The Essentials

There is a new series on YouTube, well relatively new anyway, hosted by Tamara Lynn Chambers called "Tamara's Never Seen" that I have been enjoying quite a bit. Initially, I was surprised at some of the films I considered essential films she had never seen. The idea that someone had never seen Jurassic Park, The Secret of NIMH, The Terminator or The Goonies just seemed...impossible. But yet she hadn't and that's okay. Then I got to thinking about what would I consider "The Essentials," to borrow an ongoing series from my beloved Turner Classic Movies network. What are the films I think anyone looking to expand their cinematic viewings should see to provide a foundation of solid film appreciation? Deciding to focus on just American film for the moment, because I need to narrow this down somehow, here are at least some films that I consider to be essential viewing, with brief explanations as to why. It is by no means complete, but it's a solid start, with a mix of classic and contemporary films from all different kinds of genres. In fact, this is just the tip of the iceberg and likely the first of several lists like this.


Casablanca
This is, for me, the perfect movie. It has everything in it, mystery, intrigue, romance. It has some of the most quotable dialogue (and often misquoted too). Iconic performances by both Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in a WWII film that has the distinction of being made while the war was still going on, which only adds a certain authenticity to the film. I wouldn't change a frame of it. It's a true masterpiece. 


Almost Famous
This is another film that I consider to be damn near perfection. The film tells the story of a teenage boy, William Miller (played by Patrick Fugit), getting a chance to go on tour with an up and coming rock band to write an article for Rolling Stone and the misadventures he experiences along the way, including his first taste of romance with groupie Penny Lane (played by Kate Hudson), who only has eyes for the band's lead guitarist (played by Billy Crudup). The film was written and directed by Cameron Crowe, based on his own experiences as a teenage journalist for Rolling Stone, which adds an authenticity and honesty to the story that it would otherwise be lacking. It also has a killer soundtrack, with choice cuts from the likes of Led Zeppelin, Simon and Garfunkel, Cat Stevens and Elton John, among others. 


North by Northwest
This is a quintessential Hitchcock film, with iconic action sequences, an exquisitely witty script and Cary Grant at his most effortlessly charming. Grant plays a New York advertising executive who is mistaken for a spy, leading him on a chase across the country to try and get rid of the bad guys on his tail, made all the more complicated when he's framed for murder. This is easily one of the most entertaining movies I've seen and is fantastic from beginning to end.


The Godfather and The Godfather, Part II
I'm cheating and lumping these two in together. While the first film very much stands on it's own, the second film enhances and enriches the first film so much that it genuinely is the second part of the story. This sprawling tale of the Corleone crime family was brought to life by director Francis Ford Coppola with exquisite detail and rich characters. Almost operatic in scope, these films have a grandeur that you just don't find anymore. With a fantastic cast that includes Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, James Caan, Robert DeNiro and Robert Duvall, these two films are true American classics. 


Jaws
Steven Spielberg's first major film remains one of his absolute best. The film tells the story of a small coastal resort town in New England terrorized by a Great White Shark and the three men who wind up going out to try and stop it. Spielberg masterfully generates suspense more from what he doesn't show us than what he does, although it didn't help that the mechanical shark they used rarely worked. Despite the production troubles, he managed to create a bonafide classic that basically invented the summer blockbuster as we know it today. 


The Black Stallion
This film is easily one of the most beautiful I have ever seen with some genuinely breathtaking cinematography. The film tells the story of a young boy, Alec, (played by Kelly Reno) who after surviving a shipwreck finds himself stranded on a deserted island with a beautiful Black Arabian Stallion. The two form an unbreakable bond that continues when they are rescued and return to the boy's home together. There Alec meets a retired horse trainer named Henry (played by Mickey Rooney) and two decide to train the Stallion to become a champion race horse. The film itself is wonderfully acted and has solid direction from Carroll Ballard, creating a rich and gorgeous film. 


Some Like it Hot
Without a doubt one of the funniest films I have ever seen. Two struggling musicians, Joe and Jerry (played by Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon), in 1929 Chicago wind up witnessing the St. Valentine's Day Massacre and need to get out of town quick. They dress in drag and join an all women's band, led by singer/ukulele player Sugar Kane (played by Marilyn Monroe), on it's way to Florida. Once there, Joe sets out to try and seduce Sugar, posing as a playboy millionaire while Jerry finds himself fending off the affections of a legit millionaire, Osgood Fielding III (played by Joe E. Brown). With great comedic turns by both the leads and a great performance by Marilyn Monroe, this one is a true classic that never stops being funny. Besides, it has a fantastic final scene. 


Leon: The Professional
In the pantheon of '90's action movies, this one is unique. Director Luc Besson, who also wrote the script, manages to balance heartpounding, explosive action sequences with a tender and moving story. Mathilda (played by Natalie Portman, in her first film role no less), comes home to find her family has been murdered by a corrupt DEA agent (played by Gary Oldman) and takes shelter with her reclusive neighbor, Leon (played by Jean Reno). It turns out Leon works as a "Cleaner" a.k.a an assassin. A unique friendship develops between the two as Leon agrees to not only protect the young girl, but also begin training her in his trade. Anchored by three fantastic performances by Portman, Reno and Oldman and stylish direction by Besson makes this without a doubt the director's masterpiece.  


Back to the Future
I know what you're thinking, Nate how is it possible that someone hasn't seen something like Back to the Future? Well, believe it or not, there are people out there who have not. But they do need to fix this oversight as soon as possible. The film centers on teenager Marty McFly (played by Michael J. Fox), who accidentally travels back in time to 1955 courtesy of his quirky inventor friend Doc Brown (played by Christopher Lloyd) and his retro-fitted Delorean time machine. In short order, he meets both his parents and manages to screw up their first meeting and therefore jeopardize his own existence. So, not only does he have to try and find a way back to the present, but also needs to ensure his parents fall in love in the first place. In short, this really is another one of those perfect movies. It has everything, comedy, romance, and adventure. It is also insanely detailed with plenty of sight gags that viewers will never catch the first time through and therefore rewards rewatching. While you're at it, check out Back to the Future Part II and Back to the Future Part III. They're not quite as good as the first, but all together make for a thoroughly solid trilogy.  

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly 
I had to include at least one Western on this list and I figured it might as well be one of the most influential. The film tells the tale of three men, Blondie (played by Clint Eastwood), Tuco (played by Eli Wallach) and Angel Eyes (played by Lee Van Cleef) searching for a hidden cache of Confederate Gold during the Civil War. Filled with memorable scenes and three iconic central performances make this a memorable film. The film is directed with style and a tongue in cheek flair by Sergio Leone backed by an iconic Ennio Morricone score. The film is considered part of the Dollars Trilogy that includes A Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More, but aside from all three being directed Sergio Leone, scored by Ennio Morricone, and starring Clint Eastwood, the films have no real connection at all. That said, all three are well worth checking out. 


Smokey and the Bandit
Among my more haughty cinephiles this is going to be a controversial choice, but it's my list and if you don't like it too damn bad. Go make your own list. While Smokey and the Bandit wouldn't be considered high art by any means, it is one of the most shamelessly and consistently entertaining films I've ever seen. And at the end of the day, isn't that why we go to the movies? The film is simple in it's plotting, with Bandit (played by Burt Reynolds) and his friend Snowman (played by Jerry Reed) being bet $80,000 they can't bring back 400 cases of Coors beer from Texarkana to Georgia in 14 hours. They accept the bet and come up with a novel plan. Bandit, in his flashy new Trans Am will speed along ahead of the Semi Snowman is driving to attract the attention of various police (a.k.a Smokies, because the hats they wear make them look like Smokey the Bear) away from the truck carrying the beer. The reason is because in 1977, when the film was made, Coors was not licensed to be transported past Texas so therefore they are committing the crime of bootlegging. Along the way, Bandit picks up runaway bride Carrie (played by Sally Field) and as a result they wind up with her would be father in law Buford T. Justice (played by Jackie Gleason) and her would be husband, Junior (played by Mike Henry) in hot pursuit, along with countless other police officers along the way. The movie has a great, playful sense of humor, a number of genuinely impressive car stunts and a great cast who all seem to be having a blast, especially Jackie Gleason who damn near steals the show. It's a film that has never failed to entertain me. The film was followed by two sequels, but neither quite managed to recapture the spirit of the first.   


Rushmore
I really wanted to include a Wes Anderson film on my list and decided to go with his second film, Rushmore. They're all good, but I feel like this is a good movie to start with and is my personal favorite of his films, so I suppose I am biased. 

Max Fischer (played by Jason Schwartzman) is an eccentric and ambitious high school senior who attends the prestigious Texas private school, Rushmore. He is the founder of the majority of clubs at the school (as shown in a fantastic montage set to "Making Time" by Creation) and puts on elaborate school plays, based on films such as Serpico and Apocalypse Now. When local industrialist Herman Blume (played by Bill Murray) speaks at the school, Max is immediately taken with him and the two become fast, if unlikely, friends. Things take a turn when they both develop a crush on the school's new elementary school teacher, Miss Cross (played by Olivia Williams) and become rivals for her affections. 

The cast is perfect, with Bill Murray giving a great performance as Herman Blume, a lost man whose wife is cheating on him and who despises his two bratty kids. He sees a certain kindred spirit in Max and is impressed by the little lad. Their friendship, with all it's ups and downs, is one of the main reasons I loved the film so much. Similarly, Jason Schwartzman has the harder role of the two. In the wrong hands, Max could have been an incredibly unlikeable character, starting off the film with a massive ego. Max is taken down a few pegs and learns some humility over the course of the film. Schwartzman manages to portray this all quite well. There is a very unique style to Wes Anderson's films and this is where it really began. I love how he tells his stories and the unique visual style he brings to every shot as he does. Add to that a unique score by Mark Mothersbaugh as well as some wonderful deep cut songs from the likes of The Kinks, The Who, The Rolling Stones and Cat Stevens and it becomes a film not quite like one I had ever seen before and such a fantastic breath of fresh air. 

So, yeah, there we go. Twelve movies I feel are excellent and well worth seeking out. I deliberately went for a mix of classic and contemporary films, while also avoiding the obvious, like Citizen Kane, The Wizard of Oz or assorted other solid gold classics everyone knows. This really is just the tip of the iceberg and like I said before, I will likely make follow up lists periodically because there are so many more where this came from. But this is a healthy start at least.