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!***
125. Star Wars: Episode VII-The Force Awakens (2015) Directed by J.J. Abrams
The Movie: Years after the fall of the Empire a new threat has emerged in the Galaxy, The First Order. The First Order sends Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) to the planet of Jakku after it learns that the New Republic has learned the location of rogue Jedi Master Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).
On Jakku, Lor San Tekka (Max Van Sydow) gives the map of Skywalker’s location to Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) and to his droid BB-8. Poe attempts to flee but is pinned down by Stromtrooper fire. Poe tells BB-8 to get away and that he will find him.
Kylo Ren confronts Lor San Tekka, and kills him prompting Poe to fire his blaster at Ren. Ren stops the blaster and uses the force to discover that Poe has hidden the map somewhere. Kylo Ren takes Poe hostage and orders the Stormtroopers to kill all the villagers, which they do. One Trooper however is unable to follow the order, we learn of this Troopers name, FN-2187.
BB-8 is rescued by a scavenger named Rey (Daisy Ridley). Rey at first tries to sell BB-8, but soon realizes he is more valuable than thought. On the Star Destroyer, Kylo Ren learns of BB-8 and orders his troops to find it on Jakku.
Poe is rescued by FN-2187 and they make a daring escape from the Star Destroyer, with Poe commandeering a TIE Fighter. On board Poe asks FN-2187 for his name. Poe tells him he doesn’t like and names him “Finn”. Poe and Finn are unable to escape from the First Order and are shot down and crash on Jakku. Finn believes Poe died in the crash and takes his jacket. Finn makes his way to an outpost. There he meets Rey and BB-8, who recognizes Poe’s jacket. Finn pleads with Rey telling her that he is part of the Resistance and he can lead Rey and BB-8 to a Resistance outpost.
The First Order descends onto Jakku and starts to attack Finn and Rey. They run into a junkyard looking for a ship to escape. They spot one, the Millennium Falcon. Rey, Finn and BB-8 escape, but are soon pulled onto another ship. The ship just happens to be piloted by Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew and Joonas Suotamo). A confrontation between the old crew and the new crew is interrupted by a couple of gangs coming to collect on Han Solo. By working together, they escape and Han Solo reluctantly aggress to help them by taking them to see Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong’o).
On the Starkiller Base, a planet that is a weapon, General Hux (Domhall Gleeson) gets the approval from Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) to use the weapon, which can destroy a planet. Snoke is concerned about Kylo’s feelings for his father, Han Solo. Kylo reassures Snoke that his father means nothing to him.
Han learns that BB-8’s map is incomplete and informs Rey that Skywalker was attempting to rebuild the Jedi Order but when an apprentice turned to the Dark Side and killed the other apprentices, Skywalker went into exile.
Han brings them to the planet Takodana to meet Maz and offer Rey a job. Maybe. We soon learn that Rey has some Force power and it draws her to a vault. She finds a lightsaber belonging to Luke Skywalker. Rey is haunted by disturbing visons and runs away. Maz sensing that there is more to Rey, asks Finn to care for the lightsaber.
The First Order demonstrates the awesome power of the Starkiller Base by destroying the New Republic capital of Hosnian Prime and neighboring planets. The First Order then appears on Takodana to look for BB-8 and crush the Resistance. The Rebels are being overrun when they are recued by Resistance fighters, led by Poe Dameron. In looking for BB-8, Kylo Ren finds Rey, sensing that she has seen the map, Kylo takes her hostage, no longer needing BB-8. At the battlefield, Han Solo is reunited with General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher).
On board the Starkiller Base, Kylo learns that Rey is resisting his mind-reading and that she indeed has The Force within her. Kylo shocked, informs Snoke. Snoke tells Kylo to bring Rey to him. With Kylo gone, Rey uses the Jedi mind trick on a hapless Stormtrooper to free her and she escapes. On Takodana, the Resistance plans their attack with Finn telling them he can get inside the base and destroy it from within. Han and Chewbacca decide to take Finn on the mission and blow up the base with planted explosives.
Han, Chewbacca and Finn infiltrate the base. There Han learns that Finn does not really know how to destroy the Starkiller Base, he only wants to save Rey. They are reunited and Han finds Kylo inside the base. Han pleads with his son, calling him by his birth name, Ben. Han believes he can get through to Kylo Ren and Kylo tells him that he doesn’t know if he is strong enough to do what he must. Han places his hand on Kylo’s face, and Kylo stabs him figuratively and literally through the heart, killing his own father. Enraged Chewbacca shoots Kylo, plants his bombs and detonates them. The Resistance pilots are successful in destroying the bases thermal oscillator.
Outside, Kylo confronts Finn and Rey. Kylo knocks Rey back and engages in a lightsaber duel with Finn. Finn is soon overpowered by Kylo and loses his lightsaber. Kylo attempts to use the Force to retrieve the lightsaber. Kylo is overpowered by Rey, who gains possession of the lightsaber and beats Kylo. The planet starts to implode, Kylo is saved by Snoke and Rey and Finn are saved by Chewbacca.
Rey leaves Leia and the Resistance to find Skywalker, as R2-D2 had the missing part of the map. Rey finds Luke and presents him with his lightsaber.
Why I Love Star Wars: Episode VII-The Force Awakens (2015): Although I loved Episode III, (see entry 147) the rest of the prequel trilogy, while fun wasn’t as good as I hoped. The Force Awakens is one of the best theater experiences I have ever had. Enjoying Star Wars is everything. Seeing Star Wars with an enthusiastic crowd is the best. I can’t tell you how cool it is to see Han Solo and hear everyone cheer.
The Force Awakens also introduces a tragic and terrifying new villain in Kylo Ren. His introduction is so badass. Who doesn’t love the way he stops a laser from a blaster using the Force?
Rey is my favorite new Star Wars character. She is brave, tough and smart. She doesn’t back down from fights and Daisy Ridley’s performance is restrained and powerful.
The film is an absolute stunner as well. Abrams uses the effect of lights to great effect. The blues and the reds the pepper the final lightsaber duel in the snow is breathtaking. The reds and blacks that permeate The First Order is menacing and sleek. The set designs, the alien designs are all amazing, being sucked back into the world of Star Wars was smooth.
By introducing new characters and recapturing the magic of the earlier Star Wars films, The Force Awakens delivers action, adventure, humor and heartbreak, giving fans what they longed for in a Galaxy Far Far Away.