#12 The Searchers

1956
Director: John Ford
Starring: John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles

So far, one of the only westerns I've ever seen that I've liked!  The story follows Wayne's character, Ethan Edwards, who comes homes after fighting in the Civil War to his family.  Before he can settle in, the family's ranch is attacked by Comanches.  Most of the family is killed, but his young niece, Debbie,  survives and is taken by the native americans.  Ethan sets out to save his niece and his traveling companion is Martin, a young man who is part native american and was all but adopted by Ethan's family.  Ethan's obvious dislike towards native americans comes out mostly towards Martin.  But after 5 years they finally find the niece, Debbie, who has become part of the Comanche tribe herself, and Ethan finds himself starting to feel the same towards her.  (Natalie Wood plays little Debbie all grown up.)  Great story, great characters... finally a western I can say I really enjoyed watching.

Trivia: Reportedly this film was seen in a theater in Texas by Buddy Holly and his friends in the summer of 1956. They were so impressed with Ethan's (John Wayne) repeated use of the phrase "That'll be the day" that they used it as the title for their now standard rock song, which they composed soon after.

Up Next: City Lights

#13 Star Wars

1977
Director: George Lucas
Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford

One of my all-time favorites, and one I've seen more times than I care to admit.  If you haven't seen this movie, there might be something wrong with you.  (Just as a side note- I watched this movie twice; once just by itself and once with a Rifftrax.  Google it if you've never heard of it!!)

Nothing more to say other than it's the reason why people go to the movies- entertaining as any movie can be.  Looking forward to see the sequels being filmed now!

Trivia: George Lucas was so sure the film would flop that instead of attending the premiere, he went on holiday to Hawaii with his good friend Steven Spielberg, where they came up with the idea for Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Up Next: The Searchers

# 14 Psycho

1960
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh

What a great movie! I haven't seen it in years, and it holds up. Every shot is perfect and purposeful.  What more can be said!

Trivia: Every theater that showed the film had a cardboard cut-out installed in the lobby of Alfred Hitchcock pointing to his wristwatch with a note from the director saying "The manager of this theatre has been instructed at the risk of his life, not to admit to the theatre any persons after the picture starts. Any spurious attempts to enter by side doors, fire escapes or ventilating shafts will be met by force. The entire objective of this extraordinary policy, of course, is to help you enjoy PSYCHO more. Alfred Hitchcock"

Up Next: Star Wars (!!!!!!)

#15 2001: A Space Odyssey

1968
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Starring: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester,

Stanley Kubrick's classic film, which I hadn't seen in about 20 years. The story follows mankind, starting with early apes, who come across a strange monolith on earth.  Modern man then discovers a similar monolith on the surface of the moon, and the race begins to find the origins of the strange structure.  Astronauts set out on a mission with the assistance of HAL (a computer/AI), who then turns on them.  I found myself loving the score, but the movie wouldn't be classified as one of my favorites.

Trivia: There is no dialogue in the first 25 minutes of the movie (ending when a stewardess speaks at 25:38), nor in the last 23 minutes (excluding end credits). With these two lengthy sections and other shorter ones, there are around 88 dialogue-free minutes in the movie.

Up Next: Psycho