Film and Television
Last updated on July 19, 2009
Movies are an extremely influential and important part of my life. I can remember when I was a kid riding my bike to the local movie rental shop to check out the latest releases on VHS. I can't think of a better way to spend a couple of free hours than to get lost in a great movie.
Film
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Children of Men (2006) |
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| I am a huge fan of futuristic movies in general and this one was no exception. A great plot offers a glim but interesting take our world in 2027. It has one of the most powerful openings of any movie I have ever seen. It is one of those films that really makes you take a step back and think about the state of humanity and how our culture would react to such a drastic problem such as infertility. | |
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Cinderella Man (2005) |
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If this story wasn't based on true events I would still love it. However, the fact that this is based on the real Jim Braddock makes the story just that much more special. There is nothing like seeing the human spirit fight back from rock bottom - this movie exemplifies that age old theme. Russell Crowe, who is one of the best actors out there today, delivers a superb performance. I also highly recommend the soundtrack to this movie which is scored by Thomas Newman.
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Elizabethtown (2005) |
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| Some might find this a peculiar choice but I found this Cameron Crowe film to be very inspiring and really moved me in a way that is hard to describe. The beginning is a little quirky but its quirkiness was precisely the reason I found it so enjoyable. The soundtrack is also a great eclectic mix of different music. | |
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Field of Dreams (1989) |
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| I absolutely love this film! Everyone has dreams and this movie really speaks to believing in those dreams and seeing them through - no matter how crazy they may seem to others around you an no matter what sacrifices need to be made. The ending of this movie, where it fades away from the baseball field with the lights of the cars flickering in the distance, is one of the most memorable movie endings of any movie I have ever seen. The soundtrack by James Horner is amazing as well. | |
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Ghost (1989) |
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| This movie is one of the iconic romantic dramas of all time. The pottery scene with "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers playing in background is pure movie history. I'm not a religious person by any means but I love the idea of having faith in something that seems crazy and how the power of belief can manifest itself in very powerful ways. | |
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Good Will Hunting (1997) |
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| This movie is one of those films that is has a lot to say without having to say it. It's a great story about personal growth and overcoming your life circumstances . I have seen this movie dozens of times and every time I'm moved just as much as the first time I saw it. As an aspiring screenwriter myself, I admire and look up to what Ben Affleck and Matt Damon were able to do with this movie as writers and actors. | |
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Helvetica (2007) |
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| If you want to really "geek out" on typefaces then check out this documentary. It goes into the history of how Helvetica came to be as well as an in-depth discussion of typography. It does a great job in highlighting just how much of a cultural impact typography has. | |
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Into the Wild (2007) |
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| This book and movie are extremely inspiring to me. I often want to just drop everything and go off on a similar adventure as the main character Chris does in this movie. There is a certain excitement but also trepidation when I think about the idea of completely disconnecting from the world and all of it's order. Perhaps one day... | |
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Rocky (1976) |
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| This movie, its soundtrack and everything else about it are ingrained in my childhood memory. I loved this movie growing up and always found inspiration in the story. If you think the movie is inspiring, then make sure to check out the story of Sylvester Stallone and how he got this movie made - it's perhaps more inspiring than the movie itself. | |
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Rudy (1993) |
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| Another great movie that tells the true story of Notre Dame football player Rudy Ruettiger. It's a true glimpse at how determination and persistence can pay out in the end - no matter how grande your goals are. Also make sure to check out the soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith - one of my favorite soundtracks of all-time. | |
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The Family Man (2000) |
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| Life is all about decisions. I love this film because the idea of being able to go back in time and see how your life would have played out if you made a different decision is an extremely fascinating concept. This film also serves to put personal and professional aspirations in perspective. | |
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The Shawshank Redemption (1994) |
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| In the end, justice is usually served. This film exemplifies that idea. Like a lot of my favorite films, it's all about the human spirit overcome insurmountable odds to achieve something. For the main character Andy Dufresne, it was about trying to regain his freedom which was unjustly taken away from him. | |
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Vanilla Sky (2001) |
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| This movie is complex and has a variety of interpretations which is partly why I enjoyed it so much. I really enjoy movies that leave the meaning and interpretation to me - and this was certainly one of those. It does a great job of examining what is real and what is not. The closing scene is one of my all-time favorites. | |
| Notable Mentions... A Beautiful Mind, About a Boy, August Rush, Back to the Future, Blood Diamond, Boiler Room, Bourne Identity, Braveheart, Chocolat, Collateral, Coming to America, Crash, Dances with Wolves, Deep Impact, E.T., Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Freedom Writers, Funny Farm, Garden State, Gladiator, In Bruges, Jerry Maguire, Last of the Mohicans, Legends of the Fall, Lions for Lambs, Little Miss Sunshine, Million Dollar Baby, My Cousin Vinny, Overboard, Planes Trains and Automobiles, P.S. I Love You, Ratatouille, Religulous, Road to Perdition, Rounders, Sideways, Thank You For Smoking, The Beach, The Big Lebowski, The Firm, The Fugitive, The Pursuit of Happyness, Trading Places, V for Vendetta, Wall Street, Wedding Crashers, Wicker Park and Zoolander. |
TV
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The Wonder Years (1988-1993) |
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| This is by far my favorite TV show of all-time. It tackled the political and social issues of the late 60's and early 70's in such a unique and entertaining way. One of the great aspects of this show was the wonderful period music integrated throughout the series. However, it also turned out to be the thing that has kept the series from being released. Due to music rights issues, the entire series has yet to be released. This is a complete shame, I would pay a crazy amount of money to buy a box set of this series if it were available. | |
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24 (2001 - present) |
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| I came in at season four but quickly caught up thanks to Netflix (it was actually the reason I first joined Netflix). Although I still think season one was the best season so far, it's still as entertaining today as it was then. Granted you do have to get over the mildly absurd nature of some of the plot points but nevertheless, it is one of my guilty pleasures. Also, I can't help but love the fact that the good guys have Macs and the bad guys have PCs. | |
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Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000 - present) |
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| I am a huge fan of Larry David. I think Curb is one of the funniest shows on television. He manages to find comedy in everyday things in a way that no one else can. | |
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Entourage (2004 - present) |
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| Who wouldn't want to be Vincent Chase? It's a great show that attempts to offer a glimpse at the beyond the scenes lifestyle of a hollywood actor. The characters are very authentic and often make you forget you are actually watching a TV show. | |
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Real Time with Bill Maher (2001 - present) |
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| Bill Maher is not only a tremendously funny guy, but when it comes to politics, he knows what's going on. What makes his show so great is that no one is off limits - although he does lean to the left he doesn't hold back in making fun of those on both sides of the aisle. I have seen him live before and also loved his documentary Religulous. |