Farewell List: My Top 10 Movies

Front Row at the Movies by Shirrel Rhoades

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People are always asking film critics to name their favorite movie. That’s a bit tricky. Some movies I appreciate for their craftsmanship. Others for their theme or content. Some are simply entertaining. Still others strike a personal soft spot.

So, as I retire my weekly “Front Row at the Movies” column, I thought I’d leave you readers with a list of my Top 10 personal movie favorites.

10. “Cinema Paradiso” (1988) – A paean to the love of movies.

9. “Midnight in Paris” (2011) – A literate “grass is greener” fantasy.

8. “Casablanca” (1942) – A satisfying, self-sacrificing love story.

7. “The Third Man” (1949) – An atmospheric story that tells us that the world is morally ambiguous.

6. “The Godfather” and “The Godfather Part II” (1972, 1974) – The grim and gritty exploration of power, family, loyalty, and corruption.

5. “La Dolce Vita” (1960) – A surreal look at the spiritual emptiness of self-indulgence.

4. “The Wizard of Oz” (1939) – The most magical movie moment ever – when the screen turns from sepia to Technicolor as we arrive in Oz.

3. “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) – The heartwarming holiday message of don’t underestimate what you already have.

2. “Singin’ in the Rain” – (1952) – The greatest splashiest musical ever.

1. “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962) – A perfect movie in my book. I watch it over and over as Atticus Finch teaches us to do the right thing.

While we’re at it, let’s add these Honorable Mentions:

The noirish mysteries “Laura,” “Sunset Boulevard,” “The Maltese Falcon,” and “Chinatown.”

The classic Westerns “The Searchers,” “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” and “McCabe & Mrs. Miller.”

Plus, the knee-slapper comedies “Young Frankenstein,” “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” and “Airplane!”

I could add more.

But why not try composing your own list. It will help to define your own cinematic profile.

Email Shirrel: srhoades@aol.com