One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.
As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.
Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.
I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”
When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.
See you at the movies!
***Spoilers Ahead!***
133. Top Secret! (1984) Directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
American heartthrob rocker Nick Rivers (Val Kilmer) whose number one hit “Skeet Surfin’” has garnered him fame and a chance to perform at a cultural festival that is taking place in East Germany. But what he doesn’t know is that the East German Goverment is using the festival as a front in an attempt to untie Germany into one nation again!
When Nick arrives in East Germany after painting a beautiful painting on a moving train, he goes to dinner and meets Hillary Flammond (Lucy Gutteridge) who helps Nick at dinner because she knows a little German. But what Nick soon learns is that Hillary is part of the local resistance and she is hiding out there from the authorities. After he knocks the East Germans out with a rip-roaring cover of “Tutti Frutti”
After Nick meets Hillary again at the ballet, he saves her from the police and turns himself in. After torturing Nick to no avail Nick escapes and meets Hillary’s father, Dr. Paul Flammond (Michael Gough) who tells him he is developing a weapon that can destroy the NATO submarine fleet, he only agrees to help the East Germans so they don’t kill his daughter. Nick is captured again and taken to be executed, the East Germans think that this will cause an international problem and let’s Nick perform in front of a raucous East German, mostly female crowd.
At the end of his performance he is rescued by Hillary and he serenades her with “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”
The following morning the meet the rest of the French Resistance, with names like Deja Vu (Have we meet before?) and Hillary’s ex-lover Nigel. Who we soon learn is a traitor! Nick beats up Nigel in an underwater bar fight, saves the world, and he and Hillary leave to go to America!
Why I Love Top Secret! (1984): I have mentioned earlier that I love movies that have stupid dialogue and actors that say them seriously and believably. Top Secret! is another film that I rented countless times at Blockbuster, laughing every time I watched it.
Val Kilmer is great as the rock icon Nick Rivers. The jokes come fast and furious but some are right in your face (see above “The Anal Intruder”).
I mean who can’t love gems like this;
“Listen to me, Hillary. I’m not the first guy who fell in love with a woman that he met at a restaurant who turned out to be the daughter of a kidnapped scientist, only to lose her to her childhood lover who she last saw on a deserted island, who then turned out to fifteen years later to be the leader of the French Underground.”
“I know it all sounds like some bad movie.”
I laughed, I singed…I laughed again. Top Secret! is a joke a minute movie I don’t want to ever end.