Listmania!
Movies Worth Watching
By an Amazon.com customer
The Shawshank Redemption (Single Disc Edition)The Shawshank Redemption (Single Disc Edition)
Buy new: $4.99 / Used from: $3.94
This is one of my favorites. It’s an all around good drama. Love the ending.
Stargate (Ultimate Edition)Stargate (Ultimate Edition)
Buy new: $6.49 / Used from: $1.05
Granted, I’m biased because I love the television series, but this is a great sci-fi film.
Life Is BeautifulLife Is Beautiful
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $3.98
It’s a foreign film but don’t let that discourage you. It’s heart-breaking, funny, and altogether wonderful. Roberto Benigni is amazing.
The Last CastleThe Last Castle
Buy new: $4.99 / Used from: $0.22
I have a thing for prison movies/shows. I’m pretty sure I cried during this movie.
Gattaca (Special Edition)Gattaca (Special Edition)
Buy new: $8.49 / Used from: $5.27
Lesser known science fiction movie but very good. Thought provoking and profound.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Widescreen Edition)The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Widescreen Edition)
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $1.50
Admittedly, I still like the books better, but I did really enjoy the movie. I particularly love Marvin in this.
The Color of MagicThe Color of Magic
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $3.13
Again, the books still reign supreme, but if you like Discworld it’s still a good watch. It’s based on “The Color of Magic” and “The Light Fantastic”.
Star Wars Prequel TrilogyStar Wars Prequel Trilogy
Buy new: $23.49 / Used from: $20.97
I’m just going to leave it at that.
Star Wars TrilogyStar Wars Trilogy
Buy new: $25.99 / Used from: $24.20
HighlanderHighlander
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $4.67
“There can be only one.” Classic. Christopher Lambert at his finest.
The MatrixThe Matrix
Buy new: $4.99 / Used from: $2.92
Of course. Although, I’d like to mention that the idea of the Matrix largely stems from the TV Series Doctor Who. It’s from the episode “The Deadly Assassin” with the Fourth Doctor, if you’re interested.
The PrestigeThe Prestige
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $2.22
Great drama with a nice twist at the end. Love it.
The Illusionist (Widescreen Edition)The Illusionist (Widescreen Edition)
Buy new: $4.99 / Used from: $2.77
This came out around the time of “The Prestige” and deals with stage magicians as well. Edward Norton is a fantastic actor.
The Fifth ElementThe Fifth Element
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $1.00
Since I seem to be going through the sci-fi/fantasy favorites, might as well throw the Fifth Element in there. Not sure how this became so popular--it’s rather strange--but I like it nonetheless.
The Princess Bride (20th Anniversary Edition)The Princess Bride (20th Anniversary Edition)
Buy new: $4.99 / Used from: $4.00
Talk about classics. And talk about True Love.
Forrest Gump (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)Forrest Gump (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $6.39
I think Tom Hanks is fantastic. Another classic.
The Terminal (Widescreen Edition)The Terminal (Widescreen Edition)
Buy new: $9.98 / Used from: $0.50
Like I said, Tom Hanks fan. He was adorable in this. Exceptionally good.
Apollo 13 (Widescreen 2-Disc Anniversary Edition)Apollo 13 (Widescreen 2-Disc Anniversary Edition)
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $4.74
“Houston, we have a problem.” Tom Hanks, yet again. Actually, there wasn’t a weak link in this cast.
Tristan and Isolde (Widescreen Edition)Tristan and Isolde (Widescreen Edition)
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $1.82
“Before there was Romeo and Juliet, there was Tristan and Isolde.” Sad love story.
Pride & PrejudicePride & Prejudice
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $5.96
A happy love story. Most girls love this. Mr. Darcy’s to blame.
Rain Man (Special Edition)Rain Man (Special Edition)
Buy new: $7.49 / Used from: $1.93
Dustin Hoffman is phenomenal. Very moving story.
Men of HonorMen of Honor
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $0.01
Another touching movie. It was inspired by a true story. Highly recommended.
Moulin Rouge! (Widescreen Edition)Moulin Rouge! (Widescreen Edition)
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $1.88
Ewan McGregor. His voice just makes me melt. Nicole Kidman is great in this, too. Sad, a little bizarre, and a good soundtrack.
The Pursuit of Happyness (Widescreen Edition)The Pursuit of Happyness (Widescreen Edition)
Buy new: $10.49 / Used from: $1.82
Definitely a poignant movie. This one as also based on a true story. I cried.
Million Dollar Baby (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition)Million Dollar Baby (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition)
Buy new: $10.49 / Used from: $0.75
I really cried at this one too. Extraordinary cast. Hilary Swank is one of may favorite actresses. Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood. This is so well done and very, very moving.
RadioRadio
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $0.39
Incredible story. Another one based on true events.
Rudy (Special Edition)Rudy (Special Edition)
Buy new: $4.99 / Used from: $2.17
I think this is my last true story of the bunch. They just always seem to be good.
Pretty Woman (15th Anniversary Special Edition)Pretty Woman (15th Anniversary Special Edition)
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $7.97
Fun, classic film. Julia Roberts is a fantastic actress.
A Knight's Tale (Special Edition)A Knight's Tale (Special Edition)
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $0.50
I think Heath Ledger is great and I absolutely adore Paul Bettany so this is one of my favorites. Sweet, fun, and rather touching.
Brokeback Mountain (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)Brokeback Mountain (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Buy new: $16.99 / Used from: $4.40
Again, with Heath Ledger. Let me clarify that this is not a movie about two guys who go up a mountain to have sex. It’s about society’s fear of things that are different and the consequence of that. Really. I’m not just pulling out some profound-sounding fluff. I cried and cried--it was heart-breaking. It was the first time I’d ever really given the whole issue of homosexuality a thought.
A Beautiful MindA Beautiful Mind
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $4.97
And again with Paul Bettany. Not going to spoil it for those who haven’t seen it but it’s surprising. And good, of course.
The Da Vinci Code (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)The Da Vinci Code (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $3.05
Tom Hanks and Paul Bettany, so of course I'm happy. Great books and a pretty good movie.
Angels & Demons (Two-Disc Extended Edition)Angels & Demons (Two-Disc Extended Edition)
Buy new: $24.99 / Used from: $15.70
Sequel to The Da Vinci Code, and it's fantastic.
The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Theatrical and Extended Limited Edition)The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Theatrical and Extended Limited Edition)
Buy used from: $3.99
Watch the extended version if you can, the extra scenes are perfect with the rest of the film without making it feel as if the movie is dragging on forever. It’s definitely worth it. Incredible films—amazing cinematography, music, and most of all, Peter Jackson was able to condense the plot without ruining the story line.
The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (Theatrical and Extended Limited Edition)The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (Theatrical and Extended Limited Edition)
Buy used from: $3.79
The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King (Theatrical and Extended Limited Edition)The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King (Theatrical and Extended Limited Edition)
Buy used from: $5.74
Superman Returns (Two-Disc Special Edition)Superman Returns (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Buy new: $19.99 / Used from: $0.85
This was a well-done return to Superman. Beautiful and really well cast.
Star Trek (Single-Disc Edition)Star Trek (Single-Disc Edition)
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $9.87
Looks like I'm on another geek run. I loved the new Star Trek movie. I thought it was extremely well cast, given how tough it is to re-cast already well-established roles, and the plot was satisfying. Loved the guest staring of TOS actors, too.
Harry Potter Years 1-6 Giftset (Widescreen Edition)Harry Potter Years 1-6 Giftset (Widescreen Edition)
Buy new: $44.99 / Used from: $107.36
While I really do think the books are better, I still love the movies. It's Harry Potter, after all.
DefianceDefiance
Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $3.12
Exceptionally good. I highly recommend it.