Jennifer's Top 30
Here they are in alphabetical order
So... you might wonder, what do all these movies have in common? The Quest! Each film represents an initiatory journey where the heroine(s) are transformed by their experience, moving from a state of innocence to a state of experience and sometimes even enlightenment.
- Beauty and the Beast (Jean Cocteau)1946 Suitable for Children
Hands coming out of the walls, Lights that go on by them selves. A beast that is transformed into a prince through genuine love.
- Blade Runner (Ridley Scott)
Eye candy and rather overt Christ references. A visual symphony, still one of my all time faves.
- Bliss (Lance Young)
A tender love story for these times of transformation. Desire, sexuality and fear, a path of tantric healing and the ramifications of childhood sexual abuse.
- Conan the Barbarian (John Milius)
Hypnotic visuals, mythic in proportion, James Earl Jones is godlike as the leader of a snake cult, and of course Arnold rules!
- The Crow (Alex Proyas)
Rich, brooding visuals and a story that affirms Love is stronger than Death.
- Dangerous Beauty (Marshall Herskovitz)
A Venusian movie if ever there was one. The spiritual economical and political ramifications of a woman's place in society. A courtesan's freedom vs a wife's limitation. The gift of redemption given through courage and love.
- Eric the Viking (Terry Jones) Alas this is not available through Amazon
The Cloak of Invisiblity, Valhala and a Tim Robbins as an existential viking.
- Excaliber (John Boorman)
The chant of making; orchards transforming from barreness to blooming abundance before our eyes; the quest for the Holy Grail.
- The Hunger (Tony Scott)
Lush, lyrical, dreamy, immortality and exquisite love making with Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon to Delibes.
- Into the West (Mike Newell) Suitable for Children
The bold adventure of two young boys, their magical horse and the mythical quest for Tir-Na-Nog in modern Ireland.
- It's A Wonderful Life(Frank Capra) Suitable for Children
Probably my all time favorite, watching it always restores my faith in the fundamental goodness of humanity
- Kama Sutra (Mira Nair)
Don't be fooled into thinking this movie is going to be an erotic delicacy. Kali Ma, the destroyer, vanquishes illusion, and reveals a powerful tale about love and sexual politics
- Knightriders (George A. Romero)
King Arthur rides again! Only this time it is on motor cycles! Brother Blue as Merlin is unforgettable.
- The Last Temptation of Christ (Martin Scorsese)
Courageous retelling of the life of Christ. One of the best soundtracks ever.
- Legend (Ridley Scott)
Mia Sara as the Queen of the Underworld, Tim Curry as the Prince of Darkness. Those eyes, those lips, those thighs. Need I say more?
- Made in Heaven (Alan Rudolph) Suitable for Children
Sweet and hopeful, a precious little romance about two souls who meet in heaven, and the beloved who agrees to risk everything to find his mate in this one life time.
- Man Who Fell to Earth
David Bowie is an extraterrestrial being in search of Water. The journey from hopeful innocence to jaded corruption through greed, lust and gluttony.
- Metropolis (Fritz Lang) 1926
A remarkable testimony to the genius of early film. Especially enhanced when accompanied by the Massachusett's band: Alloy Orchestra.
- Muriel's Wedding (P.J. Hogan) So much better than P. J.'s second bridal flick "My Best Friend's Wedding", but alas it is not available through Amazon
Who knew Abba could be so empowering? A woman's journey beyond the cultural fantasy that love and marriage will make her whole.
- Orlando (Sally Potter)
Rich, lush, vibrant visuals! This story of imortal gender morphing begins in Elizabethan England and lands on a motorcycle in the early 90's. Awesome soundtrack!
- Pleasantville (Gary Ross)
Imagine life with no color. Imagine how safe it would be. Imagine discovering passion, sensuality, delight, beauty. Imagine seeing a the red of a rose, the blue of the sky, the blush of a lover's cheek for the very first time.
- Pulp Fiction (Quentin Tarantino)
Who would have thought that an exploding head, racist bondage and domination, and the boss's wife overdosing on smack could be so funny. Brilliant editing and story telling.
- Rocky Horror Picture Show (Jim Sharman)
Tim Curry as Dr Frankenfurter... Those lips, those eyes: Luscious! Magenta and Riff Raff doing the Time Warp again!
- Sheltering Sky (Bernardo Bertolucci)
The existential loneliness of the human heart. Love, searching and purification in the desert.
- This is Spinal Tap (Rob Reiner)
Some of the funniest scenarios ever. Especially "Stonehenge" , amps that go up to 11, and the scene with Airport Security.
- Time Bandits (Terry Gilliam) Suitable for Children
Napoleon watches a bunch of Midgets dancing and singing to Me and My Shadow. What more do you want?
- Twin Peaks
- Wild At Heart (and practically anything else by David Lynch)
I have loved David Lynch's film-making forever. Visually compelling, insightful and never afraid to reveal the shadowy aspects of the human soul.
- Wings of the Dove (Iain Softley)
Oh that light reflecting on the water. Oh those blue tiles and calla lillies. Oh the ways that fear, scarcity and love can motivate our choices.
- The Wizard of Oz (Victor Flemming) Suitable for Children
Gee Toto, I guess we're not in Kansas anymore! -Dorothy
Great costumes, great sets, lots of good lines to quote. Besides... it seems that any time I am having a transformational experience, I find corresponding themes from this movie.
