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!!!***
97. Drive (2011) Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
The Movie: The Driver (Ryan Gosling) is a Hollywood stuntman by day and a getaway driver by night. The Driver has a boss, an auto shop owner named Shannon (Bryan Cranston) who is able to convince the mob boss Bernie Rose (Albert Brooks) to fund a car for The Driver so he can race.
The Driver soon meets his neighbor, Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her son Benicio (Kaden Leos). The Driver and Irene become friends and seem to be getting close when Irene’s husband, Standard (Oscar Issacs) returns home from prison. Standard is in trouble as he owes money to an Albanian gangster named Chris Cook (James Biberi). After Standard is assaulted by Cook he is told to rob a pawn store of $40,000 to pay his debt. The Driver decides he will help by being the getaway driver for the job.
At the pawn shop, Blanche (Christina Hendricks) who works for Cook waits with The Driver. The robbery does not go as planned and Standard is killed. The Driver and Blanche leave and are pursued by another car. The Driver is able to get away and he and Blanche hide in a motel. Blanche confides in The Driver that she was going to double cross them and take a bag with $1,000,000 in it for her and Cook. Blanche is killed by one of Cook’s men and The Driver stabs that man to death.
After refusing to let Shannon hide the money, The Driver confronts Cook and tells him he will kill him. Cook tells The Driver the mobster Nino (Ron Pearlman) was the man who orchestrated the robbery. The Driver calls Nino and asks to be left alone and he will give him the money. Nino refuses.
The Driver tells Irene about Standard and the robbery. The Driver tells Irene they need to leave. When they enter the elevator, The Driver realizes that the man in the elevator is a hitman. The Driver passionately kisses Irene and then stomps the hitman to death. The Driver next confronts Shannon after he realizes that Shannon must have told Bernie about the money and Irene.
We learn from Nino that a Philadelphia mobster stashed the money at the pawn shop and plans to use the money for a new East Coast operation. Nino tells Bernie that they need to kill any witnesses that are involved in the robbery. Bernie agrees and kills Cook. Bernie next presses Shannon about The Driver’s whereabouts. Shannon refuses to tell him and is killed.
After he finds Shannon dead, The Driver chases down Nino and rams his car off the Pacific Coast Highway and onto a beach. The Driver grabs Nino and drowns him in the ocean. The Driver next finds Bernie. Bernie tells The Driver Irene will be safe, as long as The Driver gives him the money. The Driver does and is stabbed. The Driver however, stabs Bernie to death, leaving his body in a parking lot with all the money. Irene goes to The Driver’s apartment but there is no answer, The Driver is in a car, driving away.
Why I Love Drive (2011): Just a straight cool movie. Ryan Gosling’s performance is calm, cool and mean. The way he controls the camera, where he just commands you to pay attention to him onscreen made me look at him in a whole new light.
The synth laced soundtrack and score are pitch perfect for the neon light-soaked backdrop of Drive’s crime noir.
Directed with confidence and flair by Nicolas Winding Refn, he would never be this cool again. The movies that he made after Drive never capture the awesomeness and confidence he has here. Refn goes too far after this film and never regains his mojo in my opinion, some of the other Reel Nerds love The Neon Demon, I do not.
The car chases, the getaway escapes all pulsate the screen with urgency and bad-assery. Drive does not follow the rules of most action films, it speeds past them.
Drive also plays with your expectations. Blanche’s death is shocking and brutal. So too is The Driver’s assault on the hitman in the elevator. It is gory and necessary, so we understand that The Driver is the hero, but he isn’t above getting his hands dirty.
From the confidence behind the camera and the cool and mean streak of The Driver in front of the camera, Drive rewards its viewers with an action film that never overplays its hand. It takes us for a ride that is breathtaking and brutal.