Sunday, March 07, 2010

Oscar Night: Films with Influence

I doubt if I'll make enough of an exception to my "No Television" rule to see more than a snippet of the Academy Awards.

It does cause me to think of films that influenced my attitudes or actions over the years. My short list would be:
  1. Shoah. This long documentary about the Holocaust is, I believe, the most powerful film ever made.
  2. To Kill a Mockingbird. Even aside from the story about civil rights, Atticus Finch is a model for fathers everywhere.
  3. Northwest Passage. This old film about Roger's Rangers is packed with lessons about leadership.
  4. Ben Hur. Good and evil and then something happens.
  5. Harvey. Elwood P. Dowd decides it's better to be oh so nice than oh so clever.
  6. Groundhog Day. Bill Murray's character goes through one stage after another. Some day, I hope to get to the last one.
  7. Chariots of Fire. They were running for more than medals.

Are there any films that have stayed with you?

2 comments:

Joe said...

Hang 'em High; A Bridge Too Far; Tommy Boy, The Godfather.

twistedByKnaves said...

Since you mention it:
Lawrence of Arabia - The Trick ... is not to mind that it hurts