Undaground Cinema

As you've probably already read, my sister-in-law was in town last weekend. One of the activities we shared was a viewing of "Almost Famous". She had not seen it, and it is one of my favorite movies. I was inspired to make a list of the Undaground's top 25 movies not named Godfather I or II (those are givens).

All of the movies listed below stand the test of time with me. If I stumble upon them on cable or pop the movie in the DVD player, I can stay interested no matter how many times I've seen it. Some of these are wildly popular. Some are cult favorites. You've probably seen most of them. If not, I encourage you to go get them. They are listed alphabetically.

Almost Famous
One of two Cameron Crowe movies on this list. This is a semi-autobiographical account of his own teenage years. He uses music in his movies as well as anyone. I love this movie.

American Movie
The only documentary on this list. This was made just before reality TV became a reality. Go rent it. Unintentional comedy is hilarious.

Ben Hur
The oldest movie on my list. The chariot scene is a miracle considering when this movie was made. If you haven't seen it, carve out a couple of Saturday mornings and watch it one hour at a time. It's quite long.

Best in Show
I like all of the improv movies made by the original Spinal Tap crew. This, however, is the best of the bunch.

The Blues Brothers
The only musical on this list. It's a shame that they even tried to make a sequel, which I promise I will never, ever, ever watch unless John Belushi comes back from the dead and watches it with me.

Big
Forget Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, Philadelphia, Apollo 13 or any of Tom Hanks' other critically acclaimed movies. They are all great films, but this is his finest acting performance, hands down.

Bull Durham
I like baseball movies. I loved Field of Dreams, Bad News Bears, Eight Men Out, but Bull Durham stands above the rest as the best baseball movie ever made.

Caddyshack
I defy you to play a round of golf and not hear someone in your foursome quote this American Classic.

Garden State
This was made very recently, but I think it will still be on my list a decade from now.

Goodfellas
I almost left this off the list because Henry Hill is a rat. Every time I watch it, I dislike him more. I wish they would make a movie from somebody else's point of view. I guess it's a cautionary tale about choosing friends wisely.

The Graduate
This is another classic made before I was born. If you like "The Graduate", then rent "The Pallbearer" starring David Schwimmer.

Groundhog Day
Rarely does a story come along that hasn't been told before. This is one of those stories.

Groundhog Day
Rarely does a story come along that hasn't been told before. This is one of those stories.

Groundhog Day
Rarely does a story come along that hasn't been told before. This is one of those stories.

The Karate Kid
I don't care if this is thought of as more of an 80's punchline than a great movie. This movie had a profound effect on me as a youth. Ask my mother, who had to pay for Karate lessons, or the poor Asian man down the street, whose fence I painted without his permission.

Meet the Parents
Great comedy. Skip "Meet the Fockers", because it's the exact same movie.

Napoleon Dynamite
If you didn't get it or don't like it, watch it 10 or 12 more times and it will get better each time.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Jack Nicholson's best movie, if you ask me.

The Right Stuff
This is another extremely long movie, but worth your time. It's educational, too.

Rudy
Every time Rudy sacks the quarterback, a tear rolls down my cheek.

Say Anything
Another Cameron Crowe movie. John Cusack is an 80's icon. This is more of a dramady than a comedy. See Better off Dead if you want wacky Cusack comedy.
Shawshank Redemption
Unbelievable storytelling.

Sixth Sense
I knew that there was a surprise ending, and I didn't guess what it was. It all seems so obvious now.

Stand By Me
This is another one of those movies of my youth that I watched over and over again. Just like Shawshank Redemption, this was based on a Stephen King short story.

Swingers
Probably my favorite movie not named Godfather. It's the guy-equivalent of a chick-flick. If you haven't seen it, indulge yourself.

Top Gun
That's right. I said it. The bald guy who plays the screaming officer on the aircraft carrier is my favorite character actor of all time. "I gotta send two of you bozos to Miramar!!!"

The Usual Suspects
Another surprise ending. Cool movie from top to bottom.

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Do you love any of these movies? Hate them? What did I miss?