Updated 2009.04.24
These are some films and television shows that I like.
| Aguirre, the Wrath of God 1972 |
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"Anyone who even thinks about deserting this mission will be cut up into 198 pieces. Those pieces will be stamped on until what is left can be used only to paint walls. Whoever takes one grain of corn or one drop of water more than his ration will be locked up for 155 years. If I, Aguirre, want the birds to drop dead from the trees then the birds will drop dead from the trees. I am the wrath of God. The earth I pass will see me and tremble."
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| Babe: Pig in the City 1998 |
I expected this to be a weak sequel cashing in on the popularity of the original, but I was surprised to find that I liked it quite a bit better than the first film.
"As terror gave way to exhaustion, Babe turned to his attacker, his eyes filled with one simple question: Why?"
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| The Blue Planet 2002 |
The Blue Planet: Seas of Life is a set of amazing documentaries about underwater life.
I've been gradually collecting other similar series also narrated or hosted by David Attenborough, such as The Life of Mammals, Life in the Undergrowth, The Life of Birds, and Planet Earth. All are excellent.
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| The Fountain 2006 |
I think The Fountain is a pretty unique film with a great musical score. My first impression was that it isn't quite as profound as it tries to be, but the more I thought about it, the more I liked it.
"Behold."
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| Look Around You 2002 |
Look Around You is a series of ten-minute educational science program parodies. I'm hoping that one day a region 1 DVD becomes available.
There is a second series, but I found it much weaker--though it did have some good music in the first episode.
"What are birds? We just don't know."
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| Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind 1984 |
When I was young, I saw Warriors of the Wind, a shortened and somewhat inaccurately translated version of Hayao Miyazaki's Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind. It made an enormous impression on me, and later seeing more faithful translations only increased my regard for the film.
I also like Miyazaki's Nausicaä comic and several of his other films, especially Spirited Away.
I also have another page about Nausicaä.
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| The NeverEnding Story 1984 |
If I had to choose a single favorite film, it would probably be either The NeverEnding Story or Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.
I try to pretend that the terrible sequel doesn't exist.
"We don't even care whether or not we care."
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| The New Twilight Zone 1985 |
I've always considered the 1980s Twilight Zone my favorite television show. Many of the episodes really impressed me, and I considered them more creative and interesting than anything else on television.
When this show was released on DVD almost 20 years later, I was happy to find that my favorite episodes are as fun to watch now as they were back then.
You can find a good site about the series here.
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| Pee-Wee's Big Adventure 1985 |
I liked Pee-Wee's Big Adventure when I was young, and it hasn't really lost its appeal with time. "Large Marge" alone makes it worth watching again every so often. It's also the only film I know of that includes Mr. T Cereal.
"Yes, there are thousands and thousands of uses for corn, all of which I'm going to tell you about right now!"
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| Police Squad! 1982 |
Unfortunately, Police Squad! lasted only six episodes. I prefer the series to the Naked Gun films that are based on it, which I find a little too vulgar.
Police Squad! was released on DVD in 2006.
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| The Princess Bride 1987 |
If you somehow haven't seen The Princess Bride, you should.
I also recommend the novel. The movie follows it well, which is understandable since William Goldman is responsible for them both.
"No more rhymes now, I mean it."
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| The Prisoner 1967 |
When my friend Aaron Simmons loaned me a few episodes of The Prisoner, the show seemed somehow familiar--especially Rover, the balloon sentry. But I don't know where I might have seen it, since I wasn't around when it originally aired.
In any event, the show quickly grew on me and is now one of my favorites.
"Are you going to run?"
"Like the blazes; first chance I get."
"I meant, run for office?"
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| The Ring 2002 |
I've never decided how much I actually like The Ring. But it made a big impression on me so I think it belongs in this list.
All I had heard before entering the theater was "it's about ghosts," and knowing nothing turned out to be for the best. I found some elements contrived and others unpleasant, but I thought the film as a whole was creative and gripping.
I thought that Ring Two was garbage, though.
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| Time Bandits 1981 |
I think Time Bandits is excellent. I also like The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, another Terry Gilliam film.
"Yes, why does there have to be evil?"
"I think it has something to do with free will."
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| UHF 1989 |
Despite my being a fan of "Weird Al" Yankovic's music, I didn't see UHF until a few years after its release when my friends Troy and Anthony Kinsey rented it one night.
It then became the default movie that my family would rent when we couldn't find anything else--which was nearly every time we went to rent a movie. I think it's still my single favorite comedy film.
"Does this look like a number 2 pencil?"
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Obviously, I haven't attempted to summarize or review any of these. If you want to know more about them, try the Internet Movie Database.
Here are some others that might make this list when I become motivated to add to it:
Conan the Destroyer 1984
Cowboy Bebop 1998-1999
Edward Scissorhands 1990
Fruits Basket 2001
Galaxy Quest 1999
The Great Race 1965
It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World 1963
Robot Carnival 1987
Robin Hood (animated) 1973
The Fountain 2006
The Scarlet Pimpernel 1982
The Simpsons 1989
Star Wars Trilogy 1977, 1980, 1983
Superman II 1980
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory 1971
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