There was a lot of internal deliberation that went into choosing my Top 10 this semester. You’d think that after all this time, I wouldn’t have waited until the day before publication to figure out my topic, right? Wrong!
I was originally going to give you guys a breakdown of my favorite La Croix flavors, but let’s be honest, who wants to hear me ramble on about how delicious the pamplemousse flavor is. I would just sound like a pretentious hipster, and whether I am or not is a topic that should be saved for another day.
Anyway, I decided to let you all in on what my all-time favorite movies are instead! I think it’s a topic that anyone and everyone can get behind and a classic top 10 that you can never go wrong with. While I’m far from being a movie buff like my dad and brother are, I enjoy a good film probably more than the next guy and am working my way up the ranks to seeing as many movies as my family members have.
Without further adieu, please enjoy my top 10 favorite movies!
10. “Party Monster” (2003)
Let’s dive right in, shall we?
“Party Monster” is based on real events that transpired in the ’90s throughout New York City and more specifically focuses on Michael Alig, the leader of the Club Kids movement during the decade. The Club Kids were a group of young partiers that frequented dance clubs throughout the city and often threw impromptu bangers in subway stations, restaurants, moving vehicles and really anywhere they could. Michael Alig, one of the top party promoters in the city and the king of the Club Kids rose to fame due to his outrageous personality, provocative lifestyle and wild demeanor. However, Alig got deep into drugs and ultimately killed his close friend and drug dealer Angel during an altercation in 1996. The movie stars Macaulay Culkin as Alig and Seth Green as James St. James, his close friend and fellow promoter. The details of Angel’s death are pretty brutal, so I won’t get into it too much, but hey, give it a watch! Don’t let the Rotten Tomatoes score of 29 percent dissuade you, it’s a rollercoaster ride.
9. “Trainspotting” (1996)
Based on the 1993 novel of the same name, “Trainspotting” came out in 1996 and stars Ewan McGregor as Renton, a heroin addict trying to kick his habit and live a normal life. Renton is tired of living the way he does and, despite relapsing a couple times, moves to London to escape Scotland and get back on his feet. However, when Begbie, a manipulative, bullyish friend of his de facto moves into his flat, Renton becomes agitated and feels as if he’s back at square one. The climax and denouement of the movie are worth the emotional events leading up to it, fully. Despite being squeamish to needles, Trainspotting is one of my favorite movies because you are rooting for Renton the whole time, and when he rises to the top it’s fantastic to see.
8. “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)
A bit of a change of pace from the prior two movies on my list, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is a light-hearted film about a high school student named Ferris Bueller skipping school on a beautiful spring day and having an afternoon of debauchery and shenanigans in the city of Chicago. When I was in fourth grade, my teacher Mr. Carty quoted the film in class and I watched it solely based on the fact that he was my favorite teacher. That was the beginning of something beautiful, as from that point on, I watched the movie every time it was on TV. Whether I was sick, happy, sad or trying to fall asleep, Ferris Bueller was always there for me and I loved it every time. I was always envious about how charming and cunning Matthew Broderick was in this film. While I’m not to that level yet, I’m working on it. 🙂
7. “Blue Velvet” (1986)
Just like countless liberal arts students before me, I’m a sucker for David Lynch. One of my favorite pieces of work he has ever created is “Blue Velvet,” starring Kyle MacLachlan as Jeffrey Beaumont. After finding a severed ear upon returning home from college, Beaumont brings it to the police and is reacquainted with the police chief’s daughter, Sandy Williams (portrayed by Laura Dern) who has some information about the ear and how it’s connected to a strange woman named Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini). Beaumont sneaks into her house, which is the inciting incident into when his storyline changes. The movie from that point on turns into one of the most unsettling and equally bizarre and terrific. If you’re into Lynch and haven’t seen “Blue Velvet,” it’s time.
6. “Fallen” (1998)
“Fallen” (starring Denzel Washington as John Hobbes) is one of the most underrated movies of all-time. Hobbes visits a criminal on death row he helped capture, who whispers something in Aramaic to him before he is executed. After a string of murders, Hobbes figures out that Azazel, a demonic spirit, is possessing people and committing these crimes. Azazel is able to switch bodies on command and Hobbes has to find a way to stop him and stymie the spirit. It’s cold and unnerving, but has you hooked from the start as the denouement comes right down to the wire, or so you think.
5. “Clerks” (1994)
Another comedy on my list, Clerks is one of the all-time best. Kevin Smith may be a goober, but man, he knocked it out of the park with “Clerks.” Dante, the main character, wakes up one morning only to find out he has to open the convenience store he works at on his day off. His relief is supposed to come shortly after, but never does, so he has to work his day around trying to have fun while also working. His friend Randall keeps him company and his girlfriend brings him lasagna, but he finds out that his ex is back in town and attempts to get back with her. It’s amazing what can happen in 12 hours at a convenience store, but hey, it’s endlessly entertaining.
4. “Juice” (1992)
In addition to dissing Biggie Smalls on tracks like “Hit ’em Up,” Tupac Shakur also dabbled in acting. One of his all-star roles was Bishop in “Juice.” The movie takes place in Harlem, with Tupac’s character becoming infatuated with the idea of gaining clout as a ruthless gangster. Tupac goes off the deep end in this one, and while his character is extremely scary, you almost kind of like him. Omar Epps plays Q, the protagonist of the movie and former best friend of Bishop, who is on a mission to stop Bishop before he kills more people or gets killed himself.
3. “Videodrome” (1983)
Cheesy ’80s body horror directed by David Cronenberg and starring James Woods and Deborah Harry. What more could you possibly ask for? Woods plays Max Wren, whose mind gets infected by a program he watches with the intent of possibly putting it on his public access television station. It makes him have violent fantasies, which he finds harder and harder to distinguish between real and fake as time goes on. I’ll leave you with five words until you watch it: “Long live the new flesh.”
2. “American Psycho” (2000)
It’s almost concerning how well Christian Bale portrays Patrick Bateman in “American Psycho.” What I like most about this movie is that the ending is ambiguous and makes you choose what you think happened. Bateman works on Wall Street, but beyond his job, is a sick, twisted man with murderous tendencies. It’s the perfect blend of suspense and comedy that me and News Editor Matt Ferremi quote often.
1. “Donnie Darko” (2001)
The moment we’ve all been waiting for “Donnie Darko” has been my favorite movie since I was 15 years old, and one I can watch a million times and never get sick of. I urge you to watch the director’s cut, otherwise it will be far too confusing. Donnie (portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal) is stuck in a tangent universe over 28 days and must find a way for it to collapse safely so the primary universe can stabilize again. The all-star cast also includes Maggie Gyllenhaal, Patrick Swayze, Drew Barrymore and Noah Wyle with cameos from Ashley Tisdale and Seth Rogen. If you wanna watch any of these movies with ya boy or discuss your favorite films, email Piersalr1@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu!