Jeff's Favorite Movies

As of today, I've watched and rated 3,700 movies, assigning each a numerical rating 1 (a waste of life) and 9 (loved it). Of course, this rating took place over many many years and I can't claim that my ratings have been consistent over the long haul; I'm sure that my tastes have changed during this journey. But although I'd like to, I can't watch all 3,700 movies over again to try and be more consistent, so for what it's worth, here is the list of the 70-or-so movies I've rated 9 or 10, followed by the 320-or-so-next-best films I've rated as 8.

I generally favor movies that are heavy in the plot department, but have slowly moved toward art-house films in recent years.

To rate a movie highly (that is, rate it as if I'd really enjoy watching it again, which is what my rating of 8 means), it has to have at least one of the following: a great plot, gorgeous photography, be a musical, contain beautiful music such as the way Kubrick used music, be a great science-fiction movie, or include anything about Italy, or especially Rome, for which I'm a total slut. I'm not at all adverse to non-American films; many of my 300-or-so-next-best films are black-and-white subtitled films. So if you're still reading and these things also tickle your fancy, here are my favorite 300-or-so movies out of the 3,700 I've watched.

I welcome you to email Jeff.Bondono@gmail.com with any comments on my choices.

Filter: [Show All] [Action] [Adventure] [Biography] [Comedy] [Courtroom] [Crime] [Documentary] [Drama] [Fantasy] [Gangster] [Heist] [History] [Horror] [Music] [Musical] [Mystery] [Noir] [Romance] [Satire] [SciFi] [Spy] [Thriller] [War] [Western] [Silent Films] [French] [Italian] [Japanese] [Other Non-English]

My Favorite 60 or so Movies, listed alphabetically

1. To Kill a Mockingbird: A father teaches tolerance to his children by example. If only this lesson had been learned back in 1962 instead of still not yet...
2. Twelve Angry Men: No color, no special effects, almost completely one setting, but superb acting and great storytelling combine to show how a great movie was made back in the day. The jury in a New York City murder trial is frustrated by a single member whose skeptical caution forces them to more carefully consider the evidence before jumping to a hasty verdict.

In case you agree with my list of favorite movies, here are my 300-or-so-next-best films that you might also enjoy, again listed alphabetically
(The best 34 in this bunch are in bold font)

1. Anatomy of a Murder: An upstate Michigan lawyer defends a soldier who claims he killed an innkeeper due to temporary insanity after the victim raped his wife. What is the truth, and will he win his case? This is a very good courtroom drama, and it had me riveted to the screen for the 2:40 running time. I also enjoyed seeing several stars from my youth in roles when they were just getting started.
   Warning: Undefined variable $FilterGerman in E:\var\www\Movies\index.html on line 350
   
2. Kramer vs. Kramer
3. Marriage Story: Couple (director and actress in New York plays) with a young child, decides to get divorced. Wife and child move to LA for her to act in a TV show, and the divorce turns ugly.
4. (subtitled) The Passion of Joan of Arc: In 1431, Jeanne d'Arc is placed on trial on charges of heresy. The ecclesiastical jurists attempt to force Jeanne to recant her claims of holy visions. Great acting, unique visual style.
   Warning: Undefined variable $FilterGerman in E:\var\www\Movies\index.html on line 493
   
5. Witness for the Prosecution: A veteran British barrister must defend his client in a murder trial that has surprise after surprise.

And finally, a few TV series which I've especially enjoyed, again in alphabetical order

1. The Good Wife
2. The Practice