There is no rhyme or reason to this list. These are not necessarily the greatest in movie history (although some would probably make that list), but just ten that I thought of and found on Youtube. It is a mixture of newer films and classics. They are ordered alphabetically.
Almost Famous - Cameron Crowe's films are always filled with these wonderfully original moments and this scene, where the protagonists forget about all of their recent squabbles and bond once again over their love of music, is probably his finest moment as a director.
American Madness - One of the pleasures of my Top 10 Movie Project is finding lesser known Capra films like this one that are just as good as some of his beloved classics. In this scene, Walter Huston makes a compelling case for honesty and trust as business virtues that are more important than profit.
The Apartment - Billy Wilder's Some Like it Hot is deservedly well known for having one of the best closing movie quotes in history, but this final scene to The Apartment also has a wonderful closing line. Yes, this is a spoiler so if you haven't seen the movie, then skip this scene (and add it to your Netflix queue immediately).
Back to the Future - What? You thought Back to the Future wouldn't make this list. Lots to choose from, but I picked the fun chase scene in town square punctuated by Alan Silvestri's terrific score.
The Circus - Here we have Chaplin's most underrated film and the funniest of the ones I've seen so far (and that includes City Lights and The Gold Rush). In this scene, Chaplin brilliantly uses a carnival funhouse for much hilarity.
Miracle Woman - Another lesser known Capra classic, this film features Barbara Stanwyck in one of the best individual performances I've ever seen in a film. Here is her amazing opening monologue.
The Player - The 80s were not kind to Robert Altman, but he returned with a bang in the 90s with The Player, a wonderful Hollywood satire/murder mystery. This is the opening scene to the film and is one of the best tracking shots in film history.
Rocky - Another film with lots of memorable moments to choose from, but I picked the most dramatic moment of the final fight, where a brutalized Rocky wills himself up off the mat with Bill Conti's brilliant score. Look at Apollo's reaction.
Safety Last! - When it comes to silent comedy, Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton get all of the attention, but recently people have been paying attention to the great Harold Lloyd. Safety Last! is his best remembered classic and this daring climbing scene is one of the best sequences in silent film history.
Up - Pixar is amazing. We all know that. Here they are at their finest in a heartbreaking montage that should make even the most hardened cynics weep uncontrollably.
1 comment:
Great choices!! I will have to add the Capra films and The Circus to my netflix list. The scene from Almost Famous is one of my very favorites! The Player is an amazing movie and the opening tracking shot is brilliant. It is actually been many years since I have seen The Apartment. I think I may need to watch it again!! *tears* That scene from UP made me cry again!
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