Top 25 Countdown — No. 7


Today I continue my Top 25 countdown with another Steven Spielberg classic.

No. 7 — Jurassic Park (1993)
Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, and Richard Attenborough
Director: Steven Spielberg
Quote: "Yeah, yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop to think if they should." — Ian Malcolm
About: There are movies that just stick with you, and "Jurassic Park" is one of mine. I was in the summer before sixth grade when the movie came out, and I remember seeing it in the theater. It was one of those movies that made a huge impression on 12-year-old me. I then read the book, and got drawn into the rich world of Michael Crichton. The book is a better than the movie, but I love them both. "Jurassic Park" has been among my top 10 favorite movies for more than two decades, and I think it will always stay there. It's been higher, at times, but it's never left that list of top 10 films. When I watch it today, I am still stirred by the beauty and the wonder of the filmmaking that reached me as a child. That is one of Spielberg's gifts as a director — a gift he's applied to so many classic films, including "Jaws" in some ways. But as an adult, I'm also drawn to the powerful story, which was the aim of Crichton. It's a cautionary tale about what happens when we try to play God. It's a rich narrative that asks deeper questions. The book does so in more depth, but the film captures elements of that, too. And, it's also just a lot of fun. There's so many iconic moments, lines, and visuals. "Jurassic Park" is my favorite Spielberg film and, I think, one of his most enduring. It's a timeless classic for viewers of all ages.
Rating: PG-13 for intense science fiction terror.

Top 25 Countdown:
8. Jaws (1975)
9. Gettysburg (1993)
10. Up In The Air (2009)
11. Die Hard (1988)
12. Doubt (2008)
13. Way of the Gun (2000)
14. Heat (1995)
15. The Paper (1994)
16. Watchmen (2009)
17. LA Confidential (1997)
18. Serenity (2005)
19. Children of Men (2006)
20. Miller's Crossing (1990)
21. About Schmidt (2002)
22. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
23. The Matrix (1999)
24. Independence Day (1996)
25. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve
Read more