I am often asked, especially by people who don’t know me very well but know I am a movie buff, “What is it about movies that you love so much? What is it that makes you want to sit in a dark theater for two or three movies in a day?” My normal answer was to spend an uncomfortable moment or two trying to wax philosophic about my love for movies without sounding like an idiot (note to self – it never worked).
As a regular reader of the movie website AintItCoolNews.com I happened across an article a month or so ago by one of their regular contributors (the writer’s nickname escapes me now or I would fully credit him) answering the question “Why do you love movies?” Like me he had difficulty coming up with a satisfactory answer that didn’t make him sound like a geek. He happened upon a movie blogger who listed his reasons why he loved movies so much by simply using examples from the movies. Specific scenes, characters, lines of dialogue. Brilliant. The AICN writer proudly stole this idea and made his own article.
I am now proudly stealing the idea that he originally stole to explain my love for movies once and for all. I spent weeks combing through the Internet and books coming up with ideas and moments that truly have affected me from my childhood to the moment I am writing this. The AICN writer used somewhere along the lines of 50 examples but before I knew it I was well over 100 and not too eager to cut any of them out. So I decided to take the total to 150, which turned out to be far easier sounding than its realization.
So, without further adieu, the 150 reasons why I love the movies. Some are quotes and if you don’t know them I am sure you can Google it but, if not, feel free to send me a message and I will be happy to let you in on the identity of the movie that quote is from.
I hope you enjoy.
I love movies……………………
Because one of my earliest memories is of Roy Scheider slamming his car into the back of a semi and ducking just in time in “The Seven Ups.
Because I can remember every detail of my first viewing of “Jaws” as if it was yesterday.
Because Jacqueline Bisset’s wet t-shirt in “The Deep” shot me right into puberty.
Because of the first time I experienced Sensurround as Los Angeles crumbled in “Earthquake;” or the first time I heard Dolby Stereo sound as you see the city for the first time in “Logan’s Run;” or my first experience with 3-D with the otherwise forgettable 1981 western “Comin At Ya.
Because the loudest audience cheer I ever heard was after Rocky Balboa knocked Apollo Creed down in the first round in “Rocky.
Because the loudest screams I ever heard came when Carrie’s arm appeared from below the rocks and clutched her friend’s arm at the end of “Carrie.”
Because you have to listen carefully to the beauty of the dialogue as written by Preston Sturges, David Mamet and Paddy Chayefsky.
Because of the opening shots in the films as “Touch of Evil,” “Halloween,” “The Player” and “Boogie Nights.”
Because Gene Wilder makes me laugh simply by looking at him.
Because Martin Balsam sneezed a second too soon at the end of “The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3.”
Because of Walter Matthau in anything.
Because of Jeff Bridges in anything
Because “Singin in the Rain” always makes me smile.
Because “Field of Dreams” always makes me cry.
Because Robert Wise’s 1963 “The Haunting” still scares me even with the lights on.
Because of the crop duster chase in “North by Northwest.”
Because of the way John Carpenter toyed with the audience in “Halloween.”
Because of the bridge scene in “Sorcerer.”
Because of Burt Reynolds’ final soliloquy (in its uncut form) in “The End.”
Because I never saw it coming at the end of “The Sting.”
Because I truly believed a skyscraper was on fire in “The Towering Inferno.”
Because of Bond. James Bond.
Because of C.C. Baxter
Because of J.J. Gittes
Because of Chauncey Gardner.
Because of Boo Radley.
Because of Biggus Dickus.
Because even if a man is pure at heart and says his prayers by night, he may become a wolf man when the wolf bane blooms and the autumn moon is bright.
Because it’s weird and pissed off, whatever it is.
Because I can’t lie to you about your chances, but…..you have my sympathies.
Because Warriors! Come out and play-ayyyyyyy
Because the power of Christ compels you!
Because of every sword fight between Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone.
Because every shot in a Terrence Malick movie is breathtaking.
Because of every score John Williams has composed.
Because the blind girl regains her sight and realizes the Tramp is the man who loves her in “City Lights.”
Because Klaatu, barada, nikto
Because the parting of the Red Sea is still an amazing sequence 56 years later.
Because I don’t like white people. I hate rednecks so I am enjoying this sh**.
Because if you want that gun, pick it up. I wish you would.
Because you’ll shoot your eye out, kid.
Because he’s going to be real mad when he gets to me.
Because here is our non-denial denial. F*** it. Let’s stick with the boys.
Because I am not an animal! I am a human being.
Because “You want me to hold the chicken?” “I want you to hold it between your knees.”
Because father shielded evil from son to the very end in “Life is Beautiful.”
Because of the arm wrestling scene in 1986’s “The Fly.
Because of the spectacular UFO show that concludes “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”
Because I was never more on edge than the first time I saw James Cameron’s “Aliens.”
Because of Roy Hobbs
Because of Rufus T. Firefly
Because of Ratso Rizzo
Because of Smokey, The Bandit and The Snowman
Because of Don Corleone
Because of Glenn Holland, high school music teacher.
Because if you haven’t seen “The Last of Sheila,” “Stay Hungry,” “Blue Collar,” “Capricorn One,” “Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?” “Time After Time,” “The In-Laws,” “The Silent Partner,” “Diner,” “Local Hero,” “Comfort and Joy,” “The Right Stuff,” “Brazil,” “Cop,” “Running on Empty,” “A Shock to the System,” “Grand Canyon,” “The Ref” and “Frailty” I will take enormous pride out of talking you into watching them.
Because you men are all alike. Seven or eight quick ones and then you’re out with the boys to boast and brag. You better keep your mouth shut!
Because Mongo only pawn…in game of life.
Because a naked American man stole my balloons.
Because asps…very dangerous. You go first.
Because she might have fooled me, but she didn’t fool my mother.
Because of how realistic John Wayne’s shot to George Kennedy’s face with a board is in “The Sons of Katie Elder.
Because Tim Conway and Don Knotts still make me giggle like a ten year old.
Because James Whitmore should have never looked back that last time in “THEM!”
Because of John Travolta’s dancing in “Saturday Night Fever.”
Because of Fred and Ginger dancing in anything.
Because of the opening sequence in Woody Allen’s “Manhattan.”
Because of the ending of “City of Angels.”
Because of the blood test in John Carpenter’s “The Thing.
Because “Superman: The Movie” made me believe a man could fly.
Because the money drop off scene in “Ruthless People” may be the hardest I ever laughed.
Because George Bailey finds Zuzu’s petals.
Because of the duel scene in “Barry Lyndon.”
Because every word of dialogue rings true in “Sweet Smell of Success.”
Because there is no such thing as a bad boy.
Because we’ll always have Paris.
Because Maria! I just met a girl named Maria!
Because whenever Mrs.Kissle breaks wind, we beat the dog.
Because frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.
Because badges? We ain’t got no badges. We don’t need no badges. I don’t have to show you any stinkin badges.
Because of the famous last lines in Billy Wilder movies – “Nobody’s Perfect.” “Shut up and deal.” “Schlemmer!!!!
Because George Lucas gave us a night of cruising in 1962 and then took us to a place a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.
Because the opening scene from “Raiders of the Lost Ark” is better than most other movies endings.
Because of the final shoot out in “The Wild Bunch.”
Because of R. Lee Ermey’s introductory speech to the troops in “Full Metal Jacket.”
Because of Richard Gere carrying off Debra Winger in “An Officer and a Gentleman.
Because of the car chases in “Bullitt,” “The French Connection” and “To Live and Die in L.A.”
Because of Harry Lime’s entrance.
Because they pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital; you send one of his to the morgue. THAT’S the Chicago way.
Because open the pod bay doors, Hal.
Because she’s my daughter. She’s my sister. She’s my daughter. She’s my sister……
Because of the guilty pleasures I will never turn off including: “Airport,” “Earthquake,” “Mother, Jugs and Speed,” “Rollercoaster,” “Two Minute Warning,” “Halloween 3 – Season of the Witch.”
Because Jerry Lewis is as funny now as he was 50 years ago. Just watch “The Bellboy.”
Because of the moment Kim Novak’s Judy emerges from the shadows looking like the late Madeline in “Vertigo.”
Because “The Right Stuff” reminds everyone who real American heroes are.
Because I am your father.
Because this car. Goeth would have bought it. Why did I keep this car? Ten people right there. Ten more people. This pin. Two more people. This is gold. Two more people. At least one. One person, Stern. For this. I could have gotten one more person…..and I didn’t. I didn’t.
Because I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.
Because Slim Pickens rode the bomb.
Because Jack Nicholson’s motorcycle riding helmet was a football helmet in “Easy Rider.
Because of the heroes of the 1970’s “blaxploitation” films including Shaft, Superfly, Coffy, Truck Turner, Foxy Brown, Friday Foster, Sheba Baby, Slaughter, Dolemite, Hammer and Cleopatra Jones.
Because “It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” never fails to make the family laugh.
Because Judy Garland sang ‘Over the Rainbow.
Because most of the films Neil Simon wrote were very funny.
Because fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life son.
Because Zorba, teach me to dance.
Because hey Yankees, you can take your apology and your second place trophy and shove em straight up your ass.
Because of Curt Henderson, Steve Bolander, Jon Milner and Terry (The Toad) Fields
Because of Martin Brody, Matt Hooper and Quint.
Because Martin Scorsese’s “After Hours” will make you laugh and squirm at the same time.
Because of the graduation scene where the cast performs’I Sing the Body Electric’ at the end of “Fame.”
Because of the odd, unforgettable characters in the Scottish seaside community in “Local Hero.”
Because “Richard Pryor Live in Concert” made me laugh more than any other movie ever has.
Because Ki-ki-ki, Ma-ma-ma (think Camp Crystal Lake)
Because what is in the toilet in “The Conversation?”
Because every time the camera would go back upstairs in “The Exorcist,” anxiety grew a little more.
Because everyone hates the dentist thanks to Laurence Olivier in “Marathon Man.
Because give me a head with hair. Long, beautiful hair.
Because do you feel lucky, punk?
Because they call me MISTER Tibbs.
Because they’re coming to get you Barbara!
Because Julie Christie gave the best answer to what she wants, when told by an important executive that he could get her anything she wants, in “Shampoo.”
Because of the rolling Ferris wheel in “1941.”
Because “Cooley High” taught us about African American teenagers in 1960’s Chicago realistically with a knockout soundtrack.
Because of the Hansen brothers.
Because of the Pinball Wizard
Because of Popeye Doyle.
Because I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.
Because you made a time machine….out of a Delorean?
Because sometimes having nothing can be a real cool hand.
Because every once in a while you just have to say what the f***.
Because John Hughes understood and knew how to write about it.
Because of the Stargate sequence, death and re-birth that concludes “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
Because just thinking about Fats the dummy from “Magic” still gives me a shiver.
Because these go to eleven.
Because it wasn’t the airplanes. It was Beauty killed the Beast.
Because of Abbott and Costello
Because of Orson Welles
Because of John Sayles
Because Sandy pours her heart out by singing Hopelessly Devoted to You.
Because Kermit the Frog could actually ride a bike.
Because it took me 3 hours to figure out that F.U. meant Felix Unger.
Because I think relationships are like sharks. They have to be constantly moving forward or they die. And what I think what we’ve got on our hands is a dead shark.
Because you’re gonna need a bigger boat.
Because you’re good, kid, but as long as I’m around you’re second best. You might as well get used to it.
Because every new Coen Brothers film is different from anything they have done before.
Because “Ordinary People” was the first film to teach me that life, at no matter what age, is never easy or fair.
Because “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”
Because of the opening 30 minutes of “Saving Private Ryan.”
Because of the creation of the Universe sequence in “Tree of Life.”
