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bcholmes100 best movies of the last 25 years. Meme ganked from ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
wordweaverlynn:
Bold the ones you've seen.
Underline ones you started but didn't finish (that's pretty rare for me).
1. Pulp Fiction (1994) - I think I'm the only person on the planet who was all "meh" about this movie. (Bechdel level 1?)
2. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-03) - I liked it. (Bechdel level 1?)
3. Titanic (1997) - I liked it. I've often enjoyed Cameron's story structure. I'm not quite sure of its Bechdel rating.
4. Blue Velvet (1986) - Oddly, I've never seen this.
5. Toy Story (1995) - Good mind candy. Does it even reach Bechdel level 1?
6. Saving Private Ryan (1998) - So many of my friends were really blown away by this film. I just found it boring. Bechdel 0, I think.
7. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) Wordweaverlynn suggested that this was the best Woody Allen. I still prefer Annie Hall, and Crimes and Misdemeanors is a fave. But it is very good. I especially Max von Sydow (and the scene with "Dusty"). There's also a great bit of camera work in the second half, with the three sisters out at a restaurant. And this is the film that really turned me on to e.e. cummings. "Somewhere I have never travelled..." Bechdel 3.
8. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - I loved this film. My friend, Diane, and I went to see it in the theatres 11 times. Bechdel 3.
9. Die Hard (1988) - I really enjoyed the fact that the action hero in the film spends much of the film running away. And Alan Rickman, in one of his best-ever roles. Yum. (Not quite Truly, Madly, Deeply, but...) Does it even rate as Bechdel 1?
10. Moulin Rouge (2001) - I enjoyed this film for its frenetic energy, and it's amazingly potent performance of Roxanne. I also like the idea of trying to capture a certain feeling, and how that's easier to capture if you depart from historical accuracy. Barely Bechdel 1.
11. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
12. The Matrix (1999) I liked the film, and really enjoy the part from the shootout at the police building to the end. I also enjoyed the fact that it didn't over-explain the world. (which is good because the parts they did explain were terrible.) I liked the cinematic-ness of the gun fights. But it's eye candy. Bechdel level 1.
13. GoodFellas (1990) - A good film. Is there more than one female character?
14. Crumb (1995)
15. Edward Scissorhands (1990) - Bechdel 2?
16. Boogie Nights (1997)
17. Jerry Maguire (1996)
18. Do the Right Thing (1989) - I saw this surprisingly late. I went through a Spike Lee phase.
19. Casino Royale (2006) - I'm not happy with the reboot. And I really liked Pierce Brosnan. Bechdel level 1, I think.
20. The Lion King (1994)
21. Schindler's List (1993)
22. Rushmore (1998)
23. Memento (2001) - An amazing film. But, man. Harsh. Bechdel level 1, I think.
24. A Room With a View (1986) - "It is fate. But call it Italy if it will please you, vicar."
25. Shrek (2001).
26. Hoop Dreams (1994)
27. Aliens (1986) - I'm a bigger fan of the Ridley Scott film, but I like this one as well. Bechdel 3, I think.
28. Wings of Desire (1988) - I found this film challenging, but I liked some of what it had to say. Bechdel level 0?
29. The Bourne Supremacy (2004) - The weakest of the trilogy, in my opinion. I think it's Level 1.
30. When Harry Met Sally... (1989) - I liked this film. I mostly like Nora Ephron. Bechdel 2 or 3?
31. Brokeback Mountain (2005) Again, another film that, once I saw it, I was, like, big whoop. Bechdel 1.
32. Fight Club (1999) - this is a great film. Bad on the Bechdel benchmark, though.
33. The Breakfast Club (1985) - I probably liked it when I saw it. Haven't seen it since 1985. Bechdel?
34. Fargo (1996) - Yah? Yah. Yah?!? Yah!!. Bechdel 2 or 3?
35. The Incredibles (2004) - No capes. Bechdel 3?
36. Spider-Man 2 (2004) - Good.
37. Pretty Woman (1990) - I saw it on a date. The date was good, the movie okay.
38. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) - For all the good press this film got, I found it a bit more plodding than I like. Bechdel 1 or 2? Probably 1, I think.
39. The Sixth Sense (1999) - I liked it, but I guessed the surprise ending. Bechdel 1?
40. Speed (1994) - ehn. Does it even make it to Bechdel 1?
41. Dazed and Confused (1993)
42. Clueless (1995)
43. Gladiator (2000) - Ridley Scott does no wrong. Well, he did do Legend, but I've forgiven him for that. Bechdel 1?
44. The Player (1992) - Tim Robbins and Robert Altman! How can I not love this movie? And that opening shot, a la Touch of Evil. A thing of cinematic wonder.
45. Rain Man (1988) - "She's sparkly, very sparkly, like a holiday." Bechdel 0?
46. Children of Men (2006) - some great amazingly long shots, but he plot kind of bugs me.
47. Men in Black (1997)
48. Scarface (1983) - "Say hello to my little friend..."
49. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) - I found the plot annoying, but it was pretty to look at. Bechdel 3?
50. The Piano (1993)
51. There Will Be Blood (2007) - A great character study, but I wasn't terribly engaged. Bechdel 1?
52. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad (1988)
53. The Truman Show (1998) - I really love the moment when Ed Harris' voice is being projected from up in the clouds and he says, "I am the creator... of a television show."
54. Fatal Attraction (1987) - The rabbit died. Bechdel 2? (do the mother and daughter ever talk?)
55. Risky Business (1983)
56. The Lives of Others (2006) - This is a really good film
57. There's Something About Mary (1998)
58. Ghostbusters (1984)
59. L.A. Confidential (1997)
60. Scream (1996)
61. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
62. sex, lies and videotape (1989) - I'm probably far more fond of this film than it really merits. Bechdel 2, I think.
63. Big (1988) - Penny Marshall. I wish she'd direct more.
64. No Country For Old Men (2007) - There are things I really like about this film. I like the almost Brechtian moment when we're confronted with the fact that we expect movie story-telling logic to apply to this story and, no, it's not gonna. And Chigurh is just terrifying. But I was disappointed that its overall message seemed to be that there are bad people and increasingly, the bad guys are winning. Bechdel 2?
65. Dirty Dancing (1987)
66. Natural Born Killers (1994)
67. Donnie Brasco (1997) - The scene in which Al Pacino quietly leaves his wallet and valuables behind when he goes to meet with the mafia is pretty powerful. Bechdel 0?
68. Witness (1985)
69. All About My Mother (1999) - Trans content!
70. Broadcast News (1987)
71. Unforgiven (1992) - I'm very fond of this film.
72. Thelma & Louise (1991) - Hmm. I liked this film (it being a Ridley Scott film, 'natch).wordweaverlynn wrote "An old-fashioned morality tale masquerading as a feminist romp. Gals, don't even go on vacation without your husbands, or you'll end up almost raped, robbing banks, and dead in the Grand Canyon -- a vulvar symbol if I ever saw one." And, hm. That's not quite my reading of it.
73. Office Space (1999) - this should be required viewing at IBM, I think.
74. Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
75. Out of Africa (1985)
76. The Departed (2006) - Meh.
77. Sid and Nancy (1986) - I liked this film. I'm always tremendously uncomfortable watching movies about self-destructive people, but this was a good film.
78. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) - More James Cameron. And muscular Sarah Connor.
79. Waiting for Guffman (1996)
80. Michael Clayton (2007) - Of the five films up for best picture last year, this was my favourite. While I think that No Country for Old Men had some more creative story-telling elements, I like what Michael Clayton has to say about how people can compartmentalize in a way that allows truly horrific choices to be made.
81. Moonstruck (1987)
82. Lost in Translation (2003) - by the time I saw it, it'd been hyped so much that nothing could live up to those expectations.
83. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987) - I know it's a cult classic, but I found it vaguely stupid.
84. Sideways (2004) - Meh.
85. The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005) - Bechdel 0?
86. Y Tu Mamá También (2002)
87. Swingers (1996)
88. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) - Meh.
89. Breaking the Waves (1996)
90. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
91. Back to the Future (1985) - Lea Thompson. I used to have a big crush on her.
92. Menace II Society (1993)
93. Ed Wood (1994) - Johnny Depp and trans content! Bechdel 1? (Also: love the scene in which Bill Murray is getting baptized: "Do you promise to cast out satan and all of his evils?" "Sure.")
94. Full Metal Jacket (1987) - Stanley Kubrick does no wrong. Bechdel 0?
95. In the Mood for Love (2001)
96. Far From Heaven (2002)
97. Glory (1989)
98. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) - I love this line: "Well, whatever you do, however terrible, however hurtful, it all makes sense, doesn't it, in your head. You never meet anybody that thinks they're a bad person." When I originally saw the film, I was still in a "Jude Law makes me twitch" phase. Seriously. Wilde, Gattica and Mr. Ripley... he plays the same annoying character in each. Bechdel 2?
99. The Blair Witch Project (1999) - Bechdel 3 by technicality? I think the female videographer talks to a person in town about the Blair Witch.
100. South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999) - I find South Park really stupid.
wordweaverlynn:Bold the ones you've seen.
Underline ones you started but didn't finish (that's pretty rare for me).
1. Pulp Fiction (1994) - I think I'm the only person on the planet who was all "meh" about this movie. (Bechdel level 1?)
2. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-03) - I liked it. (Bechdel level 1?)
3. Titanic (1997) - I liked it. I've often enjoyed Cameron's story structure. I'm not quite sure of its Bechdel rating.
4. Blue Velvet (1986) - Oddly, I've never seen this.
5. Toy Story (1995) - Good mind candy. Does it even reach Bechdel level 1?
6. Saving Private Ryan (1998) - So many of my friends were really blown away by this film. I just found it boring. Bechdel 0, I think.
7. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) Wordweaverlynn suggested that this was the best Woody Allen. I still prefer Annie Hall, and Crimes and Misdemeanors is a fave. But it is very good. I especially Max von Sydow (and the scene with "Dusty"). There's also a great bit of camera work in the second half, with the three sisters out at a restaurant. And this is the film that really turned me on to e.e. cummings. "Somewhere I have never travelled..." Bechdel 3.
8. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - I loved this film. My friend, Diane, and I went to see it in the theatres 11 times. Bechdel 3.
9. Die Hard (1988) - I really enjoyed the fact that the action hero in the film spends much of the film running away. And Alan Rickman, in one of his best-ever roles. Yum. (Not quite Truly, Madly, Deeply, but...) Does it even rate as Bechdel 1?
10. Moulin Rouge (2001) - I enjoyed this film for its frenetic energy, and it's amazingly potent performance of Roxanne. I also like the idea of trying to capture a certain feeling, and how that's easier to capture if you depart from historical accuracy. Barely Bechdel 1.
11. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
12. The Matrix (1999) I liked the film, and really enjoy the part from the shootout at the police building to the end. I also enjoyed the fact that it didn't over-explain the world. (which is good because the parts they did explain were terrible.) I liked the cinematic-ness of the gun fights. But it's eye candy. Bechdel level 1.
13. GoodFellas (1990) - A good film. Is there more than one female character?
14. Crumb (1995)
15. Edward Scissorhands (1990) - Bechdel 2?
16. Boogie Nights (1997)
17. Jerry Maguire (1996)
18. Do the Right Thing (1989) - I saw this surprisingly late. I went through a Spike Lee phase.
19. Casino Royale (2006) - I'm not happy with the reboot. And I really liked Pierce Brosnan. Bechdel level 1, I think.
20. The Lion King (1994)
21. Schindler's List (1993)
22. Rushmore (1998)
23. Memento (2001) - An amazing film. But, man. Harsh. Bechdel level 1, I think.
24. A Room With a View (1986) - "It is fate. But call it Italy if it will please you, vicar."
25. Shrek (2001).
26. Hoop Dreams (1994)
27. Aliens (1986) - I'm a bigger fan of the Ridley Scott film, but I like this one as well. Bechdel 3, I think.
28. Wings of Desire (1988) - I found this film challenging, but I liked some of what it had to say. Bechdel level 0?
29. The Bourne Supremacy (2004) - The weakest of the trilogy, in my opinion. I think it's Level 1.
30. When Harry Met Sally... (1989) - I liked this film. I mostly like Nora Ephron. Bechdel 2 or 3?
31. Brokeback Mountain (2005) Again, another film that, once I saw it, I was, like, big whoop. Bechdel 1.
32. Fight Club (1999) - this is a great film. Bad on the Bechdel benchmark, though.
33. The Breakfast Club (1985) - I probably liked it when I saw it. Haven't seen it since 1985. Bechdel?
34. Fargo (1996) - Yah? Yah. Yah?!? Yah!!. Bechdel 2 or 3?
35. The Incredibles (2004) - No capes. Bechdel 3?
36. Spider-Man 2 (2004) - Good.
37. Pretty Woman (1990) - I saw it on a date. The date was good, the movie okay.
38. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) - For all the good press this film got, I found it a bit more plodding than I like. Bechdel 1 or 2? Probably 1, I think.
39. The Sixth Sense (1999) - I liked it, but I guessed the surprise ending. Bechdel 1?
40. Speed (1994) - ehn. Does it even make it to Bechdel 1?
41. Dazed and Confused (1993)
42. Clueless (1995)
43. Gladiator (2000) - Ridley Scott does no wrong. Well, he did do Legend, but I've forgiven him for that. Bechdel 1?
44. The Player (1992) - Tim Robbins and Robert Altman! How can I not love this movie? And that opening shot, a la Touch of Evil. A thing of cinematic wonder.
45. Rain Man (1988) - "She's sparkly, very sparkly, like a holiday." Bechdel 0?
46. Children of Men (2006) - some great amazingly long shots, but he plot kind of bugs me.
47. Men in Black (1997)
48. Scarface (1983) - "Say hello to my little friend..."
49. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) - I found the plot annoying, but it was pretty to look at. Bechdel 3?
50. The Piano (1993)
51. There Will Be Blood (2007) - A great character study, but I wasn't terribly engaged. Bechdel 1?
52. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad (1988)
53. The Truman Show (1998) - I really love the moment when Ed Harris' voice is being projected from up in the clouds and he says, "I am the creator... of a television show."
54. Fatal Attraction (1987) - The rabbit died. Bechdel 2? (do the mother and daughter ever talk?)
55. Risky Business (1983)
56. The Lives of Others (2006) - This is a really good film
57. There's Something About Mary (1998)
58. Ghostbusters (1984)
59. L.A. Confidential (1997)
60. Scream (1996)
61. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
62. sex, lies and videotape (1989) - I'm probably far more fond of this film than it really merits. Bechdel 2, I think.
63. Big (1988) - Penny Marshall. I wish she'd direct more.
64. No Country For Old Men (2007) - There are things I really like about this film. I like the almost Brechtian moment when we're confronted with the fact that we expect movie story-telling logic to apply to this story and, no, it's not gonna. And Chigurh is just terrifying. But I was disappointed that its overall message seemed to be that there are bad people and increasingly, the bad guys are winning. Bechdel 2?
65. Dirty Dancing (1987)
66. Natural Born Killers (1994)
67. Donnie Brasco (1997) - The scene in which Al Pacino quietly leaves his wallet and valuables behind when he goes to meet with the mafia is pretty powerful. Bechdel 0?
68. Witness (1985)
69. All About My Mother (1999) - Trans content!
70. Broadcast News (1987)
71. Unforgiven (1992) - I'm very fond of this film.
72. Thelma & Louise (1991) - Hmm. I liked this film (it being a Ridley Scott film, 'natch).
wordweaverlynn wrote "An old-fashioned morality tale masquerading as a feminist romp. Gals, don't even go on vacation without your husbands, or you'll end up almost raped, robbing banks, and dead in the Grand Canyon -- a vulvar symbol if I ever saw one." And, hm. That's not quite my reading of it.73. Office Space (1999) - this should be required viewing at IBM, I think.
74. Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
75. Out of Africa (1985)
76. The Departed (2006) - Meh.
77. Sid and Nancy (1986) - I liked this film. I'm always tremendously uncomfortable watching movies about self-destructive people, but this was a good film.
78. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) - More James Cameron. And muscular Sarah Connor.
79. Waiting for Guffman (1996)
80. Michael Clayton (2007) - Of the five films up for best picture last year, this was my favourite. While I think that No Country for Old Men had some more creative story-telling elements, I like what Michael Clayton has to say about how people can compartmentalize in a way that allows truly horrific choices to be made.
81. Moonstruck (1987)
82. Lost in Translation (2003) - by the time I saw it, it'd been hyped so much that nothing could live up to those expectations.
83. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987) - I know it's a cult classic, but I found it vaguely stupid.
84. Sideways (2004) - Meh.
85. The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005) - Bechdel 0?
86. Y Tu Mamá También (2002)
87. Swingers (1996)
88. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) - Meh.
89. Breaking the Waves (1996)
90. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
91. Back to the Future (1985) - Lea Thompson. I used to have a big crush on her.
92. Menace II Society (1993)
93. Ed Wood (1994) - Johnny Depp and trans content! Bechdel 1? (Also: love the scene in which Bill Murray is getting baptized: "Do you promise to cast out satan and all of his evils?" "Sure.")
94. Full Metal Jacket (1987) - Stanley Kubrick does no wrong. Bechdel 0?
95. In the Mood for Love (2001)
96. Far From Heaven (2002)
97. Glory (1989)
98. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) - I love this line: "Well, whatever you do, however terrible, however hurtful, it all makes sense, doesn't it, in your head. You never meet anybody that thinks they're a bad person." When I originally saw the film, I was still in a "Jude Law makes me twitch" phase. Seriously. Wilde, Gattica and Mr. Ripley... he plays the same annoying character in each. Bechdel 2?
99. The Blair Witch Project (1999) - Bechdel 3 by technicality? I think the female videographer talks to a person in town about the Blair Witch.
100. South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999) - I find South Park really stupid.
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(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-23 02:38 am (UTC)Also, I loved Lea Thompson in Some Kind of Wonderful. I love Mary Stuart Masterson even more.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-23 02:43 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-23 07:17 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-23 06:19 am (UTC)FUN FOR EVERYONE!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dykes_to_Watch_Out_For#Contributions_to_popular_culture
[I'm glad I learned of this; I'm sorry it was just yesterday].
(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-23 11:12 am (UTC)I can't say that I would refuse to watch a film that satisfied all the levels because that would eliminate some of my favorite films (My Dinner With Andre being one of them). Interesting idea though.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-23 12:48 pm (UTC)But I find that the more I think and talk about Bechdel ratings for films, the more it's clear to me that there's something profoundly wrong with the movie industry. And that increasing awareness is, I think, a good thing.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-23 01:51 pm (UTC)My own personal movie rule? Never watch a movie that stars Tom Cruise.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-23 10:34 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-24 11:42 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-23 10:27 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-23 03:21 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-23 04:43 am (UTC)I know a lot of people who love Thelma and Louise. I know my reading is quirky.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-23 10:01 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-23 03:09 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-23 03:08 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-24 03:28 am (UTC)Bechdel
Date: 2008-06-23 07:16 pm (UTC)There are certainly several women in Wings of Desire (the angels watch them) but I don't think any of them talk to each other.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-23 10:19 pm (UTC)I love Wings of Desire, but then it's really a love poem for a city I adore, at a time I visited there often. Heck, I've seen Nick Cave live there several times.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-23 10:26 pm (UTC)