Guest Post: Melissa Bradley's "Dirty Dozen" - TOP All-Time Favorite Movies

Hello, dear readers! Today is a very special day for me and my blog, because it’s time for the first-ever guest post on CineMarvellous!, and I’m truly honored that it comes from this particular person. I’m extremely happy to introduce you the absolutely lovely Melissa Bradley and her “Dirty Dozen” – the twelve most impactful films, that will stay with her forever. Enjoy the list – it’s as versatile and wonderful as Mel herself. So enjoy, and don’t forget to check out her fantastic blog - Melissa's Imaginarium.

Huge thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for the "Dirty Dozen" thing, as it was originally his idea. He did a movie blogfest with that name a while ago, and it was amazing! I hope you don't mind I've used it, Alex :)

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Mel: "When George asked me to do a list of my twelve favorite movies, I was very flattered and excited. Then I was overwhelmed at the sheer size of this task, I have so many, many favorites. However, I managed to narrow the list to films that I have watched innumerable times and that have had a lasting impact on me. Here they are in no particular order, Mel’s Dirty Dozen"

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Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

"This is my absolute favorite, laugh out loud film. Cary Grant has a gift for comedy that transcends. The writing is spectacular, filled with witty dialogue and all manner of humor from the dry to the slapstick. It shaped my love for dark comedy."

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Romeo and Juliet (1968)

"Franco Zeffirelli was an astounding filmmaker who captured the essence of the Bard in this lush, magnificent presentation. From the choices of Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting as the star-crossed lovers to Pasqualino De Santis as cinematographer, Zeffirelli creates the most stunningly epic translation of the tragic love story ever put on film. Every frame is gorgeous, sweeping the viewer straight into 16th century Verona."

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Star Wars: Episode IV
A New Hope (1977)

"This was the first movie I ever saw on the big screen. To this day Williams’ score sends thrills down my spine. I watch this movie with a child-like enthusiasm that has never faded. It’s a grand majestic tale with ground-breaking F/X for its time, that may seem a bit dated today, but to my eyes it’s still awesome."

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The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
(2001 - 2003)

"The greatest films ever. I love everything about this trilogy from the writing and acting to the cinematography, to the F/X and the costumes. It’s all brilliant, a sublime visual feast that completely transports you to another world. I had never seen anything like this before and haven’t since."

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Goodfellas (1990)

"My ultimate all time favorite gangster movie. I love the gritty realism, the violence and the raw, rude dialogue. Scorsese’s direction and Nicholas Pileggi’s writing blew me away. This film is why I love mob movies with such a passion."

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Glory (1989)

"One of the greatest war movies ever, in my opinion. The visionary direction, amazing acting and glorious score combine for a haunting tour de force. Freeman and Washington are perfection as disparate former slaves struggling to find their way with each other and in a racist army that does not accept them as real soldiers. I get caught up every time I see this movie, even though I know what happens."

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Mississippi Burning (1988)

"Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe mesmerize as two FBI agents who clash constantly over their investigation into the disappearance of three Civil Rights workers in 1964 Mississippi. Frances McDormand shines as the brow-beaten wife of the local deputy, played to evil perfection by Brad Dourif. Tense with explosive undercurrents throughout, Alan Parker’s film leaves me shaken and disturbed each time I watch it."

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The Howling (1981)

"I absolutely had to include a werewolf movie and this one is my favorite of all time. The transformation scene alone is brilliant. A couple of other flicks, An American Werewolf in London and Dog Soldiers have come close to supplanting this, but not quite. It’s a bit cheesy with a good mystery and has its female characters shockingly not acting like typical horror film bimbos."

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What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

"This is one of my favorite Johnny Depp films. Gilbert’s struggle to care for his brother Arnie and his morbidly obese mother while trying to have a life of his own is heart wrenching. Lasse Hallstrom’s direction and Peter Hedge’s screenplay are wonderful. This is a uniquely strange story that could have easily been over the top, but Hallstrom kept it grounded and honest so that we all see ourselves in Gilbert."

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Silkwood (1981)

"Meryl Streep gives an amazing performance as Karen Silkwood. She’s a woman barely keeping her head above water, who rises to the occasion when she sees something wrong at the nuclear plant where she works. Mike Nichols directs this sentimentalized film, downplaying many the less pleasant aspects of Karen’s life, but it is a great story nonetheless."

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300 (2007)

"Zack Snyder wows with the story of King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans. The stylized violence and the epic action sequences are mind blowing. Then you have the sheer physical awesomeness of Gerard Butler, Michael Fassbender, Rodrigo Santoro and the rest of the cast. It is simply breathtaking on so many levels."

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Aliens (1986)

"One of James Cameron’s finest. Watching Sigourney Weaver kick alien ass is cool as hell. The action sequences are rapid fire, coming at you like speeding bullets. I feel like ducking and running with the characters. No matter how many times I watch this, the same excitement washes over me and I half expect to be handed my own pulse rifle."

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