Greetings all. I hope you all have had a nice week analyzing my posts, just kidding. I had a little trouble thinking about a topic for this week, and even more trouble deciding how to make the list once I did finally decide. But after much internal debate, I was eventually able to finalize my top ten list for this week. I decided to go back to movies since that is the topic I find most interesting to talk about with people about whom you know little. I know little about all of you so I guess it is as good a topic as any. So let's get to it.

Top Ten Film Scenes:

10. The Silence of the Lambs. The scene I am referring to is of course the first meeting between Clarice Starling and the infamous Dr. Hannibal Lecter. I think the scariest part of the movies is the first time you see Dr. Lecter. When she comes around the corner of his cell and he is standing right in the middle of it with a crazed yet satisfied look on his face. It is so creepy. And then the conversation begins and the audience is just so terrified of what sort of mind games Lecter can play because of the warnings Clarice received. And finally, what would any mention of The Silence of the Lambs be without the further mention of "liver with some farvar beans and a nice chianti."

9. Cinderella Man. I think Cinderella Man is one of the most underrated movies ever because it is one of the best I have ever seen. It is filled with unforgettable characters and scenes but the best one is the scene where Jimmy Braddock has to ask the boxing promoters for money. Braddock, the main character, is a very proud man and does things with honor throughout the whole picture, so for him to humble himself to those who previously fired him is an incredible thing to watch. Russell Crowe does not need any more recognition for his incredible acting skills, but in my opinion, this is his best performance. It truly is remarkable.

8. Casablanca. It's a classic. How could you not like Casablanca? This is another movies with an endless list of unforgettable quotes, but more noticeably, unforgettable lines. It seems like more lines come from Casablanca than in any other movie combined. obviously that is an exaggeration buy you get the picture. From "Gin joints" to "As time goes by" the movie is just unforgettable. But the scene that I like most is the scene in Rick's Cafe when the Nazis are singing a song in German amongst themselves. Well Casablanca is occupied with French citizens, so in the same bar the French start singing their national anthem in response. The struggle eventually ends on the side of the French and you can see the sense of unity in the French. It is an epic scene.

7. Jaws. I am a firm believer in Jaws. I think it is one of the best films ever made and Robert Shaw's portrayal of the rough captain of the Orka, Quint, is some of the best acting I have ever seen. The best scene in Jaws is where Shaw is just going to town with his acting skills while the three are talking about different scars they have accumulated over the years (macho talk). Then Quint goes into a monologue about how he survived the largest recorded shark attack ever recorded when a Naval ship went down. It is an actual event, but hearing it from the point of view of someone that was there is a powerful thing. Plus Quint is a badass.

6. Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back. To be completely honest, I'm not sure there is one defining scene in the Star Wars saga for me to talk about. But the fact of the matter is that Star Wars is one of my favorite movies ever, and I am referring to Star Wars as a whole and not as one single movie. But if I had to pick one I would pick the one that is most widely known, which is the battle between Luke and Darth Vador. Apart from being totally awesome, we also get the movie line to end all movie line's, "No, I am your father." The Funny thing is, when anyone quote's that movie, they always say, "Luke I am your father," but he never actually addresses Luke by name. Not many people realize that. Awesome scene though.

5. The Godfather. The Godfather, in my opinion, is the only movie I have ever seen that I wold consider to be flawless. It is just perfect. But the scene that gets me the most is the meeting between all the five families. This is the first time the Don has revealed himself to the other families since his assassination attempt. The part that makes the scene is when he starts talking. He forgoes the vengeance on his son Sonny, but communicates the importance of a safe return home for his son Michael, who had to flea the country. And he says "But I am a supersticious man an if some accident should happen like if he were to be shot by a police man, or if he were to hang himself in his jail cell, or if he is struck by a bolt of lightening, then I am going to blame some of the people in this room. And that I do not forgive." Not sure if that is entirely right, but it is close enough. Epic.

4. Unforgiven. If you haven't seen Unforgiven, and an alarming number of people I talk to haven't, then go rent it. It is one of my favorite movies and the best Western I have ever seen. It isn't like most Westerns though, meaning to say that the whole thing isn't about gun slinging. It has it's fair share of action, but it is all at the end so if you are one who needs their daily dose of action in a movie you will get it, but be patient. If you are one that likes a good drama, this is more of your type of movie. But the scene I am talking about is the climax. It comes at the end of the movie so I don't want to give too much away, but the main character, William Munny played by Clint Eastwood (who also directed it) is a retired outlaw, who tries to convince everyone that he has changed his ways. Then at the end of the movie shit goes down and he jacks some fools up. It is awesome. But I don't want to give away the ending. Go see it. It's great. If you dare to watch it having not scene it or just want to watch it again check it out. Click on the second one. It's edited so it's not the entire scene but you get the idea.

3. Godfather II. I am a fan of the original Godfather more than part II, though I do not fault anyone who differs from that opinion. In the second however, there are two story lines going on, one about the present Michael Corleone and one about Vito's past and it is that story line that I love to watch in part II. It is like watching a moving painting. Anyway, the scene I love in that story line is the one where Vito takes his first step towards becoming the Don by killing a cruel mob boss that controls the his town during the town's parade. It is such an incredible scene that I really can't describe it. He's climbing over rooftops, the music is incredible, just go watch that movie. I want to right now.

2. E. T. My favorite movie from my childhood is also perhaps my favorite movie ever. E. T. should go down as one of the greatest achievements in film history, but many people see it as a children's film and overlook it, especially people my age I have noticed. But they shouldn't because it is GREAT. The final chase scene is possibly my favorite of all time, the only reason I didn't put it at number one is because there really isn't any dialogue. I guess that shouldn't really matter but I've already made this list and I like going with my first instincts. The musical score by John Williams is amazing though. It just elevates that scene so much. I'm talking about the scene where everyone is chasing the kids on their bikes. It's so cool.

1. The Shawshank Redemption. Possibly the most underrated movie when it came out, and I read somewhere that this is considered the best movie never to win an academy award for best picture. I would agree with that, though I doubt that is a general consensus. It is however a great movie and has really picked up popularity since it's release on video and DVD. My favorite scene in the movie however, which also happens to be my favorite scene of all time, is the scene where Andy, Red, and the rest of their inmate group of friends are hanging out on the rooftop they are tarring. They are drinking beers as if they are buddies, beers that Andy was somehow able to haggle for. And Red, played by Morgan Freeman is providing the voice over with some of the best writing you will ever find. "We could have been tarring the roofs of one of our own houses. We were the lords of all creation." 

Just missed it:

To Kill a Mockingbird: the Atticus Monologue.

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest: Where they play basketball.

Raiders of the Lost Arc: the opening temple scene.