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!***
116. Scream (1996) Directed by Wes Craven
The Movie: Casey Becker (Drew Barrymore) is home alone. She is making popcorn and getting to watch a movie. Casey’s telephone rings. The person on the other side of the line is charming and at first Casey and the caller explain why the love scary movies. The man on the other line however, so turns their fun, flirty call into a sadistic game. Outside, Casey’s boyfriend, Steve (Kevin Patrick Walls) is tied to a chair with his mouth gagged. The man on the other line tells Casey that she must play a trivia game about scary movies or he will “cut Steve like a fish!” Casey terrified, agrees. She gets the first question right, but on her second question, “Who’s the killer in Friday the 13th?” She guesses “Jason.” She’s wrong and Steve is murdered. The killer sets his sights on Casey next. Dressed in a “Ghostface” costume, the killer chases Casey down and murders her as well.
When news of Casey and Steve’s murder gets out, the news media descends onto Woodsboro High. Student Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), her friend Tatum (Rose McGowan), Sidney’s boyfriend Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich), Tatum’s boyfriend Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard) there movie nerd friend Randy (Jamie Kennedy) all have theories on who the killer might be.
Part of the news media that arrived at Woodsboro is Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) who is familiar with Sidney. Gale reported on Sidney’s mom’s rape and murder. Gale believes that Sidney identified the wrong person, Cotton Weary (Liev Schreiber) which puts her at odds with Sidney and her friends. Gale sets her sights on the lovable and gullible Deputy Dewey Riley (David Arquette) who is also Tatum’s brother.
That night Sidney is home alone and her phone rings. We the viewer recognize the voice as the killer. It also so happens to be the one year anniversary of her mom’s death. The Killer attacks and is scared away when law enforcement arrives. Billy happens to arrive at the same moment and a cell phone drops out of his pocket. Billy is arrested and taken to the police station for questioning.
Sidney goes to Tatum’s home. While she is there Sidney receives a taunting message from the killer, informing her that Billy isn’t the killer and that she is not safe. Billy is released and tells Sidney that the police now think that Billy scared the killer off. Unbeknownst to Sidney, the police now focus on her father Neil (Lawrence Hecht), after they receive an update that the number that called Sidney was traced to her father’s cell phone.
School is released for the day due to the murder, but Principal Himbry (Henry Winkler) doesn’t make it home. Ghostface kills him. To celebrate school being cancelled, Stu throws a party at his house.
Gale decides to go to the party as she believes that Ghostface will strike there next. There she flirts and starts to fall for Deputy Dewey who is there to make sure the kids are safe. Tatum enters the garage to get beers and is attacked by Ghostface. She attempts to flee and is caught in the doggie door in the garage, Ghostface operates the door causing it to go up and crush Tatum in the process. The party winds down after everyone hears about the death of Principal Himbry.
Sidney makes amends with Billy and they have sex. Afterwards, Ghostface busts into the room, stabs and kills Billy. Sidney runs away and goes outside and to Gale’s news van. The only thing she finds is Gale’s cameraman Kenny (W. Earl Brown) dead. Gale gets into the van and crashes it. Dewey in an attempt to save Sidney is stabbed in the back. Sidney grabs Dewey’s gun and retreats inside.
Stu and Randy emerge and accuse each other of being the killer. Billy is not dead, he is wounded and falling down the stairs. Sidney helps him up and gives him the gun. Billy shoots Randy, and reveals himself to be the killer. But, he is not alone. Stu reveals a voice box and that he is Billy’s accomplice.
Sidney asks Billy and Stu why they are killing everyone, Billy responds that Sidney’s mother was having an affair with not only Cotton Weary, but Billy’s father, which led to his parents getting a divorce. Billy and Stu further explain they killed Sidney’s mother and framed Cotton Weary.
Gale soon arrives and helps Sidney. Sidney uses this opportunity to beat the killers at their own game and taunts them into making mistakes. Sidney knocks Billy out and kills Stu by dropping a TV on his head. Billy wakes up and attacks Sidney, but Gale shoots him dead. Randy who is wounded tells Sidney this is the part in the movie where the killer wakes up for one last scare. Billy wakes up and takes a shot to the head, killing him for good.
Why I Love Scream (1996): Horror movies are a blast, not in spite of their cliches but because of them. Scream doesn’t talk down to the audience, it lets them in on the joke. We all know you don’t say you’ll be right back, because that is a death wish.
Scream fully embraces that the audience knows what is going to happen and yet it still delivers on all its promises. It also plays with your emotions. Right away you think, “Of course it’s Billy”. But, writer Kevin Williamson not only delivers him as the killer, he makes us question Billy as a suspect throughout the film, even though we know it’s him, making Scream one hell of a ride.
Wes Craven was the perfect director to bring Scream to life. He actually took a really serious approach to this type of storytelling two years prior in the criminally underrated, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare.
The cast is a who’s who of young talent that all deliver stellar performances. Neve Campbell as Sidney is one of the greatest final girls in horror. My favorite, however is easily Courteney Cox. She’s tenacious, a bitch and always gets what she wants. If Cox wasn’t so great at playing her she would be another villain in the film. Cox however turns her into a woman you love and love to hate.
Of course, besides the murder mystery, the biggest selling point to Scream is its all time great opening. Not just in horror films, but in films period.
Grisly murders, a murder mystery, likable cast and impeccable direction make Scream an all time horror great.