Continuing with the Top Ten focus for this month’s Tuesday posts, I give you (once again, in no particular order) my Top Ten Movies.
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The Blues Brothers is a chaotic musical comedy that follows Jake and Elwood Blues as they try to save the Catholic orphanage where they grew up. Their “mission from God” leads to outrageous car chases, unforgettable music numbers, and encounters with everyone from nuns to neo-Nazis. Plus a massive cast of A-list celebrities in roles throughout the film.
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The Matrix is a groundbreaking sci-fi film that explores a dystopian world in which humans unknowingly live in a simulated reality. When hacker Neo learns the truth, he joins a rebellion to fight the machine overlords and discover his own destiny. The film also originated the complex, multi-camera setup known as “bullet time.”
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Moulin Rouge! is a vibrant musical that blends modern pop music with a dramatic love story set in 1899 Paris. It follows Christian (played by Ewan McGregor), a young writer, who falls deeply for Satine (played by Nicole Kidman), the star performer of the Moulin Rouge, as they fight for love against impossible odds. I love this film’s soundtrack.
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Breaking Away is a coming-of-age story about four small-town friends grappling with adulthood after high school. The film centers on Dave, a cycling-obsessed teen who dreams of racing professionally while navigating friendship, identity, and ambition. All filmed in and around my alma mater, Indiana University.
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Bohemian Rhapsody chronicles the rise of Freddie Mercury and Queen, capturing their musical genius and the pressures of worldwide fame. The film highlights Mercury’s personal struggles and triumphs leading up to the band’s legendary Live Aid performance. A stellar performance by Rami Malek channelling his inner Freddie.
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Office Space is a cult-classic comedy about workplace frustration and corporate absurdity. After a hypnotism session gone wrong, Peter Gibbons adopts a carefree attitude that turns the company upside down and sparks an unexpected rebellion. If you disagree, I’ll take your red stapler!
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Ferris Bueller’s Day Off follows charismatic teen Ferris as he skips school for an epic day in Chicago with his friends. The film celebrates youthful freedom, friendship, and the idea that sometimes you just need to pause and enjoy life. Unless you are a classic red Ferrari.
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The Princess Bride is a fairy-tale adventure filled with romance, swordfights, and sharp humor. It follows Westley’s quest to rescue Princess Buttercup while introducing iconic characters like Inigo Montoya and Vizzini. And a huge acting performance by Andre the Giant.
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Die Hard is an action classic starring Bruce Willis as John McClane, a cop who must stop a group of terrorists holding a skyscraper hostage. Packed with suspense and memorable one-liners, it redefined the modern action hero. And it IS a Christmas film. Yippee-Ki yay!
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Weird Science is a quirky ’80s comedy about two nerdy teens who accidentally create the perfect woman using a computer experiment. Their outrageous adventure teaches them confidence, friendship, and what it really means to grow up. All with a splash of a classic Cadillac, a nuclear missile, and an attitude adjustment for a bully brother.
PHOTO CREDIT: 8 mm Kodak film reel. (by Coyau via Wikimedia)
