Richard Bouchard's 100 Favorite Movies

In June 1998 the American Film Institute (AFI) will celebrate 100 years of film by announcing the 100 best movies of all time. I've taken the liberty to list my 100 favorite movies. To see my selection criteria and how my list fares against other lists, go to Pick and Choose. Update June 17: The American Film Institute has released its list of 100 Greatest Films. See my comparison and comments.
  1. Local Hero
    Quirky - and you can understand the Scots' dialogue.
  2. Lawrence of Arabia
    Location, location, location - O'Toole, O'Toole, O'Toole.
  3. The Treasure of Sierra Madre
    Casablanca is OK, but Bogart's at his best when he's a little mad.
  4. Caine Mutiny
    Ditto. Great cast and main story line are superb and even overcome hokey romantic subplot.
  5. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
    John Wayne's best role - superb casting with Jimmy Stewart and Lee Marvin.
  6. Bridge on The River Kwai
    The only William Holden movie I like because he fit perfectly as a phony, he joins a great cast, interesting story line, and great scenery.
  7. Henry V (Branagh's)
    I like Branagh's version just a bit more than Olivier's, but will take either at any time.
  8. Henry V (Olivier's)
    Clever staging and more subdued performance than Branagh's.
  9. Being There
    Most lists will have Dr. Stangelove or Pink Panther, but Sellers understatement outshines his other performances.
  10. Never Give an Inch
    Second and third best scenes in film-making - Paul Newman bisecting the desk with the chain saw and hoisting his old man's hand up. Superb casting.
  11. A Man for All Seasons
    Paul Scolfield and Robert Shaw's acting, rich cinematography, and yes, a story about morality make this not only a great film, but a great experience.
  12. The Godfather
    Pacino's transformation is absorbing, but the baptism scene is the best scene in the history of film-making.
  13. Last of the Mohicans
    Michael Mann's pacing, NC backdrop, and one of the most chilling villains.
  14. Casablanca
    Everybody's number one - except here.
  15. Hook
    Not well-received by the critics, but perfect vehicle for Robin Williams. But it's Dustin Hoffman's sinister and playful portrayal and play off of Bob Hoskins that make it one of my favorites.
  16. Clear and Present Danger
    Harrison Ford is Jack Ryan. Movie much, much better than Clancy's ponderous tome.
  17. Requiem for a Heavyweight
    It's the cast - Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney, and Anthony Quinn and Serling's haunting script. Also TV version with Jack Palance is very good.
  18. Richard III
    Some of the casting doesn't work, but Ian McKellan's performance is awesome - chilling and a very clever and convincing time translation of the setting.
  19. Roxanne
    Clever script and casting - deeply disappointed that this did not get Academy Award for best picture.
  20. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
    The plotline is overcome by 3 great characters, superbly portrayed, and this is a movie whose score makes great radio.
  21. Miami Blues
    Off-offbeat, but great performances by Alec Balwin, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Fred Ward.
  22. Pretty Poison
    Tuesday Weld is mesmerizing and Anthony Perkins perfectly (type)cast.
  23. Play It As It Lays
    Weld and Perkins chemistry again.
  24. Tootsie
  25. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
  26. North by Northwest
  27. Ground Hog Day
  28. Love and Death
  29. Wait Until Dark
  30. They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
  31. Gettysburg
  32. Rocky
  33. Night of the Living Dead
  34. High Noon
  35. Forbidden Planet
  36. The Man Who Would Be King
  37. The Sound Of Music
  38. The Year of Living Dangerously
  39. The Quiet Man
  40. Ghostbusters
  41. Gallapoli
  42. The Fugitve
  43. Breaker Morant
  44. King Of Hearts
  45. In the Heat of the Night
  46. Jaws
  47. It's A Wonderful Life
  48. Taxi Driver
  49. The Wizard of Oz
  50. Romeo and Juliet (1968)
  51. William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (1996)
  52. Witness
  53. Shane
  54. Cocoon
  55. Bonnie and Clyde
  56. The French Connection
  57. Day of the Jackal
  58. Presumed Innocent
  59. We of the Never Never
  60. Alien
  61. Dead Again
  62. Sleuth
  63. My Favorite Year
  64. They Died With Their Boots On
  65. Unforgiven
  66. The Ruling Class
  67. The Sands Of Iwo Jima
  68. Mister Roberts
  69. A Hard Day's Night
  70. Ryan's Daughter
  71. The Informer
  72. All Quiet on the Western Front
  73. Magnificent Seven
  74. Back to the Future
  75. Spartacus
  76. Amadeus
  77. The Big Easy
  78. The Right Stuff
  79. Hound of the Baskervilles
    Basil Rathbone
  80. Prizzi's Honor
  81. Easy Rider
  82. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
  83. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
  84. The Verdict
  85. Silent Running
  86. The Third Man
  87. Toy Story
  88. The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain
    Inspiring story overcomes Hugh Grant's grin.
  89. How I Won The War
  90. Michael Collins
  91. Sleeper
    Woody's funniest, but the jokes are grounded in the 60's and 70's, probably will not hold up for generations.
  92. Sweet Liberty
  93. Dolores Claiborne
  94. Sahara
    Heavy on the propaganda (after all there was a war on), but Bogart's gritty performance more than makes up for it.
  95. Far From the Madding Crowd
  96. Marty
  97. Oblivion
    This one caught me by surprise - clichéd, but it worked for me.
  98. Cromwell
  99. Gigot
    A sentimental favorite.
  100. The Other

Favorite Actors

In the following list you will find my favorite actors, each name has a link to an on-line fanzine, and in parentheses you'll find the order number of their movies in my list.

Favorite Actresses

Directors

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