I've never asked for a perfect movie--I wonder if such a thing is even possible. But sometimes, just every once in a blue moon, a cast and crew get it exactly right for a few dozen shots in a row: an unimprovable scene. Here are twenty-five of my favorites. What are yours?
1. Hudson vs. the Aliens
2. William Miller tells Penny Lane she was lost in a bet
3. Harvey Pekar asks, "What's in a name?"
4. Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich
5. "The Bavarian Bombshell herself: Let's hear it for Lili Von Shtupp!"
6. Ralphie doesn't say "fudge"
7. Mr. Bernstein remembers the girl on the ferry
8. Edward Scissorhands carves Kim an ice angel
9. "The power of Christ compels you!"
10. Seth Brundle explains the advantages of being The Fly
11. The Iron Giant invokes the Man of Steel
12. "You're gonna need a bigger boat."
13. The T. rex road attack
14. The Bride acquires a sword from Hattori Hanzo
15. Arwen's escape from the Ringwraiths
16. "By Gad, sir, you are a character."
17. Trinity runs for the phone
18. Major Toht interrogates Marion Ravenwood
19. "Why do you think he removes their skins, Agent Starling? Thrill me with your acumen."
20. Peter Parker unmasked on a subway train
21. "The Force is with you, young Skywalker. But you are not a Jedi yet."
22. Artie Fufkin, Polymer Records: "I'm not asking, I'm telling with this."
23. "What is the problem with Michael Jackson?"
24. "When She Loved Me" with Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl
25. Baby Fish Mouth
P.S.: For the benefit of people like my girlfriend who aren't complete movie dorks, here's the list of references above:
1. Aliens
2. Almost Famous
3. American Splendor
4. Being John Malkovich
5. Blazing Saddles
6. A Christmas Story
7. Citizen Kane
8. Edward Scissorhands
9. The Exorcist
10. The Fly (1986)
11. The Iron Giant
12. Jaws
13. Jurassic Park
14. Kill Bill: Volume 1
15. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings
16. The Maltese Falcon
17. The Matrix
18. Raiders of the Lost Ark
19. The Silence of the Lambs
20. Spider-Man 2
21. Star Wars, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
22. This Is Spinal Tap
23. Three Kings
24. Toy Story 2
25. When Harry Met Sally...