(and also because they're great).
1. Get Shorty (1995)
This movie has everything I love: witty dialogue, the movie business, an intricate plot, and ironic commentary. With Get Shorty you get the best of a Quentin Tarantino film without the horrifying nightmares.
John Travolta is out of a leisure suit and in his mob-guy prime. Rene Russo is nearly as beautifully cunning as she is in the Thomas Crowne Affair. And James Gandolfini is a southern-accented stunt man named Bear, who is eternally devoted to his four-year old daughter. Does it get any better than that?
I feel very connected to John Travolta's character Chili Palmer. He's a person who won't stop quoting movies even when no one around him understands the reference. Hmmm...
2. The Game (1997)
I bet M. Night Shyamalan wrote one too many papers on The Game in film school. It seems like something he has often attempted to replicate. This is my go-to film to show people, partly because I have it on DVD and partly because it's a major crowd pleaser - for those who can pay attention. Also, David Fincher directed it, and he pretty much tonally nails everything he does.
3. Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
In my controversial opinion, the best of the Die Hard cannon. Most would probably argue the original, but I just can't get behind Alan Rickman as a villain. Although he plays one masterfully, I prefer when he ends up being the good guy. (See: "After all this time?" "Always.") I also prefer John McClane going on an exciting scavenger hunt throughout the city. As opposed to just crawling through air ducts for an hour. If you need more evidence as to why this installment is better than the newer ones, just ask Michael Scott.
4. Jackie Brown (1997)
Perhaps my second favorite Tarantino (the first being Inglorious Basterds, in case you care). Pam Grier's title character is like Annalise Keating before she went to law school. Honestly, the fact that Shonda Rhimes hasn't written a series starring Pam Grier is a crime.
Jackie Brown takes the best parts of Pulp Fiction, removes the horrifying scene in that basement, and adds Di Nero. My dad quoted Samuel L. Jackson's "Beaumont" lines over and over, and I was probably too young to hear them. But alas, early exposure to Tarantino has only improved my life I'd say.
5. The Thomas Crowne Affair (1999)
I hate myself for saying this, but I haven't actually seen the original. However, my borderline illogical loyalty only to the 1950's Sabrina should make up for it. Apparently, according to this list, I really love Rene Russo. But seriously, have you seen Nightcrawler? She's incredible. She's a topless temptress at 45 in this film, and that was back in the 90s! Her character reminds me of those classic gumption-filled women of the early 20th century. Hmm, perhaps I should watch the original. Oh and Pierce Brosnan is the same character he always plays. He just can't look poor can he?
 |
| © Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc. 1995 |
This movie has everything I love: witty dialogue, the movie business, an intricate plot, and ironic commentary. With Get Shorty you get the best of a Quentin Tarantino film without the horrifying nightmares.
John Travolta is out of a leisure suit and in his mob-guy prime. Rene Russo is nearly as beautifully cunning as she is in the Thomas Crowne Affair. And James Gandolfini is a southern-accented stunt man named Bear, who is eternally devoted to his four-year old daughter. Does it get any better than that?
I feel very connected to John Travolta's character Chili Palmer. He's a person who won't stop quoting movies even when no one around him understands the reference. Hmmm...
 |
| © Polygram 1997 |
2. The Game (1997)
I bet M. Night Shyamalan wrote one too many papers on The Game in film school. It seems like something he has often attempted to replicate. This is my go-to film to show people, partly because I have it on DVD and partly because it's a major crowd pleaser - for those who can pay attention. Also, David Fincher directed it, and he pretty much tonally nails everything he does.
 |
| ©20th Century Fox 1995 |
In my controversial opinion, the best of the Die Hard cannon. Most would probably argue the original, but I just can't get behind Alan Rickman as a villain. Although he plays one masterfully, I prefer when he ends up being the good guy. (See: "After all this time?" "Always.") I also prefer John McClane going on an exciting scavenger hunt throughout the city. As opposed to just crawling through air ducts for an hour. If you need more evidence as to why this installment is better than the newer ones, just ask Michael Scott.
 |
| © Miramax,1997 |
Perhaps my second favorite Tarantino (the first being Inglorious Basterds, in case you care). Pam Grier's title character is like Annalise Keating before she went to law school. Honestly, the fact that Shonda Rhimes hasn't written a series starring Pam Grier is a crime.
Jackie Brown takes the best parts of Pulp Fiction, removes the horrifying scene in that basement, and adds Di Nero. My dad quoted Samuel L. Jackson's "Beaumont" lines over and over, and I was probably too young to hear them. But alas, early exposure to Tarantino has only improved my life I'd say.
 |
| ©MGM 1999 |
I hate myself for saying this, but I haven't actually seen the original. However, my borderline illogical loyalty only to the 1950's Sabrina should make up for it. Apparently, according to this list, I really love Rene Russo. But seriously, have you seen Nightcrawler? She's incredible. She's a topless temptress at 45 in this film, and that was back in the 90s! Her character reminds me of those classic gumption-filled women of the early 20th century. Hmm, perhaps I should watch the original. Oh and Pierce Brosnan is the same character he always plays. He just can't look poor can he?
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