Lists are great. They inspire discussion, create arguments, and tend to spiral off into fun new lists. When you do a list about the “BEST” of anything it goes from being fun to becoming a hotbed for arguments. There’s no such thing as a definitive list but I’ve decided to pull from my rather extensive life of film watching and put it to good use.
This is not the “film critic’s top 100” list. There’s no guarantee Citizen Kane or The Bicycle Thief will be in the top echelon or even on the list. This is the 100 movies I would put my name on as my top 100. If I died tomorrow this would represent the 100 films I find most vital, special, or ones that bonded to whatever it is that makes me me. I’m not including documentaries, though that might make for a nice supplemental list.
The first 80 will be in no particular order. The last 20 will be in very particular order. One a day, you have my word.
#80 – Boogie Nights
Message Board Thread Discussion.
Master Index of the 100 Best Movies Ever.
Why is it here:
What an absolute classic. The music. The moments. The freedom of the actors. The embarrassing moments. The laughs. The astonishing filmmaking. Everything about Boogie Nights reeks of an awakening. So many things were born here and this “big bang” of a movie really caused a new era in modern film. Paul Thomas Anderson is a major talent and to cobble this assembly of talent, many of which who really made their name here, showcases cinematic kismet. And at its core it’s just a story about a guy with a huge dick. Amazing. Though Anderson shows a little idol worship in his style there’s no denying that this is an electrifying and brave film. There are so many great moments and career-best performances that it almost seems like an impossible movie. It even made Burt Reynolds relevant for a [luckily] short time.
Moments to savor:
“You Got the Touch”. The genuine love exuding from Amber Waves towards Dirk. The Colonel losing it all. Little Bill’s goodbye. Rollergirl at her finest. Diggler’s tantrums. The gigantic WTF of the attempt to rob Alfred Molina’s character. Thomas Jane’s 70’s look.
Rewatchability:
High. Though the film has ups and downs emotionally and some of the downs are really hard to watch, it’s such an exhilarating movie with so many now iconic moments that it’s impossible not to fall in step. It’s a lot like Goodfellas in that, such a sad third act but it’s all so engaging.
Miscellany:
One of the producers of this film (Lloyd Levin) and I have about five different projects we’ve been trying to make for years. Imagine if even one does, I get one degree of professional separation from a big ‘ol rubber dick! Bucket List, Bitches!