Mark Sensmeier's 30 Favorite Films



 
Rank Title Comment VHS DVD approx
#times
seen
1
Schindler's List Not just a film, but an experience that will change your view of humanity.
X
X
5
2
The 10 Commandments Perhaps overdone, but De Mille's epic "out-epics" anything else ever made.
X
X
15
3
It's A Wonderful Life If you can't appreciate your own life after seeing this, something's wrong.
X
X
25
4
Doctor Zhivago The sweeping beauty of the Russian countryside and Julie Christie's amazing performance as Lara make this an all-timer.
X
X
12
5
The Right Stuff The aerospace engineer's ultimate flick.
X

15
6
Field of Dreams Fantastic blend of fantasy and America's favorite pasttime.
X
15
7
Gladiator "What we do in life...echoes in eternity."
X
15
8
E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial Spielberg's masterful blend of fantasy, science fiction, Americana, adventure, and emotion.
X
X
25
9
La Vita e Bella
(Life is Beautiful)
A perfect mix of humor and tragedy; and an amazing performance by Roberto Benigni (who also wrote and directed).  
X
2
10
A Walk to Remember I didn't expect much from this one, but was stunned by its elegant simplicity.  Shane West is outstanding, and Mandy Moore was flawless as Jamie Sullivan.
X
12
11
American Beauty Who couldn't love Lester Burnham and his "reawakening." This one would rank higher if it weren't for the glamorization of drug use.  
X
12
12
Braveheart Almost makes you want to go out and buy a kilt!
X
6
13
Almost Famous Best rock-n-roll movie ever made! Stellar performance by Kate Hudson.
4
14
Being There Peter Seller's finest performance.  This one's not as famous, but if you haven't seen it, rent it soon!

10
15
Sound of Music A great musical, Julie Andrews wonderful voice, and the beautiful Austrian Alps.
X
X
15
16
Ordinary People Emotionally gut-wrenching.  Tremendous performances by Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore and Timothy Hutton.
X
7
17
Gandhi Made Ben Kingsley famous.  Perhaps the best performance by an actor in history and a stirring portrait of one of the 20th century's greatest men.
X
X
8
18
Forrest Gump "I may not be a smart man, but I know what love is." - sums it up
X

15
19
Animal House Classic college film.  I've probably seen it 100+ times.
X
40
20
Casablanca Bogart & Bergman - "Here's looking at you kid" - an icon in film history

8
21
Fargo This is your brain.  This is your brain in a wood chipper.

10
22
Rain Man Dustin Hoffman's best performance ever - even Tom Cruise does an admirable job.

20
23
Hoosiers Captures the mania of Indiana high-school basketball.  Nice performances by Gene Hackman and Barbara Hershey.
X
15
24
All The Real Girls Extremely well-acted small-town love story. Slow-moving, but very authentic.
X
12
25
sex, lies & videotape Amazingly original film with excellent performances all around.
X

12
26
Terms of Endearment Debra Winger, Shirley Maclaine, Jack Nicholson. 'nuff said

20
27
A River Runs Through It Fly fishing and the Montana wilderness.  "I am haunted by waters."  Sends a chill up your spine.
X
5
28
The Jungle Book Disney cartoon version.  "Look for the bare necessities..."
X

30
29
Apocalypse Now Great performances by Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando, but most memorable is Robert Duvall's "I love the smell of napalm in the morning.  Smells like...victory"

12
30
The Big Chill Superb soundtrack and incredible ensemble acting together with a terrific script.

20
31
The Adventures of Robin Hood Errol Flynn version.  Worth watching just to see Olivia de Havilland as Maid Marion.

10
32
The Great Santini Robert Duvall as an overbearing Marine father.  Shows how love and abuse can co-exist.

6


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© 2002 by Dr. Mark D. Sensmeier
Last modified on 8/27/02