Ryan McNeilI turned thirty this weekend – hence the absence of an update yesterday. I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend, and even managed to score a DVD or two (deluxe editions of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND if you must know).
I’ve heard people mention that 30 is the new 20. I’m not sure what I can say to that, I’ve had a few curmudgeonly moments over the past few weeks that make me feel like I am quickly approaching old-man-dom. Take my experience at FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL for instance…
When I noticed two rows worth of teenagers arguing with the usher and desperately trying not to get kicked out of the R rated movie, part of me wanted to see them get the boot. Now if 21 year-old-me was sitting next to 29 year-old-me, he’d probably give me a smack for such age-ism. Who knows, maybe I am getting old.
So with all this thought this week of 30 years having passed, I thought I’d look back and put together a small top five. While it’s a bit of a weak list, take a look after the jump…
#5. GREASE… I think my fiancee would leave me in a heartbeat if I omitted this movie from my five. Either that, or she’d force me to sit through a Brat Pack marathon. I do like GREASE though, catchy tunes, teenage hormones, Travolta acting cool…what’s not to like?
#4. ANIMAL HOUSE… I have few regrets in life, but one of them is choosing to go to college in my hometown rather than moving away. Instead I’ve had to make do with watching ANIMAL HOUSE and wonder what might have been. Hmmm, I wonder if Delta House would have accepted me as a pledge?
#3. THE DEER HUNTER… Is it me, or does that wedding scene seem about as long as an actual wedding reception? I know this movie isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s a lot to be said for its nuances. I wonder what might have happened if Michael Cimino hadn’t got so carried away over-doing HEAVEN’S GATE? Hollywood might’ve had another auteur. This one’s worth it for that beautiful closing scene.
#2. THE LAST WALTZ… I already wrote a lot about this one last fall, so I’ll spare myself the risk of sounding repetitive. Quite simply the best concert doc ever made.
#1. SUPERMAN… If you were at my get-together this weekend, this choice shouldn’t shock you. I grew up believing in his heroism, and idolized the blue and red. Of all the actors ever to don the tights Christopher Reeve is still the best, and as if that’s not enough you get Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman as well! Not the best movie from 1978, but easily my favorite. It made me believe a man could fly.