Top 20 All-Time Favorite Movies (15-11)
See #20-16 here
15. Sixteen Candles (1984)
Even if you weren’t a Samantha Baker, Jake Ryan, Caroline Mulford, or Farmer Ted, you undoubtedly could find yourself somewhere among the other angst-ridden high schoolers in this classic teen comedy. Writer/director John Hughes had an amazing knack for capturing the turmoil of suburban youth in the 1980s with movies such as Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Some Kind of Wonderful, but it’s this classic “ugly duckling” fairytale which has captured our highest affection.
The one-day journey from Samantha’s forgotten birthday to the Jake Ryan-Porsche fantasy realization, mirrored by Ted’s evolution from geek to stud, gives hope to misfits everywhere. And let’s face it, all teenagers are misfits, which is why this movie works. The classic situations along the way including The “Donger,” sister Ginny’s impending nuptials, and Twilight Zone-dwelling grandparents, combine to create an unforgettable, and sometimes all too familiar, coming of age story for the post-Baby Boom Generation.
--Meredith Rule, Marketing Manager
Sibling Fact: The second of 10 films that includes an appearance by both John and Joan Cusak.
14. The Green Mile (1999)
The second Steven King adaptation in our list set within prison walls, and also directed by Frank Darabont, is The Green Mile. On the surface it’s a story of a wrongly accused man, which could be construed as a statement about the injustice of capital punishment, the shortcomings of our legal system, and extreme racial prejudice during the Depression Era. But if you look beyond the surface, you’ll find a more meaningful interpretation concerning religion, the supernatural, and the true representation of evil. We can be fairly certain that the initials of the wrongfully prosecuted man are no accident.
“I choose The Green Mile because it is a powerful and moving film. Tom Hanks gives an outstanding performance.”
--Melissa Fry, Engineering Assistant
Movie-Time-Line Fact: Mr. Jingles, the mouse, would’ve been at least 64 years old when Paul introduced him to Elaine. Mice typically live about 5 years in captivity.
13. Blade Runner (1982)
Blade Runner is a one of the great dystopian masterworks of cinema. A ravaged planet, rampant crime, media saturation to the extreme, Earth is in a post apocalyptic state and the nature of humanity is the obsessive question asked by the struggling civilization. Bred for hard labor in “off-world” mining colonies, robotic humanoids known as “replicants” have been upgraded to be nearly indistinguishable from humans, but the newest models are also superior in strength, intelligence, and agility. What previous models lack is empathy… and notice that when Deckard (Harrison Ford) tests Rachel (Sean Young) to determine if she is human, he uses a machine designed to measure empathy. Through the discovery of a capacity for true emotional connection within the replicants, Deckard questions what it means to be human, and our responsibility to these new living beings humanity has spawned.
“I am a big Philip K *** fan, and this is a one of my favorite stories of his. What makes the movie great is the production design. It’s film noir from the future which has influenced countless other sci-fi films. Did you know that a company in LA is going to place giant video ads on skyscrapers just like the movie? The future is now!”
--Robert Land, Customer Service Representative
12. Goodfellas (1990)
My ex-wife—the last one—was the first huge Goodfellas fan in our household; I had to watch it twice to become totally hooked. After that, it was a staple for the holidays(!) By far my favorite of the Scorsese films (though I still enjoy the underrated black comedy After Hours), it sets the American dream on end. Henry Hill’s line “As far back as I can remember, I've always wanted to be a gangster." perfectly sets the tone for a darkly funny, violent and oddly satisfying film.
It features “high water mark” performances from Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci—and one of my favorite Di Niro roles…not to mention one of the most brilliantly integrated soundtracks in the history of film. All in all, its one of my very favorite films—and one that has held up remarkably well over the last 18 years.
--George Wilson, Copywriter
It’s-a-family-thing Fact: Director Martin Scorsese’s parents both make appearances—his mother plays Tommy’s (Pesci’s) mother, and his father is the prisoner who puts too much onion in the sauce.
11. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
The greatest of WWII movies; arguably the greatest of all war movies, Saving Private Ryan is an emotionally wrenching journey into occupied France, beginning with the disturbingly realistic opening scene at Normandy. The quest to find James Ryan becomes secondary to the plight of the dedicated men sent to find him, but we are no less ecstatic when he is finally retrieved. His determination to remain with “the only brothers I have left” is moment that will forever define the relationship between combat soldiers for those who will never experience that unique bond.
Astonishing sound and visual effects combine with a remarkable story and cast to make this one of the most memorable and honorable films ever made devoted to our Greatest Generation, which moves us all to “Earn this.”
"The best, most realistic, and heart felt war movie I have ever watched."
--Steve Donalson, Senior Engineering Compliance Technician
History-on-film Fact: Two authentic WWII landing crafts were used in the film’s opening scene on Omaha Beach.