeanna Douglas, John Turturro, Eric Stoltz, Matt Dillon, Bridget Fonda, Chris Isaak, voice of Peter Fonda. Sad story about a woman’s attempt to break into the 50’s and 60’s music industry. God give me strength – written and performed by Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach. Film producer: Marty Scorsese
537) Rambling Rose
538) The Professional
539) Life is Beautiful
540) Elf – Great and fun game as well
541) Happy Feet – Music is awesome!
542) American Psycho – So dark, so violent, so scary, be prepared to laugh, cringe and freak out!
543) Infamous (2006) – Outrageous, but wonderful and amazing cast. Story about Truman Capote
544) Hoosiers
545) Miracle – 1980 USA Hockey Team
546) American Pie
547) Nightmare on Elm Street
548) Halloween
549) Jagged Edge
550) No Way Out
551) Flatliners
552) Deuce Bigalow
553) Turner & Hooch – Tom Hanks
554) Principle
555) Curlie Sue
556) Mystic River
557) Come Fly Away
558) Jerk
559) Never Ending Story
560) Incredible Mr. Limpet
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Patti's Comments: This is a great article about the top teaching movies. As a person raised by teachers, who is cousin to many teachers, who is married to a special education teacher, who is the little sister of special education teacher, who actually teaches on a regular basis to lots of folks, it was no surprise to me that I had seen almost every movie on the list and mentioned in the comments. (The comments to this article are just as good as the article). I would have listed To Sir With Love as number 1. I would of course include The Paper Chase in the list as well. Enjoy - and let me know what your thoughts are on the list.... Now I need to rent the Kevin Kline recommendation -- something tells me it will be no Big Chill, or A Fish Called Wanda...