My 9th to 11th Favorite Motion Pictures

11. Balance (1989)
So here’s not only the best animated film I’ve ever seen, but also the shortest film on this list. It’s only a quarter of the length of the second-shortest film on this list (see la Riviére du Hibou, #28, below). In fact, it’s so short, you can watch it during your lunch break by visiting here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJWT3p7uM6Y
This short film immediately captures attention by virtue of its unusual setting and obscure circumstances. As we try to figure out how things will end for the “fishermen”, we are strung along with mystery, suspense and one of the best endings to any film I’ve ever seen, regardless of length.

10. Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amelié Poulain (Amelié) (2001)
Le Fablah bla bla bla, otherwise known as Amelié, was an unexpected find for me. My wife and I went to the theaters to see this film at the insistence of some friends. And we were not disappointed. The many simple stories, woven together, form an intriguing look at Paris, romance, and one shy girl’s search for happiness. The cinematography is wonderful – the sets look cartoonish and perfectly enhance the mood and storylines of the film. There are unexpected twists, unique special effects and great asides that momentarily take the viewer from the story briefly and show them a larger world. This film makes us wish that our little actions could have so great an impact on the world around us, and at the same time, it reminds us to just sit back and enjoy the little things.
Oh – and it also makes a great jab at the media coverage of Princess Di’s death, which, in my opinion, was one of the most overblown, over-rated news stories of the 20th Century. Good call.

9. The Princess Bride (1987)
“Heroes. Giants. Villains. Wizards. True Love. – Not just your basic, average, everyday, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, ho-hum fairy tale.” (tag line)
This romantic tale of adventure, revenge and redemption succeeds by adding just the right amount of humor, and just the right amount of pathos. There are many characters to care about here, and the movie plays with the audience by keeping the true heroes of the film secret for as long as possible. This is one of those movies, like Mary Poppins, that has entire scenes that are memorable: Pirate vs. swordsman, Pirate vs. giant, Pirate vs. Vizzini comes to mind as the most fun series of challenges a hero has ever faced to win what he wants. My favorite subplot is Inigo Montoya’s – he gets the most memorable line of the whole film (which takes place in a very exciting and satisfying scene of revenging family honor).
The theme of The Princess Bride is that true love can conquer all. Throughout the movie, there are hardships and trials that true love must endure. The movie keeps the viewer guessing until the very end whether or not there will be the classic fairy tale ending.
It is both a classic fairy tale style and a modern comedy with well choreographed action sequences, and intense instances of suspense.
When I first saw this movie, I went right home and placed it at #3 on my all-time favorites list. But then I watched it again, and I realized just how annoying Fred Savage’s character is. I can’t stand the whole modern-day portion of the movie. I mean, the Peter Falk narration is okay, but everything else about it seems to interrupt to story rather than help it along. And what’s with the Rodents of Unusual Size? Really cheesy stuff. It’s like the Jar-jar Binks of The Princess Bride. I cringe whenever that scene comes up.