Time To Watch Some Movies!
There is nothing better than seeing a great film and wanting to share it with others – and thanks to the internet, we can do it all day long!
Ten Great Films That Begin With the letter “A”!
A terrific social media trend is going around where people share lists of their favorite films, A-Z. More on this in a moment.
But first, I decided to do it one letter at a time, so here we go – ten of my favorite movies that begin with the letter “A”!
10 – Animal House!
Yes, it is official “National Lampoon’s Animal House” but since this is arguably the funniest film ever made, I am going to go with the shortened title.
Check out the vintage trailer:
John Belushi showed that he could command the big screen, and togas were never funnier than in this hilariously profane look at college life…I suggest watching it as a double bill with “Old School” – here’s a bunch of fun trivia about the movie and the trailer as well:
https://johnrieber.com/2015/04/15/sex-togas-bluto-blue-schools-out-for-animal-house-and-old-school/
From comedy to horror, this is also arguably the greatest film of its genre:
9 – Alien
The most shocking sci-fi horror film of all – with the greatest poster as well! So many reasons to love this movie, and this scene is certainly iconic, isn’t it?
What a way to introduce a new cast member! None of the subsequent films can measure up – remember, “Aliens” is an action film more than horror – and that shocking introduction of the aline will never be topped!
Now onto one of the most interesting psychological biographies about Hollywood I’ve ever seen:
8 – Auto Focus
Greg Kinnear is mesmerizing as Bob Crane, who shot to fame as the star of “Hogan’s Heroes” – but he was a, shall we say, FAN OF WOMEN?
Check out the trailer – a blend of Hollywood bio-pic and sleazy exploitation:
Bob Crane loved to film himself having sex with female fans, and sleazy sidekick Willem Dafoe had no problem being his cameraman! A fascinating character study directed by Paul Schrader, who wrote “Taxi Driver.”
This is based on a true story, while our next film is a fictionalized version of Cameron Crowe’s teenage years – writing for Rolling Stone!
7 – Almost Famous
Cameron Crowe released a director’s cut of this great film – with more funny scenes, context and music – a classic movie about rock’n’roll!
Read more about the film, and the girls who followed by band:
Now, here’s a movie that has one of cinema’s more iconic lines:
“No, YOU’RE Out Of Order!”
6 – “And Justice For All”
Al Pacino shows that he’s got a set of lungs and he’s not afraid to use them in this late 70’s courtroom drama.
Next up is one of my all-time favorite films: a masterpiece about the horror of war – and working with Marlon Brando:
5 – “Apocalypse Now”
Franci Ford Coppola went into the jungle and came back with this anti-war masterpiece. Yes, Brando was a nightmare to work with, but the ending of the film has even been parodied on “Seinfeld”, and Coppola’s wife even made a documentary about how the experience almost destroyed their life:
What a great double bill!
Next on the “A” list is a Best Picture winner from 1977- yes, it beat “Star Wars” – Woody Allen’s masterpiece:
4 – “Annie Hall”
Diane Keaton won Best Actress for her portrayal of the title character – a film full of humor, insight, and of course, a small bit with Christopher Walken that is classic:
“Annie Hall” is an example of a film that is perfection: every scene works. A more recent comedy also balanced serious and funny – thanks to a “career best” performance by Hugh Grant:
3 – “About A Boy”
“You could end up childless and alone!”
“Well, fingers crossed, YES.”
Check out the trailer:
Hugh Grant has said that this 2002 film is the closest to his “real life” persona – a guy who simply doesn’t want to connect with anyone for any length of time – until “a boy” enters his life in the best way…Chris Weitz directed this, and its a terrific film – funny, emotional, and inspiring.
Now, one of the greatest “growing up” films of all time – directed by a guy who went on to make an “outer space movie”:
2 – “American Graffiti”
“Where Were You In ’62?”
The trailer asks this simple question – check it out:
One night in central California, as a group of high school graduates try to determine their future – a classic “coming of age” film with a great cast, expertly directed by George Lucas, who used this success to convince 20th Century Fox to let him make his passion film “Star Wars”….
Finally, a brilliant movie that is as topical today for reasons we all know:
1 – “All The President’s Men”
The story of the downfall of President Richard Nixon – Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman are terrific as the Reporter who won’t let the Watergate story fade away – even with overwhelming odds against them…a history lesson worth watching:
It’s one of a number of great political films, check them out here:
https://johnrieber.com/2012/10/17/dont-put-baby-in-a-binder-presidential-politics-political-movies/
There you have it, ten great films that begin with the letter “A”!
Yes, so many left off: from “Anti-Christ” to “Anchorman”, “Airplane!” to “Anvil!”, but I had to choose a list – so let me know what yours are!
It all started with a great social media experiment – everyone posting their favorite movie lists from A-Z – here’s a look at it:
https://johnrieber.com/2017/05/11/my-movie-alphabet-an-a-z-of-my-favorite-and-most-offbeat-films/
I loved taking part, and guess what – there’s another one that is just as fun!
My friend Beetley Pete has been doing a musical countdown to the alphabet – and here is the latest – the finger-snappin’ letter “N” – check his list out here:
https://beetleypete.wordpress.com/2017/07/09/a-musical-a-z-n/comment-page-1/#comment-30033
I will be doing a music version as well – but for now, movies with an “A” are here to enjoy.
As you can see, we have so many to choose from, let me know your favorite “A” movie!
Caucasian woman watching move in empty theater
