A Little More Modern Top 5 Film List
So for all my work as the National Classic Cinema Examiner, one of the things I've done is asked for anyone interested in giving a Top 5 favorite classic film list. I got a recent answer, though the films were a little more recent than the classic era. Yet I'm sure she put a lot of thought into the list, so it's still going to get some attention on this page.
This Top 5 list was provided by Stephanie Gruber of Philadelphia, an artist and restaurant worker and a Wildcat alum - considering she graduated from Villanova in 2009. (She can also be seen on Tumblr as well - stagr.tumblr.com) Here are her top 5 favorite movies of all time...
5. The Nightmare Before Christmas (Henry Selick, 1993)
While another filmmaker was the credited director, Stephanie (and many others who loved the film) sees the film's real genius in writer-producer Tim Burton. "He can do no wrong," she said. "[There's] hauntingly beautiful imagery, a unique story, and it's fun to watch for both Halloween and Christmas...I watch it on both holidays every year."
4. The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan, 2008)
Nolan's second Batman film (after Batman Begins) was a worldwide blockbuster, and part of the reasoning for that is largely connected to the late Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning turn as the Joker. Stephanie agreed: "Ledger's unforgettable performance playing a twisted yet compelling character." She also said the "phenomenal story telling" was another reason why she could watch the film over and over, with every scene still making a big impact.
3. Into the Wild (Sean Penn, 2007)
Author Jon Krakauer's book about how Christopher McCandless abandoned his privileged life for a different, more isolated world was given the big-screen treatment by Oscar-winning actor Penn (who has also had some success as a director). Stephanie said the true story made the connection all the more personal. "The story is just emotional," she said. "And Emile Hirsch (who played McCandless) plays a relatable and intriguing character."
2. Newsies (Kenny Ortega, 1992)
Of all the films on her Top 5 list, this musical was a critical and commercial failure. Yet Stephanie still likes the film - and always has. "It's been my favorite movie since childhood," she said. "It's fun, it's funny, and it simply makes me feel good from beginning to end." She praised the music and choreography by Ortega, who was making his directing debut. And there was one more reason for Stephanie liking this film. "It also doesn't hurt that Christian Bale is the lead."
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Peter Jackson, 2003)
The last and hugely-successful film of the trilogy certainly left its mark on many, including Stephanie. Yet she singles out this film for many reasons. "[It's] an experience all in its own," she said. "It takes you away to this other world...the character development, the scenery, the action, the special effects. The final resolution all lend to the magnitude of this film."
So Stephanie, you must be looking forward to the upcoming Hobbit films. And perhaps a Newsies stage musical, if it comes to Broadway?
