THE BACKSTORY: So I was talking to my best friend John as I do and we discussed movies and the Oscars and I pointed out that I feel like in many ways, the Oscars judge movies too quickly. Take, for example, my favorite “OSCARS GOT IT WRONG!” year of 1995. If that category were to be decided now, in 2013, I don’t think there’s any way that Forrest Gump would beat Shawshank Redemption or Pulp Fiction. And he said, “There should be a movie hall of fame.” And I was like, “YES!” And while it occurred to me that that is technically what the AFI is doing, when John suggested that I do my own movie hall of fame, I jumped at the idea. Because OF COURSE! And because I’m not good with praise but I AM good with self-promotion, I present to you the Kelly Hager Movie Hall of Fame!
THE CRITERIA: I decided that I would pick two movies each month. The first is a good movie, one that would be worthy of inclusion on an AFI list or Best Picture nomation ballot. The second is a more fun movie, one that had an impact on me personally (at least in the first few selections). (There may be one of each or two good movies selected each month; there won’t be two fun ones. Probably.)
THE FIRST TWO PICKS: The first two were ridiculously easy to choose.
The Godfather is one of the best movies ever (according to me and to the AFI) and has made an indelible mark on pop culture. While most popular movies can seem like caricatures of themselves later (because they are constantly imitated), this movie still holds up as nearly perfect. The fact that it’s my dad’s favorite doesn’t hurt it, either.
Heathers is one of my all-time favorite movies. I have it completely memorized and I think a lot of my personality can be explained away by the fact that I started watching this when I was eight or nine years old. It’s got a wonderful cast (can you get any better than 80s-era Winona Ryder and Christian Slater?) and the best screenplay ever.
So what movies would make your personal hall of fame?
I haven’t seen Heathers! Godfather, ahhhhh. I used to decide who I would date based on if they could fit into a Godfather lifestyle well…. possibly the reason I’ve had WAY too many boyfriends and husbands? lmao LOVED and still do – that movie.
It’s WAY too hard to commit to choosing my favorite movies You’re making me think WAY too early this morning. I guess I’ll get cheesy and tell you I always adored “Gone With the WInd” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “The Exorcist”. I’m sure I can think of more later but that’s what you get from me at 7 something in the AM. lol
I need to rewatch Breakfast at Tiffany’s but you will definitely see Gone With the Wind and The Exorcist “inducted” and probably sooner than later.
And you need to see Heathers.
I’m going to see if it’s on Netflix today. I’m kind of looking forward to seeing what formed your personality… cause you know I’m beginning to be one of your biggest fans! ;-)
Thanks! And same to you. :)
I hope you love it. :) It’s one of my all-time favorites.
‘The Godfather’ is definitely one of the greatest movies ever. Some people say that part 2 is better, but to me part 1 was the best. I personally think that it was Marlon Brando’s greatest performance ever. I haven’t seen ‘Heathers’. I will add it to my ‘To be seen’ list.
Thanks for starting this series, Kelly! I love everything about it – starting from its name :) It will be wonderful to read your movie posts more often. I can’t wait to read your next post in the series.
Thanks!
And I agree. The Godfather Part II is very good but it’s not better than the first.
I’m thinking once a month. I already know the next two. (And come March 12, you will, too!) ;)
I haven’t seen Heathers either. I think it’s on Netflix though so I will try to watch it soon!
I don’t understand how none of you have seen Heathers.
Oh I think the first movie I would pick for my personal Hall of Fame would probably be 10 Things I Hate About You. Then I would also say Can’t Hardly Wait, Titanic, Moulin Rouge, Empire Records, and well there are more but those the big ones for me.
Love those movies. :)