Typical ... and Not-So-Typical ... Choices for Best Dramas Ever
Jul 04 '00
This is my first attempt in the Entertainment category, but one of my fantasy careers is that of a Movie Critic ... so here's my first (and probably only) chance to "work" in that capacity.
I realize after compiling this list that I'm biased toward more modern films (haven't seen many older films). Also, I realize that I've had to leave some wonderful films off -- Wall Street, The Shawshank Redemption, and Avalon, among others.
My top ten:
10. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest -- This just snuck in, probably because it was the first R-rated film my mom let me watch ... and also because of the great performances from Louise Fletcher and Jack Nickelson. And that escape scene!
9. Six Weeks -- I'm probably going to be ruled uncredible by many of you simply by choosing this film (if you've seen it). It wasn't the best overall film, and Mary Tyler Moore and Dudley Moore have had better acting jobs. However, the acting by the little girl -- who's name escapes me -- and her vivid depiction of living through her last days with incurable cancer stick with me, even though it has been at least ten years since I saw this pic.
8. Awakenings -- My choice for Robert DeNiro's best acting job to date. The supporting characters as well as DeNiro were wonderful in their depictions of believing they were cured of an awful disease, only to be aware that they were gradually slipping back into what they thought had left them. Robin Williams was also outstanding as the doctor who worked hard -- but ultimately failed -- in helping his patients.
7. Rain Man -- Dustin Hoffman was incredible in depicting the savant brother of Tom Cruise who brought unexpected "meaning" into his life.
6. Dominic and Eugene -- If you haven't seen this film, which many people didn't (it was a flop at the box office), definitely rent it. Tremendous performances by Ray Liotta and Tom Hulce make me wonder how they never achieved more notoriety than they have.
5. Men Don't Leave -- Jessica Lange's best work, with great performances by Kathy Bates, Joan Cusack, and Chris O'Donnell. Lange's understated performance as a mother of two who unexpectedly loses her husband and has nowhere to turn is one of the best I've seen. A definite rental ...
4. Schindler's List -- No explanation needed, especially with the horrific scene of the children hiding in the toilets ...
3. What's Eating Gilbert Grape? -- Let me qualify this choice by saying how much I don't like Leonardo DiCaprio in his other films. However, watch him in this early work, and you'll see the immense talent that he should have become.
2. The Color Purple -- The only film that can make me cry every time I see it, especially in the scene where Whoopi Goldberg is first torn away from her sister. In addition, Oprah was incredible.
and
1. Ordinary People -- A chilling film, with remarkable performances by Mary Tyler Moore (why she hasn't acted more after this film, I don't know) and Timothy Hutton.
There they are ... feel free to criticize me here, as I'm surprised by some of the choices also. But these are the ten movies that pop into my head as dramas that I could watch over and over again.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
kentski
|
|
Reviews written: 76
Trusted by: 28 members
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.