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!!!***
100. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) Directed by James Gunn
The Movie: Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) and the Guardians of the Galaxy are at their home, Knowhere, when they are attacked by a powerful being known as Adam (Will Poulter). Adam was created by Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki) after she was humiliated by the Guardians during one of their missions.
Rocket (Bradley Cooper) is injured. Bad. In fact, Rocket will die unless the Guardians go to Orgocorp and find a code to overwrite a “kill switch” code that was placed in Rocket by his “creator” The High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji). The mission is dangerous and Nebula (Karen Gillan) tells Quill that she knows someone that can help them get inside the headquarters.
As Rocket lies in a coma, we are taken back in time and we learn how Rocket became Rocket. The High Evolutionary was experimenting on animals, in hopes of creating a Counter-Earth with enhanced and anthropomorphize for a more “perfect” society. While in a cage, Rocket befriends several “enhanced” animals. An otter named Lylla (Linda Cardellini) a walrus named Teefs (Asim Chaudhry) and a rabbit named Floor (Mikaela Hoover). Rocket soon learns incredibly quick gaining favor with The High Evolutionary. But when Rocket figures out a problem with The High Evolutionary’s process that results in the Humanimal creations to longer explode, he becomes jealous and furious with Rocket. Rocket learns that he is soon to be killed so his brain can be harvested and his friends will be killed as they are deemed obsolete. Rocket and his friends devise a plan to escape but during their escape all of his friends are killed. Rocket attacks and mauls The High Evolutionary and escapes.
Back with Quill, Nebula, Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Drax (Dave Bautista) and Groot (Vin Diesel) we learn that Nebula’s contact is The Ravagers, more specifically Gamora (Zoe Saldana). Quill still has feelings for Gamora, but this is not the Gamora that fell in love with Quill. That Gamora was killed by Thanos. At Orgocorp, the Guardians are successful in breaking into High Evolutionary’s headquarters, but they learn that the code is incomplete, they must travel to the Counter-Earth and confront The High Evolutionary’s henchman, Theel (Nico Santos).
As the Guardians arrive on Counter-Earth, hot on their tails are Adam and Ayesha. They too were created by The High Evolutionary and he has threatened to kill their entire race unless they retrieve Rocket for him.
The citizens of Counter-Earth point the Guardians in the direction of Arete, where a laboratory there contains the code they need to save Rocket. Quill, Groot and Nebula head for the laboratory and Gamora, Drax and Mantis stay behind to look after Rocket.
Quill and Groot enter Arete, Nebula stays outside. Drax feeling left out, tricks Mantis in going to Arete to help the other Guardians. Gamora is left behind and must save Rocket from not only Adam but War Pig (Judy Greer) a vicious henchwoman of The High Evolutionary.
Quill and Groot confront The High Evolutionary inside Arete and tell him that his society isn’t perfect as they saw the Humanimals doing drugs and committing crimes. The High Evolutionary agrees and Arete is not just a building it is a rocket that not only leaves Counter-Earth but it wipes out its population and kills Ayesha in the process as well. Theel is killed in a fight with Quill and Groot. They retrieve the code they need from Theel’s body and use it to save Rocket.
In the confusion of Arete lifting off, Drax, Nebula and Mantis are captured on board. Not before they learn of hundreds of imprisoned modified children that are on board. Quill, Rocket, Groot and Gamora devise a plan to save the other Guardians. During the battle with The High Evolutionary and his army, Kraglin (Sean Gunn) uses Knowhere to fire upon Arete, critically crippling the ship. Overwhelmed by the citizens of Knowhere, the crew of the Arete stage a mutiny against The High Evolutionary. The High Evolutionary kills the people responsible for the mutiny and sets his sights on Rocket. The Guardians reunite and decide they cannot leave the children on board the doomed Arete. They go to the prison and save the children. Rocket meanwhile, enters the animal testing area of Arete. While there, he is confronted by The High Evolutionary. Rocket is overpowered but with the help of the other Guardians, Rocket defeats The High Evolutionary and spares his life. The animals are able to escape, but the Arete is falling apart and the bridge to Knowhere is breaking. Quill the last to leave, doesn’t make it across and is about to die. Quill is saved by Adam, who was given a second chance by the Guardians, more specifically Groot.
It seems the Guardians have had their last mission. Quill leaves space to see his Grandfather Jason (Gregg Hill) and names Rocket Captain. Gamora leaves to be with her new family, The Ravagers. Mantis leaves with the monstrous Abilisks. Nebula and Drax decide to stay on Knowhere and help raise all the children they rescued.
Why I Love Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023): Of all the Marvel Cinematic Movies that came out during the first two phases, I remember when they announced Guardians of the Galaxy and thinking to myself, “if Marvel can pull this off, no one can stop them.”
Not only did Marvel pull it off, they gave us one of the most unlikely blockbusters of all time. James Gunn has such a unique voice that he gave the candy coated cosmic world of Marvel quite the look. But the best thing that he and co-writer Nicole Perlman did was give us some of the best heartfelt moments in the MCU.
With GotG Vol 3. Gunn and company deliver a film that is funny, poignant and a real tear-jerker. No joke I cried at least three times in this film. Bradley Cooper’s performance as Rocket is one of the best voice over work done, period. Rocket’s heartbreaking story which is only touched on in the first two films is given the ability to fully breathe here and it pays off in spades. I also love that Gunn did not take the easy way out with Gamora. Quill’s struggle to get this Gamora to like him is relatable, but ultimately bound to fail. As it should. I actually would have felt cheated out if she choose to be with Quill instead of The Ravagers. And the moment near the end when Peter realizes that is beautiful.
The action, the special effects are top notch. The performances are all great. And if this is the Guardians last ride, they go out on top.