Here’s my second list of 10 “must see” movies. I gave all ten of them 5 stars on Netflix. Let me know what you think.
1. Being There (1979)
The uncomplicated life of simple-minded Chance is changed after a run-in with wealthy Eve, and soon his “wisdom” — mostly garden related — has Washington’s political elite hailing him as brilliant. With Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Melvyn Douglas, Jack Warden, Richard Basehart, David Clennon. FcPQ9gww_qc
2. Blade Runner (1986)
In the smog-choked dystopian Los Angeles of 2019, blade runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is called out of retirement to snuff a quartet of “replicants” — androids consigned to slave labor on remote planets. They’ve escaped to Earth seeking their creator and a way to extend their short life spans. Director Ridley Scott’s reedited version comes with a different ending and the omission of Ford’s narration, giving the film a different tone. KPcZHjKJBnE
3. Best in Show (2000)
Master mockumentarian Christopher Guest (Waiting for Guffman) is at it again with this snarky send-up of canine culture that traverses the galloping neuroses surrounding one highly competitive dog show in Pennsylvania. Talented improvisers Parker Posey, Eugene Levy, Michael McKean and Catherine O’Hara elevate this satire to the stuff of genius. Fans of This Is Spinal Tap, television’s “SCTV” — and dogs, of course — will find much to love. yeifMjqpsg0
4. The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)
Though Tomas (Daniel Day-Lewis) is adept at juggling girlfriends (Juliette Binoche and Lena Olin), he has a tougher time following the dictates (or lack thereof) of his political conscience in this Oscar-nominated adaptation of Milan Kundera’s acclaimed novel about a womanizing Czech doctor. But when Soviet tanks rumble through Prague in 1968, the gravity of the situation changes all their lives forever in this drama from director Philip Kaufman. m1zYYWHFRNw
5. Cinema Paradiso (1988)
Giuseppe Tornatore’s Oscar-winning film follows Salvatore, a Sicilian boy who is mesmerized by the movies shown at the local theater. He befriends projectionist Alfredo, who mentors him and ultimately tells him to leave home to pursue his dreams. Now a famous film director, Salvatore returns home for the first time 30 years later for Alfredo’s funeral and is overcome with warm memories of his childhood even as the town has changed. C2-GX0Tltgw
6. Harold and Maude (1971)
Death-obsessed teen Harold Chasen (Bud Cort) is being hassled by his domineering mother (Vivian Pickles) to play the dating game, but he’d much rather attend funerals, which is where he meets the feisty Maude (Ruth Gordon), a geriatric widow who’s high on life. The seemingly mismatched pair forms a bond that turns into a highly unconventional — but ultimately satisfying – romance in this comical cult favorite from director Hal Ashby. hR-OojNoVDg
7. Where’s Poppa (1970)
Dutiful Gordon (George Segal) promised to never put his mother (Ruth Gordon) in a home — but that was before she was ruining his love life. Now, out of options and with the girl of his dreams on his arm, Gordon plans to scare his difficult mother to death — literally. Gordon tries to off his scatterbrained mother before she manages to rid of his girlfriend in director Carl Reiner’s wacky black comedy. fTkOLLdulC0
8. Tsotsi (2005)
After shooting a woman (Nambitha Mpumlwana) and driving off in her car, a ruthless thug (Presley Chweneyagae) is surprised to discover he isn’t alone, kept company by a crying infant in the backseat. But through his efforts to care for the baby, he slowly rediscovers his capacity to love. Writer-director Gavin Hood helms this Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film, based on the novel by Athol Fugard. DYnqbNl7VMM
9. My Life as a Dog (1985)
This Oscar-nominated gem offers an honest depiction of the often-confusing nature of childhood. Shipped off to live with his uncle for the summer, 12-year-old Ingmar finds unexpected adventures with the help of the town’s warmhearted eccentrics. These experiences give him the strength to accept his life and eventually enjoy childhood. VxzO8Qx96O4
10. This is Spinal Tap (1984)
Rob Reiner’s cult satire about a fictional heavy metal group named Spinal Tap spoofs nearly every facet of rock ‘n’ roll — from vacuous modern songwriting and half-baked album promos to pyrotechnic concerts. Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer portray the washed-up, aging British rockers whose tresses and egos outstrip their talent, with Reiner appearing as the filmmaker who’s chronicling the band’s calamitous comeback tour. YZbHagBNY98
I was sitting in my writing studio, deeply engrossed in an edit of my memoir, Loveyoubye, when a gust of wind caught the bell and it clanged. Just once. I stopped mid sentence. The sound, somewhere between a cowbell and one of those German beer hall bells, sounded clear and pure like never before. It filled my brain, shoving out everything else that was in there. I stared into space. The note lingered in my head then carried me to thoughts of Billie, my dear spiritual mentor, who passed away a couple of days earlier. I could see her, sitting in her chair speaking of the wisdom of the ages, excluding none of the religions or philosophies, instead expanding upon them, revealing the heart of each, beyond the form, beyond the dogma. How it is up to each one of us to adopt a loving heart and to consciously become receptive to that greater truth that unites us all. Brotherhood. She sounded a note so clear and strong that a path was blazed for others to follow, just like each one of us must do. Like Paolo Soleri, a man of vision and dedication is doing. His bell reminded me of this today.